Table of contents for 2024-07-06 in Saturday Star

As the saying goes, summer bodies are made in winter. But workouts during the colder months can often prove to be a challenge, particularly when it comes to keeping your body warm and your energy levels up. Health coverage provider Affinity Health explained that as the mercury drops, our bodies need more fuel to maintain warmth and performance. “This makes good nutrition and hydration essential,” CEO Murray Hewlett said. Below, he delves into the best practices for managing nutrition and hydration during winter workouts. Carbs keep you going Hewlett stressed that carbohydrates are your best friend in cold weather because they help your body generate heat and maintain energy. “To keep your blood sugar levels stable while exercising, include complex carbs like whole grains, pasta and rice.” He suggested aiming…

Actress and DJ Pearl Thusi is no stranger to keeping her body healthy and happy. Over the years, the Queen Sono actress’s body shape has changed but she says that being skinny is the best. She recently took to her Instagram Stories to let her fans and followers know that she was on a cleanse (detox). The DJ also shared that because she was getting older, she wanted to take more care of her body. “I’m back on my cleanse. I’m going to the July Durban stuff mid-cleanse, which is powerful. I’m actually quite excited. “I’ve stopped a whole bunch of other nonsense in the interim. I’m having a very serious conversation with God, I’m having a very serious overhaul in terms of my body maintenance because we…

When Dr Lizelle Grobler, a forensic psychophysiologist and PhD holder in metaphysical science, invited me to an extraordinary human anatomy session in Norwood, Johannesburg, to test the limits of the human brain by “seeing without your eyes” through an eye mask, my interest was piqued. Was I sceptical? Definitely not. Instead, as a curious cat, I jumped at the opportunity, grabbed my bag and drove to Norwood with two colleagues. We were met by an entourage of guests attending the four-day session which began on Tuesday. The guest list included two blind people, Adeline Barnes and Celeste van Standen, teen-media personality Hildegard Havengard and musician Deon Meiring. As Grobler was demonstrating how to use the mask to see without the naked eye, my colleagues and I tested the eye…

THE transition from primary school to high school is an important time, often setting the tone for a pupil’s high school experience and subsequent entry into the workforce. Pupils encounter new academic challenges in a more structured learning environment, navigate social changes, and experience intense emotional growth as they discover their passions, develop their independence, and chart their future paths. As pupils enter this phase, mental and emotional preparation in a nurturing and encouraging environment is key. Curro Academy Protea Glen in Soweto recently hosted a boot camp that provided a safe space to facilitate this transition and for pupils to explore, foster confidence and expand their knowledge in key areas. The boot camp took place during the winter school holidays and forms part of a broader scholarship programme to…

Parents are often at a loss about how to entertain their kids. Here are some fun ideas. Cold, rainy days often bring a sense of gloom and a longing for outdoor activities like braais and beach days. But the winter weather also presents the perfect opportunity to appreciate the warmth and comfort of your home. Adrian Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says the winter months can either make us hate our homes or fall in love with them all over again. “When we spend so many hours cooped up indoors, we can either start to notice all the flaws and shortcomings within our home or we can appreciate how much we enjoy certain features within our property,” Goslett notes. For those who want to make…

The African Girls Can Code Initiative held a coding camp in Mamelodi this week to equip young women in TVET colleges with robotics skills. This initiative is implemented in South Africa by the United Nations Women's Agency, South Africa Multi-Country Office in partnership, with the Department of Higher Education and Training, and the Department of Science and Innovation. It is supported by Siemens and the Belgian government. The programme introduces students to computer science and next-generation technologies, user interface/user experience, website development, mobile applications development, robotics, and programming. According to the UN Women Gender Snapshot 2023, women held only one in five sciences, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs in 2020. They said women were twice less likely than men to know a computer programming language, based on data from…

JOBURG’S leading arts festival returns for a sixth year, and it’s bigger and better than ever. The Redhill Arts Festival (#RedFest2024), proudly presented by Redhill School in Morningside, will take place from Thursday July 25 to Sunday July 28. This highly anticipated event will bring together some of the most renowned names in theatre, music and the arts, inviting attendees to experience an unforgettable celebration. The main stage will host leading South African artists performing throughout the weekend, including Watershed on Friday evening, the Mzansi Youth Choir and Lady Zamar on Saturday evening, and both Jesse Clegg and Zolani Mahola and The Feminine Force on Sunday afternoon. Executive head at Redhill School and festival director, Joseph Gerassi, said the Redhill Arts Festival offered an unprecedented level of entertainment. “Where else…

