Sommaire pour 2024-05-25 de Saturday Star

DESPITE an increase in anecdotal accounts of swine flu and Covid-19, the national Health Department and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) say it’s just “normal” flu doing the rounds in South Africa. This week, Independent Media spoke to residents in Durban and as far afield as Limpopo who said they had been diagnosed with swine flu or Covid-19. One Durban woman said she had tested positive for Covid-19 twice but did not want her identity revealed. “According to the NICD, there is no swine flu, but an increase in flu,” said national Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale. However, he urged people to remain vigilant and present themselves to the nearest healthcare provider if they noticed unusual symptoms. A quick check with the Health Department also revealed it…

A Gen Z survey has given a glimpse of youth perspectives on voting. Varsity Vibe, a tech-based online platform that offers students discounts on products and services, conducted a survey of 11 000 Gen Zs, asking whether they felt empowered by voting and if their vote would bring forth meaningful change. The survey revealed that more than 92% of the cohort believed their vote could influence the country’s political landscape. A whopping 92.58% said they would vote on Wednesday, and 72% expected that there would be a positive youth turnout on election day. “This high level of confidence in the power of their vote suggests a strong belief and a desire to make a difference in shaping the future. Also, this optimism regarding youth participation suggests a strong sense…

STAFF REPORTER IN THE heart of South Africa’s bustling economy lies a sector brimming with potential: the township economy. This rapidly expanding industry is essential for the prosperity of many South African cities and does not only benefit the local economy; it also facilitates trade across Southern Africa. Its importance is highlighted by e-commerce giant Takealot’s latest R150 million deal with the Gauteng provincial government, which aims to integrate the township economy into the growing digital market. The initiative also reflects a growing recognition of the township economy’s potential as a significant driver of economic growth and innovation. As the region’s dynamic enterprises and emerging economies seek to harness innovation and collaboration, the South African International Trade Exhibition (Saitex) 2024 stands at the forefront of this transformative journey. “Taking place…

Child Protection Week was launched on Monday under the theme: “Protecting South African children, 30 years on”, with the Department of Social Development (DSD) encouraging South Africans to find ways to ensure children are cared for and protected. On Sunday, ahead of the official start of the week, Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu launched Child Protection Week in Kimberley, Northern Cape. “Child Protection Week, which runs from May 20-26, calls on all of us – including communities and government – to reflect on how we are playing our roles and responsibilities in (ensuring) the well-being and protection of children, in line with Children’s Act No. 38 of 2005. How are you doing?” she asked. Zulu said that since 1994, government had invested widely in ensuring the rights of…

The Rooibos Tea Pantone was very popular at this month’s 2024 Met Gala, which took place at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Design professionals, decorators and trendsetters worldwide have been drawn to the Rooibos Tea Pantone’s earthy colour, which was inspired by the warm tones of a rooibos tisane. At the high-profile event, American singer and actress Teyana Taylor was photographed wearing a corseted design by The Blondes in a rooibos red. SA Rooibos Council’s spokesperson Adele du Toit claimed that the alluring colour is leaving its imprint in the fashion and design worlds in daring and surprising ways. “The announcement of the Rooibos Tea Pantone® as one of the top 10 colours for spring 2024 at New York Fashion Week late last year catapulted its…

“We are not looking for trouble,” are the words of Felicity Roland, a crime fighter in Cloetesville, Stellenbosch, after she led our team into the home of a 17-year-old hitman whose brother, a gunman himself, was murdered and their mother recently escaped death after being shot in the eye. The brothers are among hundreds, if not thousands, of teen or youth gangsters terrorising communities such as Cloetesville. A firearm is hidden in his tracksuit as he quickly scales past our team and rushes into his home, which is dark and smells of dagga. He joins his gang on the corner, who are keeping watch. “Ons soek nie moeilikheid nie hier nie (We are not looking for trouble),” Roland assured them. Roland, a rape survivor who has sent her own son…

Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is one of the top five risks facing world economies, according to the World Economic Forum. Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems. It is essential for all processes that support life on the planet, including the very beings that have caused more than 83% of habitat loss – humans. This decline is exacerbated by climate change altering weather patterns faster than ecosystems and species can evolve to match them. With global biodiversity declining faster than at any other time in human history, something needs to be done – and an unlikely industry in the minds of many pits itself as part of the solution when it comes to conserving South Africa’s biodiversity assets. According to Dr Ronald…

What does South Africa give to other parts of the world? Wine and gold are probably what come to mind for most of us, and let’s not forget the embarrassing pakslae handed out on the Rugby World Cup field every four years. But what many don’t realise is that Mzansi exports a significant number of cars and bakkies to more than 150 countries around the world. A record of just over 396 000 vehicles set sail from our harbours last year, which is not a huge number in world terms but still a very significant contribution to the country’s manufacturing output and GDP. South African exports have grown by 20% since 2014, and Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, predicts the number will grow by 6% this year to around 420…

REGISTERED professional accountant Cisca Kaasjager had her identity stolen and went through numerous hoops to try and have the resultant issues with her credit record resolved, battling everyone from the bank to a credit union and yet still fighting for a solution for more than three years. Speaking at the recent Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) International Fraud Summit, Kaasjager explained that she had an issue after having applied for a credit card as, four weeks after it was approved, she still couldn’t use it. “I went back to the branch I don’t know how many times. One day, getting all gatvol, I phoned the fraud department,” she said. Kaasjager was also frustrated with the call centre staff, none of whom were able or, she felt, willing to resolve…

On Wednesday, May 29, South Africans go to the polls in what many believe will be a watershed moment in our 30-year-old democracy. The ANC, the party that has governed the country since 1994, is predicted to lose its majority. If that happens, what will be the impact on financial markets and how will your investments be affected? Should you take precautionary measures in the couple of working days left before election day to protect your capital? Here’s my take on possible political outcomes and the financial consequences: Scenario 1: The ruling party retains its majority. This will result in more of the same – a benign outcome for investors over the short term, but providing bleak economic prospects over the longer term, given the ANC’s track record. Scenario…

MANCHESTER City face arch-rivals Manchester United in the FA Cup final today in a repeat of last season’s showpiece at Wembley. Here is a look at three key battles that will help decide the match. Rodri v Bruno Fernandes Manchester City’s incredible success has been built on the rock-solid foundations laid by Rodri in midfield. The influential Spain star has not lost any of the past 50 Premier League matches in which he has featured for City. It was fitting Rodri scored City’s decisive third goal in the 3-1 win against West Ham that clinched an unprecedented fourth successive English title last Sunday. Rodri’s intelligent reading of the game, muscular presence in the tackle and eye for a crucial goal have been vital ingredients in City’s insatiable appetite for success.…

MOVING the fixture from the austere Athlone Stadium to the Fifa World Cup 2010 Cape Town Stadium has heightened the sense of anticipation in the Cape Town Spurs camp ahead of their Kaizer Chiefs match. Despite Spurs already being consigned to the DStv Premiership scrapheap, there has been some fighting talk coming from their ranks this week. The club remained unbowed after suffering the blows of the relegation axe. Spurs chief executive Alexi Efstathiou has warned Chiefs that his team will not be on the field for a random kick-around. They plan to bow out of the Premiership in a blaze of glory. Chiefs would hardly want to hear this kind of combative talk as they will be desperate to win the match to secure Top 8 status. It is…

PROTEAS Women are preparing for next month’s multi-format tour of India where they will play three One Day Internationals, one Four-Day Test match and three T20 Internationals. With the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh on the horizon (September 2024), the T20 series leg of the tour carries a bit more weight and significance. Laura Wolvaardt’s side did not have a successful season in the shortest format of the game last summer where they failed to win a single series out of the five that they competed in, and they have an opportunity to do things differently when they play India. Luckily, Wolvaardt is likely to have a fully fit Chloe Tryon at her disposal for the tour after the 30-year-old missed a number of matches last season for different…

