Inhoudsopgave van 2024-05-03 - Star

In this week’s Personal Finance Saturday Page, we look at a survey that reveals that there is a decrease in young professionals seeking medical aid. On trusts, we look at the Trustee insurance and what is covered. We also look at how new job seekers must look elsewhere as no new jobs are being created. Financial illiteracy is an issue that affects more than half of South Africans. We look at how gender lens investing is a key tool for women’s financial literacy In this week’s edition, we also look at how to invest offshore the easy way through global ETFs For all your money matters, scan the QR code.…

JSE-LISTED international information and communications technology (ICT) com- pany Datatec’s headline earnings a share was expected to be between 13 and 15 US cents for the year to February 28, a turnaround from the 9.3 US cents a share headline loss in the 2023 financial year. The previous year’s headline loss per share was impacted mainly by the share-based payments charge on settlement of the Westcon International Equity Appre- ciation Plan, a trading statement said yesterday. Datatec’s underlying earnings per share was expected to be between 19 and 21 US cents, a more than 100% increase compared with 7.9 US cents a share in 2023. Full year results are expected to be published on May 27. Group revenue was expected to…

South African sibling trio Biko’s Manna are thrilled to have returned to the Jennifer Hudson Show. The Joburg-born musicians, who have gone viral on social media after recently touring the US, are made up of Biko, 16, and her brothers, Manna, 13, and Mfundo, 8. They are over the moon after recently appearing on the hit American talk show, where they wowed the audience with their rendition of I Say a Little Prayer. They also taught Hudson the moves for the Tshwala Bam challenge, which emanated from the viral amapiano anthem by TitoM and Yuppe, which also features S.N.E and EeQue. “WOW WOW!! We have no words to express how grateful we are to be called back @jenniferhudsonshow,” they wrote on Instagram. “To think that we sat on the…

SCORES of people enjoyed a line-up of local and international music stars at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) free concert on Greenmarket Square last night, ushering in the 21st staging of Africa’s grandest gathering, tonight. DJ Autto, 10-year-old DJ Sophia, Jerome Rex, Micaela Kleinsmith, Kujenga, Judith Sephuma and Matt Bianco entertained revellers yesterday, as the city centre is expected to be abuzz with excitement for the official start of the CTIJF at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The festival opens at 6pm tonight and 5pm tomorrow, with free-to-attend masterclasses at the Artscape Theatre Centre also taking place tomorrow. The South African line-up includes platinum-selling Queen of Afro-jazz Judith Sephuma, award-winning virtuoso guitarist Jimmy Dludlu, platinum-selling songbird Ami Faku, the Hilton Schilder Quintet, jazz vocalist, pianist and composer…

Optimal – How To Sustain Excellence Every Day Daniel Goleman, Cary Cherniss Loot (R328) Penguin According to Daniel Goleman and Cary Cherniss’s book Optimal – How to Sustain Excellence Everyday, a perfect day starts with a profound sense of inner calmness and emotional stability. Throughout the day, people immerse themselves completely in the present moment – savouring each experience with attention and intention. Whether they’re at work, spending time with loved ones, or following their passions, they approach each activity with focus and clarity. Based on research of how hundreds of people build the inner architecture of having a good day, the authors sketch what an optimal state feels like, and show how emotional intelligence holds the key to our best performance. Optimal is the culmination of decades of scientific…

my favourite mistake Marian Keyes Loot (R265) Michael Joseph Anna Walsh led a contented life before Covid hit. With a well-paying PR job in the beauty industry and a comfortable arrangement with her partner where they maintained separate apartments. Things were stable. However, the pandemic forced them to bunk together, leading Anna to reflect on her choices. During the lockdown, Anna diligently checked in on her family, but a turning point came when a butterfly landed on her cheek, signalling a change she had been waiting for. Eventually, she decided to leave her job and partner in New York and return to Ireland. Her decision didn’t sit well with her family, who relied on her for perks and were disappointed that she had left her partner. With her sister’s help,…

