Table of contents for 2023-09-09 in Saturday Star

THE SHOOT-out at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, is a staple of westerns. It’s the most famous of all the shoot-outs in the US’s Wild West. Hollywood has made eight films about it including two in the 1990s: Tombstone, with Kurt Russel, in 1993 and Wyatt Earp, starring Kevin Costner, in 1994. It’s amazing to think the gun battle lasted only 90 seconds. At the end, three people lay dead; all outlaws. There are many other violent tales from the Wild West; bank robbers and hoodlums like Billy the Kid. There have been about 20 full-length films made of him. Billy the Kid might have killed 20 men before he was 21, but he never did it all in one go. Last Friday, the Hawks raided a cash-in-transit gang…

SOUTH Africans often feel at risk of drowning in a sea of adversity. It’s something that doesn’t become any easier with the waves of bad news that bash around our heads; tales of hardship, cruelty, grief and the selfishness of those who style themselves our leaders. But it isn’t all like that. There can be no denying the hero’s journey that Siya Kolisi has trodden, not just from Zwide to lift the William Webb Ellis trophy in Japan four years ago, but over a remarkable 119 days of pain and hope. The injury he suffered in April should have ruled him out of the Rugby World Cup and much of next year, too. Many speak of a miracle, but they discount the calibre of the man and the fire that…

“Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.” Unfortunately, one Cape Town family remembered their donation to a local children’s shelter a little too much – and then asked for their donation back. Katherine Brink, a child expert who runs the Little Brinks NPO, was so shocked at the family’s U-turn demand and their subsequent threat of legal action, she turned to social media for advice. “I’m just still in absolute horror,” said Brink, who had only known the donor from Facebook for several years. “She asked to bring her daughter to drop off donations. I said yes, as we normally make an appointment and do a handover, so the kids don’t get too over-excited and go through the toys before I can see who needs what and dish…

When Siya Kolisi thinks back to the euphoria of winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and the reception the Springboks received on landing back in Johannesburg, he still gets goosebumps. They will draw inspiration from that and the support across the country and in France tomorrow when South Africa starts the defence of their title in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome against Scotland (kick-off 5.45pm) in pool B. They will have an entire nation behind them, desperate for another feel-good story during trying times, and Kolisi says this does not create extra pressure on the team. The Boks are 33 individuals selected to represent the country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and all have a common goal – to keep on playing as a team for South Africa and…

South African schools are almost three-quarters of the way through the academic year, but it is important for pupils to choose their subjects carefully. The chosen subjects can significantly affect the degree and career pupils want to pursue – especially if they are interested in studying overseas. Rebecca Pretorius, regional manager of Crimson Education, a global university admission consultancy, said that pupils’ interests played a huge role in subject choices. “Students must focus on strengths and weaknesses and choose their strong subjects,” said Pretorius. She gave an example that if students had been excelling in maths, they should include pure maths in their subject choices. “Beyond their final three years of high school, this decision will influence their university career prospects.” Pretorius unpacked the long-term implications of subject choices and…

CRICKET South Africa (CSA) and KFC have announced the official start of the 2023/24 Mini-Cricket Provincial Festivals. The festivals are scheduled to take place in various regions, attended by children from local schools. The KFC Mini-Cricket Festivals provide a platform for budding cricketers from diverse backgrounds, aged 8 to 12, to learn the fundamentals of the game. They are open to children of all skill levels across the 16 CSA affiliates. CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said the festival started during the KFC T20I series. “It brought together the thrill of the KFC Mini-Cricket programme and the electrifying atmosphere of the KFC T20 Internationals in one venue. It is a celebration of cricket’s entire spectrum – from the joy of young talents taking their first steps on the pitch to…

