Table of contents for 2023-10-21 in Saturday Star

The beauty world is forever evolving, with new trends emerging all the time. We no longer have to watch long videos on YouTube learning how to do make-up. Many vloggers have moved to TikTok, where they share all beauty tips and tricks in three minutes or less. Here are some of the beauty trends that have gone viral on TikTok. Concealer-only make-up Nowadays, make-up artists (MUAs) keep it minimal: instead of wearing a foundation all over the face, concealer is the way to go. Use a liquid concealer instead of a stick for that dewy finish. TikTok MUA Flavia Jacintho taught us how to even get a facelift using concealer. And a bonus from using concealer is that it is much cheaper than a foundation, so you save. Dark lipliner…

Serious ructions loom over the “main” couch. In just over a week, On The Couch will be mothballed, and the human element will try to take up a permanent station in the middle. There will be no more canine lounging all day, every day, watching the human earn their living – retirement beckons. It’s a Very Weird Time. Trepidation and excitement vie for ascendancy as we do the sums and try to plot the way ahead. As daunting as that is for someone with chronic dyscalculia, there is a larger challenge ahead – changing 40-odd years of ingrained behaviours. It’s more than a habit: work has driven just about every decision and action for decades. Now it’s time to undo it all. As usual, the couch scientific research council has…

SEVEN suspected cash-in-transit (CIT)robbers aged between 31 and 48 were arrested near Eastgate Mall yesterday afternoon. Traffic around the mall was severely disrupted and motorists were urged to find alternative routes home. Police said information was received about the suspects’ plans to follow a complainant as he left the bank. The information led to the deployment of a multidisciplinary team towards Bruma. As the team comprising the Hawks' Tactical Operations Management Section, Gauteng Tactical Response Team, Ekurhuleni Tactical team, PHO Crime Intelligence, SAPS Counter Intelligence, Gauteng Traffic’s Saturation Unit, Gauteng Traffic Police Chopper, CAP Specialised Operations, Tracker Connect, Badboyz Security and IZI Cash Investigation Department were watching the suspects, they were tipped off that the suspects had committed an armed robbery in Primrose, Germiston. The suspects' vehicles were spotted near…

Last Saturday, on October 14, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in South Africa, in collaboration with TuksTaekwondo and the South African Tae Kwon Do Federation, held the 14th Ambassador’s Cup Taekwondo Championship at Rembrandt Hall, University of Pretoria. About 200 tae kwon do trainees participated and competed to showcase their individual skills in three categories: Poomsae (pattern of movements), Gyeorugi (sparring), and High Kick. This year’s edition was structured as a club competition, emphasising unity and promoting club activities among South African tae kwon do clubs. In addition to individual medals, three trophies were awarded to the outstanding clubs based on the combined score they earned from their trainees’ performance in each competition. The opening ceremony was attended by, among many others, South Korean ambassador Chull-joo Park, director…

CHEERS as South Africa welcomes the arrival of McConnell’s Irish Whiskey, one of Ireland's most historic and cherished whiskey brands, as it embarks on a new chapter in its journey. The iconic brand of whiskey is now within reach of South African connoisseurs thanks to a renaissance led by the Belfast Distillery Company in collaboration with Firebrand Africa. With roots tracing back to the year 1776, McConnell’s Irish Whiskey boasts a storied past. It was founded by the McConnell family, who were revered blenders, bottlers and distillers in Belfast over three centuries. As a testament to their success, McConnell’s thrived for more than 150 years, etching its name in the annals of Irish whiskey history. However, the whiskey industry faced its trials in the form of fire, war, political turmoil…

Angela Sithole is best known for her roles as Zandile Majola in hit series Imbewu and Terry Ramotsetsi in local series Zabalaza. The Soweto-born actress also stars in hit Netflix shows Smoke and Mirrors and Savage Beauties. She has also starred in movies such as All About Love and Knuckle City and has also been part of productions such as The Hustle and Lingashoni. You are able to star alongside any actor from around the world in a blockbuster movie. Who do you choose to star with? Margot Robbie. I absolutely love her work. The choices she makes with all her characters is truly admirable. What is the one thing most people don’t know about Angela Sithole? I feel like there is a lot that people don’t know about me,…

