Table of contents for 2024-02-03 in Saturday Star

GETTING a good night’s sleep is a universal desire, and finding ways to achieve it is a popular topic of discussion in social circles, from family and friends to co-workers and healthcare professionals. The importance of adequate sleep for cognitive function, emotional well-being and stress management is widely recognised, with sleep deprivation being linked to increased stress, irritability and impaired decision-making. Recently, a viral trend on TikTok has caught the attention of users, with many claiming that a concoction named the “sleepy girl mocktail” has helped them achieve better sleep. This drink, comprising tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and prebiotic soda, has garnered significant attention and praise on the platform, with users touting its effectiveness in pro- moting quick and high-quality sleep. However, the drink has garnered mixed reviews, with…

Popular newscaster Thembekile Mrototo has announced his resignation from Newzroom Afrika. After being with the channel since 2021, he took to social media on Wednesday to post, “LEAVING… Today is my last day @Newzroom405. I have resigned from the channel and my last show will be at 6pm tonight.” He extended a heartfelt “thank you” to his colleagues and fans. “Thank you to all the colleagues who’ve contributed to the many wonderful broadcasts since 2021. “THANK YOU for watching and being so generous with your feedback.” Mrototo’s fans were left heartbroken by his exit but wished him well in his future endeavours. @Aceigh_Majesty commented, “No ways, nothing makes me happier than seeing you on my screen at 18h00 when I come back from work, your way of questioning has so…

It has been said that “everyone has a book in them”. I’m still not convinced I do. But images, pictures and videos accompanying words, either spoken or written, are extremely appealing to me. It’s very hard to be irritated when you are on holiday, it’s your attitude that matters most. Here are some vivid memories of my trip to beautiful Barcelona with my beloved wife and our two grown-up children. My favourite saying is “success is when your adult kids want to hang out with you”. This is the link for more pics: https://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/news/photoessay-bold-beautiful-barcelona-f6042eb7-7371-4dbd-9cc0-9a59fdd5241d…

Removing the bad apples from the good ones has resulted in at least 31 educators being removed from the South African Council of Educators’ (Sace) roll indefinitely. In all 734 cases were received and investigated, including 254 misconduct cases. Education watchdogs, together with trade unions, however, said despite the explicit number of educators finding themselves on the wrong side, they also have to deal with ill-disciplined children, overcrowding of classrooms and a lack of resources, and they are not equipped or trained to deal with this. Out of 73 018 registered teachers, 61 had criminal records. The Sace reports showed 21 were for theft, 16 for traffic offences, six for assault, one for public indecency and two for domestic violence, among others. The Sace said they were gravely concerned…

UNIVERSITY database Study Abroad Aide has placed the University of Pretoria (UP) in seventh position in South Africa and in the top 8% globally among universities that provide international students with high-quality education within their budget. This recognition highlights UP’s commitment to delivering exceptional education that remains affordable for students from all over the world. Study Abroad Aide is the most comprehensive database of universities globally. Its rankings and content has garnered widespread recognition by numerous institutions in Asia and Europe. The assessment covered 8 060 private and public higher education institutions across 69 countries, identifying those that offer top-quality education while remaining within most students’ financial means. “As a leading research-intensive university in South Africa and on the continent, we are proud to kick-start 2024 with this recognition of…

MOTORISTS will be happy to know that traffic jams at the R21 and Nellmapius Drive intersection during load shedding will be a thing of the past. Hollard Insure has partnered with the City of Tshwane and other stakeholders to connect the traffic lights at the intersection to the backup power provided by the Route 21 Office Park. The partnership was borne out of the City’s adopt-a-light initiative that encourages businesses and communities to work with the municipality to help keep the lights on. Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink said: “Through this adopt-a-traffic light initiative, the Route 21 Office Park has ensured that the traffic lights stay on throughout the day, even during load-shedding.” The City and Hollard Insure launched the initiative to power up traffic lights at major traffic intersections during…

