Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-04 i Sunday Tribune

DStv subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as channels such as CNN International, Cartoon Network, Discovery Channel, and TLC, among others, have been saved from being axed. A deal has been struck between pay-TV giant MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company, and global media titan Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). CANAL+ released a statement confirming that a multi-year and multi-territory agreement had been signed between its long-standing partner, Warner Bros. Discovery. The expanded agreement covers both the distribution of HBO Max and the renewal of several Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across numerous regions in Africa and Europe. The agreement includes the renewal of the distribution of 12 Warner Bros. Discovery thematic channels across Multichoice Group territories, with some offered exclusively. The channels are CNN International and Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Cartoonito Porto,…

South Korean entertainment company Hybe recently announced a partnership with Grammy award-winning superstar Tyla, and there are layers to this global partnership that many people have confused with the 23-year-old singer’s change in management. Rest assured, Tyla is still with her managers, Brandon Hixon and Colin Gayle of African Creative Agency. This is not a takeover or a reshuffle behind the scenes. Instead, the company behind global K-pop powerhouses like BTS, Tomorrow X Together and KATSEYE is making a deliberate move into the African music market, with Tyla becoming their first but not last major artist to receive support under this new strategy. So what exactly is Hybe’s role in the partnership? The partnership sees Hybe working alongside Hixon and Gayle in a co-management structure. They’ll be involved in day-to-day…

A New Year’s Day celebration turned to tragedy at Pennington Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, with search efforts continuing yesterday for three men who were still missing following a mass drowning incident on Thursday evening. Three fatalities have been confirmed in Pennington. On Thursday evening a large group of people got caught in rip currents near the tidal pool. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Station 39 Rocky Bay, along with Police Search and Rescue, Umdoni lifeguards, and IPSS medical rescue, responded to the alarm. “At least five people were reported to be in distress initially,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon. He said alert lifeguards were instrumental in the initial phase, successfully managing to rescue an 18-year-old female from the water. A 21-year-old male was declared deceased on the…

THE ANC and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) have extended their best wishes to the Nazareth Baptist Church, popularly known as the Shembe Church, as it embarks on its annual sacred pilgrimage to reach the holy mountain today. In a statement, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal described the pilgrimage as a deeply spiritual journey that goes beyond physical endurance. “This hallowed journey is far more than a mere passage of distance; it is a profound pilgrimage of the soul, a divine opportunity for reflection, prayer and communion with the Almighty. “It is a time for spiritual renewal, where the faithful seek guidance, strength and blessings to illuminate their lives and communities,” the party said. The ANC urged congregants to remember the party in their prayers and appealed to various authorities to…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) may not replace professional care, chatbots like ChatGPT may help reduce mental health stigma, particularly for people hesitant to seek traditional face-to-face support, according to a study. The team from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia surveyed 73 people who had used ChatGPT for personal mental health support, investigating ChatGPT use and its perceived effectiveness related to stigma. “The findings suggest that believing the tool is effective and plays an important role in reducing concerns about external judgment,” said Scott Hannah, a student of the Master of Clinical Psychology at ECU. Stigma is a major barrier to seeking mental health help. It can worsen symptoms and discourage people from accessing support. The study focused on anticipated stigma, fear of being judged or discriminated against; and self-stigma, internalising…

Three dominant narratives contend for the future of Gaza and occupied Palestine, yet only one is being translated into consequential action: the Israeli narrative of domination and genocide. This singular, violent vision is the only one backed by the brute force of policy and fact. The first narrative belongs to the Trump administration, largely embraced by the US Western allies. It rests on the self-serving claim that US President Donald Trump personally solved the Middle East crisis, ushering in a peace that has supposedly eluded the region for thousands of years. Figures like Trump, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, and US-Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee are presented as architects of a new regional order. This narrative is exclusive, domineering, and US-centric. It was exemplified by Trump himself when he declared the Gaza…

Service delivery remains one of the critical challenges that South Africa continues to face. Ironically, the Freedom Charter, which was adopted in Kliptown, Soweto, on June 26, 1955, gave hope about the envisioned post-apartheid South Africa. Seventy years later, not all the goals of the Freedom Charter have been achieved. Even the ANC tacitly concedes this reality. The theme of its National General Council (NGC), which began on December 8, 2025, and ended on December 11, was “The year of renewal to make the ANC a more effective instrument of the people to achieve the vision of the Freedom Charter: The people shall govern! The people shall share in the wealth of the country.” Citing these clauses confirms that the Freedom Charter has not been fully implemented. As the country…

