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

AS THE #NoMakeUpMovement and the #CleanGirlAesthetic gain popularity, there is a trend towards simplifying skincare. And with the growing number of skincare products on offer, it is often difficult to decide which provides the most value. One taking the beauty world by storm is micellar water. Kevin Khosa, a skin expert at skincare brand SKIN functional, said: “Micellar water might be a relatively new skincare staple, but this refreshing liquid cleanser and make-up remover has quickly taken the beauty world by storm and garnered endorsements from make-up artists and dermatologists. While it’s most often used as a facial cleanser, the clear, watery liquid can be used in several other ways.” Amid efforts by the beauty industry to simplify its offerings, micellar water, says Khosa, is multi-functional and can be used…

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), the DA and new kid on the block Rise Mzansi have all upbraided Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi over his failed promise to scrap e-tolls. Reports indicate that the Gauteng provincial government, led by Lesufi, plans to continue to collect revenue from motorists in spite of a promise to end the failed system. Lesufi, in his Gauteng State of the Province Address (Sopa) on February 19, said e-tolls would be phased out by end of next month. However, Mampho Modise, deputy director-general of public finance at the National Treasury, in an interview with Moneyweb this week, said the Gauteng provincial government would continue to collect outstanding debt from road users . Reacting to the ensuing confusion, Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said the organisation would defend…

“IT is a very proud moment to be able to wear the South African colours and represent my country. It is something that I have worked towards for a long time,” says Aaron Drimmie. Durban’s Aaron is representing South Africa at the Junior Africa Fencing Championships taking place at the Cairo Stadium in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, until March 7. Aaron, 17, and a Grade 11 student at Durban High School, will be competing in the Cadet (U17 age group) Sabre event. With expectations weighing on the teenager, Aaron said: “I am looking forward to being able to fence against really good quality fencers who have different techniques to our local fencers, and I plan to put my years of training into practice on the piste. I enjoy meeting new…

THE City of Tshwane has channelled at least R37 million into chemicals and waste water purification at the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant, which was identified as the source of dirty water supplied to people in Hammanskraal and surrounding areas. This surfaced during Thursday’s ordinary council sitting at Tshwane House when multiparty coalition partners passed the adjustment budget. Finance MMC Jacqui Uys said R12m of the Rooiwal budget would come from the City’s coffers while R25m was from a Development Bank of Southern Africa grant. Other noteworthy operating expenditure items adjusted upwards included R11.7m going into housing top structures, R54m for water tankers and R22m for water credit control and the auditing of meters. For electricity credit control, comprising connections and disconnections of power supply, an amount of R50m was set…

THE WORLD (Residences at Sea), recognised as the largest privately owned residential mega yacht, is docked at the Cape Town Cruise Terminal. Recent cruise ship trend reports indicate soaring occupancy rates and an extended booking horizon for the world’s leading cruise lines. As the only ship of its kind in operation, here’s a glimpse of what this floating community offers: Origins: Launched in 2002, it stretches an impressive 196 meters. Living: With 165 residences, ranging from cosy studios to spacious flats, The World offers a diverse range of living options. Amenities: On board, passengers enjoy a plethora of amenities, including world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a cutting-edge golf simulator. Crew: The vessel is manned by a crew of 280. Journey: Embarking on a global adventure, The World…

Ten years after the world’s first penis transplant was successfully done in Cape Town by urologist Professor André van der Merwe, it remains unmatched across the country, and he is keen to do more, even on transgender females transitioning to male, if funding can be provided. He also performed the first laparoscopic kidney removal in South Africa. In an interview with Independent Media, Van der Merwe, who is the head of urology at the University of Stellenbosch and an associate professor at Tygerberg Hospital, shared his insight and desire to continue his work in performing more penis transplants and to tackle a transplant on a transgender female using the scrotum and the penis. The first successful penis transplant was performed on a 21-year-old man by the urology team headed by…

Volvo South Africa wants to shake up the electric car market in South Africa with its all-new EX30, which launches this week. Volvo’s XC40 Recharge was the nation’s best-selling fully electric vehicle in 2023, and the more affordable EX30 looks poised to improve on its larger sibling’s numbers in 2024. It attracted 150 pre-orders when the order books opened late last year, and 52 units were registered in the country last month, according to Naamsa. With prices starting at R775 900 and topping out at R995 900, the new Volvo EX30 is the third most affordable EV in South Africa, beaten only by the GWM Ora 03 and BYD Atto 3. Like these models the new Swedish crossover is also built in China. “Rather than providing just a single powertrain-and-battery…

