Mercury -julkaisun 2022-07-11 -irtonumeron sisällysluettelo

THE number of unqualified Grade R teachers in the province has grown more than 10 times in the past two years. This is according to parliamentary questions to the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2020, there were about 250 unqualified teachers in the province, but this figure has grown to 2 810 in 2022. Zululand has more unqualified teachers than any other region in KZN with 357, followed by King Cetshwayo with 325, uThukela 281, uMgungundlovu 270 and Pinetown 267. The parliamentary responses showed that the department was assisting these teachers to obtain their qualifications. The department said it was providing bursaries to the teachers to get their qualifications within the next five years. If the qualification was not obtained within this period, the teachers would be…

Commissioner Middleton, you may as well have all traffic lights removed, they do not serve a purpose anymore. The number of drivers who drive straight across busy intersections when the light has already turned red needs urgent and stringent steps to be taken. It has become the norm. It has become a trend. Traffic lights have turned into the most hazardous part of using public roads. This latest trend has become an epidemic of major proportions and is a total contradiction to having to pass a driver’s test. What kind of example is this setting to young adults who have to learn the rules of the road in order to pass their driving test? Shame on any adult who think the road belongs to them and who disregards stopping at…

Minister of Police Bheki Cele, as the minister responsible for public safety, should have tempered his rising temper. Unleashing his anger at Action Society’s Ian Cameron through expletives such as “shut up” does not bode well for such an honourable position. Cele’s outburst also goes against the “White Paper on Safety and Security” which encourages community engagement through active citizenry and co-ordinated civic partnerships and structures to aid South Africa’s complex safety and security demands. Likewise, Cele’s ranting is also, contrary to the directions given by the “Panel of experts report on policing and crowd management”, established by the minister of police in terms of “The recommendations of the Marikina Commission of inquiry”. Cameron presented the lived reality on the ground about lack of policing and an increase in crimes…

The recent proposal to raise the drinking age to 21 is a ludicrous idea when the authorities cannot even implement the current laws. It will be impossible, or a total waste of time, because it has been proven that they have failed to enforce any of the current laws. Just take a look around you. It has become such a joke that the current situation is total chaos, just like driving through Mthata on a Saturday morning where anything goes – double-parking and no traffic lights working and no sign of any law enforcement around. This is an indication of how ineffective our law enforcement is in this country. Examples of this can be seen daily – taxis, buses stopping in the middle of an intersection to drop off or…

It is a year since the July unrest that was marked by looting, arson and violence in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng and led to deaths, destruction and economic damage in the country. The unrest, which took place from July 9 to 18, was allegedly sparked by the imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court. More than 300 people were killed during the week of unrest which also damaged African-Indian relations particularly in KZN. Among those killed were black people who were attacked by groups of armed Indian residents who had set up makeshift roadblocks in a bid to prevent looting in Phoenix and other areas. The murders led to heightened tensions in Phoenix and the surrounding communities of Bhambayi and Inanda. Phezukonke Mthethwa, of the group, Justice…

IN the early hours of yesterday morning, the home of ward 10 councillor Thubelihle Dube was set on fire while the family was asleep, leaving his vehicle and parts of the house in Ezitendeni area, Groutville, destroyed. The KwaDukuza Municipality said the fire department was dispatched to extinguish the blaze, adding that the cause of the incident has not been established. “The report regarding the reason behind the fire is still sketchy; through the normal processes of the fire department and the police a clear cause will be determined,” said municipality spokesperson Sipho Mkhize. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala confirmed a case of arson was being investigated by KwaDukuza SAPS. Attacks on political leaders in KZN have been in the spotlight recently following the murder of traditional leader Imbambabukhosi…

A minibus taxi driver sprang into action after one of his passengers went into labour while travelling from Inanda to Mandeni on Saturday. IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Dylan Meyrick said paramedics received a call from the taxi driver after the woman went into labour. Meyrick said IPSS’ medical crews located the taxi on the side of the N2. “On assessing the passenger (paramedics) realised there was no time to transport the woman to hospital, and safely delivered her baby girl in the ambulance,” he said. He said the woman, her 10-year-old daughter, and her new-born daughter were all safely transported to a nearby facility in good health. “Fantastic work by teams on scene,” added Meyrick. Last month, The Mercury’s sister publication, the Daily News reported that a 26-year-old woman gave…