South Africa faces a brave new world in 2026. A quarter of a century has now passed since the UN declared the Millennium Development Goals MDGs. Sadly, the majority of African nations have not achieved their sustainable goals. Even though the country hosted a symbolically successful G20 in 2025, the disinvitation and barring of South Africa from the G20 in the US this year is a stark reminder of the disruptive geopolitical order today. South Africa has a range of options rooted in the Global South and solidarity settings. The end of USAID and PEPFAR and the confirmation of new US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Bozell III, a MAGA loyalist, is set to deepen the current trajectory of immense US pressure on South Africa. Last week, even Sweden announced…

Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole says the team understands where they have fallen short at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and is confident they can address those issues ahead of their last-16 clash against Cameroon tonight at the Agdal Medina Stadium in Rabat (9pm kick-off). South Africa advanced to the knockout stages for a second straight tournament after finishing runners-up in Group B behind record seven-time champions Egypt. Their reward is a clash with Cameroon, AFCON champions in 2017, a side eager to move beyond a stage that has troubled them in recent editions. Although they accumulated six points in the group phase, South Africa’s performances have drawn criticism, particularly when measured against the impressive displays that secured their return to the Fifa World Cup for the first…

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have confirmed that Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman has been released from their Indian Premier League (IPL) squad following instructions from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to do so. The call was taken amid excessive controversy and debate surrounding the player’s participation in the cash-rich event. Kolkata Knight Riders confirms that BCCI/IPL, as the regulator of IPL, has instructed it to release Mustafizur Rahman from the squad ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The release has been carried out following due process and consultations, upon the instruction of the Board of Control for Cricket in India. BCCI will allow Kolkata Knight Riders a replacement player in line with IPL regulations, and further details will be communicated in due course,”…

It’s 2026, and as everyone embraces this fresh start to create new memories, rejuvenated after the festival holidays, I’m sure binge-watching was less of a priority over this period. That said, I would recommend Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery for fans of whodunits. The master detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) is back for the third instalment of the Knives Out film series. In this new complex murder investigation, Benoit once again finds that the evidence is always more intricate than it initially seems. It opens with Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a former boxer turned Catholic priest, who is reassigned after punching a rude deacon. As such, he finds himself at Our Lady of Perpetual Fortitude, a rural parish in upstate New York led by Monsignor Jefferson…

Ah, the magic of New Year’s resolutions. There’s something undeniably hopeful about stepping into January, brimming with promises to reinvent ourselves. You’ve probably seen it everywhere already: Instagram reels hyping gym memberships, ads for detox diets, and those inevitable chats at work about what everyone’s cutting out or taking up. It’s like the world collectively hits the “reset” button. But let’s be real: most resolutions fizzle out before February. However, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little insight into the psychology behind why resolutions fail (and how to avoid those traps), you can make this year’s goals stick. Let’s explore practical ways to set meaningful goals that last, so you can confidently greet 2026 knowing you achieved what matters most to you.…

South Africa’s long-standing rivalry with Nigeria now plays out as much online as it does on the sports field, with citizens of both nations often trading barbs over even the pettiest of issues. During the current AFCON tournament in Morocco, for instance, some Nigerian fans openly wished for Zimbabwe to defeat South Africa so that their own team’s chances of reaching the last 16 would improve. Whether one calls it banter or animosity, this back-and-forth has become a sustained feature of our relationship. Unfortunately, the rivalry sometimes spills into uglier territory. In South Africa, there are those who generalise Nigerians as being synonymous with crime, particularly drugs and human trafficking. While such sweeping claims must always be handled with care, what saddened me more recently was seeing South Africans mocking…

The ANC is gearing up for its annual January 8 Statement next Saturday at the Moruleng Stadium in the North West province. This event, held to celebrate the party's anniversary, will feature President Cyril Ramaphosa addressing the nation, outlining the political agenda and priorities for the year ahead. With the 2026 local government elections on the horizon, the ANC is keenly aware of the need to regain ground lost during the challenging 2024 national and provincial elections. In his closing address at the National General Council (NGC) in December, Ramaphosa said the upcoming local government elections will be an important test of the extent to which the ANC has managed to renew the support and confidence of the electorate. “To win decisively the ANC must field our most dedicated, honest…

The Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which has been commended for a fantastic job in organising elections, has raised concerns about the country’s continued decline in voter turnout due to dissatisfaction with service delivery. In preparation for this year’s local government election, IEC Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Mawethu Mosery said the commission was a few steps away from finalising the process of holding the elections later this year. He said there were currently 540 registered parties, with almost 100 new political parties. However, he expressed concern about the voter turnout, as in the 2021 local government elections, out of more than 26 million registered voters, only more than 12 million people voted, which was a 45.86% voter turnout. Mosery said that when looking at the past four local…

