Table of contents for 2023-11-18 in Saturday Star

Until next season, folks. The SA fashion week calendar for the year is officially closed. Last week, African Fashion International hosted the 16th edition of Joburg Fashion Week. The prestigious event took place at The Forum Campus in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Designers from across Africa showcased their latest collections, including veterans in the fashion game such as Gavin Rajah, David Tlale, Scalo by Sello Medupe and Bongiwe Walaza, who made a huge comeback after disappearing for 12 years from the fashion scenes. Also part of this year’s line-up was Niger’s Alia Bare, Botswana’s Kaylaamiel Creations and Nguo, and the DRC’s Urban Zulu, whose designer, Papy Kaluw, conveyed a powerful message about the country’s challenges. While the already-established did exceptionally well this season, all eyes were on emerging designers: Malondie, Masango, Bathini…

Over the past few months, Grammy Award winner Nomcebo Zikode has been quietly grooming one of the most exciting young prospects in South African music, Sykes, through her record label Emazulwini Productions. This year alone, Sykes has had a hand on two of the hottest songs of the year – his hit solo single Sisekakeni Babies and his collaboration alongside Dlala Thukzin, ‘iPlan’. “I am honestly humbled and blessed to have two songs do really well for me,” shared the 23-year-old. “This is my first year as a professional artist, and the successes I have managed to get have motivated me to continue building my name. “What I'm really hoping for is for iPlan to land song of the year. It's going to be a game-changer for me and I…

rabbie serumula How far in the future are the taverns travelling from, dear Panyaza Lesufi? Unemployed youth and graduates have just recently acquired their temporary jobs from your Nasi Ispani initiative – jobs that are sure to fade into the shadows shortly after the elections. Would they have to drown their future re-unemployment sorrows in the taverns of tomorrow? As maritime law dictates, money has to move like the current of the sea – currency. Some sort of boomerang effect of reclaiming the slave wages you are going to pay them. I know that reeks of a conspiracy theory, but why the secrecy around Nasi Ispani? As for the government-owned taverns turning officials into shebeen kings and queens, I suppose they will exist in a vacuum that, somehow, patrons can…

Cyberbullying has become a much-talked about phenomenon among social media users. The effects of cyberbullying know no bounds as it affects the young, the old, the ordinary and the extraordinary among us in society. The world of celebrities, both locally and internationally, has seen its fair share of well-known personalities who have suffered humiliation and ridicule at the hands of bullies whose abusive social media antics destroy lives and sometimes livelihoods. Actress and podcaster Tebogo Thobejane is among the influencers who has suffered cyberbullying at the hands of a person whom she called a friend, Inno Morolong, after she was called a scammer, a slut and a drug user on social media. “Imagine you wake up one day and your name is on social medial for all the wrong reasons.…

CHILDREN in South Africa have a poor nutritional status, with an estimated 27% stunted and wasting away. They also suffer micronutrient deficiencies and obesity, challenges that often exist in the same home, experts have found. The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) said: “The rising food prices and the ongoing fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic threaten to worsen these persistently high rates.” Findings of an investigation into the status of nutrition and food accessibility by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) painted a bleak picture. From babies to teenagers, the children of the country were becoming weak, sickly, and were essentially starving to death. The report said while child support grants went some way towards putting food in children’s mouths, many still went to school on an empty stomach. “School nutrition…

AFTER the resounding success of its inaugural edition, dancers from all over the world are anticipated to converge in celebration of the return of the Body Moves International Inclusive Dance Festival. The festival promises a selection of workshops led by local and international facilitators, a live-streamed conversation, and stunning afternoon performances in the context of Disability Awareness Month. The Sibikwa Arts Centre in Benoni will host this festival, which helps dancers with and without disabilities, from November 20 to 26.. Body Moves embodies the spirit of unity and diversity, with participating companies hailing from South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Ireland, and Flanders. Speaking about the festival’s significance, Caryn Green of the Sibikwa Arts Centre emphasises that it serves as a platform to celebrate the integrated space. “This is the second year…

The success of next year’s national and provincial elections will depend on many factors but an outstanding one is the voter turnout. The question is: How many voters are going to participate in the elections? Five years ago, the percentage declined dramatically and another decline now would be a bad reflection on the South African democracy. Voter turnout is the percentage of registered voters who participate in an election. All South African citizens who are 18 years and older qualify to register as voters. In the past, the problem started before the elections, when the number of eligible voters who registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) continued to decline. That trend is continuing. While the voter turnout of registered voters in the 2019 election was 65%, the…