Lawlessness in our country has reached an unprecedented level. At Enyobeni tavern in the Eastern Cape 19 children and teenagers died under mysterious circumstances. The youngest victim was 13 years old, raising questions about how children are allowed to purchase and consume alcohol at legal establishments. At least 14 people were killed in a mass shooting yesterday in a tavern in Soweto. On Saturday four people were killed at Sweetwaters Tavern, outside Pietermaritzburg. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for action after the killings, but questions will be raised about the police’s lack of awareness of the planning and preparation involved in the crimes. “As government, citizens and structures of civil society we must all work together even more closely to improve social and economic conditions in communities, reduce violent crime…

The Conservative Party committee overseeing the contest to select British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s replacement will look to whittle it down to two names by July 20, one of its members said at the weekend. The so-called 1922 Committee will set out the exact rules and timetable for the contest this week after Johnson was forced to quit by his own party. Many lawmakers are pushing for a fast-tracked process. Four Conservative lawmakers have officially confirmed their desire to be the next leader, but about a dozen others are also expected to run for the job. Conservative lawmakers will hold a series of votes to reduce the field to two final candidates, who will then face a postal ballot of the wider Conservative Party membership. “Clearly what we would want…

NAIROBI: The Kenyan government and World Health Organization (WHO) launched a medical emergency hub in Nairobi on Saturday, the first in a network of African centres they say will hasten responses to regional emergencies. The facility will include a training centre, house a cadre of professionals that can respond to a medical emergency within its first 24 hours and stockpiles of medical equipment. Kenya will become a regional hub for medical equipment, which will help neighbouring countries get required medicines faster. |…

Gabadinho Mhango is gearing up for a new challenge at AmaZulu ahead of the new season following a torrid year out in the cold at former club Orlando Pirates. The 29-year-old forward is a proven goal scorer, speedy, tricky with an unrelenting desire to win and is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the PSL today. 'Gaba' had a magnificent 2019/20 season under coach Josef Zinnbauer recording 16 goals in 28 matches while donning the black and white of the Buccaneers. However, he followed that up with a significantly depleted return in goal involvements the year after that, managing the five goals in 22 games. An alarming drop off considering his talent. A turbulent campaign last time out was marred by issues off the field that evidently cost…

FUEL AND FOOD prices are soaring in Zimbabwe as elevated inflation and a runaway exchange rate ratchet up pressure on the government workers who have now given notice to strike. Zimbabwe is battling an economic crisis that the government of President Emerson Mnangagwa is struggling to turnaround. Harare has resultantly been forced to resort to tightening the monetary sector, instituting measures aimed at constraining US dollar purchases to promote the local unit of exchange, the Zimdollar. The Zimdollar is struggling to stay afloat. And with the petrol price set at US$1.77 and the price of diesel at US$1.80, food prices for commodities such as bread have been going up to around $1.20, with some shortages emerging after the government asked bakeries to keep the price low. Now, government workers that…

GOVERNMENT vehicles are not the personal property of departmental employees. As official vehicles, with government branding on them, their purpose is to serve our citizens – not to be used for shopping, as taxis or to go to family functions. Yet, the DA can today confirm that, through the lawful legislature process of parliamentary questions, a KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) official has been found to have misled both the MEC and the HOD regarding the use of such a vehicle. The revelation comes after I submitted a parliamentary question to the MEC about the use of such a vehicle. Their response was that the vehicle was being used for official business. Yet I had seen the vehicle in question parked at a mall in Newcastle, after which the individual…

A prime minister has fallen from grace, in another sordid chapter of sexual intrigue that engulfed the Tory leadership. What brought Boris Johnson down was his denial of the allegations against a senior Tory member, as this was in essence deceit of the House of Commons. He thought it could be brushed under the carpet in the time-honoured English way. He made a fundamental error ... he lied to the House of Commons. Rumours were rife within Tory circles of groping and sex adventures, and these whispers were amplified in the media. It was an open secret that MP and senior leader Chris Pincher was a serial groper. When revelations began to emerge about the allegations and “partygate”, the storm broke into a deluge and there was a deep,…