This year will go down as one that offered fascinating developments for South Africa from a geopolitical perspective but also tested the balance of power in the country's political systems. Here are some key events that will shape the country on both the domestic and international fronts: G20 Summit Besides the US boycotting the event, South Africa made history by becoming the first African country to host the summit in 2025. The US presence was particularly important because South Africa was to hand over the G20 Presidency after the event. Nevertheless, the event was hailed a success thanks to the attendance of most of the European leaders, particularly those who are known US allies. There were fears that because of South Africa’s association with Russia, through its membership of BRICS,…

Bafana Bafana face their sternest test of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations when they meet Cameroon in tonight’s round-of-16 clash at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat at 9pm. It is a fixture that pits South Africa’s ball-playing identity against the raw physicality and tournament know-how of the five-time African champions, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake. Bafana progressed as Group B runners-up, edging Angola and Zimbabwe 2–1 and narrowly losing 1–0 to Egypt. Hugo Broos’ men were not free-flowing, but they were efficient, resilient and comfortable winning tight matches. That profile presents a different challenge to anything Cameroon have faced so far in Morocco. Cameroon rely on athleticism, aerial dominance and power across the pitch — areas where South Africa may also struggle to match them…

JP Pietersen’s dream start to life as Sharks head coach came to end in dramatic fashion at Kings Park yesterday afternoon, when a try after the hooter by Junior Springbok scrumhalf star Haashim Pead secured the visitors a narrow 23-22 United Rugby Championship victory. The visitors started the match the brighter of the two teams, and flew into an early lead at a sun-baked but breezy Shark Tank, courtesy of a penalty off the boot of flyhalf Chris Smith in the third minute. They were 15 points ahead a few minutes later when Lions skipper Francke Horn also crashed over in the opposite corner to stun the home fans into silence. The Sharks finally got on the scoreboard in the 15th minute, with skipper Andre Esterhuizen inspiring the fightback with…

Ben Stokes has urged England chiefs to keep faith with "Bazball" architect Brendon McCullum despite a stinging Ashes defeat in Australia. The five-match series was billed as the ultimate test for the regime of captain Stokes and head coach McCullum, who joined forces in 2022, promoting an ultra-attacking brand of cricket. England arrived in Australia with high hopes but went 3-0 down after just 11 days of cricket before ending their 15-year winless streak Down Under with victory in Melbourne. The teams will meet for the final Test in Sydney starting today, with questions swirling over McCullum's position. Stokes wants to remain in harness with the former New Zealand batter, warning against kneejerk changes. "There is no doubt in my mind that me and Brendon are the right people to…

Sinethemba Badela recently emerged as Durban City’s new head coach after beating competition from former club mentor Simo Dladla and veteran tactician Roger De Sa, as the club opted for a decisive shift in technical direction during the 2025 AFCON break. The appointment follows the exit of Gavin Hunt, whose departure was driven less by results and more by growing ideological differences with the club’s hierarchy. City’s board believed a change in philosophy was necessary to align the team with its evolving long-term objectives. Timing proved crucial. The AFCON break presented the cleanest window for change, allowing the club to reset without disrupting their Betway Premiership campaign. While Dladla steadied the ship during his interim spell — including securing a vital win — the role was always under broader review.…

On those occasions where I pried myself away from celebrations with family and friends over the festive period, I was drawn to whodunits. Aside from Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, I also watched Honey Trehan’s Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders on Netflix. The movie opens on an eerie note, with the initial frames showing black crows plunging to their deaths. With this event transpiring at the home of media mogul Mahendra Bansal (S.M. Zaheer), a call is made to close family friend and a top dog at the police department, Verma (Rajat Kapoor). Not long after, the residence is teeming with police, including Inspector Jatil Yadav (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). The investigation begins with a focus on an incident linked to talk of black magic. However, the…

If your TikTok algorithm is anything like mine, your feed is currently flooded with predictions about 2026. We are approaching the Year of the Fire Horse (or the “Red Horse”) – a rare, high-octane cycle that only occurs once every 60 years. Even if you don’t follow astrology, the shift in energy is hard to ignore. After the introspective and steady “Wood Snake” energy of 2025, 2026 is promising a dramatic, fast-paced comeback. Here is everything you need to know about the year ahead. The lunar transition doesn’t happen on New Year’s Day. Mark your calendars for the official shift, which starts on February 17, 2026 (Chinese New Year) and ends on February 5, 2027. From planning to execution If 2025 was about strategy and “shedding old skin”, 2026 is…

US President Donald Trump confirmed yesterday that US forces had captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro after launching a “large scale strike” on the South American country. Trump’s announcement follows months of steadily mounting US military and economic pressure on leftist leader Maduro and his country’s oil-export-dependent economy. “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country,” Trump said on Truth Social. “This operation was done in conjunction with US Law Enforcement.” Explosions rocked the Venezuelan capital Caracas early yesterday morning following a months-long pressure campaign by Trump. The blasts, accompanied by the sound of planes flying over the city, were heard around 2am yesterday.…