AFRICA’S biggest horse racing extravaganza has attracted people from across the continent to Greyville for the annual Hollywoodbets Durban July today. With R5 million up for grabs, the excitement is palpable. It is even more memorable because it might be the last race hosted by Gold Circle after Hollywoodbets made an offer to buy the struggling company earlier this year. That decision is expected about September as the Competition Commission deliberates on the matter. The marquees were set up earlier this week, the music has started pumping and the fashionistas are here in their glad rags, designed for this year’s Ride the Wave theme. With 45 000 visitors estimated to be in the city for the event, organisers say the local hospitality industry should have a bumper weekend. eThekwini Municipality’s…

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s long-awaited Cabinet reshuffle under the new Government of National Unity has seen Gwede Mantashe retain control of the fuel industry. While the general energy portfolio has been moved to another ministry, where it will be combined with electricity, mineral and petroleum resources remain the portfolio of minister Mantashe. This has led to concern on some fronts that much needed fuel price reforms will not be tackled adequately under this administration. After the Cabinet announcement, the Automobile Association (AA) has once again called for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to conduct an open and transparent review of South Africa’s fuel pricing structure. “South Africans remain constrained by high fuel costs and there is a dire need to review the country’s fuel pricing structure; each line item…

There is a trend of increasing mental health risks in the South African corporate workplace, according to new data by Life Health Solutions. The Life Health Solutions research, which analysed data from 2018 to 2023, revealed a significant rise in the prevalence of mental health risk cases – individuals identified as posing a safety risk to themselves, others or their organisation. “These risks included a range of factors, such as suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, and financial instability,” it said. Life Health Solutions psychologist Safia Joseph said: “These findings underscore the critical need for proactive mental health support within the South African corporate workplace. Employers have a responsibility to foster a culture of well-being and provide resources that empower employees to navigate personal and professional challenges.” The data revealed that these…

The inevitable annual tax filing season is upon us. As an individual, you probably pay more to the government than you realise. It’s to your advantage to know about the different types of taxes, as you can then look at ways to pay less tax or as the financial planning experts say, become more “tax efficient”. Note that finding ways to reduce tax should not be confused with avoiding paying taxes that are rightfully due – that is against the law. To paraphrase a well-known poem, “How does the government tax thee? Let me count the ways …” Income tax If you earn an income, you must pay tax on that income, whether it is in the form of a salary, commission, pension income or earnings from investments or rental…

ONE of the major discussion points in the build-up to the Springboks’ first Test against Ireland today ever since Tony Brown and Jerry Flannery joined the national set-up earlier this year, is what impact the new assistant coaches will have on the way South Africa plays. There were glimpses of that new attacking approach during the recent Wales Test, with New Zealander Brown’s influence especially anticipated. Yesterday, both camps weighed in on the Boks’ new ambition to add to their already formidable arsenal, and while some were more magnanimous in their opinions than others, the thread upon which the Boks’ game plan will be built seems to be a certainty. “With Brown coming into the South African backroom with Flannery,” said Ireland captain Peter O’ Mahony in the north of…

WALKING away from rugby wasn’t as easy as Jaco Peyper thought it would be when he retired after last year’s Rugby World Cup in France. Only two months after telling his wife Zenobia that he would be home way more than for the past 15 years as an international referee, Peyper accepted the job as national laws adviser for SA Rugby and specifically the Springboks. While he hung up his whistle for rugby matches, he now gets stuck in the rugby matches and training of the world champions to assist them specifically with the laws and how it’s interpreted. A calf injury brought an early end to his officiating at the World Cup where he had to give up the whistle during a game – the quarters between Wales and…

According to the recent Africa Wealth Report by Henley & Partners titled “Predetermined Bias: Comparing the Visa Rejection Rate of Africans versus the Rest of the World”, the rejection rate for African applicants seeking Schengen visas went up by 12% in the last eight years, reaching a shocking 30%. This surpassed the global average by 12.5%. Flight Centre South Africa noted that like any relationship, though, you can avoid getting rejected if you put in the hard work. The travel management company has put together a useful guide on how South African travellers can ensure their Schengen visa application is successful. Understand the reasons behind application denials According to Flight Centre GM Antoinette Turner, understanding the reason for applications being denied is important so you don’t end up with…

