Innehållsförteckning för 2022-04-29 från Star

THE legal representative of accused 1 to 4 in the Senzo Meyiwa murder trial, advocate Malesela Teffo had been intimidated since the watching brief of Kelly Khumalo’s lawyer Magdalene Moonsamy was suspended. This emerged yesterday during the proceedings which ended dramatically with the arrest of Teffo in the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. As proceedings were set to resume after the lunch adjournment, the defence team said it had received threatening calls. The instructing attorney for Teffo told the court that since the watching brief was called off, he had been receiving threatening calls in the middle of the night. According to the attorney, someone had called the team and asked if they knew a certain judge, following which they hung up the call. He said they received another call,…

The application by the ACDP to interdict the roll-out of Covid-19 vaccinations for children between the ages of 12 and 17 was postponed indefinitely yesterday. This was after the ACDP said it only became aware this week of a document issued by Pfizer regarding the possible risks associated with this Covid-19 vaccine. Counsel for the applicants, advocate R Willis, told the North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that they only stumbled across this information this week when it was disclosed in a related case heard in Texas in the US. Willis said he accepted that the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) did not have this information at hand when it had registered this vaccination. He said Saphra had meanwhile become aware of this report and it even responded to it…

Chasing Marian Amy Heydenrych, Qarnita Loxton, Pamela Power, Gail Schimmel Loot.co.za (R215) MacMillan THE four authors listed above are all established writers and also friends and when the Covid-19 pandemic struck in 2020, continuing to 2021, as we all know, there were no person to person contact literary fests; little contact and, you know the rest. These four talented authors, decided that instead of burying their heads in the sand, they would rather divert their disappointment into collaborating on writing a novel together. The book is in fact focused on another well-known author; the top-selling international writer Marian Keyes. Four diverse people come together with a crazy plan – they hear the writer will be visiting the country and decide – come hell or high water – they are…

Published by Bookstorm and available at Loot.co.za (R220) THE DIAGNOSIS In FEBRUARY 2004, when David was about 20 months old, we visited a developmental specialist. We had to wait two agonising, soul-stealing months before we secured an appointment with her. When I close my eyes and cast my memory back to that fateful day, I can still see her sitting behind her large desk as she delivered the diagnosis that destroyed the more or less normal path we thought we were taking. The outcome of this visit turned into a surreal nightmare from which there was no escape. What she gave us was not merely a diagnosis, it was more like a death sentence. In a perfectly calm, matter-of-fact voice, she uttered this dreadful news and advice: “He will never…

The labourer is obliged to sell his labour-power to the capitalist because labour-power is the only commodity which he has to sell. Its value is equal to its subsistence defined as a cultural minimum plus the expenses of education and training. The value of labour–power is determined in the case of every other commodity, by the labour-time – necessary for its production, thereby working. If the owner of labour-power works today, tomorrow he must again be able to repeat the same process in the same conditions with regard to health and strength. His means of subsistence must be sufficient to maintain him in a normal state as a labouring individual. The labour-power withdrawn from the market by wear and tear and death must be replaced by, at the least, an…

I am sure these words are well known, “be careful of what you wish for”, and they sum up the challenges facing our nation, including the fake pastors and false black churches menace. I would argue there is no such a problem in Christianity, but rather, the social reality in South Africa is the problem. In simple terms, what we have always wished for, through the “sanctified” status of the Constitution, as the new bible, have now come true. From 1994, our land has been saying with the utmost passion, “come kingdom of Satan, we love you so much”, and now, the results are there for the whole world to see. It is these aspirations that have given birth to actors who can perform Christianity whether as theologians, priests,…

Although the ANC government has undoubtedly made many gains in a number of areas, like housing, education, water, roads, jobs, etc. – especially for black people who were previously locked out of South African society – the national project is clearly faltering. What do freedom and democracy mean for the indebted middle class and the nation at large when you look at how expensive life has become, and many people are struggling to survive? There used to be a much-celebrated emerging middle class in South Africa. It was almost one million strong, and formed the backbone of the country’s revenue-collection efforts. There was a sense that, if the country grew this base, it would continue to expand opportunities for others. However, that hope is gone. What we have now is…

Doja Cat’s song Vegas from the upcoming Elvis biopic is set to be released on May 6. The Say So hitmaker has incorporated the late King of Rock and Roll’s mega-hit Hound Dog into the new track from the upcoming Elvis Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann’s forthcoming film, which hits cinemas on June 24. Doja gave the song its live debut at Coachella recently and brought out Nashville musician Yola, who portrays Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Elvis. Austin Butler plays the Jailhouse Rock hitmaker, while Tom Hanks stars as his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. A press release says: “The soundtrack features Elvis’s extraordinary body of work spanning the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, while also celebrating his diverse musical influences and enduring impact on popular artists…

THE ANC has dismissed reports that the ANCWL was disbanded, and confirmed that it was, in fact, only its leadership that had been replaced. ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said the ANCWL was still intact. Only the leadership had been replaced by a task team, saying that their term of office had expired. The briefing was held at Luthuli House yesterday following a special session of the NEC on April 24 nd 25. The meeting focused on the finalisation of discussion documents at the ANC National Policy Conference and 55th National Conference, to be held at in July and December respectively. The special NEC also dealt with urgent organisational matters, including implementation of the “step-aside” resolution, the ANC Women’s League, and interim structures’ status. Mashatile said the…