Africa’s Eden and the Chobe region are the ideal destinations all-year round and are great for a family wellness escape into the wild. The region offers comfortable temperatures and stunning scenery with incredible game-viewing opportunities. It also offers river safaris, which are a relaxing alternative to bumpy game drives. According to Kate Powell, General Manager of Sales and Marketing at the Zambezi Queen Collection on the Chobe River, river safaris offer something really special and unique for families looking for a true wellness holiday in the wild. “It’s a bush break but with a difference. Plus, a river safari is much more relaxing than a traditional game lodge stay bouncing around in a jeep all day! And if you’re already planning your end-of-year holiday, why not consider spending the festive…

The majority of South Africans based in London experienced challenges and hiccups on the day they were expected to cast their votes. Kieran Rennie, a South African based in London, said they were turned away from the SA High Commission on May 17, the day they were supposed to cast their ballots. Rennie said he and others were told they couldn’t vote, and this was regardless of the official communique they received from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). He said the officials told them they should go home and return the following day. “People had travelled from as far as Edinburgh and were being turned away. Elderly folks in their 80s were being told to go home. Others were visiting family and friends in the UK…

SUN International’s Most Valued Guest (MVG) programme has turned 30, making it the oldest loyalty programme in the country. To mark the occasion, Sun International invited many original, long-standing MVG members to a glittering black-and-gold themed event at Time Square in Pretoria. But one very special MVG member also celebrated a milestone of his own. Pine Pienaar, one of the first MVG members, turned 94 on March 12, and in addition to being chauffeured to Time Square and accommodated in a luxury suite for the night, the Pienaars were invited to celebrate at the Sun City Palace hotel where they were wined and dined as guests of honour. Pienaar said, “They gave me a huge cake and my room was filled with flowers and birthday treats”. His first visit to…

THE Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) is concerned about tobacco companies targeting young people. Cansa is drawing attention to World No Tobacco Day on May 31, driven by the theme “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”. The focus is on promoting stronger regulations that shield youth from harmful tobacco products and deceptive advertising practices. Cansa says that through extensive social media and streaming platform campaigns, young people are increasingly exposed to the allure of tobacco products, posing a significant threat to their health and well-being. Tobacco products are being sold, displayed and marketed in ways that attract children. “Tobacco use is a major contributor to a host of cancers. It’s responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths worldwide, amounting to an estimated 2.5 million deaths annually. Smoking accounts for…

WORDS have great power; they can uplift and inspire or tear down and hurt. Throughout May, Rape, Alcohol, Drug Abuse (Rada) has drawn attention to bullying and the impact our thoughts, opinions and actions can have on others. The intention is to inspire and positively influence the way we treat each other on a day-to-day basis. From classrooms to boardrooms and everywhere in-between, incidents of bullying are sadly increasingly prevalent. Whether it’s a seemingly insignificant rude comment, physical aggression, or cyber harassment, the impact can be devastating for those on the receiving end. This unacceptable antisocial behaviour is a global phenomenon which excludes no one – age, gender or background, there always seems to be a bully in the crowd. The narrative involves three parties: the bully, the bullied and…

Moses Radebe, a two-time world Morganti Ju-Jitsu and a five-time national Ju-Jitsu champion, has graduated with a PhD in radiation science at the North-West University (NWU). Radebe also holds a BSc in computer science and physics, a BSc honours and MSc in applied radiation science. His PhD thesis was on “the design, construction, and validation of a radon chamber for the calibration of radon monitors at NWU”. Besides participating in Morganti Ju-Jitsu, Moses served in both academic and support structures during his time at the university. He served as an assistant lab technician, temporary lecturer for nuclear physics, and student assistant in physics. His leadership roles in sport included being deputy chairperson and equipment manager of the All Sports Chapter and vice-primarius and affairs officer at the Biko Residence.…