In principle, the global minimum corporate tax, which the National Treasury plans to introduce to increase the corporate tax base in South Africa significantly, is necessary, but the proposed bill concerns tax experts. In its current state, the proposals in the South African Draft Global Minimum Tax Bill, might be confusing and difficult to interpret. “The corporate tax is a fair measure. We just don’t know how it will work practically. It’s important to wait for the Explanatory Memorandum and Draft Global Minimum Tax Bill where we have the opportunity to make in-depth comments about the bill,” says Dr Gerhard Nienaber, the tax director of the recently launched company Kisch Tax Advisory. Nienaber says the global corporate tax, of which South Africa is one of 140 country signatories, will ensure…

GIVEN the recent heightened focus of government on trusts (such as the Master of the High Court, the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), and the South African Revenue Service (Sars), all of a sudden paperwork for trusts is more important than ever before. Resolutions, minutes of meetings, up-to-date information on all the role-players in the trust, financial statements, asset register, trustees’ interactions with accountable institutions, etc. And the biggest challenge is to ensure it all ties up. The paperwork trustees are required to produce on a timely basis drowns the average – often layperson trustee. Traditionally, many professionals did not provide trust administration services, even though their clients were under the impression that they did. In other instances, some professionals formally or informally provided trust services, but never charged for…

SUCH IS Rulani Mokwena’s confidence – some would argue arrogance – in his coaching abilities that ‘luck’ is not a word you would expect from his mouth when he talks about the ingredients required for continental success. But as he prepared to take yet another step towards leading Mamelodi Sundowns to their second CAF Champions League title, the coach called ‘the South African Mourinho’ in some circles uttered the ‘L’ word. “Lots of consistency, hard work and luck,” he responded to a question about what it would take to win the continent’s premier club knockout competition. It is the pre-match media conference ahead of their Group A clash with TP Mazembe, and the young Sundowns tactician quickly picks up on his ‘luck’ statement. “You need a lot of luck (to…

ALL EYES will be on Orlando Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa to lead the team’s attack against hosts Polokwane City in today’s DStv Premiership clash at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo (kick-off 3.30pm). Since his stellar performances for Bafana Bafana at Afcon, Makgopa has attracted much interest from far and wide. He hasn’t yet proved his status as a genuine match winner, but his game continues to thrive because of the morale-boosting encouragement from national team coach Hugo Broos. Makgopa’s performance will be pivotal on two fronts. Pirates’ head honcho, Spaniard José Riveiro, has vowed his team will in future target maximum points in each game. Riveiro is also motivated to secure a place in next season’s continental competitions. Polokwane’s rearguard will have their hands full in trying…

WALES coach Warren Gatland said on Thursday that recent comments he made about problems with the structure of rugby in the country were not a criticism of the coaches at the four professional regional clubs. The New Zealander, speaking ahead of last weekend’s 31-7 loss away to Six Nations champions Ireland, said it sometimes felt as if the regional game was “a sinking ship” and he was not completely convinced a required reset would take place. Gatland said Ireland had a superior set-up and urged Welsh sides Ospreys, Cardiff, Dragons and Scarlets to focus on improving facilities, rather than prioritising signing players. Ospreys coach Toby Booth responded by saying some of Gatland’s comments were “a bit inflammatory”. “Probably the difference between us and Ireland at the moment is they have…

PROTEAS legend Herschelle Gibbs enjoyed not only a brilliant playing career, but also an extraordinary life. Gibbs recently raised his bat for a half-century, having turned 50 last week, and we at Independent Media have done our best to salute one of the great characters of South African sport by choosing 50 things that made him special to us. Herschelle Herman Gibbs It’s all in the name and the genes. Herman is Herschelle’s father, who was a renowned track and field sprinter in his heyday. And that’s where Gibbs got his phenomenal speed from. Potential Premier League star Not many are aware that Gibbs’ first love was soccer. He was sensational at Rygersdal FC as a youngster, and even had the opportunity to trial at London club Arsenal. ‘Kirsy’ aka…