Big Brother Mzansi, one of the most popular South African reality shows, has set social media abuzz since its season four premiere, which brought a spark of excitement to scores of viewers who love the show. The fourth season has quickly seen its highs and lows, along with unexpected events such as Bravo B’s disqualification for derogatory remarks made on live TV. In some videos that have provoked uproar, Bravo B was heard planning to have sex with several of their female housemates while intoxicated. In a widely circulated statement, MultiChoice stated that they do not support activity that jeopardises the security of other housemates, laying him off the show immediately. “MultiChoice has investigated the matter regarding a conversation between two housemates on Big Brother Mzansi, which is currently…

SOUTH Africa’s appetite for fast food is growing steadily and national food chains are adjusting their menus to provide a wider variety for vegans and vegetarians. Food awareness organisation ProVeg South Africa said fast food consumption had grown by 33.1% since 2019, mainly because of Covid-19 and load shedding. The organisation has released its 2023 ProVeg South Africa Plant-based Friendly Fast-food Franchise Ranking, which looks at the number and percentage of plant-based offerings at major Quick Service Restaurants [QSRs]. Director Donovan Will said: “The report once again highlights significant opportunities available in the plant-based space within QSRs in South Africa; from new products that still need to be developed and gaps on menus to be filled by existing products, to ways for outlets to attract more customers.” Will said QSRs…

Expect a stampede at your nearest Toyota dealership as the carmaker plans to unleash a glut of new SUV and bakkie models in the coming months. At the annual State of the Motor Industry TSAM’s president and CEO Andrew Kirby said the company expected the South African vehicle market to grow by a modest 1.5% to a total of 540 000 units this year. Given the uncertainty ahead of the elections, the first half of the year is likely to get off to a sluggish start as buyers hold off purchases, analysts predict, but a favourable election outcome could see some positive momentum, particularly if there are significant interest rate cuts in the pipeline. Toyota enjoyed a record market share of 26.8% with 142 612 units sold last year, and…

South Africa is one of the least expensive countries to feed a dog, according to online lender CashnetUSA. In a study, the online lender found a year’s supply of dog food costs just $267.81 (about R5 000) as dogs are popular in South Africa. Cashnet said more than a third of adults in the country own a dog. In its report, CasnetUSA said for each country in its analysis, it found the price of the cheapest dry dog food from local supermarkets or where local supermarkets didn’t offer that information, the price offered by an international supermarket that would deliver to that country. “Using guidelines from PetMD, we then calculated the equivalent annual cost of feeding a medium-sized (40 lbs) dog 540 grams of dry food each day. To find…

DURING the inaugural meeting of the Intergovernmental National Litigation Forum (INLF) on February 25, 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out that legal fees for national and provincial spheres of the government over the past five financial years amounted to approximately R7 billion. The INLF comprises the Heads of the State Attorneys Offices, Heads of Legal Services within the State departments and it is co-chaired by the Office of the Solicitor-General and the Presi- dency. He added that the Auditor-General has reported that the contingent liability was sitting at R147bn for the 2020/2021 financial year. South Africa, needs to ensure that it has an effective state litigation service as a critical component of reducing leaks in the fiscus. This assessment may be substantially understated, as the report below will illustrate.…

FORMER Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Andre Arendse has boldly placed current national team captain Ronwen Williams among the best goalkeepers to come out of the country. Arendse was the starting shot-stopper when South Africa lifted the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 1996, keeping a record four clean sheets in that historic run. And now, 28 years later, Williams is one clean sheet away from matching Arendse’s record – and is also three games away from lifting the continental showpiece and bringing it back to South Africa. Over the years, the pedigree of the now Mamelodi Sundowns goal-minder has often been underplayed, despite winning several trophies at SuperSport and receiving regular call-ups at national team level. The Matsatsantsa academy graduate has now placed his hands on two DStv premiership titles and…