The City of Tshwane’s health services in Region 4 hosted the Paws for Wellness Education campaign at Olievenhoutbosch Primary School. The purpose of this annual awareness campaign was to educate those in attendance about the by-laws for keeping animals. The Pit Bull Federation of South Africa, Soshanguve Animal Shelter and Edu-Centre, Tshwane SPCA, Chris Pets Carcass Removals and Community Oriented Substance Use Programme also attended the campaign. MMC for Health Rina Marx said the by-laws ensure that health hazards related to the keeping of animals are pro-actively prevented. “A need was identified to make the public aware of existing regulations and legislation on the keeping of domesticated animals and the correct channels to report irresponsible ownership, abuse and neglect,” she said. Marx said she was encouraged by the enthusiasm of…

The National Arts Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary with a curated programme, examining distinct topics and universal themes that have persisted since its inception. The festival, set to take place from June 20 to 30 in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, is also launching Third Space, a multi-national dance development programme collaborating with the French Institute of South Africa and the French Ministry for Europe, and Foreign Affairs. Selected after a drawn-out application procedure and thorough panel evaluation, the National Arts Festival’s Curated Programme presents a social experiment as well as an insight into the perspectives of the artists on South Africa and the globe. Today, it is South Africa's most diverse and longest-running arts festival, showcasing a wide range of genres and languages that draw an increasingly diverse audience from both…

The baobab tree is a distinctive sight on the landscape. When its contorted branches are leafless during the dry season, they resemble jumbled roots emanating from a thick trunk, making it appear as if someone had yanked the tree from the ground, flipped it on its head and jammed it back into the earth. Hence one of its nicknames: the “upside down tree”. But the origins and history of the baobab found in Madagascar and parts of Africa and Australia have been something of a mystery. A new study resolves this, based on genomic analyses of all eight recognised species as well as ecological and geological data. The baobab lineage originated in Madagascar roughly 21 million years ago and reached Africa and Australia some time in the past 12 million…

IN a world where fossil fuels are increasingly avoided, and the mounting problem of plastic-waste management intensifies, a new approach to plastic waste has attracted much attention. Advanced recycling technologies such as chemical recycling and the dissolution of plastic waste aim to increase the circularity of the plastics economy. Research by IDTechEx in their latest report, “Chemical Recycling and Dissolution of Plastics 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, Markets, Forecasts”, highlights key developments within the chemical recycling industry and predicts strong market growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 35.1%. Mechanical recycling techniques will continue to be the dominant technology; however, the utility of mechanically recycled plastics is limited due to the degraded mechanical properties of the recycled plastic. This results in the downcycling of recycled plastic. This limitation necessitates alternative recycling…

LIBERTY, a life insurer, has announced that in 2023 it paid out R6.72 billion in valid claims to individual clients, their families, and beneficiaries. According to the group, this amounts to R25.85 million every working day. “Although this is 3.72% lower than in 2022, these statistics still mirror concerning trends in health and lifestyle risks facing South Africans,” it said. Liberty said the top claim conditions in 2023 were spread across cancer, cardiac and cardiovascular diseases and disorders, respiratory disorders, strokes, and traumatic injuries. “Cancer remains the leading cause of claims, accounting for approximately 32.3% of all our claims,” the group said. The insurer said that in 2023, under its lifestyle protection pillar of benefits which covers the risk of a critical illness diagnosis, it saw a 10.8%…

