Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-30 i Sunday Tribune

South Africa is one of the most sophisticated countries on the continent when it comes to digital finance. We file our taxes through Sars eFiling, register our companies online, move money between banks and accounts in seconds, and pay for goods with QR codes, tap-to-pay and banking apps. Yet when workers, in particular domestic staff who are among the most vulnerable workers in the country, become unemployed, they still have to jump through hoops, submit paper forms, stand in queues at Department of Labour centres, and wait months for a Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payment that might never come. Domestic work might be conducted in the private space, but it remains one of the most essential and undervalued forms of labour in South Africa. Sweepsouth’s 2025 Report on Domestic Worker…

With the holiday season rapidly approaching, Netflix’s newest film has already claimed the number one spot in the Top 10 rankings. Deviating from the usual thrillers and true-crime documentaries, Champagne Problems is a refreshing romantic comedy. With its charming setting in Paris and a delightful cast, the film stars Minka Kelly as Sydney Price, an ambitious executive on a mission to acquire Château Cassell, one of France’s most prestigious champagne houses. Directed and written by Mark Steven Johnson, it brings together actor, comedian and musician Sean Amsing, who plays Roberto, a billionaire hipster with a love for wine and parties and German actor Flula Borg as Otto Moller, who adds a touch of dry humour to the story. The plot unfolds in the City of Lights, where on her very…

Is your company’s year-end function coming up? It’s that time of year when companies dedicate a day – or even just a few hours – to thank their staff for their hard work. Whether it’s a few pizzas and a couple of beers or a full-on all-you-can-eat and open bar kind of party, it’s the one occasion where everyone in the business, from the CEO to the tea lady, can let their hair down and get to know each other outside of the work space. Now, I’ve had my fair share of office parties to know that they can be great fun, but they can get a bit out of hand. There’s the colleague who turns into a completely different person when the alcohol kicks in, and then there’s the…

Last month, one of the country’s largest prepaid metering company launched an in-app electricity advance feature. Mobile phone network operators are offering similar services too, allow- ing subscribers who are short of prepaid electricity tokens to purchase them on credit and repay the amount the next time they top up. What began as a simple mechanism to advance airtime and data has now morphed into a credit-based platform for essential services such as electricity. At first glance, this may appear to be a convenience and an innovative way to help cash-strapped consumers stretch their finances until payday. However, in reality, it is not the lifeline it appears to be. In 2020, a private company launched a system that allows employees to access a portion of their salaries before payday, effectively…

AS the families of the young South African men who were lured into joining mercenary forces in Ukraine are pleading for help in their repatriation, the Hawks yesterday confirmed the arrest of four people at OR Tambo International Airport on suspicion of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act. Acting on a tip-off, the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit intercepted the suspects who were leaving the boarding gates at the airport, reportedly en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. “Four suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, following their arrest on Friday, on suspicion of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998,” the Hawks said in a statement. While the Hawks have not revealed the names of those…

So much of what we think we know about men is loudness. Achievement. Output. The scoreboard. The masculine that endures. The masculine that holds it together. But in my conversation with Aewon, the artist the world knows as Aewon Wolf, rapper, songwriter, performer, poet of Durban pavements and spiritual seeker we discover something very different. Something quieter. Something softer. Something deeply human. Aewon is a man of evolution. A man who has lived many lives inside one body. A man who is actively unlearning and redefining what power looks like and who gets to claim that power. Aewon didn’t just arrive as an artist. He built himself through community, curiosity and quiet, the sitting still for long enough to explore the parts that weren’t serving him any longer and turning…

Six of the accused, one of who is an alleged prostitute, are believed to be behind the kidnapping and murder of Malcolm Pather have abandoned their bail application. Formerly from Durban but had relocated to Cape Town, Pather’s body was found burnt beyond recognition earlier this year. The accused have opted to remain behind bars while one of the women, the apparent sex worker, was focused on continuing her bail application. The State is set to prove that the group – alleged gang members and prostitutes – apparently lured Pather in July. He was last seen alive on July 13, leaving his home in his blue BMW. The accused are: Stacey-Lee Hector, Wade Van Reenen, Igshaan Abrahams, Kyle Francis, Courtney Nortje, Paul Solomons and Zainoediden Greeff. They made…