Planning a honeymoon? Of course, you want to celebrate your union in style, but with the current economic challenges, a luxurious getaway for two doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are the best places for an affordable luxurious honeymoon. The Paarl Wine Route, Western Cape Paarl is a wine lover’s paradise and the beauty in this old-world charm destination is that it is just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town. Paarl Mountain makes it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts to go hiking, mountain biking, and horse riding. The region has plenty of wine farms. Explore Mellasat Vineyards and get a taste of their award-winning wines, or enjoy a brunch or early lunch at Nederburg, a contemporary winery that offers cellar tours and tasting of its vintages, plus a…

Imagine a world devoid of colour or warmth, foundering amid environmental catastrophe and tribal factions that threaten to bring humanity to the edge of fatal fanaticism. Now let’s talk about Dune: Part Two. In this big, basso profundo follow-up to 2021’s first instalment, we catch up with Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Zendaya’s Chani on the arid planet of Arrakis, fighting off a Harkonnen ambush and making their way to a redoubt of the Fremen, the ragtag group of freedom fighters trying to protect their homeland from invaders greedy for their most valuable resource: the universally coveted substance known as spice. Paul and his mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), who is pregnant with his little sister, have joined the Fremen after the assassination of Duke Leto Atreides, played by Oscar Isaac…

According to the Living Planet Report 2022, a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet revealed an average decline of 69% in species populations since 1970. The World Wildlife Fund said that, while conservation efforts were helping, urgent action was required to reverse nature loss. As people, we can only thrive when nature thrives. We are reliant on nature for our food, water, fresh air, energy, and so much more. And yet, our planet is in dire straits. It will require a concerted effort to work together to rebuild what we have destroyed, and to live sustainably. The Johannesburg SPCA highlighted five reasons conservation concerns all of us. Climate change Forests help to slow the rate of climate change by removing carbon dioxide from…

Let me tell you a story. Picture this: over the past 60 years, incredible scientists have dedicated their lives to trying to convince everyone about the effects of pollution and a heating planet. Millions of children all over the world took to the streets in 2018 and started the Fridays for Future movement, protesting to get world leaders to sit up and listen. Pacific Islanders, Indigenous Peoples, communities of colour and Global Majority – anyone who’s lived through extreme weather events – have been telling us for decades that we are destroying our homes and communities. And it has been working. Concern about climate change is going up by 17% compared with a decade ago in the UK. Yet, it feels like nothing has changed. Governments keep using…

While there is a glimmer of hope for family seeking justice, after the seven suspects who are allegedly linked to the murder of the later rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes and Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane were caught, there are still lingering concerns about the mastermind behind it all. Five of the seven suspects appeared at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, where the case was postponed to March 6, after the State opposed bail. State prosecutor advocate Lawrence Gcaba said the State would need to postpone further inquiries into the matter. During the court proceedings, the five accused were ordered to uncover their faces after disguising themselves while standing in the dock. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara revealed that the suspects are charged with two counts of murder, and five counts…

TREVERTON College, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, chose a great adventure to mark this significant year. The Thukela Source-to-Sea expedition paddled the length of the Thukela River, 550km of rapids and white water. A team from Treverton College of seven learners, three staff members and three experienced river guides successfully undertook the first part of this incredibly adventurous feat. The Thukela River, meaning “that which startles”, is the second largest river in South Africa. Breaking the expedition into two phases, so as not to take too much precious academic time off, the learners completed phase one before the start of the 2024 school year and will undertake the second phase during the Easter holidays. Departing on January 7 to Witsieshoek in the Central Drakensberg, the team then hiked up…

THE University of Pretoria’s (UP) Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital has revealed the largest CT scanner ever used in veterinary practice in South Africa. The acquisition was made possible by a R13 million donation from the Roy McAlpine Charitable Foundation. Given that the Faculty of Veterinary Science at UP is the sole veterinary school in the country and the second oldest on the continent, the state-of-the-art scanner will undoubtedly advance the training of veterinary specialists, clinical research capabilities and innovation coming from UP. Part of the donation was used to make changes to the existing CT (computed tomography) room to accommodate the newer and bigger Siemens Somatom Confidence 64 Slice CT scanner with sliding gantry (a gantry that runs on a set of rails). To perform a CT scan, done…