Broken Code Jeff Horwitz Loot (R328) Torva Facebook had a problem. Along with its sister platforms Instagram and WhatsApp, it was a daily destination for billions of users around the world, extolling its products for connecting people. But as a succession of scandals rocked Facebook from 2016, some began to question whether the company could control, or even understood, its own platforms. As Facebook employees searched for answers, what they uncovered was worse than they could’ve imagined. The problems ran far deeper than politics. Facebook was peddling and amplifying anger, looking the other way at human trafficking, enabling drug cartels and authoritarians, and allowing VIP users to break the platform’s supposedly inviolable rules. It turned out to be eminently possible to isolate many of Facebook’s worst problems, but whenever employees…

BANTU Holomisa for Eastern Cape premier – what a refreshing thought! What a brilliant idea for the long-suffering people of the Eastern Cape to be blessed with a leader of such calibre! This after years of surviving under corrupt leaders who are never short of ideas to loot government coffers, with the same greedy leaders being recycled, subjecting its people to ever-increasing poverty and hopelessness. There has been alarming incompetence and misdirected innovations; think of the matric examinations that are written in Xhosa or Sotho. What job opportunities are open to school-leavers with that kind of certificate? If the upcoming elections could bring about responsible and ethical leaders, then the sooner we go to the polls the better. The Eastern Cape people are resisting government efforts to explore mineral, gas…

With reference to the article in your edition of April 30, titled, “Anger at bid to vet SABC head of news”. A free and independent press is a key ingredient to an open and democratic society, forming the front line in the battle against corruption, human rights abuses, and election fraud. It is a fundamental freedom that is both constitutionally protected and jealously guarded. The State Security Agency’s sudden decision last week to interview and “vet” the SABC’s head of news (with a polygraph test to boot) – less than a month before one of the most consequential elections in our democratic history – is a highly disturbing intimidation play of which the Security Branch would have been proud. This election will be scary, it will ruffle feathers, and it…

“ROOIBOS tea is more than just a beverage; it is a cultural treasure,” says Professor Martinette Kruger from North-West University of South Africa’s indigenous tea. Kruger, who forms part of the research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society, is currently conducting research in collaboration with Curtin University (Perth, Australia) that looks to uncover and develop the numerous tourism possibilities that rooibos tea holds. The study is designed to explore both the supply and demand sides of the rooibos tourism sector. “Rooibos tea is a significant part of South Africa’s cultural tapestry, being indigenous to our nation and thriving mainly in the Cederberg Range, a part of the globally recognised Cape Floristic Region,” Kruger explained. “This area, a Unesco world heritage site and one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots,…

the EFF’s Deputy President Floyd Shivambu graduated with a Master of Science degree in International Development from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies. Shivambu shared his graduation ceremony on social media yesterday and said he was awarded the qualification on Tuesday. “I had the honour of being awarded a MSc in International Development degree by the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies,” he said. Shivambu said he was honoured to be part an alumni that was attended by political activist from Guyana Walter Rodney, and Ethiopian politician, Arkebe Oqubay. “The journey was worth it and expanded our understanding of what is to be done,” he added. Shivambu’s research topic focused on China and Africa’s economic relations. Shivambu got his first Master’s degree in…

A matric pupil arriving at her school prom in Phoenix in a casket has raised the ire of some social media users, calling it “disrespectful and distasteful”. The 17-year-old arrived at the event held at the Sunford School hall, emerging from a white casket in a black ball gown. The video that has since gone viral on social media shows a hearse arriving. A white casket is opened and the girl emerges wearing a black dress. Speaking to Independent Media, the girl’s aunt, Kadisha Sewduth, said it was sad that her niece was being targeted on social media, following the video being posted. “My niece didn’t mean to cause any harm. She wanted to make an appearance at her prom and had no ill-intention. But now she is being taunted…

In 2021, Google and Amazon clinched the $1.2 billion (about R22bn) Project Nimbus contract with the Israeli government, a significant milestone in cloud services. Praised by the Israeli Finance Ministry for its comprehensive cloud solution, the contract underscores the emphasis on local cloud sites to keep data within Israel’s borders, as reported by Reuters on April 21, 2021. Notably, Google and Amazon outpaced competitors Microsoft, Oracle and IBM to secure the deal. The contract’s terms enforce strict guidelines, prohibiting boycotts and denial of services to specific government entities. Noteworthy is the provision granting the Israeli Ministry of Defence its designated secure entry point into Google Cloud, facilitating data storage, processing, and access to AI services. The development unfolds against the backdrop of the International Court of Justice’s January 26, 2024,…