THE Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville and Saulsville Civic Association has become the latest organisation to call for the City of Tshwane to be placed under administration. Organisation chairperson Tshepo Mahlangu bemoaned the fact that the municipality was on autopilot, partly owing to lack of service delivery affected by the ongoing workers strike. Of great concern, he said, was that residents were expected to pay for services they were unable to receive from the municipality. “Our metro is run by a consulting firm that is appointed by city officials. The city officials linked to this consulting firm are now embarking on a massive revenue-collection drive, especially in townships,” he said. The revenue collection drive, he said, was happening despite a month-long workers’ strike which “left the capital city of South Africa filthy…

Visitors to the Pretoria Zoo will be able to see a new face – a new male buff-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) named Sylvester. The South African National Biodiversity Institute’s National Zoological Gardens has announced the arrival of Sylvester, all the way from France. Sylvester arrived in South Africa on May 26 from Le Teste de Buch Zoo in France. After completing his 30-day quarantine, he has been integrated into his new home at the zoo. Sylvester has been chosen to play a crucial role in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ex situ studbook programme, owing to his genetic lineage. His addition to the programme is a significant step towards the conservation of the endangered species. The Pretoria Zoo has participated in this programme since 1988, having produced 15…

COLOURED people should reclaim their identity and right to self-identity, say Tessa Dooms and Lynsey Ebony Chutel, who have written a seminal book ‒Coloured: How Classification became Culture. In 2020, US police killed George Floyd, a black man, leading to a global resistance campaign, #BlackLivesMatter. Locally, the police’s murder of 16-year-old Nathaniel Julies, a coloured teen with Down syndrome in Eldorado Park, sparked unrest which spread to other townships and social media. Soon, the #ColouredLivesMatter was trending and became the rallying cry of an outraged community seeking justice. Dooms, a sociologist and political analyst who describes herself as politically black but culturally coloured, was interviewed by the media on the reasons behind the #ColouredLivesMatter campaign, while Chutel, a New York Times journalist, covered the growing unrest. Both women grew up…

Climate change remains the world’s most serious existential threat. Climate- related disasters have killed and displaced thousands of people and left millions affected by food insecurity. Resource-driven warfare and environmental disasters continue unabated in South Africa and across the world, affecting hundreds of thousands of households this year alone. Pollution has no borders. An increase in pollution in one country has an impact on us all. We need to make the switch to renewable energy. Decentralised renewable and free energy solutions led by communities are less expensive and safer, with added environmental and social benefits. The constant promotion of “green” hydrogen is a dangerous and damaging diversion, especially when it is derived from natural gas and other fossil fuels. Climate change is moving much faster than we are, pushing ecosystems…

The July 26 coup in Niger is not an isolated event. Rather, it represents the recent resurgence of military coups that have plagued Africa, especially West Africa and Sudan. Since 2020, Africa has recorded seven successful coups and three unsuccessful coups. Some of these have occurred in the same countries notably, Mali and Burkina Faso. The resurgence of military coups is rooted in a combination of triggers and proximate and structural factors that require examination. Typically, official condemnations and the suspensions of membership from the African Union (AU) and relevant regional economic communities (RECs) have often characterised regional responses. The recent coup in Niger marked a slight departure from the customary responses from regional organisations. On July 28, Ecowas (the Economic Community of West African States) under the…

Money Smart Week SA (MSWSA) 2023 took place from August 28 to September 3. It is South Africa’s largest co-ordinated financial literacy campaign aimed at motivating and empowering South Africans to become better educated about their finances. There were various initiatives taking place during this time, including in-person and virtual workshops, webinars, social media drives, and radio and television engagements in which the public could take part. Go to www.mswsa.co.za to get up to speed. The event underscored, once again, how we cannot underestimate the importance of financial literacy. To many, finances can be incredibly intimidating, filled with complex terms and concepts. Being financially literate means having a basic grasp of money matters and its four fundamental pillars: debt, budgeting, saving and investing. It’s understanding how to build wealth throughout…