As the world advances so too does our way of understanding the planet and nature. A new study led by UCT researchers has linked animal-born video and movement sensor data with machine- learning algorithms to reveal how chinstrap penguins catch their prey. This will enable scientists to monitor prey consumption, which will provide information that can help inform conservation strategies. “Our understanding of penguin foraging behaviour has rapidly grown during the past decades, as innovations in technology allowed ever more powerful remote monitoring,” said Dr Chris Oosthuizen, a research fellow at the Centre for Statistics in Ecology, the Environment and Conservation (SEEC) at UCT. “Today, ecologists have access to a wide range of tags and sensors that can accurately measure animal position, diving depth, movement behaviour and aspects of the…

The swearing in of 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers on Wednesday brought a series of light-hearted moments to the solemn ceremony. When he was sworn in, former energy and mineral resources minister Gwede Mantashe, with a new reconfigured mineral and petroleum portfolio, instead of vowing to protect the secrets of the state, said he would do everything to divulge all the secrets. This elicited laughter from the president and others in the room. Former ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina, who was sworn in as the new minister of water and sanitation, struggled to pronounce the word “conscientiously”, much to the amusement of the chief justice and others present. Majodina’s never-say-die attitude won the day as she kept on trying to pronounce the tongue twister until she got it right.…

The highly anticipated Education Africa International Marimba & Steelpan Festival is set to take place from July 27-28 at St Dominic’s School for Girls in Boksburg. This vibrant annual event brings together like-minded performers, educators, and enthusiasts from around Africa and South Africa, offering a unique platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Africa and foster global unity through marimba and steelpan music. The theme of this year’s event is Peace and Harmony. Joan Lithgow, Education Africa’s Marimba Specialist and Festival Director, said: “Having recently successfully navigated a democratic election and celebrated 30 years of democracy, we wanted a theme for the festival that reflects what South Africa is currently yearning for – peace and harmony. And what better way to celebrate this than our annual Education Africa International…

The top 10 finalists of Miss World South Africa 2024 have been announced, with the grand finale set for October to select the country’s representative at the Miss World finals in December. Organisers who searched across all nine provinces for a successor to the reigning queen, Dr Claude Mashego, received over 350 entries. The finalists are: Nande Mabala, 26, a model, and social and media entrepreneur from Cape Town, believes that the most successful people possess five soft skills: courage, communication skills, discipline, leadership, and resilience. Lynique Odendaal, 22, a music therapist from Wonderboom, Pretoria, is committed to addressing the multifaceted challenges facing vulnerable children by uplifting and empowering them. Tshiamo Setlhare, 26, an occupational therapist from Mahikeng, North West, believes the Miss World platform would help her create awareness…

THE use of drones in agriculture is becoming increasingly common as these unmanned aircraft are proving to be a valuable tool used in precision farming – a technique involving the analysis and consideration of several factors to determine the correct inputs for maximum outcome. Farmers around the world are under pressure to boost the efficiency of resource management in the face of tough economic conditions. At the same time, the “farm-to-plate” phenomenon has seen a greater push for better traceability of food products as consumers are concerned about the sources of the foods and how they were produced. Drone Expert at ITOO Special Risks, Kopano Tholo, said drones are becoming more popular in agriculture as part of a holistic sustainable farming plan. They can be used to help farmers streamline…

It’s a pity that vans don’t get much love in South Africa compared to the rest of the world because they do provide a valuable and practical commercial alternative to a traditional bakkie. But that may change going forward with the introduction of Ford’s new Transit Custom Van. It’s Europe and the UK’s top selling van and has secured the Van of the Year title five times, including 2024. Initially we’re getting the long wheelbase, with additional derivatives scheduled for later this year. Locally we sell around 2 000 units a year which isn’t a huge number, but with improved market conditions Ford is hopeful more will follow. The market is dominated by Toyota’s Quantum followed by the Transit with a 19% share, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito, Nissan…

JLR has extended its long-term engineering collaboration with British audio innovator Meridian to supply and develop high-performance in-car audio technology for its next generation of electric vehicle architectures. Since 2010, JLR has been working with the Cambridge-based audio specialist to develop the audio systems in all vehicles across its brands: Range Rover, Defender, Discovery and Jaguar. The extension to this collaboration will enable Meridian’s specialists to provide input into the design of new models at an even earlier stage, which is critical as JLR’s modern luxury electrification plans mature. “The collaborative partnership between JLR and Meridian allows us to deliver fantastic-sounding audio systems while being sympathetic to the design language of the vehicles,” said Callum Hubbard, technical specialist – Vehicle Audio Technology at JLR. A pinnacle of Meridian in-car audio…