THE DAYS of keyboard warriors abusing rugby players and referees are over and next week courts will hear the first cases brought against people accused who allegedly crossed the line during the World Cup in France. An Australian has been charged with online abuse and will appear in court, and there are multiple pending prosecutions in Australia, South Africa, France, New Zealand and the UK, according to the BBC. The culprits were unaware that World Rugby had partnered for the tournament with an online monitoring agency, which flagged more than 1 600 abusive accounts on social media, and now they will pay the price. More than 900 social media accounts, including those of all match officials and their families, were monitored by Signify Group during the seven-week tournament. After the…

THE Bulls are arguably in their best shape since the start of South Africa’s participation in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup. Director of rugby Jake White has assembled an impressive cast since taking charge at Loftus Versfeld in 2020, on and off the field – and it is not only the big-name signings that have added the necessary sprinkling of gold dust across the squad. They are fourth on the URC log and have earned a home fixture in the Champions Cup round of 16, which will be against Lyon at Loftus on April 6. White has always said that it will take a few years to build the ultimate team that can be genuine, consistent contenders for titles, and it appears as if the Bulls are getting…

FROM the moment director of cricket Enoch Nkwe and Co decided to make room for South Africa U19s on the professional scene, it was inevitable the Junior Proteas would be miles ahead of their peers. Two seasons into Cricket SA’s Division 2 Cricket, going up against the country’s seasoned professionals, Kwena Maphaka and his teammates have gone on to win two Cricket SA trophies, namely the T20 Knockout (last season) and the One Day Cup earlier this season. As a result, the ongoing U19 World Cup has seen South Africa reap the rewards of throwing the youngsters into the deep end, as the Junior Proteas have mostly made light work of their opponents in this campaign. The Junior Proteas are ripe and in red-hot form, as they displayed yesterday with…

Embarking on a journey that redefines luxury travel, The World, recognised as the largest privately owned residential mega yacht globally, is creating a buzz with its expansive 2024 itinerary. In a testament to its opulence, this exclusive floating community is thrilled to declare its upcoming extended visit to South Africa, marking a captivating chapter in its journey spanning six continents. Renowned for delivering an unparalleled ultra-luxury lifestyle and a commitment to global exploration, The World is set to make waves as it reaches South Africa. Antarctica expedition The ship’s arrival in Cape Town in February follows an expedition to Antarctica in January where residents traced the footsteps of famed polar explorers and enjoyed activities amid windswept scenery and incredible wildlife. South America and the unspoiled Tristan da Cunha Islands February…

In the modern world, social media and the online sphere as a whole are ever-present. From smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles, to television screens and computers, it is difficult to escape the screens that are all around us. However, experts are warning that this digital world is putting children at risk as more and more parents, guardians and caregivers are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their kids’ screen time. Registered Johannesburg counsellor Salmaan Khader, who has worked extensively with children and families, noted that while technology has undoubtedly provided numerous benefits and educational opportunities, its potential negative effects have also raised concerns. “The impact of technology on young children is a topic of significant concern and research in the field of psychology,” he told Independent Media Lifestyle. Khader said…

As fans of R&B singer Jeffrey Osborne look forward to his You Should Be Mine Tour in March, legendary guitarist Selaelo Selota has been announced as one of the South African artists who will join Osborne on stage. Selota will be joining the Gauteng leg of the tour, which will be at SunBet Arena as well as Emperors Palace. With a career spanning 20 years, the guitarist has multiple award-winning albums. As a producer and composer, he composed and arranged Judith Sephuma’s two award-winning and best- selling albums A Cry, A Smile, A Dance and Change Is Here. Selota said he was excited to be sharing the stage with the R&B sensation. “When the promoter approached me to be one of the South African artists to perform with Jeffrey,…

PEDRO “Bubista” Brito, the national team coach of Cape Verde, has turned to Nelson Mandela to inspire him ahead of Saturday’s Afcon 2023 semi-final against South Africa. Popularly known as “Bubista”, Brito said in a radio interview that he expects Mandela’s ethos of fairness and equality to prevail in the clash against Bafana Bafana. The people of Cape Verde have over the years been huge admirers of Mandela, the anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. They named their country’s biggest airport, on Santiago Island in Cape Verde, the Nelson Mandela International Airport. A Cape Verde newspaper reported that Bubista had high praise for South Africa whose leader Mandela. “Bubista expressed his satisfaction at being able to face the team from…

ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is changing the world. In the past two decades, infrastructure has been laid to give more than five billion people access to digital services through smartphones and the internet. This has primed the world for an AI revolution, the exponential growth of which we’re beginning to see through services like ChatGPT that change how we interact with technology. Like every technological paradigm shift, from fire to flying or the industrial revolution to the internet, the benefits of AI will also be challenged by its threat. While my paranoid nature is certain that the net impact will be positive (because there are many more good people in this world than bad), one growing area of AI concern is how we distinguish ourselves as human beings versus AI. Trust…

How important is positive play, especially for children? According to the Lego Play Well Report, insufficient playtime and other societal factors can hinder a child’s cognitive development. The report highlights positive play as a developmental solution for children from early childhood development (ECD) to primary school, making Sasko’s Siyasizana initiative a catalyst for change. The Sasko Siyasizana initiative is back and proudly announces the launch of the second season of its transformative Play Better campaign. The campaign aims to improve the lives of more than five million children by 2030 by building new or renovating old parks to create a culture of positive play in South Africa. Influenced by insights from the 2022 Lego Play Well Report, which highlighted the negative effects of insufficient playtime and other factors in children’s…

Mountview Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal celebrated the opening of their robotic laboratory on Wednesday. The school was one of two schools selected and funded by the Shoprite Foundation. The foundation invested R1.6 million in robotics infrastructure, equipment, course work and teaching. It built two fully equipped robotics laboratories at Mountview, and Verulam High School. The initiative is the first phase of technology support for various schools around the country. Maude Modise, the managing trustee of the Shoprite Foundation, said the two schools were selected to launch the robotics initiative as the Department of Education was piloting coding and robotics as a subject. “The groundwork was in place and importantly there was interest and enthusiasm, so we saw an opportunity to help by providing training and equipment and adapting the existing…

IN RECENT years, reality shows have become more and more popular, with some offering viewers an intimate look into the lives of the rich and famous, while others give an unvarnished glimpse of people’s everyday routines. The Mommy Club has piqued viewers’ interest, and following the tremendous success of the first season, it will return on February 19 with new episodes every Tuesday. When the first season made its debut in 2023, it broke the record for the most first-day social media views on the platform and became a weekly Twitter trend, ranking among the most watched Showmax titles that year. This show offers an all-access look at the lives of the one percent, and the individuals who support them in creating their enterprises and raising their offspring, as it…

Last week Volkswagen ripped the covers off the facelifted Golf 8.5 range, including the GTI, and now the German carmaker is giving us our first peek at the new 2024 Golf R. Volkswagen has confirmed that the new range-topping performance hatch will be fully revealed to the world around mid-2024. Those attending the Ice Race in Zell am See event in Austria this past weekend got to see a lightly camouflaged prototype of the new Volkswagen Golf R. In attendance was multiple World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson, who had this to say: “It was great fun to sit in the brand-new Golf for the first time. I can only say that even though the Golf R has not yet been revealed, there is a true sports car under the camouflage…

My years in financial journalism have taught me a few things about the financial services industry, and one thing I realised early on was that everyone is in it for their own interests, and the best you can hope for is that your interests and their interests are aligned. There is no such thing as altruism in the world of money. Industry players need to justify their place in the lucrative sector. Don’t be fooled into thinking they’re in it for you. Their products may indeed offer worthwhile benefits (where would we be without car insurance or life cover, for example?), but the fact is that their upmarket lifestyle is at stake if they don’t succeed in convincing you that you need what they have to sell, and this bias…

PROTEAS women captain Laura Wolvaardt has had plenty of success captaining South Africa since the start of the season. When Sune Luus stepped down following the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa last year, it was a no-brainer that Wolvaardt was next in line to take on the role, seeing senior players of the likes of Marizanne Kapp are near to the end of their international careers. This season, Wolvaardt has won an ODI series in the side’s first-ever tour of Pakistan, and recently achieved a feat no other Proteas women captain has been able to achieve – beating Australia – and she did it in style by beating them in their own backyard, despite losing the T20 series 2-1. Wolvaardt understands the victory puts the…