The Pullman Cape Town City Centre, the first property under the Pullman Hotels & Resorts brand in South Africa, is located in the Triangle House, a renowned 104-metre skyscraper. This building offers stunning views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic, and the majestic cityscape of Cape Town. The hotel draws inspiration from its urban surroundings and combines contemporary architecture with unique experiences and tailored hospitality. The Triangle House, known for its distinctive architecture, was constructed by Murray & Roberts Construction (now Concor) between 1991 and 1993. Its iconic cruciform or triangular design ensures that every room on all floors enjoys plenty of natural light, the refreshing coastal breeze and captivating vistas. Pullman Cape Town City Centre provides convenient access to the vibrant cultural, entertainment and business districts. Its strategic location, just…

Virgin Atlantic, in collaboration with Guide Dogs, has unveiled a long-term partnership dedicated to transforming the air travel experience for those who suffer from a loss of sight. The partnership involves providing special training to Virgin Atlantic’s cabin crew to better assist passengers with visual impairments. As part of the effort to enhance inclusivity, Guide Dogs will offer online resources to the airline’s cabin crew. The resources will be integrated into their training programmes. The training provided by Guide Dogs will cover a range of topics, including how to approach and assist visually impaired passengers, especially in crowded spaces, for instance narrow aisles, stairs and doorways. The programme will also educate the crew on the best spots on the aircraft for guide dogs to rest during long flights. The partnership…

In countries such as South Africa and Nigeria, where electricity supply can be unreliable, generators have become a common solution to meet the power needs of households, businesses and industries. However, the extensive use of generators comes with environmental consequences. In this article, I will discuss the environmental impact of using generators and explore strategies to minimise their adverse effects. Air Pollution: Diesel and petrol generators emit pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, and particulate matter. The pollutants contribute to air pollution, which can have detrimental effects on human health and contribute to climate change. Noise Pollution: Generators are known for their noise emissions, causing noise pollution that can disrupt the tranquillity of neighbourhoods and have negative impacts on human well-being. Carbon Footprint: The burning of fossil…

SHE IS known for her outlandish stage costumes and hit songs like Born This Way, Poker Face and Shallow, but Lady Gaga has a softer side and is deeply committed to mental health. Australian-based fashion and lifestyle brand Cotton On partnered their philanthropic arm, the Cotton On Foundation, with US-based non-profit, the Born This Way Foundation, founded by Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Bissett Germanotta, in 2012. Together, they aim to raise $5 million (about R95m) for global mental health, with R2.5m being donated to provide mental health support for youth in South Africa. The artist said their research showed that kindness is one way we can support each other’s mental health. “We’re honoured to partner with the Cotton On Foundation for our first global campaign amplifying our mission…

A husband who was so outraged that his wife instituted divorce proceedings that he demanded her attorney instruct her to return so that he could enjoy his conjugal rights, is insisting the attorney face consequences as the wife refused to return. The husband, who cannot be identified because the issue relates to a divorce, insisted that the Legal Practice Council take disciplinary steps against the lawyer. When the watchdog body refused, the husband tried to appeal. This bid also failed and he turned to the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, to have the refusal overturned. But he suffered another blow when, in a recent judgment, Judge Cassim Sardiwalla also turned down the application. The judge said there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of the attorney. The husband, however,…

International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, on September 16, is a global call for action for protection and preservation of the resources of the earth that we share. The ozone layer in Earth’s atmosphere protects the planet from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun. Therefore, it plays an important role in protecting our health. It also prevent radiation damage to plants, animals, and materials. Our current environmental challenges, such as depletion of ozone layer, climate change, deforestation, soil erosion, plastic pollution and water shortages, are serious global problems – directly or indirectly related to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere. Genuine solutions, in the Baháí view, will require a globally-accepted vision for the future, based on unity, and willing co-operation…

Colouredness as an identity marker in South Africa must always be understood in the context of both the country’s race-based political structure and its unintended cultural consequences. We have seen how the invention of coloured as a racial category under apartheid was a clumsy and random process based on a conception of race as a mash-up of biology, culture and geography – and that, when people presented themselves for racial classification, as was the mandate, it was not DNA or even self-identification that determined their classification but the subjective views of a few white men using limited information and their own prejudices. Reducing coloured identity simply to “mixed” represents not only an erasure of many people’s histories and experiences, but also a failure to recognise the violence of the classification…