GENEVA: Rebuilding homes in the Gaza Strip could drag into the next century if the pace follows the trend of previous conflicts, according to a UN report released yesterday. Nearly seven months of Israeli bombardment have caused billions of dollars in damage, leaving many of the crowded strip’s high-rise concrete buildings reduced to heaps. Palestinian data shows that around 80 000 homes have been destroyed in a conflict triggered by the Hamas-Israel conflict. The UN Development Programme said Gaza needs about “80 years to restore all the fully destroyed housing units”. However, in a best-case scenario it could be done by 2040, it said. | Reuters…

Paris: Rubbish collectors could strike this month, a major French union said yesterday, raising the spectre of piles of stinking trash on the streets during the Olympic Games. Walkouts could start in May and continue from July 1 to September 8, the CGT union warned. The Games run from July 26 to August 11. Refuse workers in Paris are demanding an extra €400 (R7 970) a month and a one-off €1 900 bonus for those working during the Olympics. The CGT walked out of talks over bonuses after learning that the level of payouts would depend on how much extra work people had to take on. | AFP…

TS GALAXY have had such wretched form on the road this season that it is surprising that they are still in the hunt for a top-eight finish. The Rockets have accumulated a mere eight points out of a possible 33 in their away matches. They have their impressive home record of nine wins, two draws and one defeat to thank for their best campaign since their promotion to the elite league. The club owned by Tim Sukazi have garnered the most points in their Premiership history and can still improve on that with six matches still to go before the end of the DStv Premiership campaign. You will, however, struggle to find anyone betting on them adding anything to that points tally in tonight’s clash away to a Sekhukhune United…

STELLENBOSCH FC have honoured the memory of late defender Oshwin Andries with their historic 25-game unbeaten record. Andries was 19 when he died in a stabbing incident last February. The Western Cape side announced their decision to retire his No 25 jersey shortly thereafter. Club coach Steve Barker spoke to the media after his side trounced Golden Arrows 3-0 at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday. Barker, who handed Andries his first-team debut, expressed how much emotion had gone into motivating his team to achieve the 25-game unbeaten run in honour of the late defender. “A special number 25, that we are all mindful of the No 25 jersey, so today was a special one. I think again we capped it off with another special performance. I think our last…

JUST SA’s weekly jargon buster aims to give simple, plain English explanations for typical words and phrases used in the financial industry, in particular, words relating to guaranteed life annuities and living annuities. This week, we look at the letter: P Source: Just Retirement SA, info@justsa.co.za. The jargon buster is intended for information purposes only. It should not be regarded as advice as defined in the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act 37 of 2002 or any form of advice in respect of the policy, retirement, tax, legal or other professional service whatsoever. You are encouraged to seek advice from an authorised financial adviser or to independently decide what financial product is appropriate for you, based upon your own judgment and understanding of your financial needs. Just Retirement Life (South…

MTN GHANA, a subsidiary of South Africa- based MTN Group, saw strong first-quarter performance with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, increas- ing 31.5% to GHS2.15 billion (New Cedis) (about R2.9bn) in the quarter to March 31, 2024. The results, released yesterday, showed that despite inflation remaining high in that country at an average 24.4%, and an 8.4% decline in the value of the Ghanaian Cedi compared with the US dollar, service revenue grew by 32.4% for the quarter, year-on-year. The company benefited from a focus on driving topline growth and cost efficiencies, as well as efforts to create share value among stakeholders. CEO Stephen Blewett said in a statement that MTN Ghana was committed to facilitate national roaming partnerships with AT (formerly AirtelTigo) and Telecel (formerly…