THE Proteas will make their first appearance at the Bay Oval in Mt Maunganui tomorrow in the first of two Tests of the Tegel Series against the Black Caps as the two sides are set to contest for the Tangiwai Shield. The hosts have a 50% win-rate at the Bay Oval, but have lost their most recent two Tests in the coastal town of Tauranga, having been beaten by England last year and by Bangladesh a year before. By the looks of things, the Bay Oval offers quite a lot for the seam bowlers but also does bring spin into play in the later stages of the match. On the batting front, batters who show a lot of intent seem to get value for their shots at this ground. For…

JAMIE George and Gonzalo Quesada are hoping to lead England and Italy into new eras as the countries face off in today’s Six Nations opener in Rome. George will skipper England for the first time after Owen Farrell decided to skip this year’s edition for the sake of his mental health. The hooker will lead out a young team with five new faces in Steve Borthwick’s 23-man matchday squad, as England try to win the Six Nations for the first time in four years. “I’ve tried not to think about it too much. It’s going to be an emotional day. I’m quite an emotional person anyway,” George told reporters on Thursday. “I’ve got some family flying over, some who aren’t able to fly, so to be able to put a…

IT DIDN’T take Brad Binder long to muse about the next South African motorcyclist destined to do great things. In fact, the 28-year-old was quite emphatic about it. “There is one kid at the moment in the Red Bulls Rookies Cup, who is extremely fast,” Binder said with authority. “His name is Ruche Moodley. “This kid is the full package. He is extremely fast. He is super-talented, and he works really hard. “I really expect to see him in MotoGP one day. I think he is going to set the world alight as soon as he gets to Moto3.” Moodley, 17, certainly has the racing pedigree to go far in the world of MotoGP. His father, Arushen, was once the national Superbike champion, and with a certified race winner in…

The Association of Southern African Travel Agents has advised travellers to check that the agency they use is an ASATA member. This can be done by checking for the ASATA logo, as well as by asking the agency to see their membership certificate. Travellers can also look up the agency on the ASATA website directory before booking to avoid potential fraud. The warning comes after recent media reports of travellers being defrauded of their cash after booking holidays with bogus travel agencies. In a recent incident, musician Bobby Blanco alleged he was scammed of R200 000 after booking a trip with a Ballito-based “travel agency”. “It is with great disappointment and frustration that I, Bobby Blanco, address the public regarding a distressing incident involving … a travel agency … in…

The countdown to one of South Africa’s biggest art fairs, the Investec Cape Town Art Fair, has begun. The fair, which runs from February 16 to 18 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, offers visitors an array of special features, highlights and extras. Out of the 11 elements featured, the one many are looking forward to most is the fashion and retail therapy element. In addition to the opportunity to purchase art, this year’s fair offers a wider-than-ever range of other items, from fashion to merchandise. This element is long overdue because whether you like it or not, fashion is art. It’s a form of expression fashionistas use to tell the many stories of the past, the present and the future. For example, designer Lukhanyo Mdingi uses fashion to…

The sheer star clout of Matthew Vaughn’s spy action comedy is enough to leave fans giddy with excitement. The cast includes Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O'Hara, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, John Cena and Samuel L Jackson. Talk about pulling out all the stops to bag some of the finest talent in Hollywood, Vaughn did that without question. The premise centres on Elly Conway (Dallas Howard), a reclusive author, who realises the plot of a new spy novel she’s writing mirrors real-world events in real time. As such, her sheltered world is disrupted as her life is placed in danger. She is rescued by Aidan (Rockwell), who is an actual spy, from an ambush by a ruthless organisation known as the Division. Pretty soon, the…