Access to land, land rights and the subject of land in South Africa is a key topical issue which continues to be debated in many forums. It evokes emotions and reminds the country of the painful past in which black people were deprived of this source of life. Indeed, as many have rightfully put it, land is life. This year marks 110 years since the historical denial of access to land to the majority of South Africans. The enactment of the Natives Land Act of 1913 (Act) enforced a legal limit to African land ownership. Africans, who constituted the large majority of the population, were relegated to reserves and homelands, and confined to a mere 7% of the land. The Act further prohibited Africans from entering into any agreement or…

The Modi government is not perplexed by the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. India’s high-calibre diplomats would have divined some time ago that an event conceived in the world of yesterday, before the new cold war came roaring in, wouldn’t have the same scale and significance today. Yet, Delhi must feel disappointed, as the compulsions of Putin or Xi have nothing to do with their countries’ relations with India. The government has given a bureaucratic spin that “The level of attendance at global summits varies from year to year. In today’s world with so many demands on the leaders’ time, it is not always possible for every leader to attend every summit”. One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that…

Personal Finance would like to offer our valuable readers an introductory offer to a three-month subscription to the Independent on Saturday, Saturday Star or the Weekend Argus at a special rate of 30% off our cover price. Personal Finance appears in these regional print publications every Saturday. Should you be interested in taking advantage of this special offer please SMS “PDdeal” to 33258 and one of our subscriber consultants will call you back. Personal Finance also has a weekly page in Business Report on a Friday, which appears in The Mercury, The Star and the Cape Times, and a Money page in the Cape Argus and Daily News on a Tuesday and Thursday respectively. For financial service providers who want to promote their message to Personal Finance readers on these…

First up today will be neighbours Namibia, who had a hit out against Zimbabwe a few days ago before arriving in South Africa on Tuesday. They held Zimbabwe to a 2-all draw but then lost the penalty shoot-out 5-4. Given Namibia’s lowly Fifa world ranking, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will use the opportunity to field several newcomers in his run-on XI since this match can serve as a warm-up for Tuesday’s clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo, who are bringing a squad of players who are mostly based abroad. Captain Ronwen Williams, the first-choice goalkeeper, has already been told he’ll be rested for the match. AmaZulu’s Veli Mothwa will do duty between the sticks. Broos’ plans were somewhat derailed by a plethora of injuries at a time when…

This week, Thami Ngubeni joined eNCA as co-anchor with Gareth Edwards on SA Morning. With many years of experience under her belt in broadcasting – as an actor, producer and presenter – it is safe to say she is in her element in front of the camera and behind it. Some of her acting credits include Molo Fish, Generations, Known Gods and Jozi-H. And she’s done some theatre work along the way. Ngubeni is respected for her grace, charisma and insight, which manifested in the release of My Sacred Spaces in 2006. Back to her landing her first breakfast TV show gig, she admitted: “eNCA approached me and asked if I would be keen to join the team and come on board as the co-anchor for the morning show. “And…

rabbie serumula I wrote this under the light of two candles on my desk until the sun rose. It had been three days and three nights of a power outage. In the past six months there have been other three- to four-day outages of both water and electricity. Everyone can argue that their block in the City of Johannesburg is the worst, but we can all agree that the city is broken. While technology keeps improving, structures keep crumbling to dust and ashes from the fires its buildings catch. Now the city is eating at itself like a serpent on its tail. And when its township people go back to their squalor, it spews them out more vile than when they came. When they came in at 8am, they had…

MERE DAYS after the latest petrol price increase, Joburg residents and motorists are in for another shocker. The City of Joburg (CoJ) plans to post finance officers at “certain” roadblocks in an effort to collect outstanding revenue for water, rates and electricity. The condemnation was swift and it was harsh with attorneys saying the planned move was “absolutely illegal and unconstitutional”. Motorists, attorneys and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) slammed the plans. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said he believed the JMPD would use their number plate recognition technology at these roadblocks, which would be linked to the CoJ’s outstanding billing information system. As for when all this will happen, and whether anyone will be arrested for non-payment, the director: communications and stakeholder engagement group finance at the CoJ, Kgamanyane…