Three years ago McLaren ripped the covers off its first hybrid supercar, the Artura, and now there’s finally an open- top version. The new Spider model also ushers in a host of improvements to the drivetrain and chassis which will also benefit the Coupe model. For these “model year 2025” cars the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and electric motor now produce a combined 515kW, an improvement of 15kW that’s concentrated in the 4 000rpm to 8 500rpm rev range. Maximum torque remains at 720Nm although its delivery is said to be optimised by small improvements to the electronic mapping. McLaren says this engine calibration will be made available free of charge to existing Artura owners, depending on the market and specific homologation requirements. McLaren says the Artura Spider is…

In a bid to enhance the township economy, the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) and MEC for Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development Lebogang Maile recently launched a funding initiative for building back rooms in Gauteng townships. The MEC said the Kasi4Real programme was introduced to address the housing shortage and formalise backyard developments in townships in Gauteng. Speaking to Personal Finance, GPF CEO Lindiwe Kwele said the product was a real estate product to elevate townships. “We believe that property is life, property is wealth, and we need to use our existence to catalyse and empower historically disadvantaged people, through property portfolio because we believe this is how you begin to create generational wealth. “As the GPF, we set criteria on how we can assist real estate developers from the townships,…

WITH 12 players in the Bulls match-23 being Springboks, you wouldn’t have expected the Pretoria side to look to a 21-year-old forward for inspiration to finally beat the Stormers. But perhaps that is exactly the point of difference Jake White’s team needs in today’s much-anticipated URC showdown in front of 50 000 spectators at a sold-out Loftus Versfeld (5.05pm kick-off). Reinhardt Ludwig has been excellent as a No 4 lock this season, but was handed the responsibility of the No 7 jersey by White when he named his team yesterday. Part of the reason for the selection was the fact that Elrigh Louw is nursing an AC joint injury in the shoulder, but it is also about presenting a fresh challenge for the marauding Stormers loose trio of Deon Fourie,…

BRUCE Bvuma is basking in the glory of his hard work at Kaizer Chiefs as he recently ascended as the team’s No 1 following tough times on the sidelines. Chiefs have blown hot and cold recently. They are enjoying a five-game unbeaten run in the DStv Premiership, while they missed out on the Nedbank Cup last Sunday. But despite that roller-coaster ride, Bvuma has shown consistency in the team, having kept five clean sheets in all six games. His impressive run of form has not gone unnoticed as he was rewarded with a two-year-plus option deal in the January transfer window. “I’m the No 1, so I’m happy with my performance and form at the moment,” said Bvuma before going down memory lane. “I haven’t been playing for some time.…

THERE are several Bulls and Stormers stars who will be going all out to prove a point ahead of next week’s Springbok alignment camp in today’s United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld (5.05pm kick-off). But Bulls boss Jake White warned his players that they were guilty of doing that in previous games against their Cape rivals, only to come up short, seven times in a row. The Stormers will be confident of an eighth victory, but can’t afford to be complacent. Here are five player match-ups that could decide the clash. David Kriel v Damian Willemse Bulls inside centre Kriel has been in outstanding form this year, and has made a permanent move to midfield after initially operating at fullback and wing. His tall frame makes him a handful…

With summer winding down and autumn coming up, cooler temperatures are set to take over. Autumn is the perfect season for quiet travel and a staycation. Cooler temperatures bring on a desire for mental well-being, authentic experiences, and an escape from the noise of modern life. Although you can still organise a host of physical activities including cycling, running and hiking during this period, travellers are more likely to seek out moments of stillness and solitude from destinations. Quiet travel destinations are becoming increasingly sought after and fortunately, South Africa has plenty of options with naturally breath-taking landscapes. Cabin stays are growing in popularity around the country and autumn weather provides the perfect excuse to cosy up together. If you’re planning to embark on an autumn getaway, here are some…

THE Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with world-renowned NGO, The Aspinall Foundation, and its South African subsidiary, We Wild Africa. According to a joint statement from the groups, the partnership will unlock the conservation and ecotourism potential of the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve and the surrounding areas known as the Loskop Cluster, with a vision of creating one of the largest Big Five game reserves in South Africa. “This will be the first agreement of its kind in the country where a Provincial Conservation Agency has facilitated a 25-year agreement to unlock investment into a provincial protected area. “The partnership will upgrade reserve infrastructure such as roads, fences, staff accommodation and field ranger compounds,” they said. The strategic…