The National Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc) has welcomed the withdrawal by the NPA and the specialised commercial crimes court of “frivolous” criminal charges brought against it by former Nafcoc member Nkosana Enos Thobela. Thobela has accused Nafcoc president, Sekwame Gilbert Mosena, 63, and Tselane Mary Baggot, 51, the director and company secretary of Silver Vanity Investments (SVI), of money laundering involving millions of rand meant for SVI members. This was in relation to the R14m said to belong to the National Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s investment arm SVI where Mosena is also a chief executive. Thobela, a former Gauteng Nafcoc Investment Trust trustee, opened the case in 2019 after suspecting that the R14m, which had been paid by the Department of Public Works to…

It’s music to our ears that coding and robotics are being formally rolled out as a subject in government schools from this year. The South African education system needs to keep pace with the next-generation subjects if we are to be competitive – and confident – participants in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). However, the dream of tech-savvy classrooms is, in some cases, out of step with the on-the-ground reality, and this is where the importance of forging partnerships between the public and private sectors and civil society comes to the fore. We run an education nonprofit in rural Mpumalanga and the Free State that has foregrounded digital literacy as key to unlocking the power of wonder-filled learning for children. It’s “cool” to play games on computers, with children learning…

The dawn of South Africa’s democracy 30 years ago coincided with the birth of Afrika Tikkun, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in education. For more than three decades, remarkable strides have been made in various aspects of our developing nation. Yet, challenges persist, especially within the education sector where issues of inequality continue to demand our attention. Performance Monitoring and Evaluation manager Nellie Zembe said as an organisation, vested in improving the lives of young people in underserved communities, they believe in the power of collaborations and partnerships in enhancing the quality of education. Zembe said instead of focusing on what our country can do to improve education, the key lies in our collective efforts. Young and old individuals, corporate entities, civil society, schools, higher education institutions, and…

Natasha Joubert’s reign has been jam-packed with activities since her joyful coronation as Miss SA 2023 – from attending prominent events to the launch of her advocacy campaign, which she says is close to her heart. On the night that marked a watershed moment in Joubert’s life, she said she felt compelled to make a positive change to the world around her. She added that she believed that success is more than simply personalachievements, it is also about the possibilities we have to give back and encourage people around us. “I will strive to be a source of inspiration and support for others, just as I have been supported on my journey now and before,” she said. True to her word, she later disclosed the details of her advocacy initiative,…

to marK 350 years since the death of Krotoa, a Khoi interpreter and trail-blazer, poets, authors and churches will be compiling an anthology to celebrate her life and tell her truths. Shofar Books, Poets Vannie Kaap and the Groote Kerk in Cape Town are partnering in memory of Krotoa, who died on July 29, 1674. Her remains are buried at the Groote Kerk in Cape Town. According to South African History Online, Krotoa (known as Eva to the Dutch and English settlers) was the niece of Autshumao, a Khoi leader and interpreter to the Dutch, known as Harry/Herry first by the English and then by the Dutch). Krotoa was banished to Robben Island as a prisoner for allegedly displaying immoral behaviour, and was "bitter” towards the settlers. Upon her…

A major sterilisation campaign is under way to reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs in shelters and living on the country’s streets. This comes after results of a global survey into pet homelessness revealed that South Africa has 4 million homeless cats and dogs, of which 650 000 live in shelters and 3.4 million are strays with no place to call home. The study was conducted by a global coalition of animal welfare experts, including Humane Society International (HSI), in partnership with Mars Multisales Southern Africa. HSI’s acting companion animal and engagement campaign manager Dr Audrey Delsink said through their “Healthy Pets, Healthier Community” programme they offered free sterilisation and primary veterinary care in lower income communities. So far 1 500 animals have been sterilised while each animal…

Porsche has been telling us for some time that the next generation of its smaller SUV, the Macan, would be available purely as an EV. “We are taking the Macan to a completely new level – with exceptional E-Performance, the new Driver Experience, and a very impressive design,” said Oliver Blume, chairperson of the executive board of Porsche AG, on the occasion of the world premiere in Singapore. Usually, new Porsche models debut in South Africa shortly after their worldwide debut. The new Panamera will go on sale locally in a matter of weeks. The all-new Porsche Macan will only be available here from 2025. Porsche will focus on the major EV markets before bringing the car to South Africa. It’s no secret that SUVs are all the rage. And…