IN LAST week’s edition of the Sunday Tribune, Professor Thabo Zulu published a response to my letter on governance integrity at the University of KwaZulu- Natal (UKZN). His letter, while framed as an academic intervention, does not engage any of the substantive issues I raised. Instead, it relies on generalised assertions, mischaracterisations of my position, and a restatement of institutional ideals as though they were evidence of institutional practice. Given the seriousness of the matter, a clear and evidence-based clarification is required. Misrepresentation of my original concerns Professor Zulu begins by expressing “deep disappointment” and accusing me of “sensationalising isolated events.” Yet he does not cite a single sentence from my original letter to substantiate this allegation. A claim of misrepresentation requires demonstrating how the alleged distortion occurred. His letter…

Kaizer Chiefs’ winless start to their CAF Confederation Cup group-stage campaign continued as they salvaged a 1-1 draw against Zamalek at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium yesterday afternoon. Chiefs went into the match eager to get their group-stage campaign back on track after losing their opener to Al Masry in Egypt. But it wasn’t to be — the White Knights scored early, only for Amakhosi to salvage a point deep into stoppage time. Chiefs will now have to wait until late January to try to secure their first win in the group when they face their COSAFA-region neighbours Zesco United. In the meantime, they cannot afford to drop their heads as they will need to beat Chippa United and TS Galaxy to end the year on a high in domestic…

The Springboks confirmed their status as the best team on the planet when they crushed Wales 73-0 in Cardiff yesterday to become the most successful Springbok side in a calendar year. The overwhelming win was marred, however, when, at the death of the game, Bok veteran Eben Etzebeth was red-carded for allegedly pushing his finger into the eye of a Welsh player. The question will be… why? Coach Rassie Erasmus’ team has now won 12 of their 14 matches for an unprecedented 86 percent win record. Going into the match, the portents were not good for Wales, given that South Africa had won 19 of their previous 20 Tests in the Northern Hemisphere — including 13 straight victories since the 2023 World Cup. The Boks are also the only Tier…

Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, will unveil his final 23-man AFCON squad in a live television broadcast tomorrow. Broos has acknowledged his selection will be fraught with complexities and emotional weight. Two years ago, Broos navigated the selection process with relative ease, but he now faces the challenge of choosing from an expanded pool of talent, highlighting the depth of South African football. “I know that what was so easy two years ago will now be very difficult to do because we have more than 23 players who can go to AFCON and deserve to go to AFCON,” Broos recently said, signalling the stiff competition among players vying for coveted spots. After naming the 55-player preliminary squad, Broos has prepared himself for the heart-wrenching reality of making intricate cuts.…

The Springbok Sevens had a tough start to the new World Rugby SVNS Series, winning only one match in their pool of death at the Dubai tournament. The Blitzboks finished last in Pool A, after opening with a victory over France, but falling to Fiji and Argentina. It means they will not be contesting for a 12th title in the United Arab Emirates yesterday. Argentina sealed a 19-14 win in the last match of the day, but the match was only a formality with both sides being knocked out after the French and Fijians ended first and second. Only the top two teams from each pool progress straight to the semi-finals in the new format. The Argentines led 12-0 at halftime before a mini-comeback by the Blitzboks through Ronald Brown…

Veteran actress Hema Malini took to social media to celebrate her beautiful journey with Dharmendra. On her X handle, she posted rare and special glimpses from their courtship days and special family moments. Malini shared a series of photos featuring herself and Dharmendra along with their daughters, Esha and Ahana. The collection included moments from a recent outing, where one picture captured the couple cutting a cake together. She also posted a nostalgic photo in which she is seen sitting beside Dharmendra with a garland around her neck, a throwback that appears to be from their wedding. Another image showed the two relaxing on a couch, with Dharmendra’s arm lovingly placed around her shoulder. The final photo seemed to be from one of Malini’s stage performances, where she is seen…