In HIS State of the City Address, Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda addressed the scourge of illegal mining operations by zama zamas in the broader Johannesburg area. Despite celebrating strides in economic growth and service delivery, Gwamanda highlighted the insidious threat posed by these illicit operations in his address at the Council Chambers in Braamfontein yesterday. The mayor explained that zama zamas posed a severe threat to Joburg’s infrastructure, the environment, the financial stability of the metro and, especially, the safety of residents. “Illegal mining involves tunnelling under roadways, excavating bridge embankments while also infringing on crucial water and sewage networks that is placing a real risk and threat to residents and infrastructure in the city,” said Gwamanda. The mayor said illegal mining had affected the city’s water and road systems,…

The Free State has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, with an estimated 44% of the province’s working population unemployed, according to the latest StatsSA Quarterly Labour Force Survey. “Of the 2.9 million people in the province, at least 1 million are still dependent on social grants, and 648 000 people between 15 and 64 years of age remain economically inactive,” the survey reveals. DA leader in the province Roy Jankielsohn said yesterday that the province could not afford another five years of job shedding and economic shrinkage under an ANC-run government. He said the government had failed to cultivate an environment conducive to attracting investment and promoting new businesses to boost job creation. “The governing party is entirely inward-focused and has taken every…

is the party over? Oscar van Heerden Loot (R200) Jacana Media It does not take vast imaginary powers to conjure up images of a scene after a party. Nothing is in its place. The buffet on the table is not the delicacy it was. Instead, it is a mess of half-eaten cakes, meats, and barely-touched hors d’oeuvres. The balloons are deflated, the champagne bottles lie on their backs, empty; the detritus at the bottom of the glasses give a hint of the liquids quaffed; any of the guests left are only just waking up, the hangover thundering in their heads. The music has long stopped. Eeriness reverberates all round. It is back to reality. The host, barely awake himself, begins the process of tidying up. Time is of the essence.…

The Great Divide Cristina Henriquez Loot (R289) Fourth Estate A historical novel following the incredible construction of the Panama Canal and casting light on the unsung people who lived and laboured in its shadow – by Cristina Henríquez. It is said that the Panama Canal will be the greatest feat of engineering in history. But first, it must be built. Ada Bunting, a bold 16-year-old girl from Barbados, arrives alone in Panama as a stowaway alongside thousands of other West Indians seeking work in the grand building project of the canal. Francisco, a local fisherman, resents the foreign nations clamouring for a slice of his country, but nothing is more upsetting for him than his son Omar’s decision to work as a digger. For Omar, whose upbringing was quiet and…

The Fury Alex Michaelides Loot (R270) Michael Joseph Beneath the surface, old friendships conceal violent passions and resentments. And in 48 hours, one of them will be dead. This is a tale of murder. Or maybe that’s not quite true. At its heart, it’s a love story, isn’t it? The saddest kind of love story – about the end of love; the death of love. So I guess I was right the first time. You may think you know this story. You probably read about it at the time – the tabloids loved it, if you recall: ‘MURDER ISLAND’ was a popular headline. Unsurprising, really, as it had all the perfect ingredients for a press sensation: a reclusive ex-movie star, a private Greek island cut off by the wind ……

Whether it’s infatuation, a sweetheart’s fairy tale, fatal attraction or whatever, they will move heaven and earth to be together. The usual candidates are single moms, divorced women and widows with young children. No sooner has it started, it ends but the end is bizarre, bloody and macabre for the victim and the perpetrator, exacerbating further trauma for those left behind. I plead for understanding about the spike in femicide and double murders/suicide, especially in the Indian community. “Choose me or choose a tombstone” is a defining trait of the possessive male. What is triggering the non-observance of the sanctity of human life? Can a person take pleasure in bringing on their own destruction? It’s easy to speculate the answers – depression, rejection, insecurity, resentment, mental health issues, jealousy, substance…

THE days when City of Tshwane’s officials could open and close fake municipal accounts willy-nilly in the name of residents and businesses are numbered. This is thanks to the City limiting the staffing of its municipal accounts system to senior officials in an effort to nip such fraudulent and corrupt activity in the bud. Finance MMC Jacqui Uys said this new approach was intended to clamp down on fraud and corruption in the municipality. She said in recent months, the City’s group financial services had focused on reducing opportunities for fraud and corruption within the department. “One of the changes is the implementation of a new approach to the opening and closing of residential and business municipal accounts.” Uys said there was previously room for corruption “where phantom accounts were…