There’s a lot of talk about long-term investing, and not making short-term decisions. But when the market dips and I check my balances, it’s very difficult to stay focused on my personal financial goals and avoid the temptation of comparing my portfolio performance to market trends or my friends’ investments. Any advice? Chrisley Botha, Wealth Adviser at PSG Wealth, Paarl: Staying focused on long-term financial goals during market volatility can indeed be challenging. Here are some strategies to help you maintain your perspective and resist the temptation of making impulsive decisions: 1. Reaffirm your financial goals: Remind yourself of your long-term objectives. Whether it’s retirement, buying a home, or funding your child’s education, keeping your goals in mind can help you stay the course. Write them down and revisit…

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes to bolster his chances of avoiding the sack by ruining Manchester City’s bid to make more history in the FA Cup final today. For the second successive season, Wembley will stage a Manchester derby in the showpiece fixture. Last year, City beat United 2-1 in the final en route to an incredible treble-winning campaign that included Premier League and Champions League glory. City remain England’s pre-eminent force, as they showed by clinching an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title last weekend. United left Wembley still optimistic about the future despite that defeat 12 months ago because Ten Hag had ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup earlier in the season. But the Red Devils return to north London shaken by…

She captured the world’s attention with the fastest time in 2024 last week, and now South African star Prudence Sekgodiso will look to back it up with another strong performance today. The 22-year-old 800m athlete produced the finest run of her career as she clocked 1:57.26 to set a new world lead and clinch her maiden Diamond League victory in Marrakech, Morocco last Sunday. In what was a measured display, Sekgodiso stayed among the lead group without going to the front for most of the race. But the Tuks Sport athlete timed her charge to perfection on the home straight as she outlasted Ethiopian Habitam Alemu, who finished second in 1:57.70. It was a new personal best for Sekgodiso as well, eclipsing her previous mark of 1:58.05, set in Pretoria…

SOUTH Africa are one-nil down in the Caribbean-based three-match T20 series against the West Indies as they lost the first match by 28 runs on Thursday night. The loss came down to the foreign conditions the Proteas were exposed to at Sabina Park in Kingston, as most of the players on tour are playing for the first time in Jamaica. Playing at home, West Indies were better adapted to the conditions and managed to make full use of the home ground advantage. Player of the match and local boy Brendon King (79, 6x4, 6x6) played a key role in West Indies’ match-winning total of 175-8. “They came out playing very well in the first innings. I thought (Brendon) King played an unbelievable knock, but our bowlers brought it back nicely,”…

MSC Cruises said its guests can expect unparalleled personalised service and exclusive spaces when its world-class cruise ship, MSC World America, sets sail for the Caribbean in April 2025. According to the cruise line, the new ship will feature its biggest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club to date, specifically tailored for the US market. “The new flagship will also be the first to feature seven on-board districts designed to let guests of all ages choose their own holiday adventure and get the most out of their time on board. “One of the ship’s seven distinct districts, the MSC Yacht Club, offers a secluded sanctuary within the excitement of the wider ship,” said MSC Cruises. The cruise line said as the demand for elevated cruise experiences grows, it is taking…

I’ve been a die-hard fan of the Selling Sunset series and its spin-off, Selling the OC, for several seasons. It’s been addictive as it interweaves high-end real estate deals with the personal lives of the glamorous agents of the Oppenheim Group, who look catwalk-ready in every frame. Streamers have been privy to meltdowns, catfights, romances, breakups, health struggles, fertility issues and so on. Don’t get me started on some of those jaw-dropping fairytale weddings. While I’m still a fan of the Selling Sunset franchise, the latest instalment of Selling the OC has left me rolling my eyes It’s the same drama, but a different season. Before I get into it, let’s first look at the previous season, which was giving with its messy sex tape scandal, fallouts and hookups.…

HEALTH authorities have sounded the alarm about a spike in fake or illegally produced alcohol, which they say is easily available across South Africa. They have also warned consumers about adverse effects caused by illicit alcohol, including blindness and death. Fake alcohol is produced at unlicensed distilleries, homes or makeshift factories and is packaged to look like authentic brands, with the same look and feel. According to experts, the black market makes an estimated R23.4 billion a year through the manufacturing and selling of illicit spirits. Independent Media spoke to some people who have consumed fake alcohol. One of them was Katlehong resident Sipho Mlangeni, who said he was convinced that he had consumed fake alcohol which he bought from a local tavern. “I think the fake alcohol, which was…