THE Law Society of South Africa National Wills Week takes place from September 11 to 15, when the public can have their will drafted, free of charge. The public will be able to have a basic will drafted by an attorney for free. Attorneys’ firms throughout the country are participating. The law society urged people to ensure that they register for a free will with an attorney or a law firm. It said by making a will, you ensure that your assets are disposed of in accordance with your wishes after your death. This ensures that there are no competing claims on your estate when you die and that your intention to your dependants is followed. The society said it is best that an attorney draft a will. “An…

Nigerian singer, rapper and songwriter Savage Tha Beast started making music at the age of 16 with a six-man band called Team Nawty. Since then, 28-year-old Afrobeat singer, whose real name is Godson Ogaga Essi, has risen in the music world becoming one of the dominant forces in the African music industry. His debut single Confident streamed on multiple platforms around the continent and proved to be a huge success. His debut project Utopia also enabled Savage to work with the likes of Victony, D Will Dreamz, Emtee, Jay Teazer and many more. Who has the better musicians, Nigeria or South Africa? Africa has been blessed with its unique tone. Both Nigeria and South Africa have their special individual sound that when we merge, we make really great music. I…

Renowned photographer, broadcaster, film-maker and journalist Jimi Matthews unveiled his thought-provoking photographic exhibition which ran at UCT’s Centre for African Studies from August 30 to September 1. This marked the exhibition’s return to Cape Town, following its successful debut in May this year at St George’s Cathedral. Distinguished academics, including Professor Shahid Vawda, director of the School of African and Gender Studies; Emeritus Professor Anwar Mall; Professor Muhammad Haron, son of the late Imam Abdullah Haron; PSC co-ordinator Professor Usuf Chikte; and Dr Ala Alhourani, lent their insights to the event. Historian Dr Halim Gencoglu, the exhibition organiser, shed light on the historical connections between the Ottoman Empire and the Palestinian territories, enriching the contextual backdrop. In his address, Matthews shared his experiences and the compelling stories behind the photographs,…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on political parties to accept the findings of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) into Phala Phala and those of the Public Protector and the South African Revenue Service. Mashatile said these institutions were established by laws of Parliament, and they conducted their investigations without fear or favour. He said once these institutions were established, they were given the power to operate. Mashatile said parliament had initially rejected the report of the panel, chaired by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, that Ramaphosa has a case to answer on Phala Phala. The Reserve Bank, Sars and the public protector were also investigating the Phala Phala matter. SARB has come under fire over its findings that while Ramaphosa was not entitled to the money on the…

Hong Kong was flooded by the heaviest rainfall in nearly 140 years yesterday, leaving the city’s streets and some subway stations under water and forcing its schools to close. Trading on Hong Kong’s stock market was also cancelled. The Hong Kong Observatory said it recorded more than 600mm of rainfall at its headquarters over 24 hours. The Hospital Authority said at least 110 were hospitalised yesterday due to injuries, with four in serious condition. Climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, experts say, with more rain and stronger winds leading to flash floods and coastal damage. In central Greece, receding flood-waters have revealed the devastation left by Storm Daniel that raged for three days, killing at least six people. More than 1 800 people were evacuated to…

RECENT events have proven that football condones injustice if it is financially or structurally beneficial. The game still has a long way to go before it can truly become a force for good that is free of moral and financial corruption. La Liga, and Spanish football as a whole, did nothing to redeem its reputation following Getafe’s signing of Mason Greenwood on loan from Manchester United. The talented Greenwood has become a controversial figure following allegations that he physically and mentally abused his partner. While Greenwood has not been criminally convicted, incriminating pictures and audio of an altercation involving his partner Harriet Robson reached social media. The audio exposes Greenwood as being emotionally abusive. Man United’s handling of the situation was poor and disrespectful to women staff and footballers within…