IN A BOLD and urgent move, Louis Liebenberg, a diamond dealer, has petitioned Parliament for a thorough investigation into what he perceives as a targeted assault on his business ventures, notably his company Tariomix. The letter, addressed to the Honourable Speaker, outlines a litany of alleged irregularities by South Africa’s legal and governmental apparatus. “The time for complacency is over,” Liebenberg says. “We cannot continue to allow a cabal of unscrupulous actors to undermine the very foundations of our democracy and the rule of law.” Among the most alarming allegations outlined in the letter is the extraordinary alleged involvement of a major in the SANDF as the driving force behind the liquidation application against Tariomix. Liebenberg questions how such an intervention from a purported military official was permitted, and says…

Theft and vandalism are suspected to have caused the fire which engulfed underground tunnels along the M1 near Smit Street in Joburg, resulting in several communities being left without electricity. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the fire started on Tuesday night, but had been extinguished by Wednesday. “The fire was put out but started again in the early hours on Wednesday morning,” said Mangena. “This affected power supply to area including Braamfontein, part of Joburg CBD, parts of Parktown, and parts of Newtown, among others. Preliminary findings indicate that a cable connecting Braamfontein substation to the Fordsburg substation caught fire during the suspected cable theft and vandalism,” said Mangena. “The City Power teams have been on site since (Tuesday) night and will remain until the site is handed to…

There was no time to rest or celebrate on Workers’ Day for politicians, who were hard at work on the public holiday canvassing votes ahead of the May 29 elections. President Cyril Ramaphosa was at a rally at Athlone Stadium where he assured that the alliance between his ANC, the SA Communist Party and Cosatu was as strong as ever. On the critical issues of unemployment and poverty, he said government was continuing to work on job creation and making the Universal Basic Income Grant a reality. DA leader John Steenhuisen in his May Day address in Mitchells Plain slammed the ruling party’s “unholy alliance” that had failed South Africa’s 11.7 million unemployed people. He blamed the ANC for the current unemployment rate of over 32%. He also noted that…

Kathmandu: Firefighters and local residents battled a massive wildfire on the outskirts of Nepal’s capital yesterday as the Himalayan republic endures a severe fire season authorities have blamed on a heatwave. Emergency crews worked to fight the blaze which engulfed a forested area in Lalitpur, on the southern periphery of the Kathmandu valley. More than 4 500 wildfires have been reported this year across the country, nearly double compared to last year according to government data but less than the worst fire season on record in 2021. | AFP…

The Hague: Housing is at a premium and so is parking in the Netherlands, but a parking space put up for sale this week for almost half-a-million euros – more than the average home price – has raised eyebrows. Located in PC Hooftstraat next to Amsterdam’s famous Vondelpark, the indoor space was advertised at 495 000 euros on the Dutch property website funda.nl. The parking space is a stone’s throw from major attractions like the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum. The Netherlands is facing an acute housing shortage, according to a study. | AFP…

PRESSURE at Orlando Pirates is a privilege. Coach Jose Riveiro and his men have upped the ante when it matters the most: the closing stages of the season. Pirates are where they want to be in the season. They are fighting for the last trophy – the Nedbank Cup – and a second-place finish in the DStv Premiership. Of course, their season would have been much better if they had challenged for the title, but it wasn’t to be, due to an inconsistent run of form. Riveiro is not crying over spilt milk, though. Instead, the Spaniard has embraced the fact that he can bag back-to-back cup doubles and second- place finishes. The 48-year-old had a breakthrough season to remember at Pirates last term, winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup,…

IN A RECENT determination, Pension Funds Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane has severely criticised a pension fund that delayed paying out a death benefit for an astonishing 27 years. The determination also emphasises the duty of funds to actively trace beneficiaries of deceased members. When a retirement fund member dies, two amounts of money normally become due: the member’s accumulated retirement savings, known as “pension interest”, and a life insurance payout. Together, these make up the member’s “death benefit”, which may be a sizeable sum of money. Section 37C of the Pension Funds Act governs the distribution of death benefits. Funds must not only take into account beneficiaries named on the nomination form, but also relatives or other people who were financially dependant on the deceased. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the…