A haven for academic excellence, sport and life-long friendships, Kimberley Boys’ High School celebrates an astounding 137 years of existence and an immense impact on education. The school, situated in the Northern Cape, dates more than a century to colonial times. The school was a military institution, only admitting white learners who volunteered for service during World War I and II, hence a library was built in honour of those who died in combat. As the colonial era and racial segregation slowly waned, KHS admitted learners from other racial groups, and a significant milestone was the appointment of the first black headmaster for an inclusive and diverse educational environment. Former head boy of KHS and now student at the University of Johannesburg, Thuto Khumalo, explained that his school is the…

The naysayers said the maddening multicoloured cube that Erno Rubik invented 50 years ago would not survive the 1980s. Yet millennials and Generation Z are as nuts about Rubik’s Cube as their parents were, much to the amusement of its 79-year-old Hungarian creator, who talked to AFP in a rare interview. In a digital world “we are slowly forgetting we have hands”, Rubik said. But playing with the cube helps us tap back into something deeply primal about doing things with our hands, he said – “our first tools”, as he calls them. “Speed cubing” and Rubik’s Cube hacks are huge on social media, with youngsters regularly going viral while dancing, rapping and even playing the piano while solving the 3D puzzle. Rubik said the “connection between the mind and…

The South African documentary, Mother City, will be the big drawcard at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival which takes place at venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg from June 20 to 30 this year. The film festival, renowned for its commitment to showcasing diverse voices, insightful perspectives, and compelling narratives, has announced the South African film Mother City, directed by Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert, as the opening film in a line-up of local, African, and international films that are making waves or have garnered critical acclaim at festivals worldwide. The beautifully observed film is a deeply human and often heartbreaking look at the politics of urbanism. The filmmakers follow activists of the Reclaim the City movement over six years as they make Cape Town’s abandoned spaces…

Tiktok and social media is abuzz with users praising Ozempic for their significant weight loss and are coughing up between R1 200 to R2 500 a jab for the scheduled drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, while experts warn of risks of sagging skin to premature ageing and authorities have indicated that fake products are circulating the market. According to the the Sports Institute of South Africa, one injection pen of Ozempic could cost between R1 200 and R1500, which could last between one to eight weeks depending on the dose. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) together with the National Department of Health are warning the public that any product not manufactured by Novo Nordisk claiming to contain semaglutide is likely to be fake or…

Buy your Slipper Day stickers and merchandise and support Slipper Day in partnership with Wimpy on May 31. Slipper Day is Reach For A Dream’s biggest fundraiser where everyone from office workers to schoolchildren come together to make dreams come true for children with critical diseases like cancer, renal failure, and heart conditions by buying a R20 sticker and wearing it with their slippers on the day. The stickers can be purchased from Wimpy, Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem pharmacies, Dis-Chem Baby City, Toys R Us, Babies R Us, Krispy Kreme and HushPuppies.co.za If you wear your sticker and slippers to Wimpy on May 31, you can get a free Famous Coffee (or hot chocolate for children under 12). Visit www.reachforadream.org.za to buy your stickers, a pair of funky slippers…

SIX young lions are back home and safe on African soil after Qatar Airways Cargo and Animal Defenders International came to their rescue. The young lions were transported from the illegal wildlife trade to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in Johannesburg. Known as the “Kuwait 6”, the males Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa and Saif, and females Dhubiya and Aziza, were either seized or captured after being abandoned then and cared for at Kuwait Zoo. Animal Defenders International (ADI) was contacted by Kuwait government officials to help the lions, so ADI offered them a home at their 184ha sanctuary in South Africa. Mark Drusch, chief officer: Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo, said: “We are proud to once again be supporting ADI, this time in bringing these six beautiful lions home to Africa.…