Fighting raged in the Gaza Strip yesterday, nearly six weeks after a Hamas attack in Israel sparked retaliatory bombings and a ground offensive by Israeli forces, which vow to destroy the Palestinian militant group. Israeli troops carried out searches at Gaza’s main hospital complex after a communications blackout in the Palestinian territory compounded fears for civilians trapped inside the facility. Israeli soldiers raided Al-Shifa hospital on Wednesday, hunting for a com- mand centre they say militant group Hamas operates at the site. Hamas and hospital managers deny that charge, and there has been international concern about thousands of wounded patients believed to be inside. The Israeli army said soldiers found a tunnel shaft used by Hamas militants at Al-Shifa hospital, Reuters reported. The army released a video it said showed…

Bafana Bafana defender Siyanda Xulu has heaped praise on the winning mentality instilled in the team by head coach Hugo Broos. The 31-year-old centre-back has been one of the Belgian’s most trusted go-to men since his arrival in 2021, and has been a mainstay in the starting XI, making 16 starts under the experienced mentor. Broos is tasked with the difficult task of not only grabbing decent results in the opening round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but also using that period as preparation for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. The 71-year-old mastermind conquered the continent with Cameroon in 2017 as he lifted the Afcon trophy in Equatorial Guinea. Now at the helm of Bafana, he will look to write more history, starting with today’s World Cup qualifier…

RICHARDS Bay Football Club have surprisingly issued a warning to Premier Soccer League clubs attempting to poach star goalkeeper, Salim Magoola. The 28-year-old has been one of the most consistent shot-stoppers in the division since making the step up from Motsepe Foundation Championship side, Pretoria Callies, at the start of last season. The Ugandan International was named among the best goalkeepers of the 2022/2023 season and fell short of league winner Ronwen Williams, despite his team nearly suffering relegation. Magoola has, unsurprisingly, attracted interest not only in South Africa, but also elsewhere on the African continent over the past year with his impressive 14 cleans in 38 games for the Natal Rich Boyz. However, according to Richards Bay, clubs rallying for his signature have not properly conducted themselves with regards…

FORMER Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana Bafana stalwart Bernard Parker believes the national team will travel confidently to Rwanda only if they beat Benin in Durban today. Bafana open their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a Group C clash against Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium at 3pm. On Tuesday, Bafana will be away to Rwanda. Parker has had loads of time to think about the upcoming matches because of a break from the game after suffering a career-threatening injury in mid-October while playing for TS Galaxy against Mamelodi Sundowns. Parker, dubbed “Die Hond”, has been capped 73 times for the national team, which he represented in the 2010 World Cup. With 23 goals, he ranks third on Bafana Bafana’s leading goal-scorers list behind Benni McCarthy and Shaun Bartlett. “I…

Police are waging war against online child sexual predators, and this week alone they nabbed four suspects. The latest is a 60-year-old man arrested in Umbilo, KwaZulu-Natal, on Thursday. The man was found with thousands of images and videos of child pornography. SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the man formed part of the 27 online child sexual predators that have been identified in South Africa by a joint international operation led by the SAPS’ Serial and Electronic Investigations (SECI) unit and the US Department of Homeland Security. In the past week, three others were arrested in Gauteng. “The SAPS is calling on parents to monitor their children’s devices, such as tablets and phones, on a daily basis to prevent more children from becoming victims of such criminal…

VERY little was known of Collen Mashawana, until the humanitarian burst onto the scene with presidents and celebrities wanting proximity to him. But what the world had not known was that the construction mogul was going to take humanitarianism to another level. Mashawana was first known for Afribiz Building Ltd, a multi-disciplinary construction company, with capabilities over a wide range of different technical fields within the construction Industry since 2016. He was just going to build skyrise buildings, houses, for free, for South Africa’s most needy. While Afribiz Building is registered with the Construction Industry Development Board as a contractor with the ability to perform work within the 6CE 5ME, 7GB scope and is a BBBEE level one contributor and is wholly black-owned and managed, Mashawana says he “responded to…

The recent kidnapping incidents of subscribers of the online and location- based dating app Grindr have raised safety concerns about the platform designed for the LGBTQI community. Many experts believe that Grindr, like many other location-based dating apps, is not safe due to personal data being made accessible to strangers online. These apps are said to be a gold mine for scammers, hackers and online predators looking to compromise users’ security, steal their personal information and kidnap or blackmail them. A Grindr subscriber who became a victim of kidnapping in Johannesburg was identified as Mohau Pholo, a member of the LGBTQI community from Rosettenville, South of Joburg. Pholo was kidnapped last Thursday only to be released on Monday. It is reported that the family of the victim was instructed to…