Every year for the last few decades, 4x4 enthusiasts have loaded up their gear and headed towards Rust de Winter to challenge their off-roading and mental prowess. Now in its 42nd year and sponsored by Toyota for the 30th consecutive year, it’s become a landmark event on the calendar for family and friends, whether in massively modified rigs or stock standard daily drives. My partner and I competed for the first time last year in a Hilux courtesy of Toyota and were this year allocated a Fortuner. Although there’s a really competitive side to the Toyota Rust de Winter Jamboree, it’s not just about the 4x4 challenges and prizes – it’s a really fun weekend away with family and friends. The camping area has child minders and dedicated areas for…

There has been a dramatic deterioration in government finances, from municipal and provincial level up to national level. Democracy could be defined as “a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections”. It is imperative that one investigate who the “people“ is. For instance, does the principle of one-size-fits-all apply? Could what is considered in the interest of the “whole” become the driving force to disown some of the people of what is theirs, to the benefit of the entire population? In the case of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) the assets in the fund belong to the pensioners, as is the case with other retirement schemes. Under…

It IS the collective team effort that will win the game for either South Africa or England in tonight’s World Cup semi- final, but individual battles across the park are also part of it. We looked at five key match-ups that could sway the outcome at the Stade de France (9pm kick-off). Manie Libbok v Owen Farrell It is one of the most popular Springboks up against the man Bok supporters love to hate. Many of us were hoping André Esterhuizen could play this game to run over the sulky Farrell, but Libbok dancing past him will be just as good. Damian de Allende v Manu Tuilagi Every international rugby team, barring the Boks, boasts at least one Samoan. Ireland use Bundee Aki at No 12 to give them go-forward…

Bloemfontein schoolgirl Taheera Augousti, an integral part of the SA women’s hockey team, says the blend of experience and youth will stand them in good stead at the African Hockey Road to Paris 2024 Qualifier at Tuks University later this month. South Africa will play in Pool A alongside Nigeria and Zimbabwe, with the top two teams advancing to the semi-finals. The Pool B teams are Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, and Zambia. The tournament winner will earn an automatic qualification spot at the Paris Olympic Games in July 2024. Augousti, who made her international debut last year, has become a regular in the Proteas squads. As a result of school commitments, she has not attended all the training camps. She has had contact with the technical staff and knows the preparations…

THE new Sharks era under coach John Plumtree begins this evening in hostile Limerick (6.15pm kick-off), where a callow team denuded of Springboks goes up against the new champions of the United Rugby Championship. Munster won the title the hard way – they had a poor start to the last season, but rallied on the road and ultimately stunned the Stormers in a Cape Town final. Even though Munster will be without internationals such as Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray, RG Snyman and Jean Kleyn, they have the depth you expect of a champion team – and this will be a massive ask for a Sharks side who are still learning Plumtree’s methods. If you know the rugged Kiwi coach, you will know he is not an apologist. So, when…

It’s all about the pace for the Bulls this season, which saw coach Jake White make some interesting selections yesterday for tomorrow’s United Rugby Championship opener against the Scarlets at Loftus Versfeld (3pm kick-off). The Pretoria side are missing World Cup Springboks such as Willie le Roux, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden, but are still able to field a formidable outfit against the Welsh side tomorrow. New recruits Devon Williams and Sebastian de Klerk will add real bite out wide, while David Kriel will test the Scarlets defence at outside centre. Add in the return of powerful wing Stravino Jacobs from a long-term injury, as well as the speedy halfback pairing of Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier, and it is a line-up that will look to play…

More of my family have discovered this column, and they all instantly know that I write to heal. Last week, one of my elder cousins back in Limpopo sent me a message; “My couzy how are you?” she wrote. “After going through your poetry, I had mixed emotions.” She said she was one of my followers and ever since she started reading Poetic Licence just last week, she knew that I was bringing to light the darkness inside me. She had read the my column about my brother giving my entire family collective amnesia. “Cough it out couzy, we are together,” she concluded her text. The support and encouragement they give me reminds me of a story my uncle, Shirley, who lives in Botswana, told me this week: It was…

CYBER experts in South Africa have warned parents to monitor their kids when they use the popular US live-streaming platform Twitch. This comes after a scathing report on the platform, which indicated that the platform posed a huge risk to minors. The report showed how minors were able to easily interact with adult strangers and donate money to streamers on the platform without the supervision of a parent or guardian. The research was presented during the 2023 AAP National Conference & Exhibition at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre in the US. “Predator Paradise: Analysing the Ease of Accessibility to Minors on Twitch” found that young users feel a false sense of safety on the platform, and a significant proportion were willing to reveal personal information despite having no knowledge…