I SURVIVED many riotous events in my life as I recall the 10 days, in my reckoning, of darkness that Alan Paton had presaged in his evergreen Cry the Beloved Country when loving turned to hating to its extremist level in my recorded time line. It was a darkness, not at the courtesy of Eskom but, in my opinion, as a result of the chronic failure of the ANC government that gripped the nation, especially KwaZulu-Natal. The imprisonment of former president Jacob Zuma was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back and its dangerous sequel that gripped us was an attempt to challenge government and to overthrow it. For 10 days we had no rule of law. It seemed to me that the government of Ramaphosa was…

ACADEMICS, scientists and education stakeholders from across the African continent are hedging their hopes for a better tomorrow for the continent on the success of collaborative efforts such as the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa initiative (SDCfA). The initiative, a brainchild of the Department of Science and Innovation, was launched at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Friday, bringing together diplomats, academics, scientists young and old, the business community, as well as civil society members, in order to promote scientific collaboration across Africa and beyond. At the same time it spoke of using, leveraging and connecting technology innovation with humanity. Deputy Director-General for International Co-operation and Resources at the South African Department of Science and Innovation, Daan du Toit, speaking on behalf of Minister Blade Nzimande, said…

A RESCUE operation in Parkwood for pitbull puppies that were being forced-trained to fight has led to more dogs being saved. Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors, together with the City’s Animal Control Unit, swooped on a property in the area last week to investigate. SPCA chief inspector Jaco Pieterse said someone had shared video footage with them showing how the dogs were being treated. “The entire property was searched this resulted in two further addresses being raided by the team,” he said. According to Pieterse, four dogs were uncovered in a horrific condition and looked abused. | Mercury Correspondent…

PARLIAMENT is yet to take decisive steps to uncover the truth about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s international Phala Phala farm robbery scandal, as a second attempt by opposition parties to have the head of state held accountable has been unsuccessful. All eyes remain on Ramaphosa as the nation eagerly awaits to learn the truth about millions of US dollars allegedly “concealed” in furniture that were subsequently stolen by a gang who broke into his Limpopo farm two years ago. National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula at the weekend confirmed she had declined a request by DA leader John Steenhuisen to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of theft at Ramaphosa’s game farm. She also declined a motion by the African Transformation Movement’s (ATM) to remove the president in terms…

THERE are over 30 cases subject to disciplinary actions involving everything from financial misconduct to sexual harassment and fraud before the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE). This emerged following a parliamentary question by EFF MP, Andrew Arnolds, who wanted to know how many officials were subjected to disciplinary actions in DFFE; what the reasons were; and when suspensions would be instituted. DFFE Minister Barbara Creecy said there were 36 cases under investigation and only one person had been suspended so far. “Only one employee is currently on precautionary suspension.” SA1stForum convenor, advocate Rod Solomon said it was concerning that cases took so long to be finalised. “Perpetrators are in the department instead of being suspended, they can still continue with the transgressions they are alleged to have…

Three men believed to be in their thirties died after the vehicle they were travelling in left the M13 roadway near Shongweni in KwaZulu-Natal, presumably on Saturday night, and was only discovered the next day. Emer-G-Med Paramedics spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said motorists noticed a light motor vehicle on its side in the dense bushes adjacent to the roadway on Sunday morning. Van Reenen said paramedics discovered that a Renault Clio had rolled several times before coming to rest in the bushes during the course of the night. “Three occupants, males aged in their thirties, were declared dead on arrival of the paramedics,” he said. In a separate accident in the early hours of Sunday morning, around 3am, IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Dylan Meyrick said paramedics responded to an accident…