International Men’s Day, November 19, is a celebration of men and a platform for provocative discussions about manhood. It is a day for men to celebrate their achievements, and dispel stereotypes such as real men do not display vulnerability in difficult circumstances Independent Media spoke with two men who are spearheading efforts to make this day memorable. The founder of Amatyma International Men’s Day, a prestigious annual that promotes discussions centred around men, is Thato “TT” Mbha, a well-known real estate mogul and businessman. Following the success of its inaugural year, the event returns this year with a stellar lineup of speakers to address men’s wellness, with a focus on three pillars: physical, mental and financial wellness. Mbha explained that he wanted to create something for men by men, where…

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate has averaged 55.83% from 2013 until now, reaching an all-time high of 66.5% in the third quarter of 2021. The latest data from Statistics SA show that youth unemployment rose by 1.1%, and nearly a quarter of a million young people lost their jobs, in the first three months of 2023. Deputy President Paul Mashatile said the government must prioritise the creation of mass youth employment and business opportunities by implementing policies that foster entrepreneurship, enhance vocational training, improve access to finance, and encourage private-sector investment. Speaking during Entrepreneurship Month, CEO and founder of Centennial Schools, Shaun Fuchs, said the education system should play a more proactive role in developing young entrepreneurs. “Given our economic outlook, young South Africans can’t rely on the formal sector…

IN A night of celebration and recognition, the City of Johannesburg’s Library and Information Services stood tall as its Mobi-Readathon programme clinched the prestigious Digital Innovation Award at the 2023 Sunday Times Top 100 companies awards. E-Learning Manager Jeff Nyoka said the triumph was testament to their commitment to pushing the boundaries of digital innovation. The city’s libraries won under the Public Sector Category: Best in Society and Sustainability. Its groundbreaking mobile E-Learning platform is aimed at enhancing reading skills and literacy among high school pupils. The Mobi-Readathon programme was chosen in the top three, beating even the South African Revenue Service. The programme emerged as a response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, which expedited the need for libraries and educational institutions to integrate technology into their…

A HUSBAND who claimed poverty following the break-up with his wife lost his legal bid to claim interim maintenance from her pending their divorce. This was after it emerged that while he claimed to be poor, he spent thousands of rand she gave to bail him out on, among others, online dating. The husband turned to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court, Durban, where he claimed slightly more than R26 000 a month in interim maintenance from his wife, as well as R50 000 towards his legal costs. The parties were married to each other in September 2005 out of community of property with accrual. They have one child who lives with the wife, and the husband does not pay maintenance towards the child. While the husband pleaded poverty, the wife said…

Radio presenter, MC , DJ and music compiler Stephanie Be is best-known for hosting the 5FM weekday mid-morning show between 9am and noon. She started her radio career at MFM at Stellenbosch University while studying for an LLB and then a BCom. After a short stint on campus radio, she was offered a slot at 5FM’s sister station in Cape Town, Good Hope FM. Steph also started her DJ career in Stellenbosch, blazing up the decks at Catwalk, Nubar and Tollies. It wasn’t long before 5FM asked her to join the 5 family in Joburg, where she started out on weekday evenings from 10pm to 1am. The local Top 10 at 10 was a fan favourite and gave many South African artists the chance to have their music played on…

Corruption has been viewed as a great hindrance to developing countries in the Global South. Studies that analyse the impacts of corruption, especially on the African continent, often point to how the lack of development can be linked to corruption, especially by the elites in society. Funds meant for development projects have often been directed elsewhere much to the detriment of communities that need these funds. Transparency International looks at corruption as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain”, and this can be linked to several countries on the African continent. When measuring corruption in countries, Transparency International uses a score out of 100 with a score of 100 being “very clean”. An African regional overview shows that the top scorers on the continent are Seychelles with 70, and…

Hundreds of Jews and Arabs joined relatives of Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver to pay tribute to an “extraordinary woman” and “beacon of hope” who was killed by Hamas militants. They gathered at the Gezer kibbutz in Israel this week where the 74-year-old had lived in the 1970s. When the Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on October 7, Silver was living in the Beeri kibbutz near the Gaza border. She had been missing since the attack and her death was confirmed by the authorities only this week. The Beeri kibbutz is less than 5km from the Gaza border and before the war, it had a population of 1 200. But at least 85 of them were killed during the October 7 attacks and another 30 or so were taken hostage by…