DISCOVERING that your baby has a severe condition is difficult news for any expecting parent – all the more so when it has the potential to dramatically impact brain development and will require surgical intervention just days after birth. Dr Darsi Boungou-Poati, a neurosurgeon practising at Netcare Pinehaven Hospital, said that this was the case for one of his youngest ever patients, who, at just 11 days old, underwent a complex procedure for hydrocephalus, or blockage of water flow in the brain. This diagnosis came to light during his mother’s sixth month of pregnancy. “It was a shock when, during a routine check-up, I was told that our baby had hydrocephalus – a condition that might result in severe brain damage. As an experienced mother of three, now expecting my…

Are South Africa’s female inmates being disadvantaged in South Africa’s correctional facilities, compared to their male counterparts? While a recent report by online publication The Conversation indicates that is the case, Correctional Services is in total disagreement. A hard-hitting report by the online publication indicated that females are being disadvantaged in prison, with Correctional Services limiting their rehabilitation programmes to mostly domestic skills, which includes bead-work, knitting, sewing and laundry, and taking care of the sick. In contrast, male offenders are allegedly offered a richer array of skills programmes to choose from. This increases their chances of being gainfully employed or self-employed, lessening their chances of re-offending. The report also indicates that all female offenders are being forced to read the Bible, regardless of whether they are Christian or not.…

When it comes to South African bakkie sales, it’s a well known fact that the Toyota Hilux enjoys a healthy lead over all of its rivals. In the past three months, for instance, the Hilux sold an average of 3,207 units per month, followed by the Ford Ranger at 2,290 and Isuzu D-Max, which managed 1,604. These figures are a combination of double-cab, single-cab and cab-and-a-half body configurations, and you might be surprised to learn that Toyota doesn’t lead in all three segments. During the recent Ford Ranger Wildtrak X launch, the carmaker gave us some insight into double-cab sales in South Africa, and the Blue Oval is leading that race, according to the latest available year-to-date figures up to the end of August 2023. During its presentation, Ford revealed…

When you leave your job, your group life benefits end, or at least that’s what many believe. The truth is: not necessarily. If you are retrenched, venturing into entrepreneurship or changing jobs, it may be worthwhile exploring the benefits of exercising the continuation options (sometimes referred to as conversion options) that your employer group risk benefits may provide. First, what are they? Many employees are unaware that when you exit your employment, you may have the option of continuing your group life policy, disability or income protection, and even dread disease insurance in your personal capacity, therefore converting it into an individual policy. That is, if the continuation option was included as a benefit in the scheme. This is especially an option to consider where your new employer doesn’t provide…

South Africa will have to knock out another unbeaten side at the 2023 World Cup, England, in tonight’s semi-final to reach a second consecutive final and take one step closer to winning the title for a record fourth time. Although the reigning world champions hold an imposing record over the English in World Cup matches – winning four of their past five meetings in the tournament – they will be wary of the trickery that Steve Borthwick’s side can produce at the Stade de France in Paris (9pm kick-off) to upset the apple cart. And, warned Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, they can switch on with one button to put teams under immense pressure, especially in a play-off match. England haven’t lost a match at the tournament in France, and…

Newly acquired Richard Kriel will make his debut for the Lions this weekend as the Joburgers commence their United Rugby Championship campaign at Ellis Park. The former Bulls man will run out on the right wing in this afternoon’s clash against the Stormers (4.05pm kick-off), and will no doubt add an attacking option under the high ball, while using his tall frame in defence to ward off any such offensive play. A versatile player, the 23-year-old can also slot in at centre or as an outfielder, if so required, during the match and the rest of the season ahead. “At the moment, I do prefer 13,” Kriel answered honestly earlier this week, regarding which position he is most comfortable in. “I have trained there the most. Obviously, also wing and…

One good thing about an African summer is that you’re guaranteed warm weather and plenty of time out in the sun. Summer is all about chilling poolside or enjoying sundowners at a beautiful seaside destination. Instead of doing the predictable local beach holiday, why not turn up the heat at a luxurious African destination? The beauty of luxury stays is that you need to only pack sunscreen, shades and a change of bikinis and clothes. With plenty of sunshine, you will be sure to meet your body’s vitamin D quota in no time. Below are a few African destinations where you can let your hair down and have some fun in the sun: Thanda Island, Tanzania A luxurious island getaway suited to the whole family, consider Thanda Island your…