THE magic of the ’90s is set to be reborn with playback singers Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet and Vinod Rathod coming together for the upcoming track Dosti. This marks the first union of all of them together. The song has been composed by Sarbarish Majumder, and is a heartwarming tribute to the timeless bond of friendship and marks a milestone in Sarbarish’s musical journey as well as in the industry at large. The track celebrates friendship, brotherhood, enduring bonds, and the emotion of standing together through every season of life. It bridges the nostalgia of ’90s Bollywood melodies with a refreshing contemporary arrangement, making it an instant connection for listeners across generations. Speaking about the song and the collaboration, Sarbarish said; “Working with these legends has been an…

As the festive season approaches and many South Africans prepare for local and international holidays, the excitement can often lead to rushed trips to the airport or even missed flights. Every year, countless passengers experience delays due to longer check-in queues, unexpected traffic and simple mistakes. To help ensure a smooth start to your holiday, here are some key tips that will help you breeze through the airport and arrive on time. Before travel: Prepare l Leave early: Try to arrive at the airport 120 minutes before your flight departs to avoid last-minute stress. “Leaving early is by far the best advice we can give to passengers, to account for unforeseen traffic, e-hailing delays, or parking/walking delays,” says Haydn Halim-Henning, brand manager at LIFT. l Clearly label items: Don’t forget…

South Africans seemed to have dumped big ticket items such as big screen TVs during this year’s shopping event of the season, Black Friday, and deal hunted for every day grocery items. This comes as consumers in the country continue to feel the bite from the cost-of-living crisis and look for ways to stretch their rands. According to a recent survey conducted by Debt Rescue, results showed that for ordinary citizens, Black Friday was no longer about affording little luxuries and more about survival. South Africans have battled their way through another turbulent year of financial stress and strain, driven by relentless price increases and continued elevated interest rates, and the festive holiday retail experience of Black Friday no longer generates a sense of excitement and expectation among consumers as…

Sometimes you want something that goes beyond the theatrics and tantrums of reality TV, of which there is a saturation, to pique your interest. Of course, I can’t scroll past a crime drama, especially one that is underpinned by a rife societal problem. The Delhi Crime franchise has been on my radar since season one, when it homed in on the aftermath of a horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape. It was based on the gang-rape and torture of Jyoti Singh, a 22-year-old physiotherapy intern, who was travelling with her friend, Avnindra Pratap Pandey, on a bus. He was beaten to a pulp during the incident. Hats off to the creative team and cast on how they executed the series, which was a sensitive topic for the nation. Kudos to the…

The notion that people who decorate early for Christmas are happier has been frequently spoken about; however, researchers have proved that it’s more about their personality and sociability. The claim comes from psychologists, but there is research linked to this conversation, and it is a 1989 paper from the Journal of Environmental Psychology by Carol Werner, Sonja Peterson-Lewis and Barbra B. Brown. The researchers found that homes with Christmas decorations were seen as more approachable and sociable by neighbours. The study measures perception, not happiness. It showed that residents with decorated homes use it to send out warm, friendly signals as a way to communicate their accessibility to neighbours, which may explain why people who put up their trees early appear more cheerful and welcoming. Psychologists have added their…

SOUTH Africa didn’t need another scandal. We’re already drowning in them. What we needed was clarity. We needed a moment where the fog lifts just long enough for the public to see the machinery behind the mess. Strangely, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, with his selective memory and careful silences, has given us exactly that. But the real revelation didn’t come from his testimony. It came from ANC Chief Whip Mdumiseni Ntuli, who calmly listed a string of “coincidences” that should make every South African sit upright. Let’s stop insulting ourselves. In politics, when leaders lean on the word coincidence, it usually means the truth is walking a little too close for comfort. What Ntuli highlighted wasn’t random. It was a pattern. A pattern so obvious that pretending otherwise would require a…