Patriarchy and ageism now rear their heads in governing party THE ANC Youth League of Antony Lembede and Nelson Mandela and pivotal characters in the Struggle for independence like Lillian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Mandela provide examples of how young people and women have historically been at the centre of revolutions. Over the years, however, the ANC has not created a political environment where women and young cadres are given the responsibility to lead the organisation, despite it having some of the most prominent and generally accepted women and young leaders in society within its ranks. The party is gearing up for its 55th National Conference where it will reflect on the five years since Nasrec; the reality that its hegemony in the political landscape of the country has…

The US and China held constructive talks on Saturday, the two sides said, after a meeting aimed at preventing bilateral tensions from spiralling out of control. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held their first talks since October in Bali, Indonesia, which hosted the G20 Summit. “Despite the complexities of our relationship, I can say with some confidence that our delegations found today’s discussions useful, candid and constructive,” Blinken said after five hours of talks. “The relationship between the United States and China is highly consequential for our countries but also for the world. We are committed to managing this relationship – this competition – responsibly,” he said. China’s foreign ministry said the two sides had broadly agreed to work to improve ties –…

MANONO: Jason Kandeke and his sister Esther got out of the van and rushed into the arms of their weeping uncle and grandmother –the children’s first contact with their family since Congolese fighters killed their parents six years ago. Militias raided their village of Mingele in south-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Jason, now 12, and Esther, 14, fled and were taken in by villagers elsewhere. Earlier this year their carers were killed in another attack. A friend passed their details on to the Red Cross. They got on a plane with scores of other children and flew to their new home with their uncle, Jean Ilunga Kandeke, hundreds of kilometres away. “I’m really happy to be with my family. It was hard to lose my parents and now I’m really…

ABIDJAN: Major cocoa buyers have agreed to pay a premium on cocoa sold by Ivory Coast and Ghana as part of a deal reached on Friday to combat poverty among farmers. Cocoa industry players will back a fixed “living income differential” of $400 a ton on all contracts sold by Africa’s two top global cocoa producers. Buyers will also pay a premium that will enable regulators in both countries to reach a target floor price of $2 600 per ton which should allow farmers to earn a minimum of 70% of the target floor price. The signatories include Hershey, Mars, Blommer Chocolate, Nestle, Sucden, Mondelez, Touton, Barry Callebaut, Cargill, Ferrero, Olam and Ecom Trading. |…

Bob Jungels won the ninth stage of the Tour de France at the end of a long solo mountain raid yesterday after Covid-19 almost prevented the Luxemburg rider from starting the race last week. The AG2R-Citroen rider tested positive on the eve of the start in Copenhagen last Thursday but was cleared to take part after a panel of doctors ruled that his viral load was low enough for him to ride. Jungels prevailed from the day's breakaway in searing heat in the Alps after resisting a fierce chase by France's Thibaut Pinot, who surrendered in the final kilometres and finished fourth. Jonathan Castroviejo took second place 22 seconds behind Jungels with fellow Spaniard Carlos Verona ending up third, a further four seconds adrift. Slovenian Tadej Pogacar retained the overall…

Newly promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest made their fifth signing since regaining their place among the elite, agreeing a reported £10-million (about R202m) fee with Bayern Munich for Omar Richards. The 24-year-old English fullback signed a four year contract ending a one-year stay in Germany. He joined Bayern from second tier Reading, making 17 appearances and helping them to a 32nd Bundesliga title. "I'm thrilled to return to England by joining Nottingham Forest at such an exciting time," said Richards, who was capped once by England at Under-21 level. "The club has enjoyed an incredible last few months and there's great ambitions for the Premier League return. "I've played against Forest in the past and they get such great backing from their fans, whilst the City Ground is an…

Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront’s mixologist, Melrick Harrison says: “With our thirst not being as high as in the hotter months, we’ll have to be creative with new and enticing ways to keep hydrated.” He says in the winter, we tend to seek out foods and beverages high in nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin D to boost our immunity. Oranges, nutrient-dense rooibos, and butternut squash, pumpkin, and carrots are excellent sources of these vitamins. A touch of orange We can get plenty of nutrients and hydration from seasonal fruits and vegetables during the winter. Grapefruit, papayas, pumpkins, beetroot, and pineapples are all seasonal winter produce. These seasonal produce contain beta carotene, a pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their red and orange colour. In the body, beta-carotene converts into…