Upcoming contestants of MasterChef South Africa better bring their A-game when the new season starts, if they want to get a nod from the judges. On the back of celebrity chef Zola Nene being announced as the first confirmed judge for season five of the popular reality cooking show, veteran all-rounder foodie and cheffing titan Justine Drake has now been confirmed as the second judge on the panel. The third judge will be announced in due course. The culinary competition will see the judges bring their expertise to the show in the new season that heads to S3 from mid-June. It sees 20 aspiring home cooks battle it out in the Master- Chef kitchen over several weeks to claim the grand title and bag the R1 million prize money. The…

A legal domestic dispute between two siblings involving the term “Ma se p**s” has become the basis of a trial in which the accused had his conviction and sentence set aside, stating that the “swear word” had not caused abuse or harm but was a form of colloquial expression in the coloured community. A newspaper reference relating to cartoonist Zapiro, who had famously captured a deflated spirit in a caricature depicting a deserted Grand Parade, Cape Town, in The Argus in 1997 after the announcement that South Africa’s bid to host the 2004 Olympics had failed, was also used as evidence. Greece was the successful bidder. “ATHENS SE MA SE @+#&” was the caption of a satirical humorous sketch aptly reflecting the use of the term within the coloured community…

Last year was a challenging year for South Africa’s property market grappling with inflation and interest rate hikes. Now, experts foresee a transformative year ahead, with significant opportunities but also challenges on the horizon. As South Africa braces for an election year, market fluctuations may be inevitable, they warn. However, easing inflation and potential interest rate drops present opportunities for those with a longer-term perspective. Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, says there is a glimmer of hope for the market with the stabilisation of inflation, locally and globally. This presents a key turning point, he says. Clarke anticipates a slow decline in interest rates from the middle of the year, sparking a resurgence in buyer confidence and a surge of pent-up demand, particularly among first-time buyers.…

The South African agricultural sector has been buoyed by the recent news that Saudi Arabia is to resume imports of lamb and beef from our country, after an interval of more than 20 years. The opportunity is a massive one, and reports are that shipments are due to start in a matter of weeks. The effects of this policy announcement will be felt well beyond the agricultural sector, as beef production has numerous stakeholders in adjacent industries as well as the financial sector. From our perspective at Al Mabroor Select Meats, a vertically integrated business in the meat sector and supplier of halal-certified meat products in South Africa and abroad, the announcement was anticipated, but extremely welcome. We have long been involved in business development in the Gulf region, and…

Young aspiring writers across the country are being called to take part in the annual Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition. Last year, the competition attracted more than 380 entries. The Kingsmead College, Johannesburg, event is open to all pupils aged 6 to 18. It was launched in 2022, and aims to provide a platform for young writers’ skills and a space to explore various genres and styles, with feedback from professional writers and publishers. Dr Xolisa Guzula, an early literacy specialist at the University of Cape Town’s School of Education, has asked the Department of Basic Education to consider including rich learning experiences in their literacy strategy to help improve literacy levels in the country. With more than 80% of children in Grade 4 not being able to read for meaning,…

WHEELS are in motion to restore Nelson Mandela’s Houghton home, with a site visit on Thursday to the landmark residence in Johannesburg by members of the Collen Mashawana Foundation and Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi. This was done to assess the planned renovations of the historic house. The visit marked the start of the project aimed at restoring and preserving the historical integrity of this important site. The main purpose of the visit was to assess the work needed to return the residence to its former glory, the foundation said. The aim of the renovations is to ensure it continues to serve as a beacon of the former statesman’s enduring legacy of peace, reconciliation and unity. The collaborative effort was described as underscoring the commitment of both the Collen Mashawana…

Following the success of his robust role as Mqhele in The Wife, Bonko Khoza returns as Napoleon Dingiswayo in the Showmax drama series Red Ink, adapted from Angela Makholwa- Moabelo’s best selling novel. While his portrayal of Mqhele earned him a SA Film and Television Award (Safta), he has been praised as one of the country’s top actors as he continues to solidify his name. Khoza, who is also known as “the Butcher”, says viewers who gravitate towards crime thrillers and have an appetite for a thriller or horror series will definitely enjoy the show. “I think humanising the characters in their situation is what’s going to set this show apart. Get into the mind of a killer. I also hope it just shines a light on issues of gender-based…