Tensions between Pretoria and Washington DC reached a high this week after US President Donald Trump announced that South Africa would be barred from the 2026 G20 Summit and face the immediate suspension of all US financial support. However, several politicians and foundations weighed in on the matter, defending South Africa’s right to be at next year’s G20 Summit. The FW de Klerk Foundation issued a definitive statement on Thursday, asserting that South Africa is an equal, sovereign member of the G20 and that the nation “will not be bullied out of global forums by misinformation”. The Foundation’s statement, issued by Ismail Joosub, directly confronted President Trump’s justification for the punitive action, which was based on allegations that the South African government ignores “horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners…

THE Rage Festival, where matriculants gather to celebrate the end of their schooling years, kicked off in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday. The 23rd hosting of Rage Festival, South Africa’s biggest post-matric celebration held annually in Ballito, on the North Coast, runs for a week. The week-long event is expecting over 4 000 festival-goers compared to last year’s 3 600. Greg Walsh, the chief executive of G&G Productions, who runs the Rage Festival, said more than 60% of the attendees were from Gauteng. “We are 20% up year on year. We still haven’t returned to the pre- pandemic attendance which was 6 000 to 6 500. It is a slow and steady growth. There has been an amazing interest in people wanting to attend Rage,” said Walsh. Rage passports, which are essential…

Student residence proposal at shopping mall A prominent shopping mall in Newlands East could also accommodate a student residence if an amendment to the land-use scheme is approved at an eThekwini council meeting on Thursday. The proposed amendment of additional control to allow for a student residence on Marble Ray Drive was discussed at an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday. A report from the eThekwini Economic Development and Planning Committee explained: n “The proposal aligns with the strategic intentions of the municipality, specifically the Newlands sub-area of the northern urban development corridor, Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (PINK) local area plan. This plan encourages mixed use, and the redevelopment of the existing Marble Ray complex provides a balance of commercial and residential usage. n “The composite commercial and residential usage…

The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) has sounded the alarm over a worrying trend in voter apathy, with its latest market research revealing that a mere 49% of eligible voters intend to participate in the upcoming 2026 local government elections. This sobering statistic has amplified concerns over the steadily declining trend of voter turnout, which plummeted from 48% in 2000 to just 46% in the 2021 local elections. Deputy electoral officer Masego Sheburi, who presented the findings during a briefing with the Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Friday, described the entrenched nature of this trend. “The sobering outcome of that is if elections were to be held, only 49% of the respondents would participate and that participation will also be contingent on…

Duncan Mzamo Mlaba, who has been accused of killing a hitman he had hired in 2021 to assassinate ANC veteran Zibuse Mlaba, was denied bail in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court this week. The court on Friday found that releasing Mzamo on bail would not be in the interest of justice. The 63-year-old has been charged for the murder of Mncedisi Gwala, who was killed in 2022. Separately, he was also applying for bail at the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court for the murder of his cousin, Zibuse. Zibuse was a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and a former regent chief in the KwaXimba area at Camperdown. He was shot dead on October 21, 2021, at Wareing’s Shopping Centre, outside his office. Gwala was identified as one of Zibuse’s shooters. Handing her ruling,…

A stark warning from UNAIDS has illuminated a grave crisis in the global response to HIV, signalling a long-fought battle for public health at risk of unravelling. In its newly released report, Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response, ahead of World AIDS Day tomorrow, UNAIDS highlights the alarming decline in international funding, with potential repercussions that could resonate through low- and middle-income countries significantly burdened by the epidemic. As the OECD predicts reductions in external health assistance of up to 40% by 2025 compared to 2023 levels, the repercussions are immediate and profound. Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, articulated the human impact of these statistics. “The funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve.” Behind the numbers are individuals – children missing…

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring three properties set to go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on December 10 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first property is part of an insolvent estate – Real Right 45, Muirfield Village, Selborne Park, Pennington. The subject opportunities are located within the Selborne Park Golf Estate development on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, one of the oldest residential golf estates in South Africa. These opportunities, which will be known as Sections 163 – 175 (Villas M9 – M21), are part of the Muirfield Village development within Selborne Park Golf Estate and are located near the northern boundary of the estate. They range in size from 175m² to 180m². Sections 9 and 10 have foundations that have…