Having rarely seen golf great Gary Player in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, it’s surprising to hear him say live this week that his favourite sport to watch is tennis and his favourite player is Novak Djokovic – and his unshakeable mind. Well, not since the 2023 Wimbledon final has Player’s player been so shaken and stirred as he has in the cauldron of the Turin ATP Finals this week. What made this round robin compelling from the onset is the equal melange of proverbial volleyers – Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Stefanos Tsitsipas and to a lesser extent, Alexander Zverev versus entrenched baseliners Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev. Given the volleyers have proven to be the antidote to the World No 1’s relentless game – Alcaraz and…

Once again, Cape Town Tourism has demonstrated to the world, at the prestigious World Luxury Travel Awards, that the city’s status as a premier travel destination is not only recognised but also worth celebrating. The World Luxury Travel Awards serve as a benchmark in the travel industry, recognising outstanding establishments based on votes from guests, travellers and industry professionals. NAC Helicopters secured the top spot as the Helicopter Charter Company, while Jeep Tours Cape Town claimed the Adventure Tour Company award for the entire African continent. The Two Oceans Aquarium, known for its aquatic wonders, and Juma Art Tours, celebrated for its unique Art and Culture Experience, also received accolades. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden was recognised as the leading botanical haven. Enver Duminy, CEO of Cape Town Tourism, said: “Our…

While Christmas on this side of the world is warmer than other countries around the world, the festive season is the perfect time to travel. Also for the explorer, there is no better time to travel. The prospect of experiencing a white Christmas is not just a fantasy but a strong possibility too. A white Christmas comes with snow and enticing festivities and, unlike the Grinch that stole Christmas, most people are in a festive and cheerful mood. There is something peaceful about waking up to snow, exploring brightly lit streets littered with decorations, carolling, playing in the snow or skating and drinking comforting hot chocolate. If you’re a traveller looking to experience such a Christmas, these are the destinations to consider: Lake Bled, Slovenia According to Altitude Activities, Lake…

GENERATIONS: The Legacy recently announced the departure of several leading actors, including Buntu Petse, Karabo Maseko, Zizipho Buti and Rebaone Kgosimore. However, anticipation is building as a fresh face is poised to grace the small screen. Renowned for his engaging on-screen presence as a Top Billing presenter, coupled with his credentials as a doctor and the title holder of Mr World South Africa 2019, Fezile Mkhize is excited to join the cast. In this upcoming venture, he will breathe life into the character of Khensani, a warm-hearted paramedic. And, oh boy, have you seen this guy? Cosmopolitan crowned him “Sexiest Man 2019”, Men’s Health thought he was cover-worthy twice and he’s the proud owner of titles like Mr World South Africa and Mr World Africa. So, brace yourself, because Mkhize…

I’ve been married more than once, have had countless relationships and even an affair or two, so I believe I have enough experience to offer my ten cents worth on whether you are compatible with someone or not. So many of us question whether the person we are with, or want to be with, is the right person. I don’t believe in Mr Right, but rather in Mr Right now. I also believe that there is a very big difference between people you have a fling with versus someone you have a long-term relationship with. There are rules of engagement for each. A fling has three rules to stick to. Never have a fling with someone madder than yourself. You don’t want anyone boiling bunnies when you call it off.…

A new South African music podcast has promised to be a cut-above-the-rest. Run by renowned music industry veteran Benjy Mudie, From the Hip was officially launched this week. Saturday Star chatted to Mudie about From the Hip. Can you tell me a little bit about your new podcast and what it’s all about? From The Hip is a series of relaxed, intimate conversations with some of South Africa`s most iconic musicians about their lives and careers. More than simply an interview, it is a deep dive into what makes artists tick, in their own words and with no-holds-barred. Why did you launch From the Hip? After over forty years of signing and nurturing artists in the development of their careers, I wanted to share some of the experiences that leading…

At a Bloemfontein school for youngsters with special educational needs, chickens are being used to teach valuable life skills, with the support of poultry experts. There are few animals as rewarding to keep as the chicken, which requires minimal effort to produce quick rewards in the form of daily fresh eggs. This was the thinking when Dr Böhmer School introduced agriculture to its curriculum in 2021 and bought 90 point-of-lay hens (19-week-old birds that are ready to lay eggs). The school has 550 learners between the ages of 12 and 19, many from disadvantaged rural backgrounds, and with varying degrees of learning challenges. It provides a safe learning environment where youngsters are equipped with skills to ensure they can become reasonably independent, and even enter the labour force where possible.…