Hiring activity in South Africa remains volatile according to the Pnet Job Market Trends Report, which provides insights into recruitment and employment trends in the South African market. The report by the online recruitment platform said that after April every year there was usually an uptake in hiring activity. However, in this year, there was a slight decrease. “This may partly be as a result of political instability and concerns leading up to and following the 2024 South Africa elections. Year-on-year, hiring activity decreased -10%, compared to May 2023. The trend for the two-year comparison reveals that recruitment activity has decreased -5% compared to May 2022,” said Paul Byrne, the head of Data Insights and Customer Success at Pnet. The recruitment platform noted that sector-specific hiring activity trends could provide…

IN THESE tough economic times, everyone is looking for a deal – a way to cut down on costs as much as possible. While salaries are showing a partial recovery from a year ago, according to BankservAfrica’s Take-home Pay Index for May, the latest available indicates that salaries, taking into account inflation, gained 4.5% year-over-year. Yet, in the past 18-24 months, the average household budget in South Africa has been under immense pressure arising from escalating inflation, a sharp upward trend in interest rates, and nominal wage increases failing to keep up with average inflation since 2021, the clearing house says. It’s no surprise that I also decided to cut costs and looked into another ISP, Webafrica, to provide services. R275 a month adds up quickly. What I didn’t do,…

UEFA said yesterday that Manchester City and Girona can both enter the Champions League, and Manchester United and Nice can play in the Europa League after addressing multi- club ownership concerns. Premier League champions City and Girona are both part of the City Group, while Jim Ratcliffe, who owns 25% of FA Cup winners United, controls Nice through his Ineos company. Uefa said it had accepted the admission of the four clubs into next season’s European competitions, after previously opening proceedings into them for potential conflict with its ownership rules, “following the implementation of significant changes by the concerned investors in Girona FC and OGC Nice”. “The clubs were able to demonstrate that such changes brought them into compliance with the multi-club ownership rule,” Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB)…

Carlos Alcaraz came back from the brink in a five-set thriller against close friend Frances Tiafoe at Wimbledon yesterday, winning 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 to keep his title defence on track. The Spanish third seed was out-hit and out-fought for large periods of the match on Centre Court by his US opponent but found an extra gear when he needed to in a match lasting nearly four hours. The two men were meeting for the first time since Alcaraz came out on top in an epic five-set match in the semi-finals of the 2022 US Open on the way to his first Grand Slam title. “Always a big challenge playing against Frances,” said Alcaraz. “He is a really talented player, really tough to face and he has shown…

FROM The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to The Real Housewives of Durban, it’s no secret that no season is complete without a girls’ trip. The purpose of a girls’ trip is for the ladies to let loose, explore and have fun. If you’re planning a little getaway with your girlfriends, here are some destinations to explore, if the shows are anything to go by. Jamaica Jamaica is at the top of the list for a memorable girls’ trip. The cast of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa and The Real Housewives of Atlanta have been to the island. It has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches, making it the perfect destination. There’s always music playing, delicious food cooking and you can enjoy plenty…

TABLE Bay Hotel is getting a R1 billion refurbishment ahead of its relaunch as the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town in 2025. According to IHG Hotels & Resorts, the refurbished hotel is the InterContinental brand’s first showing in Cape Town, marking a significant milestone in IHG’s luxury portfolio. The hotel is part of a partnership between IHG Hotels & Resorts and the V&A Waterfront. The V&A Waterfront will redevelop the hotel while it will be managed by Sun International. Haitham Mattar, managing director of India, Middle East & Africa, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said this marked a significant chapter for them in the African market. “It’s a privilege to bring one of Cape Town’s beloved properties under the InterContinental brand as the first in the city. “With its rich history,…

One of the latest health trends on TikTok is the 30-30-30 method. This routine involves three steps: Consume 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of gentle to moderate exercise. Advocates say it helps with steady, sustainable weight loss while preserving muscle mass. What’s more, this method is fuss-free with no strict rules, restrictions or calorie counting. Originally, this morning routine was introduced by Tim Ferriss in his book, The 4-Hour Body. Lately, it has surged in popularity on TikTok, thanks to Gary Brecka, a podcaster who calls himself a “human biologist” and shares tips for enhancing physical and mental health. How does 30-30-30 work? Breaking down the 30-30-30 method, Health reports you start by consuming 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes…