In the context of global politics, the official opposition party projects itself as an alternative government. To earn this status, opposition parties hold governing parties accountable on all the issues including but not limited to respecting the national constitution, protecting citizens from criminals and foreign attacks (or threats), ensuring fiscal discipline, delivering services, protecting human rights, ensuring equal treatment of citizens, maintaining good relations with global partners while protecting political sovereignty, and ensuring job creation and poverty alleviation. Whenever the governing party (governing alone or leading a coalition) fails to deliver on these and other matters, prospects of the opposition party toppling the government in the next election are significantly increased. Opposition parties use the current government’s failures as they begin their election campaign. They remind voters about these failures…

Orlando Pirates climbed to the top of the Betway Premiership table after delivering a 2-0 victory over 10-men Durban City at a packed Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday. The Buccaneers hit the summit for the first time this season, moving three points clear of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, with both teams having now played 12 matches. It was a statement victory from a side gathering confidence and momentum under Abdeslam Ouaddou. For Durban City, the loss was a frustrating setback that saw them slip to eighth on the standings. Gavin Hunt’s side had hoped to secure a first marquee scalp of their debut top-flight campaign but lacked incision in decisive moments. `Yet City began brightly, unsettling Pirates with an aggressive press and purposeful wing play. Their approach nearly paid off in…

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says second-placed Chelsea “fully deserve” to be considered Premier League title contenders as he prepares his team for today’s game at Stamford Bridge. Arteta’s men are currently six points clear of the second-placed Blues after 12 games of the season. They are in buoyant mood after a 4-1 win over arch-rivals Tottenham was followed by a 3-1 defeat of German giants Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Chelsea’s tails are also up following three straight league wins and a thumping 3-0 victory over Barcelona on Tuesday. Despite their fine form, Enzo Maresca’s youthful Chelsea side are still considered outsiders to win the Premier League title. But Arteta is not underestimating his opponents, who won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup last season. “I think…

Two of the top teams in this season’s Cricket South Africa T20 Challenge are set to compete for the coveted trophy at Boland Park in Paarl today. This season has been different, with several of the traditionally big teams — including the Titans and the Lions — losing the majority of their matches. In the ongoing CSA T20 Challenge, coach Justin Ontong’s Boland side have their eyes firmly set on the trophy, with coach Robin Peterson’s Warriors standing in their way. Ontong and his team are fresh from a CSA One-Day Cup final earlier this year, where they lost to the Dolphins at the very same venue, Boland Park in Paarl. On the other hand, Peterson has a young side, led by a growing leader in Matthew de Villiers. De…

In a curious case of lightning striking twice, Joseph Seutloali completed a road-running double by adding the African Bank Soweto Marathon title to the Totalsports Two Oceans one he won earlier in the year. The Lesotho native, who runs for Hollywood Athletics Club, crossed the finish line in 2:20:09 yesterday, duly making up for last year’s disappointment when he bottled it – losing out to Onalenna Khonkhobe in the final two kilometres having looked likely to reign supreme in the People’s Race. He got it right this morning in cool and wet conditions as he exacted sweet revenge on the popular Nedbank Running Club star Khonkhobe, who had to settle for third place – 30 seconds behind Seutloali. Former champion Ntsindiso Mphakathi was second in 2:20:24. Seutloali’s feat of completing…

AS SOUTH AFRICA moves steadily toward its 2030 development horizon, one truth has become inescapable: the fight against hunger will not be won in boardrooms or conference halls alone. It will be won in communities – in modest kitchens run by volunteers, in schoolyards where hungry children await a warm plate, in places where empathy becomes action. Across the country, community organisations are working quietly yet tirelessly, forming the backbone of our national response to poverty, food insecurity, and social fragmentation. Their work often goes unnoticed, but its impact is profound. It is in this spirit of grassroots resilience that the coming inauguration of the Shri Chinmaya Annapoorna Devi Temple stands as a deeply significant moment for South Africa. While the event is religious in form, its essence…