Paris Haute Couture week and Balenciaga gave many much to talk about. From the otherworldly collection to the celebrity models spotted on the runway, the show last week set social media on fire. The faceless models in all-black skintight outfits carrying speaker handbags, and a wedding gown so big that the model battled to move it through the seated crowd were just a few of the talking points of the show, but it was the famous faces who stole the show. Celebs on the runway included Nicole Kidman, who was wrapped in silver, singer Dua Lipa in bright yellow, the queen of the runway Naomi Campbell in a huge black gown and Selling Sunset’s Christine Quinn. Balenciaga fan Kim Kardashian made an appearance. It was her first runway appearance –…

PHAKAMA Nzimande’s decision to fetch his jacket at home is the reason he is still alive today, after gunmen opened fire, killing four people, at Samkelisiwe Tavern in kwaNxamalala, Sweetwaters, in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday evening. Nkosingiphile Nsele, Nzimande’s friend, was one of the four people who died in the shooting. “We arrived here early in the evening and we bought three beers and went about enjoying ourselves. When it started getting colder that is when I decided to go put on a jacket at home, not knowing that this would happen. I am beyond shocked at my friend’s death,” said Nzimande. He described his friend as an ordinary person who just went about his life without bothering anyone. “I really want to know why anyone would want to kill my…

RECENTLY I lamented the fact that the Tory politicos in Britain are way ahead of we hacks and scribblers in inventiveness, so outrageous are the larks they get up to. The latest was the MP named Pincher who got into hot water for “groping” other males in a Tory club, his back teeth awash with booze. My old pal and colleague John MacDonald, now based in Bulgaria, of all places, disagrees. Readers will recall John’s entertaining “Wordsworth” column in The Mercury, in which he explored the foibles of the English language. He says we hacks can keep up with the Tory politicos in our own small way. He sends a piece he wrote about Pincher: The Pincher scandal brings to mind the theory of “nominative determinism” – that people tend…

A reader writes… “I read your column every day. There is always a tug at my heartstrings in some way. But, one of your columns last week was so pertinent as we have had the privilege of having our whole family together for the first time in five years owing to Covid and illness. I felt that you were writing to me. Fourteen of us were all together nearly all the time every day for a month. The laughter and noise in the house did my heart so much good. During their stay our three children, their spouses and our six grandchildren spent a wonderful four days at Nambiti Hills with us. It was quality time in the bush with amazing sightings. Sadly the Aussies flew back to the…

While bone loss is a natural phenomena as human bodies age, astronauts on long-duration flights tend to have a permanent loss of bone density, a study has found. The findings, published in the Scientific Reports journal, showed that some astronauts who flew on shorter missions, under six months, recovered bone strength and density in the lower body, compared to those who flew for longer durations. This loss happens because bones that would normally be weight- bearing on Earth, like your legs, don’t have to carry weight in microgravity – you just float, said the team from University of Calgary in Canada. They followed 17 astronauts before and after space flight from 2015 to understand whether bone recovers after “long-duration” space flight. The researchers scanned the wrists and ankles of the…

THE ANC in the Western Cape legislature has accused the DA of overlooking more qualified candidates for the appointment of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning head. This comes after it emerged that Gerhard Gerber, the new head of the department, is the brother-in-law of Marius du Randt. Du Randt is head of local government, environmental affairs and development planning in MEC Anton Bredell’s office. According to the ANC, the appointment was a “textbook case of cronyism and nepotism”. The party is expected to request the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Employment Equity Commission to investigate the appointment. “It has also been confirmed that his appointment has been met with concern by many in the department who feel a better qualified and more experienced candidate was overlooked in favour of…

ENERGY giant Sasol and MasterDrive have discouraged the use of “fuel pills” to save fuel amid the rising cost of petrol. Last week, the petrol price increased to record levels with an increase of R2.57 for 95 unleaded petrol (ULP) in Gauteng, which pushed the cost to R26.74. The R2.37 increase for 93 ULP pushed the fuel price to R26.31. The record increase has left motorists scrambling, looking at potential ways to save fuel. Social media has been abuzz about fuel tablets being used to save fuel. Some of the posts say that if motorists want to save fuel and make it last longer, the fuel pill is the solution. The product promises to save at least 15 to 25% on fuel. Adrian Velaers, senior mechanical engineer: technical…