THREE months after Pretoria resident Conrad Pretorius was allegedly stabbed in the neck and leg by an acting judge and senior advocate, he has filed a damages claim at the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, against the well-known jurist. This claim relates to an incident on August 1 following an alleged road rage incident. Pretorius alleged that advocate Roeloff du Plessis, 60, attacked him. This week, summons was served on Du Plessis. It is not known at this stage what amount in damages Pretorius is claiming. According to AfriForum, which is assisting him in his legal battle, Du Plessis has not yet responded to the summons. Du Plessis, however, yesterday said that he would most definitely defend the civil action. He said he did not want to comment at this stage…

Youth are the hope of tomorrow and it is in our youth that we place our trust for a brighter future. Their contribution, of course, is not only for the future. It is within their power to contribute significantly to the transformation of their communities today. Young people have great potential and capacities. We need to help them to develop and enhance those capacities. A candle, for example, has the potential to give light. But it does not give light without being lit. It has to be lit so that it can shine and illuminate its surroundings. The Baháí International Community states: “The future of today’s society will depend to a great extent on the manner in which educational programmes and methods are designed to release the latent potential of…

The countdown to the 72nd Miss Universe pageant finale, set to take place tomorrow at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in El Salvador, has begun. Miss Universe South Africa, Bryoni Govender, will compete for the coveted title against other beauty queens from around the world. Govender recently revealed her farewell gown and the national gown by acclaimed KwaZulu-Natal designer Casey Jeanne, which celebrates her Indian and South African heritage while also allowing her to take centre stage. She says her entire wardrobe is very well thought out; it comprises vibrant patterns and colours that represent the warm spirit and diversity of the South African people. Werner Wessels, creative director of the Miss South Africa organisation, says that the national costume is a highlight for Miss Universe supporters and enthusiasts, and…

COMPLETING the alleged ethnic cleansing of El Geneina, the capital of war-torn Sudan’s West Darfur state, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allied militias destroyed the city’s last surviving camp for internally displaced people (IDP) earlier this month. At least 1 335 people are estimated to have been killed in the attack on the camp in Geneina’s satellite town, Ardamata, making it the single largest mass killing since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF started on April 15. Set up in 2004, the camp was hosting more than 42 000 members of the Masalit, one of the farming tribes, displaced during the civil war in Darfur in 2002. To help put down the rebellion of the tribes marginalised under the Islamist regime of…

US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping made rival bids to win over Asia-Pacific allies at a summit in San Francisco which ended yesterday. Biden reassured business leaders of the 21-member economies attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit in San Francisco of the US’s commitment to the region, telling them there would be regional and global benefits from his talks with Xi. The two leaders met on Wednesday for the first time in a year in a bid to reduce tensions between the two superpowers and they emerged pledging to avoid a dangerous rift. They agreed to restore military- to-military links and Xi promised to curb production of the ingredients in China for the drug fentanyl, although disagreements over Taiwan remained broad. “A stable relationship between the…

When a member of a pension provident fund dies, a death benefit becomes payable under the rules of the fund. The death benefit does not fall into the estate of the deceased member. Instead, it is set aside for the benefit of the dependants and nominees of the deceased member, and thus protected against creditors of the deceased estate. Under section 37C of the Pension Funds Act, the board of trustees of the pension or provident fund is tasked to: Find the dependants and nominees of the deceased member. Allocate the death benefit to dependants and nominees of the deceased member in a just and equitable manner. Pay the allocated benefits to the relevant dependants and nominees. Although the board of trustees has a wide discretion to decide how to…

BAFANA Bafana’s failure to qualify for the last three World Cups has made a mockery of the country’s citizens who pride themselves as ‘a footballing nation’. However, Bafana have a chance to make up for lost time and disappoint their detractors when they start the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin this afternoon. Here are three players who can ensure that South Africa start their qualifying campaign with a bang ... GOALKEEPER: RONWEN WILLIAMS Williams is one of the most influential figures, both on and off the pitch, in the Bafana set-up. And perhaps that’s why he’s a befitting captain. But with Bafana’s last qualification for the World Cup dating back to 2010, where they made the finals by virtue of being the hosts, Williams & Co want to change…

TWO of French rugby's in-form sides meet in the Top 14 today as leaders Stade Francais host Racing 92, although South Africa's two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi is not expected to make his debut for another week. Flanker Kolisi arrived in Paris earlier this month but the emblematic Springboks skipper is eyeing next Sunday's home game with La Rochelle for his Racing debut. The 32-year-old has spent a few days on holiday in the United States with his family and is expected to return to the French capital next week in time for the La Rochelle match. One of Kolisi's team-mates at Racing will be France lock Cameron Woki, who was on the losing side against South Africa in the World Cup quarter-final a month ago. “We spoke last…