GWM’s new Tank 300 might not be in a position to destroy rivals such as the Toyota Fortuner just yet, but it is poised to make 4x4 enthusiasts sit up and take notice. GWM’s Haval brand already dominates the Toyota Rav4’s turf with its H6, and the Jolion is a strong seller at the affordable end of the SUV market, but with the new Tank brand the Chinese carmaker is aiming right at the heart of the body-on-frame 4x4 market. The Tank 300 is stickered from R725 950 to R775 950 in 2.0 turbopetrol guise, and you can get it as a 2.0T hybrid for R851 950. At the local launch event held in Limpopo recently, GWM’s chief operations officer, Conrad Groenewald, said the company had set a conservative sales…

IT SEEMS the gap between man and machine is being closed daily. Machines are taught to do human work and, therefore, they should be able to think like humans to solve human problems. Computers are good at certain things but unable to adapt to aspects like human emotions, which play a huge role in real life. Moreover, thinking like a computer aids in writing code that is clear, concise and easily understandable by humans and machines. On the other hand, programmers should also think beyond the constraints of a computer’s capabilities. They need to understand the user’s needs and anticipate potential user interactions and design software that is user-friendly and intuitive. This requires empathy, creativity and an understanding of human psychology, which are distinctly human traits. Chatbot users “ChatGPT, the…

A KEY ASPECT of financial management and planning is anticipating risks. It’s prudent to bring to your attention the following risk South Africans face this year: that the general election, scheduled for May 29, does not go peacefully and/or a substantial portion of voters are so unhappy with the outcome that they take to the streets in violent protest. We need to protect our assets – our homes, businesses, vehicles and other possessions. The risk might not be high, but it is real. It’s amazing how short our memories are – maybe it’s because we have become experts at putting bad things behind us and trying to move on. The destructive riots of July 2021, the most expensive in South Africa’s history, are a distant memory. We need to acknowledge…

JORDAN Hendrikse will return to the starting XV today when the Lions host the Sharks in a crucial United Rugby Championship (URC) clash at Ellis Park (kick-off 3pm). The 22-year-old returns to the run-on side at flyhalf for the first time in the URC since a mid-November clash against Benetton last year. Since then, in the URC at least, head coach Ivan van Rooyen has preferred the half-back pairing of Morne van den Berg in the No 9 jumper and Sanele Nohamba at 10. The combination has worked for the most part this season, creating a fair bit of excitement regarding both players at a national level, but in the recent loss to the Bulls, it failed to fire the backline into action. The Lions have clearly also missed the…

SPANIARD Carlos Sainz went fastest for Ferrari in a close-run final practice session for Formula One’s season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, setting the stage for a potentially hard-fought qualifying session late last night. The 29-year-old lapped the 5.4km Sakhir desert track in one minute 30.824 seconds, 0.141 seconds ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, with Red Bull’s reigning champion and race favourite Max Verstappen 0.238 seconds off the pace in third place. The Dutchman, his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez, Alonso and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton all took turns at the top before Sainz pumped in his final flying lap. The top 14 drivers were covered by less than a second. Charles Leclerc in the other Ferrari was fourth ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and George Russell in the second Mercedes. Australian Oscar…

Profitroom, a global leader in hospitality technology solutions, announced a strategic partnership with ResRequest to make safari bookings hassle-free. Profitroom said it was excited to combine its expertise with ResRequest, a South African business management tool for easy bookings for boutique safari lodges and hotels, to enhance the consumer experience. Tricia Wood, the business development manager at Profitroom, said they were thrilled at the new strategic partnership as Africa had vast untapped potential in the lodge and safari market which this partnership would help to unlock. “South Africa’s tourism industry is bouncing back. Recent statistics from Stats SA show how December 2023 marked a remarkable rebound, with 3.5 million travellers recorded at the country’s ports of entry. “Safaris and lodges play a big role in this resurgence with 68% of…

Remember in 2020 when loungewear became a trend because most people were locked in their houses? Well, this year, airport fashion is a talking point because more people are open to travelling. When travelling, especially long distances, it’s important to choose comfortable clothes for the journey. What you shouldn’t do: Make-up Don’t wear heavy make-up because chances are, you are probably going to take a nap and we all know that it’s not healthy to sleep with make-up on. If you have dark spots and want to cover them, opt for a BB (blemish balm) cream. It’s great for coverage but is nothing like foundation. Jeans Jeans are uncomfortable even when you are at home. When travelling you need something loose so your body can at least breathe a little.…