WHILE the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is moving ahead with its Eastern Region Ports Master Plans for the ports of Durban and Richards Bay, the road freight industry is questioning whether road networks and the ports themselves will deal with increased volumes. The TNPA said it was 30 days away from concluding the validation process for its master plans, which would position the Port of Durban as a container hub and Port of Richards Bay to handle dry bulk. It said the Durban Logistics Hub would have increased container capacity of 11.4 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) and automotive capacity exceeding 900 000 units. The TNPA said the expansion programme would be realised through the construction of new container terminals in the Point and Maydon Wharf port precincts. CEO…

ESKOM has been given a taste of its own medicine by a municipality in Polokwane that cut electricity to an Eskom building on account Eskom was owing the municipality and had not paid its electricity bill. Electricity has been out at a Limpopo Eskom building for more than two weeks due to the power utility owing Polokwane Municipality thousands of rand for electricity consumed. This has left scores of employees frustrated, as they now have to work from home without proper resources. The Eskom building, said to be a transmission building, is at Number 39, Hans Van Rensburg Street, in Polokwane and houses engineers. The building had power switched off after it owed the municipality R50 000 in electricity payments. According to the municipality, along with Eskom there were six…

IT IS a perennial pastime of financial experts to speculate on the imminent demise of the US dollar as the predominant international currency and the global financial system’s currency of choice for both payment and reserve asset. This in contrast to the hope of the Chinese renminbi (RMB) emerging as an alternative international currency of first resort to many emerging markets to challenge and eventually replace the Washington Consensus and the post-World War II Bretton Woods arrangements that have governed the world’s financial architecture for the past 75 years, through the domineering role and use of the greenback. The dollar has no inalienable right to financial hegemony. Its dominance is a quirk of history tempered by the twin evils of imperialism and colonialism. But this hegemony has been diluting since…

Residents in the embattled northwest Syria warned on Saturday of a “catastrophe” following a Russian veto at the UN Security Council that threatens to end cross-border aid deliveries critical to their survival. Friday’s veto of a resolution that would have extended authorisation for UN aid deliveries through the Bab al-Hawa crossing on the Syrian-Turkish border by one year amounted to a “siege and famine policy that Russia resorts to across Syria”, charged Mazen Allouch, a border crossing official. Failure to extend the authorisation would “serve as a prelude to an uncontrollable famine that would directly threaten food security of more than four million people” living in Syria’s northwest, he said. The cross-border mechanism at Bab al-Hawa, which has been in effect since 2014, expired yesterday. It is the only crossing…

Washington: Elon Musk’s move to abandon his purchase of Twitter has been greeted with a mix of relief and disappointment across the political spectrum, with many criticising the Tesla founder but others applauding his “exposure” of the influential messaging platform. The announcement of the deal valued at $44 billion (R740bn) in April sparked fears the platform would see a surge in abuse and disinformation after Musk – a self-proclaimed free speech absolutist – said he would largely let anyone say anything allowed by law on Twitter. Musk’s announcement on Friday that he no longer wants to buy Twitter triggered celebration by advocacy groups that were against the deal. |…

Botswana needed a second half penalty to sneak a 1-0 victory over Angola while Eswatini clinically dispatched Lesotho 2-0 as both sides qualified for the quarter-finals of the Hollywoodbets Cosafa Cup at King Zwelithini Stadium yesterday. Botswana Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko stepped and converted a 69th minute penalty to give his side the lead. The Gaborone United shot stopper remained calm as he slotted past his opposite number Adilson Capriano in Angola's goal and scored the Zebra's third goal of the competition. Botswana's triumph means they leapfrogged their opponents and set up a quarter-final clash against Zambia tomorrow. The Zebras of Botswana lined up against Angola knowing that nothing short of a victory would secure their place in the quarter-finals, starting the match off level on points with their opponents…