STRIVE Masiyiwa’s Econet Wireless has opened free remittance channels from South Africa and the UK to Zimbabwe as the telecoms giant ups its play in the key industry. Remittances are a key source of income for many Zimbabweans who rely on earnings from friends and families in the diaspora. Over the past few months, the number of remittance channels has grown as more Zimbabweans leave the country in search of greener pastures, although charges have remained elevated. International remittance charges are up to 15%, although new and digital platforms have knocked this fee structure slightly down. This week, Econet said it was bringing back the EcoCash mobile money platform under its ambit after unbundling and separately listing it in 2018. It said the platform would be a key remittance channel…

BHP WILL MAINTAIN the listing of Kumba Iron Ore, Anglo Platinum and its own on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, despite proposing to unbundle the two South Africa-focused assets under its proposed offer to acquire Anglo American, it said yesterday. There has been widespread criticism of the Australian commodities giant after its proposal to acquire Anglo American last month, with unionists and South African government officials opposing the bid. The board of Anglo American has rejected the $39 billion (R730.5bn) offer by BHP, saying it significantly under-values the Johannesburg and London-listed manganese, copper, platinum and iron ore group. The board of Anglo American also said it was against BHP’s proposed restructuring of the company. “The structure of BHP’s proposal, including the proposed distribution of Anglo American’s shares in Anglo Platinum…

Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco might not have taken the crown on S3’s The Masked Singer SA, but her appearance left a mark, especially by throwing her close friend Somizi Mhlongo off his guessing game. Mhlongo, known for his sharp instincts, recently failed to identify Conco as the “Star” on the popular TV show, despite their regular chats. Reflecting on Mhlongo's misstep, Conco shared with Sowetan: “The first thing he said to me (after the unmasking) was: ‘I have 10- to 15-minute chats before we gym with this person – how did I miss you?’ He was shocked and I knew he was going to be surprised.” Mhlongo’s detective skills led him to suspect Conco as being the hidden talent behind Ice Cream – a guess that was…

ABOUT 600 000 students are unable to receive their graduation certificates after completing their studies as they owe more than R5.8 billion to the country’s universities in outstanding fees. This was revealed by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande when he responded to parliamentary questions from EFF MP Vuyani Pambo. Pambo had asked for a breakdown of the number of students who owed university fees and could not receive their certificates. Nzimande’s responses showed that 19 universities had indicated that they were owed fees by students while six had yet to respond to questions. “Included in the balances are amounts owed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme where the close out process has not been finalised,” Nzimande said. He said Wits University had 4 557 students who were unable to…

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) has launched two new applications, one in the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg High Court, and another in the Pretoria division, for legal recognition of the custom of the “family house” as part of South African customary law. It is common in South Africa that families have what they regard as a “family house”. This house is regarded as belonging to the family, and members of the family can move in and out of the family house based on their personal circumstances. However, because the current law does not recognise the concept of a “family house”, most people find themselves homeless as the registered owner of the house ends up evicting fellow family members or selling the house while people are living in it. LHR said…

Bring me your midnight Rachel Griffin Loot (R219) Sourcebooks Tana Fairchild’s fate has been planned for her since the day she was born: marry the governor’s son and secure an unprecedented alliance between the witches and the mainlanders. But when Tana meets Wolfe, a member of the only remaining coven left practising dark magic, she’s stunned to learn of his existence. She’s always thought the final coven disbanded 10 years ago, completely eradicating the use of dark magic. When unknown magic builds in Tana’s body and she’s unable to expel the magic on her own, she begs Wolfe for help. And as she practises Wolfe’s dark magic, she’s horrified to discover how naturally it comes to her. It makes her feel powerful. Alive. Tana tries to rid herself of the…