I’ve been a die-hard fan of Shondaland’s period romance, Bridgerton, since season one. I will never forget how fans were left swooning over Regé-Jean Page as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings, and how disappointed they were to learn he wasn’t returning to the franchise. His love story with Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) left viewers breathless. But they got over it as soon as the second instalment aired, where the unconventional love story between Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) and the feisty Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) took root. That being said, I wasn’t entirely convinced that a union between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton), the third Bridgerton son, and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), the youngest Featherington daughter, would live up to fans’ expectations. Having watched the entire third season, I will admit…

There has been positive news for vulture conservation after four rehabilitated Cape Vultures were relocated to their new home. Last month, Wildlife ACT, together with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and FreeMe Wildlife, facilitated the release of the rehabilitated Cape Vultures into the Southern Drakensberg region. Each of the four individuals had been found grounded and in poor condition and was admitted to FreeMe Wildlife for rehabilitation. All the vultures were displaying similar symptoms of gastrointestinal and/or neurological disturbances in varying degrees of severity. Through supportive treatment they recovered quickly. The cause of their conditions on admission is unknown as blood tests have not pointed to anything conclusive yet. “Vultures have incredibly strong stomach acids which aid in the digestion and destruction of common natural pathogens found in the wild. This is…

PARTIES which criticised the government for over-expending on ministers’ perks are likely to be more muted now that they are benefiting. Political analyst Mpumelelo Zikalala said this was demonstrated by the DA’s silence on the newly appointed Cabinet which has increased an already bloated body. Ramaphosa announced the expanded Cabinet last week, increasing ministerial and deputy positions from the previous administration’s 65 to 77, including Deputy President Paul Mashatile. Zikalala said that the DA’s silence was unprecedented and proved it was not serious about fighting against the waste of taxpayer money. “The DA was going to be opposed to this bloated Cabinet, but because it is now part of the Cabinet, none of them are saying anything,” said Zikalala. However, DA spokesperson Richard Newton said the president did not consult…

AFTER months of speculation, Eskom, the country’s power utility, has announced that its National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has officially commenced trading. This comes as part of a comprehensive restructuring and unbundling process that started in 2019 in a bid to unbundle the vertically integrated utility into three distinct companies of transmission, distribution, and generation. The NTCSA was founded as an independent subsidiary of Eskom Holdings, marking the company’s establishment as a distinct and wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom. In a joint media statement issued on Monday, Eskom, the NTCSA and the Department of Public Enterprises said the move is a significant step in the reform of South Africa’s electricity supply industry with Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati saying the new entity will focus on adding capacity to the…

THE University of South Africa has slammed a news article about an alleged artificial intelligence “cheating scandal” as sensationalism aimed at tarnishing the image of the institution. This comes after News24 reported on a new wave of cheating through AI and ChatGPT, flagged by the university after scores of students were said to have cheated using the new technology. The news vendor reported that the exam scripts of hundreds of Unisa students had been flagged as “disciplinary cases” after it was discovered that artificial intelligence tools, which were banned for the assessment, were allegedly used. According to the news outlet, Professor Tersia Botha from the Department of Business had revealed that dishonesty reports were provided by the academic department as well as the College of Economic Management Services to the…

IN A groundbreaking ceremony held at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) main campus in Pretoria West on Thursday, the institution's leadership and the National School of Government sealed a collaborative deal to revolutionise the landscape of public sector education and training in South Africa. The memorandum of understanding-signing ceremony was attended by guests including representatives from both entities and industry stakeholders. TUT’s executive dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor Mashupye Maserumule, and the National School of Government’s director-general, Professor Busani Ngcaweni, inked the agreement, solidifying their commitment to this strategic partnership. This collaboration aims to align, accredit, register, and deliver a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Affairs and African Governance, marking a milestone for education and governance on the African continent. The programme…

MULTIAWARD-winning musician Makhadzi has been making big strides in her music path since the year started, from bagging numerous plaques for her music, BET honour, and announcing her one-woman show. Makhadzi’s journey has been astounding, and her story of singing in taxi ranks and being recognised on global stages continues to serve as an inspiration to others. Her recent career-defining moment was her BET Viewers Choice for Best New International Act award, going head-to-head with other internationally acclaimed names. Congratulatory messages have been pouring in, including from esteemed organisations such as Brand South Africa. “From Africa to the world, Brand South Africa would like to congratulate South African Afropopstars Tyla and Makhadzi, who claimed victory at the 2024 #BETAwards. Thank you for promoting social integration, showcasing our talent to the…