Cape Town is Africa’s Leading City Destination for 2023 while Durban is Africa’s Leading Festival & Event Destination for 2023. That’s according to the latest World Travel Awards. Both cities were nominated in these categories and achieved an overall win, respectively. The World Travel Awards acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Durban was up against Cape Town, Johannesburg, Accra (Ghana), Kigali (Rwanda), Lagos (Nigeria), Marrakech (Morocco), Nairobi (Kenya) and Zanzibar (Tanzania) in its category. Africa’s playground also received awards as Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination 2023 with the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre being recognised as Africa’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre in 2023. Cape Town also proved why it is a favourite destination with Cape Town International…

For many, a cruise has long occupied a coveted spot on their bucket lists, often seen as an experience reserved for the privileged few. But, according to Samantha Pillay, director of ekko, a lifestyle brand tailored for millennials, those days are giving way to a new era where luxury travel is becoming increasingly within everyone’s grasp. “In the world of travel, accessibility is the true mark of progress. Cruise liners have created budget-friendly packages which become even more affordable when you have a share portfolio with a lifestyle brand like ekko, thanks to the great discounts they provide. “These not only amplify affordability but also pave the way for a broader audience to take trips they never thought possible,” said Pillay. She said millennials should consider cruise holidays because many…

How entertaining can it be to watch someone stranded at sea or in some remote place? That is what I used to question about survivalist thrillers. But movies like Life of Pi, The Revenant, Cast Away and the TV series Keep Breathing not only held the answer, they schooled me in the art of story- telling. And of course, I was corrected about my misconception. There are so many other elements explored in such doom-and-gloom scenarios, where the adrenalin kicks in and the main character shifts into survival mode. There’s also a lot of deep self- reflection. And the storyline is so emotionally charged that you feel every bit of despair, the glimmer of hope, the meltdown and the courage. By tapping into these raw human emotions and psychological trauma,…

“THE Holocaust victims of Nazi Germany are now using Adolf Hitler’s repressive and murderous tactics against Palestians.” So said Dakota Legoete, an ANC national executive committee member and member of the party’s sub-committee on international relations, yesterday. Legoete told more than 60 000 people who joined protest action in Pretoria yesterday that his party supported the Jews against Nazis Germany. The ANC joined scores of political parties, including those supporting the struggle for Palestine, in calling on Israel to free Palestine and give them their “land which they had been occupying illegally since 1948”. The protesters marched from Belgrave Square Park in Hatfield, marching more than 10km to the upmarket and gated communities of Lynnwood, where the Embassy of Israel is situated. Addressing the crowd in Hatfield, Legoete expressed his…

Durban artist Sakhile Mhlongo visited Northlands Girls’ High School to hold a workshop to teach different painting techniques and painting styles, especially when doing a portrait. “I’ve learnt a lot from Sakhile that has improved my art skills. For example, I learnt how to use proportions of the face to create an accurate sketch of my subject matter in a short time,” said matric pupil Ibanathi Sosibo. “I also learnt that when painting, it is better to start with the dark parts of your subject, which makes it easier to identify certain details within the composition further along the painting process. I also learnt that in art, it is okay to make mistakes, and that I should express myself by playing around with colours.” The 17-year-old added that the workshop…

The National Press Club, in partnership with Unisa, hosted the 13th annual Percy Qoboza Memorial Lecture at Kgorong Building, Unisa Muckleneuk Campus. Apart from the thought-provoking lecture by veteran journalist and public servant Sandile Memela, the event was a glamorous affair. Frans Sello Machate from the National Press Club took the pictures.…

A SWIMMING pool, gym, mini virtual golf range, spa, hotel, Harrods, Louis Vuitton, a VIP lounge that is second to none and an indoor garden. No, this is not the description of a mall, it’s what you can find at Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Qatar. The airport is the gateway to the state of Qatar, and is also a transfer hub that introduced multiple digital way-finding solutions for passengers to assist them with navigating the airport. It was named the second-best airport in the world and the world’s best airport shopping by Skytrax World Airport Awards 2023. Senior-vice president for operations and facilities management at DOH, Michael McMillan, said they take pride in offering a world-class experience across the airport. “We have introduced multiple experiences that will…