At only twenty seven, South African founder Jadon Moerdyk is leading a global digital marketing agency, RemodelBoom, that generates tens of millions of rands a year. His journey began far from the boardrooms of London or the fast paced markets of the United States. It started on a small farm in the Eastern Cape where he spent his childhood folding cutlery, picking strawberries, packing groceries, and learning the basics of entrepreneurship at his family’s restaurant Lavender Blue. That early environment planted the idea that value can be created from almost nothing. It also sparked the desire to build something far bigger than the small town businesses he grew up around. Moerdyk says growing up in a quiet part of the country gave him a hunger to push beyond the limits…

The Civil Society Working Group on State Capture (CSWG) has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to add more transparency in the process of appointing the replacement of outgoing National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP) Shamila Batohi by allowing public participation. Batohi took over as the NDPP in February 2019 after being interviewed by a panel of seven senior legal practitioners to replace advocate Shaun Abrahams. Abrahams left the position in August 2018 before his term ended, after the Constitutional Court found that former president Jacob Zuma had abused his powers when appoint- ing him. Batohi has been criticised for refusing to prosecute Ramaphosa for the Phala Phala foreign currency scandal. A hunt for the replacement of Batohi, whose term of office expires in January, is underway, with the candidates announced…

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has heralded the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations as a remarkable success, with a smooth and incident-free completion. More than 195 000 Grade 12 learners across the province wrote their final tests on Thursday, marking the end of their examination journey, which spanned more than a month. This year saw 195 592 candidates registered for the NSC examinations, comprising 180 454 full-time pupils and 15 047 part-time learners. As part of the marking process, 7 889 markers will commence their duties on Tuesday, December 2 across 32 designated marking centres, with the marking expected to finish on December 12. Umalusi will oversee moderation and quality assurance processes, with the final results scheduled for release in January 2026. Siphosihle Hlomuka, the MEC for Education, during…

A KWAZULU-NATAL North Coast family is grappling with an unimaginable heartache as they mourn the sudden death of two well-known KwaDukuza brothers. Dr Yogendiran Kista, known affectionately as Yogen, 57, and his elder brother Mahen Kista, known as Smiley, 59, died just moments apart on Thursday in KwaDukuza. Mahen, a teacher at Darnall Secondary School and who lived in Stanger Manor, reached out to his son Mikhail when he began feeling unwell. Mahen’s son, Gino, said his brother called the paramedics and his uncle Yogen, a doctor in KwaDukuza. “When my uncle arrived, he assessed my dad but realised it was too late. The paramedics arrived after my uncle. While my brother was opening the gate for them, my uncle collapsed. “The paramedics tried assisting my uncle but he passed…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has reiterated calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be impeached, telling supporters that Parliament must revive the Phala Phala report and force the president to answer for the scandal. Malema made the demand after leading a march from Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown through Johannesburg to the Constitutional Court. The party was marching to demand the immediate release of the long‑delayed judgment in the Phala Phala case. Malema accused Ramaphosa of breaking the country’s laws by keeping US dollars in South Africa instead of using the rand. He said the president’s explanation that he hid the money in a sofa because the safe was “not safe” did not make sense. “Everybody has agreed, including Ramaphosa. He said there were dollars in Phala Phala.…

The Kimberley High Court has slashed Abraham September’s life sentence to 23 years, ruling that the original punishment for stabbing his cousin to death was “startlingly disproportionate”. This decision came following an appeal before the full Bench. September confessed to the killing, admitting that on November 6, 2012, an altercation with his cousin escalated. He recounted that he went to his cousin, whom he grew up with, to tell her that her younger brother had taken him to Bakhwetha Valley, where he (September) was robbed. He was looking for her brother. She became annoyed and reprimanded him. When the trial court sentenced September, it noted that he stabbed his cousin seven times in her heart and lungs. She was unarmed and killed in her home. It also noted that September…

The qualities that President Cyril Ramaphosa displayed during the G20 Leaders’ Summit should now be directed with urgency towards the country. South Africa’s term as president of the G20 has ended on a high note, and Ramaphosa’s authoritativeness drew strong approval at home and abroad. At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, in particular, he displayed charisma and commanded the global stage with confidence. His defence of the country’s independence in international decision-making was dignified, firm and clear. Many South Africans felt genuine pride as they watched the president charm world leaders. It evoked a spirit of goodwill among citizens who often feel far removed from high-level diplomatic events. This favourable moment provides a significant opportunity to tackle the long list of challenges facing our country. People want to see decisive action…