Jaguar is ringing in some radical changes as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The British brand is set to become an even more upscale, electric-only brand from 2025 and that will see its entire internal combustion range being phased out. The Jaguar F-Pace SUV is being sent into the sunset with two special editions. The newly revealed 90th Anniversary Edition as well as the ultra-potent SVR 575 Edition are now available to order on the Jaguar South Africa website. The 90th Anniversary Edition is available exclusively in D200 R-Dynamic SE guise, featuring the familiar 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 150kW. Priced at R1 476 900, the edition features unique badging, R-Dynamic exterior accents, 20-inch Gloss Black alloy wheels, with matching roof rails, and red brake callipers. Inside, it boasts…

IN SOUTH Africa, the rhythm of life can often feel the pulse of the political landscape, especially during election season. While the excitement and debates around elections primarily focus on political ideologies and leadership qualities, the effects of election outcomes ripple far beyond the political sphere, significantly impacting personal finances. Understanding these impacts can help South Africans navigate the economic tides that follow an election, enabling them to make informed financial decisions. Out of a total population of more than 62 million South Africa has a total registered number of voters of 27 672 264. These voters represent the rest of the population. Policy shifts Elections bring the potential for major shifts in economic policy. A new government can implement policies that alter taxation, government spending, and…

The big talking point – and rightly so – around the Bulls following their last few games has been their leaky defence. But considering that they have one United Rugby Championship game to go – against the Sharks in Durban next Saturday (4.05pm kick-off) as they chase Munster for top spot on the log – perhaps Jake White and his management team should double down and refine their excellent attack even further. The players were given the week off following last Saturday’s 56-35 victory over Benetton at Loftus Versfeld, with a number of the Bulls stalwarts attending a Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town on Wednesday and Thursday. So, there wouldn’t have been time to totally remodel their defence systems ahead of the trip to Kings Park, which will be…

MANCHESTER United are still regarded as one of the biggest clubs in world soccer but unless they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final today, they will be absent from European competition for the first time in a decade next season. Erik Ten Hag’s team ended eighth in the Premier League this season – their worst top flight finish for 34 years. However, they could still qualify for next season’s Europa League if they upset the odds and deprive City of a second successive double at Wembley. “I think for a club like Manchester United to miss out on European football is hard to take,” former defender Gary Pallister told BetVictor. “For years, we haven’t missed out on Champions League football. Now, to miss out on Europe altogether would…

FAMOUSLY known as the City of Lights, Paris is set to play host to a group of athletes from all parts of the world eager to see the glitter of medals. They will make their way to the French capital to witness a once-in-four-years series of iconic contests at the 2024 Summer Olympics. Among them – looking to rekindle her love affair with medals – will be Tatjana Smith (neé Schoenmaker), South Africa’s main hope for a spot at the top of the podium. An unknown-then Tatjana Schoenmaker put Tokyo on notice in 2020, and left her mark as one of the best in the world. Her return to the 2024 games as a Smith might have a different feel to it, but it will not loosen any expectations from…

While Africa, with its diverse landscapes, is known for its abundance of sunshine, some places experience icy temperatures and snow. For instance, as the Southern Hemisphere gears up for winter, the mountainous regions of Lesotho and South Africa transform into snow-covered destinations. With Africa Month drawing to a close, highlighting the diversity in the continent’s tourism offerings is important. If you’re looking for places to experience snow, consider these: Maluti Mountains, Lesotho The Kingdom of Lesotho is known as the Mountain Kingdom and Kingdom in the Sky because of its elevation marked by rocky rolling mountains. The Maloti Mountains in Lesotho remain largely untouched by development, making it a prime location for hiking, camping, cave exploration, horseback riding and even snow sports in winter. To see snow, the best…