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has unveiled Eskom's multi-faceted approach to recover over R105 billion owed by municipalities, with a clear emphasis on collaboration, operational efficiency, and strategic partnerships. During a parliamentary session, Ramokgopa responded to inquiries from ANC MP Nonkosi Mvana, highlighting the dire financial landscape as the total municipal debt reached R105 billion as of September 30, 2025. “Eskom is employing a range of strategies aimed at proactively improving municipal payment performance and doing all that is within its control and ability to arrest the debt growth,” he said. At the heart of Eskom’s recovery plan is the implementation of the Distribution Agency Agreement (DAA). This initiative aims to assist defaulting municipalities in bolstering their electricity management operations and enhancing revenue collection processes. “Eskom introduced the…

SOUTH Africa’s economy is “projected to grow moderately,” with GDP expected to increase from an expected 1.2% in 2025 to 1.5% in 2026, as estimated by the Reuters Econometer for November. This is according to a new report, Economies At A Glance, which outlines a detailed calendar of economic events and provides forecasts for major global economies. The report highlights a year of measured easing cycles, fiscal consolidation, and geopolitical risks, with growth stabilising across developed markets while emerging Asia remains the engine of global activity. This moderate improvement is attributed to “easing monetary policy, progress in reforms to improve electricity availability, and the reduction of logistics bottlenecks will support investment and consumption”. The report, however, notes: “Political risk is rising ahead of the 2026 local government elections, with voter…

Your early-adopter friend swears by ChatGPT for meal planning. Your boss thinks Microsoft Copilot will “10x productivity.” Your social media feed thinks Meta AI is a slop machine. They’re mostly going off vibes. I can tell you which AI tools are worth using - and which to avoid - because I’ve been running a chatbot fight club. I conducted dozens of bot challenges based on real things people do with AI, including writing breakup texts and work emails, decoding legal contracts and scientific research, answering tricky research questions, and editing photos and making “art”. Human experts including best-selling authors, reference librarians, a renowned scientist and even a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer judged the results. After a year of bot battles, one thing stands out: There is no single best AI. The…

The African National Congress convenes its 114th anniversary on January 8 in the Bojanala District of the North West Province, a terrain upon which the deepest contradictions of South Africa’s democratic order have been etched with unforgiving clarity. Founded in 1912, the ANC remains Africa’s oldest liberation movement in continuous existence. Longevity, however, is not a virtue in itself. History is indifferent to age. It is attentive only to purpose, conduct, and consequence. January 8 must therefore be understood not as a ritual of nostalgia, but as a moment of reckoning, a disciplined pause demanding introspection and strategic clarity. The choice of Bojanala is neither accidental nor politically neutral. It is a choice laden with material meaning. The Bojanala Platinum District Municipality constitutes the economic heart of the North West…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to two African countries, South Africa and Ethiopia, within the span of a month, reflect more than routine diplomatic engagement. Together, they signal a deeper evolution in India’s foreign policy, from the legacy of non-alignment to a more confident form of strategic alignment rooted in Global South solidarity. Interestingly, both South Africa and Ethiopia are members of BRICS, and India is set to host the BRICS Summit in 2026. At a moment when the BRICS bloc is under renewed pressure from the US, India’s outreach to these two countries underscores its determination to pursue strategic autonomy while standing firmly with its partners in the Global South. India’s engagement with Africa also underscores its willingness to take the mantle of Global South leadership, prioritising…

All-rounder George Linde feels he deserves his spot in the Proteas World Cup squad, and believes his MI Cape Town teammates can bounce back after winless record four matches into the new SA20 season. Linde was included in the Proteas squad for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India, a feat that the 34-year-old believes he deserves as one of the leading spin-bowling all-rounders in the country. The all-rounder has gone through many ups and downs in his career, and has been overlooked for World Cups or ICC events in the past. Because of his persistence and determination, Linde’s selection is a moment to be proud of, not only for himself, but also for his family. “It feels pretty amazing (being included in the World Cup squad). It…

If Bafana Bafana are to finally rid themselves of their 30-year-old trophy drought, then this Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) route — brutal, unforgiving and stacked with pedigree — may be exactly what they need. South Africa’s reward for navigating the group phase is a round-of-16 meeting with seven-time champions Cameroon tonight. It is the kind of opponent that once would have inspired dread. Now, it should inspire belief. Beyond the Indomitable Lions, the path only stiffens. Hosts and favourites Morocco could await in the quarter-finals, while Nigeria — finalists at the last AFCON — or a resurgent Algeria loom later. On paper, it is the hardest possible road. In reality, it might be the most honest one Bafana could ask for. This team has quietly built its identity in…