THIS Mandela Month, SA Harvest is calling on all South Africans to join the #BucketsofNutrition Challenge, an initiative designed to provide essential nutrition to families in need across Joburg, Durban, and Cape Town. This campaign aims to address immediate hunger and provide sustenance that lasts beyond Mandela Day, feeding a family of four for up to three weeks. Hunger remains a critical issue in South Africa. According to Statistics South Africa, nearly 20% of South African households have inadequate access to food. CEO and founder of SA Harvest, Alan Browde, said the #BucketsofNutrition challenge seeks to tackle this issue by mobilising communities to pack buckets filled with essential, non-perishable food items. “Mandela Month is a time to reflect on the values that Madiba stood for, including unity, compassion, and the…

The “new” Land Rover Defender needs no introduction, what with the number of variations to select from, but there’s a new kid on the block and it promises to be special. It’s called the Defender Octa and the company describes it as the toughest and most capable Defender ever. It takes its name from octahedron, the most common shape of natural diamond crystals. The Octa is set to make its global dynamic debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11-14 and will be the fastest Defender yet to race up the 1.8-kilometre hill on the Duke of Richmond’s West Sussex estate. Land Rover has done extensive testing on the Octa and they say it has gone through more than 13 960 additional tests over and above the usual…

The priorities for the Government of National Unity (GNU) in South Africa include achieving rapid, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth to create jobs. Commentators agree that the governance process of our state-owned entities (SOEs) has a serious and never- ending problem due to the political nature of the shareholder. We need to move towards professionalism. We have 124 different SOEs: the list can be viewed at State-Owned Enterprises and other public institutions: South African Government (www.gov.za). In the past 30 years, it has proved difficult to distinguish between providing the necessary strategic direction to SOEs and undue political influence and interference in their operations. This is particularly evident in procurement practices that have favoured specific private interests. Former minister Pravin Gordhan had his hands full. It is astounding that he…

Many boards of trustees, now third-party data providers to the SA Revenue Service (Sars) through reporting beneficiary distributions, remaining ultimately responsible, are turning to their accountants/tax practitioners for guidance. These professionals play a crucial role in navigating the complex information required for the IT3(t) form, which can only be submitted once the trust financial statements are finalised. If done properly and correctly, it takes a great effort to create correct, complete trust information in a format that facilitates the unique trust tax treatment described below. The IT3(t) is just one of several returns to be submitted to Sars, reflecting income and capital gains generated by the trust. Why have Sars made trustees third-party data providers? After Sars, during 2022, performed a reconciliation between distributions (“vestings” for tax purposes) to beneficiaries…

SPRINGBOK assistant coach Mzwandile Stick was coy when asked if the Boks would have a few new tricks up their sleeves in today’s first Test against Ireland in Pretoria. What he guaranteed was that the side would not move away from their traditional strengths up front at Loftus Versfeld when they face the Six Nations champions and world number two. The Boks are playing the Irish, the only team to beat them during the 2023 World Cup, in their first Test on home soil since winning the tournament. Against Wales in the first Test of the year, some new things were on show from the Bok side which had several debutants. The heavyweights and experienced players are back for the first of the two Irish Incoming Tour games. “There will…

EUROPE’S football body Uefa handed a two-match ban yesterday to Turkish soccer player Merih Demiral for his politically-charged “wolf” celebration, and fined England’s Jude Bellingham €30 000 for a crotch-grabbing gesture at Euro 2024. Centre back Demiral will now miss Turkey’s quarter-final against the Netherlands, but midfielder Bellingham is clear to play for England against Switzerland, both today. Bellingham also got a one-match ban but, reflecting the Uefa disciplinary committee’s view that his was a less serious offence, it was suspended depending on good behaviour. Demiral, 26, mimicked the shape of a wolf’s head with his fingers after his second goal in Turkey’s 2-1 win over Austria in the last 16. The symbol dates back centuries, but has in recent times been linked to Turkey’s far-right “Grey Wolves” group and…

The world’s most beautiful islands top the bucket list of many discerning travellers. Islands are generally pretty gorgeous. They are islands after all. But not all islands are created the same. Take Seychelles for example – it is just incredibly beautiful. Featuring breathtaking topography, spectacular beaches and a fascinating history, this island offers something for everyone, whether you are dreaming of a relaxing beach holiday or plotting an active adventure. It is also one of the most frequented honeymoon destinations. It is not hard to see why; it is the ultimate luxury destination. The beaches here will mesmerise you to bits and the picturesque setting makes it perfect for social media. If you have ever wanted to experience snorkelling, diving, and more, Seychelles is just the right place for you.…