WHILE the return of unit one at the Kusile Power Station has been welcomed, energy experts have warned of the possibility of a breakdown at the plant. The state power utility this week announced that it had made significant progress in its fight against load shedding, with the recovery of unit one at Kusile after a year of being out of service. Three units at the plant went off-line in October last year after a mechanical fault. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has indicated that four units that were off-line at the power station would return to service by the end of this year. Units one, three and four are back online, and according to the minister’s forecasts, unit five will be back in service by the end of this year.…

WITH hybrid technology the most logical route for South Africa and Africa to move towards more environmentally considerate motoring, the advances to Chery’s Super Hybrid Platform, known as C-DM, are of particular significance. It is equipped with Chery’s 1.5-litre turbo hybrid engine, paired with a hybrid-specific 3-speed DHT gearbox, hybrid-specific three-element lithium battery pack and battery management system. This achieves three core advantages: comprehensive high performance, sustained high energy efficiency, and high battery safety. It boasts impressive performance metrics such as thermal efficiency exceeding 44.5%, accelerating from 0 to 100km/h in 4.26 seconds and achieving a super-fast charge from 30% to 80% in only 18 minutes. Tony Liu, executive deputy general manager of Chery South Africa, says: “The most vital single step for Chery, not only in South Africa to…

A SMALL CIPC-registered private company, HoldSA, has applied to the High Court in the Western Cape to have money manager Andrew Canter declared a delinquent director. Canter is the chief investment officer at Future Asset Management. He has served his time on many boards of directors. Over the years, Futuregrowth has grown into a fixed-interest, responsible investor and developmental investor management company, with portfolios ranging from infrastructure bonds to agriculture portfolios. The legal action pertains to Canter’s tenure as director of a small farming operation, Safe Farming Ventures (SFV), which was a producer, wholesaler and distributor of citrus fruit and table grapes. HoldSA was a 50% shareholder, and Old Mutual Life Assurance Company (OMLACSA) owned the other half. Futuregrowth was managing the investment on behalf of OMLACSA. According to…

Temba Bavuma may not have Ben Stokes’s alpha male, inked-up presence, nor his pedigree. But the Proteas captain certainly has the respect of his own dressing room. And just like the England talisman’s rallying cry to his teammates after the defeat to Afghanistan, Bavuma has had to swiftly pull his motley crew together to get them to move on from their own shock defeat to the Netherlands for a wounded lion that awaits them at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium today (10.30am start SA time). “We’ve had hard conversations as a team, spoken about the game from a skills department point of view, what exactly that we need to do to get better – obviously looking at our performances and where things went bad for us from batting, bowling, even from a…

Orlando Pirates remain in line for yet another knockout trophy success following a 2-0 win over Cape Town Spurs in the first round of the new Carling Knockout at Orlando Stadium last night. The Buccaneers, crowned champions of the season-opening MTN8 a fortnight ago, had to dig deep to overcome a stubborn Spurs side that were looking to register their first victory since being promoted to the elite league. Following a first half teeming with chances for both sides that were not converted, it took a calamitous goalkeeping error by the visitors for Pirates to finally make their possession dominance count. Zama Dlamini made a mess of what seemed a routine save from a grass-cutter shot by Thabang Monare, the Spurs No 1 pushing the ball to the side when…

Kaizer Chiefs must finally put their money where their mouth is when they open their Carling Knockout Cup campaign against AmaZulu at FNB Stadium today (6pm kick-off). Chiefs have been all talk and no action since the start of the season. They’ve already missed out on the MTN8 trophy, and are 13 points behind DStv Premiership log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand. Not all is lost for the Amakhosi, though, as the Molefi Ntseki-coached team have a chance to win the new ‘beer cup’ and end an eight-year trophy drought. They’ll host KwaZulu-Natal side AmaZulu, who’ll be eager to show they’ve improved from the 3-0 league defeat at the same venue, the Calabash, this season. Usuthu have won two games and drawn one since that loss,…

Travelling by bus from Johannesburg to Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, via Victoria Falls and Zambia is an adventurous journey that offers a unique perspective on the landscape. The distance from South Africa to Tanzania is approximately 4 000km, and the Mkombe Luxury Bus will take three days from Joburg to Dar-es- Salaam with the comfort of wi-fi, toilets, TV and air conditioning. The trip also offers soft drinks and other snacks free of charge for passengers. The journey starts with you boarding the coach in Johannesburg. On your trip, you will have the opportunity to witness the diverse scenery of South Africa’s provinces. Crossing international borders may require some time for immigration procedures, so it’s essential to have your travel documents in order. During the journey, you’ll have the opportunity to observe…