The dust has not yet settled on South Africa’s historic G20 year as the Leadership summit concluded last Sunday with a range of views on its successes and shortcomings in a world rife with multiple geopolitical storms, Trumpism redefining partnerships and solidarities. A brief scorecard unpacks multiple contradictions and shifting sands amid stagnation. Global finance is the DNA of the G20 and took place in the year when African countries faced their greatest debt crisis. South Africa’s “downgrading” (excuse the pun) of the all-important Cost of Capital commission can be seen as a capitulation to creditor nations and credit agencies. For its part, only South Africa was rewarded with a “S&P ratings upgrade”, while no African nation in debt distress got any rating concession. Solidarity? African Agency? Clearly not.…

This December, journalists all over the world will look for the defining political meme of the year – and one contender for that unofficial title is US President Donald Trump’s claim that he has stopped eight wars. One must admit that any genuine acknowledgment of Trump’s contributions to global peace will hinge not on temporary ceasefires achieved by means of the White House’s influence over the conflicting parties, but rather on a lasting resolution of the most deep-seated crisis in European security – the Ukraine conflict. However, when it comes to Ukraine, the US finds itself constrained in its ability to influence the conflicting parties. Unlike most other conflicts that the US president has had to deal with, the situation in Ukraine is not a small-scale military, economic and geopolitical…

Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince reckons the One Day International side is close to understanding the right starting XI ahead of the home 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa has fielded different teams this year in One Day cricket, from the recent Australia and England tours. Key players have been left out to rest as the start of the defence of the World Test Championship got underway last month in Pakistan. With South Africa having fielded different players for the Australia, England and Pakistan tours, coach Shukri Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma have brought back the big guns, including the likes of Aiden Markram. The first ODI match of the series in India is set to get under way today in Ranchi. The likes of Nqaba Peter and…

Matheus Cunha remains sidelined as Manchester United look to bounce back after a “really tough” week, manager Ruben Amorim said Friday. United stumbled to a 1-0 home loss against 10-man Everton on Monday, ending a five-match unbeaten run that had lifted spirits at Old Trafford. Amorim’s side were missing Cunha after the Brazil forward suffered a knock in training, compounding the absence of striker Benjamin Sesko, who has a knee injury. Neither will be available for today’s trip to Crystal Palace, where experienced defender Maguire will again miss out. “Sesko is going to take a little bit more time,” United boss Amorim said. “Harry the same. I expect to have Matheus in the next one (against West Ham on Thursday), not this one.” The absence of Cunha and Sesko is…

Mzansi is bursting with adventure, and summer is the season to get out there and discover it. Known for its diverse landscapes, including sprawling savannahs, dramatic coastlines, and towering mountains, the country offers a myriad of outdoor activities designed to quench the thirst of even the most passionate thrill-seekers. Whether you seek the exhilarating rush of bungee jumping off a dizzying height or the serene thrill of paragliding, there's something for every thrill seeker. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, here’s a guide to the adrenaline-pumping experiences that should be on every adventurous traveller’s bucket list this summer. Shark cage diving: KZN South Coast One of South Africa's most exhilarating experiences awaits on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Shark cage diving at world-renowned sites like Aliwal Shoal and Protea Banks…

South Africa is a treasure trove of exciting water activities that cater to every adventurer and relaxation seeker. From the majestic waters in Cape Town to Durban, there’s something for everyone. Here are some must-try experiences that promise fun and unforgettable memories. Cape Town Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP): A fantastic way to get close to the water. Whether you’re young or old, it’s an activity everyone can enjoy. Head to Simon’s Town Quays, a stunning spot where you can paddle through beautiful waters, surrounded by playful seals and elegant yachts. On sunny days, the colourful kelp forests come alive with fascinating sea creatures that add to the visual delight. River tubing: This is for those who crave a bit more excitement. River tubing in Kleinmond is the ideal choice. Nestled between…