Black Shield Maiden Willow Smith & Jess Hendel Loot (R279) Del Rey LORE, legend and history tell us of the Vikings: warrior-kings on epic journeys of conquest and plunder. But the stories we know are not the only stories to tell. There is another story, one that has been lost to the mists of time: the saga of the dark queen. That saga begins with Yafeu, a defiant yet fiercely compassionate young warrior who is stolen from her home in the flourishing Ghanaian empire and taken as a slave to a distant kingdom in the North. There she is thrust into a strange, cold world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods. And there she also finds something unexpected: a kindred spirit. She comes to serve Freydis, a…

It is disappointing to me that I won’t be able to execute my national duty to vote for my desired government on May 29. For the first time since I was eligible to vote in the 2009 general elections, the ANC government will make it impossible for South African citizens in Israel to cast their vote to bring about much-needed change. Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) officials told me a week ago that I should go to other missions outside Israel to vote. However, I can’t travel outside Israel for various reasons. The illogical decision to shut South Africa’s embassy in Tel Aviv is starting to impact negatively on South African citizens studying or working in or touring Israel. I could not reach out to anyone at the IEC when…

WHILE suffering numerous legal defeats recently, including that a ruling declaring the new RAF1 form requiring a claimant to have all documentation in order before lodging a claim was illegal, the fund launched its backlog campaign yesterday. RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo said the fund had a huge backlog of claims that had not been finalised. Through the launch of the “Drive Your Claim Forward” campaign, claimants were urged to contact the RAF’s call centre to establish what was needed to finalise their claims. He said that sometimes it could merely be an outstanding invoice delaying the speedy resolution of a claim. Letsoalo said the campaign aimed to encourage claimants to come forward to have their claims concluded and paid out. He told the media during a briefing that the delay…

On APRIL 27, 1994, South Africa celebrated the triumph of democracy. Voting queues brimmed with hope and a sense of unity as we ushered-in a new era. The breaking of apartheid shackles was a monumental achievement. I believe South African trade unions were instrumental in this newfound freedom, with workers making enormous sacrifices to ensure its realisation. I remember Cosatu president Willie Madisha’s fiery leadership galvanising the people and shaking the Nationalist government to its core. As we celebrated Freedom Day’s 30th anniversary on April 27, 2024, I reflected on the elation I felt three decades ago and why it faded over the following years. As a labour lawyer, I see the world through the lens of employment. Our hopes were partially realised with the Labour Relations Act, amendments to…

Workers of the World Unite! With this rallying cry South Africa, alongside more than 80 countries around the world, celebrated May Day this past week. As elsewhere, South Africa on Workers’ Day honours the place of workers and worker unions in society and our struggle for justice, equality, fairness and freedom. South Africa renewed her commitment to the rights of workers and celebrated our own and international worker movements. Since the 19th century the rights of workers were taken as the fundamental struggle for human freedom, not only because of unjust working conditions under which people suffered. Workers’ rights were increasingly placed central to societal concerns due to new perspectives on how societies cause suffering by class between workers and owners, as Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels described in the…

Hundreds of helmeted police swarmed the site of a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of California at Los Angeles early yesterday, firing flash bangs, arresting defiant demonstrators and dismantling their encampment. The pre-dawn police crackdown at UCLA marked the latest flashpoint in mounting tensions on US college campuses, where protests over Israel’s war in Gaza have led to student clashes with each other and with law enforcement. “I’m a student here. I’m an English major,” one student said to television cameras, as police dragged him away. “Please don’t fail us. Don’t fail us.” Before moving in, police urged demonstrators in repeated loudspeaker announcements to clear the protest zone, which occupied a central plaza about the size of a football field. After massing around the campus for hours, officers eventually moved…

LONDON: Scottish National Party (SNP) veteran John Swinney became the clear front runner to become Scotland’s next leader yesterday after a potential opponent ruled herself out of the contest and backed him. The SNP is looking for a new leader following the resignation of Humza Yousaf as party chief and Scotland’s first minister on Monday. A funding scandal in the party has boosted the British Labour Party’s hopes of regaining ground in Scotland as it seeks to win a UK parliamentary election this year. “I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence,” Swinney, 60, said. | Reuters…