AS WE KICK off the year, investors and market analysts are gearing up for what promises to be an eventful 2024 with both potential challenges and opportunities lying ahead. With a global economy in a state of continuous transformation, several key market trends are set to shape the investment landscape this year: Global growth below trend: soft vs hard landing? Growth in most countries is expected to be below trend for 2024. The debate between a soft landing – where inflation moderates towards target without damaging economic growth – versus a more severe recession will continue to dominate headlines as new data becomes available. Markets are going into 2024 with the belief of a soft landing and are priced for such an outcome. The challenges or opportunities will be created…

Last year was a roller-coaster year with a tremendous amount of changes introduced; also changes in legislation affecting boards of trustees – often lay-person trustees. We should all take a deep breath, take stock of what we have, and in the beginning of the year, proactively plan for the year ahead. Boards of trustees require four types of services. The first is statutory services to trusts, such as trust registrations, trust deed amendments, trustee changes and the like. The second is trustees, often being laypersons, require hand-holding in the active administration of trusts. Third, trustees might now require the services of an independent trustee. Fourth, trustees require financial information and someone who can assist them with tax returns and other South African Revenue Service (Sars) submissions. Trustees should ask themselves…

When the Olympic torch relay gets underway in France in May, keep an eye open for Charles Coste, France’s oldest living Olympic champion. Coste, who will turn 100 on February 8, pedalled his way to glory in the men’s team cycling pursuit 76 years ago in the 1948 Olympics in London. He has bad knees these days but is hoping to do his bit for Paris 2024. “It will be unforgettable, and I’m very proud,” Coste told AFP. “Now I have to prepare myself physically. I’m handicapped by my knees but I’m going to try to carry the flame for a few metres.” Coste also plans to watch the cycling in Paris but if that still lies some months in the future, London ’48 remains imprinted on his memory. “They…

WARREN Gatland has urged a new-look Wales to “go out there with no fear” when they launch their Six Nations Championship campaign at home to a Scotland side desperate to end a 22-year losing streak in Cardiff. Injuries, post-World Cup international retirements – and in the case of wing Louis Rees-Zammit, a decision to try to forge a career in American football – have deprived Wales coach Gatland of several senior players, with George North, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau also among those who will be missing at the Principality Stadium this afternoon. Gatland has responded by handing Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett a Test debut after just 15 games of professional rugby, and by appointing 21-year-old lock Dafydd Jenkins as Wales’ youngest captain since scrum-half great Gareth Edwards…

LEWIS Hamilton’s surprise decision to quit Mercedes and join Ferrari at the end of the coming Formula One season was greeted with joy by the Italian media yesterday. Still basking in Jannik Sinner’s triumph at the Australian Open, Hamilton switching to Ferrari was hailed as a “coup of global proportions” by daily Corriere Della Sera. “A team which created history in motor racing is being united with a great champion ... I expect electric competition, race after race, which will drive up interest across the board,” wrote former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi in the newspaper. Italy’s biggest sports newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport dedicated nine pages to Hamilton and Ferrari yesterday, a huge deal for a publication in which football dominates coverage. But not even tomorrow’s huge Serie A clash…

Delegates, exhibitors, buyers and key global business events sector decision-makers will converge for South African Tourism’s Meetings Africa 2024 trade show at the Sandton Convention Centre from February 26 to 28. According to Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, the event is set to inject a surge of energy into the business events sector on the African continent while significantly boosting South Africa’s economy. Meetings Africa attracts exhibitors, buyers and key global business events sector decision-makers hoping to promote and exhibit their businesses and services on the sought-after platform, and this year’s show is expected to propel the tourism sector’s growth forward, capitalising on its robust recovery momentum. De Lille said Meetings Africa 2024 would enhance the upward trajectory of their business events and tourism sector’s performance. “We anticipate the attendance…