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan named his political party “Justice and Development” as a display of his determination to transform Turkey’s elitist, militant secularist Kemalist regime into a democratic government that could function as a beacon and symbol of progress in the region and the Islamic world at large. He made promises of “the new Turkey” being a place that would embrace all minorities and protect the rights of ordinary Turks, affording them a space in public life. However, after two decades of Erdogan’s rule, Turkey has been listed by many international human rights reports for the human rights violations of its citizens. Moreover, neither the US government nor the EU has introduced sanctions against the Erdogan regime for its daily crackdown on critics. Instead, they commend the AKP regime over…

POPULAR radio personality Ayanda Mdluli is excited to get back on the radio and do what she loves. She is well known for her street credibility and energetic personality that has won the hearts of many listeners back home. Mdluli is going back to YFM as the afternoon drive show’s “power hitter” for the Home Run. This interesting show débuts on May 3 and runs from Monday to Friday, from 3pm to 6pm. About her return to the popular commercial youth station, Mdluli said: “I’m beyond excited to be back at Y. “I’m a music-driven broadcaster.Most of my content is about artists and their tracks that are fire. “This new show gives me the platform to continue being purposeful and intentional with my love for music both on radio and…

To raise funds for former Paralympian and shark attack survivor Achmat “Sharkboy” Hassiem, Melkbosstrand resident Jon Vickers is undertaking seven Robben Island crossings in seven days. Funds raised by Vickers, 45, will go towards the care of Hassiem, who has been in a coma for eight months due to complications after having surgery on his back last year. Vickers, who started his first crossing on Monday and hopes to complete his final crossing on Sunday, aims to raise R50 000. “Achmat has done so much for the community since his shark attack with regard to motivational speaking, charity drives and also being a Paralympian. I felt that someone who has done so much for the country and his community, it’s about time we do something for him now,” said Vickers.…

History will mark April 25, 2022 as a day of monumental significance in the revival and survival of free speech when Elon Musk bought the Big Tech platform Twitter for $44 billion (about R701bn) and became its sole owner. Musk, who has described himself as a “free speech absolutist”, regards free speech as “the bedrock of a functioning democracy” and intends to transform Twitter into “a genuine platform for free speech”. In a letter to the Board of Twitter, Musk stated: “Twitter will neither thrive nor serve society in its current form.” For all who recognise diversity and value the free exchange of information and opinion Musk’s intentions should be applauded. After all, as John Milton stated centuries ago, “Who ever knew truth to be put to the worse in…

No one in their right mind can deny that South Africa is facing an illegal migration crisis, and if the crisis is not well handled it will probably get out of hand, and no one will be spared the consequences. Equally, no one can deny that in trying to address the issue, all parties, from the government to Operation Dudula proponents, have stepped on a potential landmine that could see South Africa isolated and having its multinational corporations all over the African continent sanctioned. It is unfortunate that South Africa adopted an open policy on hosting refugees when it was initially thought that only refugees and migrants from its neighbours would spill into it in case of unrest in their own countries. However, it later turned out that even refugees…

ORLANDO Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi was left frustrated after his troops spurned a chance to move closer to second place in the Premiership after playing to a goalless draw against Chippa United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday. Had they won, the Buccaneers would have been just two points adrift of second-placed Royal AM. Second place grants a club the right to play in the following season’s Caf Champions League. “It was a match we should have won. We dropped two points. It was valuable points that we needed, but when you miss chances like we did, you won’t win matches,” said Ncikazi. Pirates’ lack of consistency is a problem that has haunted them for more than a decade, so much so that they have not won the league title since…

KAROOOOO, which provides on- ground data analytics and business intelligence reports for businesses, in its first year as a Nasdaq listed company lifted revenue 20 percent, the result mainly of 16 percent subscription revenue growth. The group, which owns 100 percent of Cartrack, 100 percent of Carzuka and 70.1 percent of Picup, said yesterday that the number of subscribers was up 17 percent to 1 525 972, bolstered by the revenue from Carzuka (R67 million) and Picup (R42m). A 60 US cents dividend was declared. “Our decade-plus track record of growth, sustained profitability and a highly cash-generative business model, coupled with consistent innovation and strong customer acquisition, continues. “At the end of 2022 we had more than 88 000 commercial…

Chrishell Stause has accused Christine Quinn of lying to get out of the Selling Sunset reunion. Quinn, 33, pulled out of the show after testing positive for Covid-19, but Stause has subsequently suggested she could’ve made an appearance on the reunion special if she really wanted to. Stause made the claim after reading a TMZ story about Quinn doing a photoshoot around the time she was diagnosed with Covid-19. In response to the story, Stause tweeted a GIF of TV host Maury Povich and his signature line, “The lie detector test determined that was a lie”. By contrast, another of the Selling Sunset cast, Amanza Smith, joined the show via Zoom after she also tested positive for Covid-19. Earlier this month, a source claimed Stause was keen to appear on…

THE assets of shoemaking company JJT Trading will be auctioned on behalf of the National Bargaining Council of the Leather Industry of SA, on site at 286/1 Iridium Street, EkanIdustria, Ekangala, Bronkhorstspruit, on May 20. The items under the hammer include 1 Ryobi air compressor, 18 Sewing Skinstars, 15 shoemaking machines, 7 steel cabinets, 1 steel set of drawers, 1 Blue Trade air compressor, 2 LG computers, 2 Canon/HP printers, 2 shipping containers, miscellaneous office items and shoes. For more, contact the sheriff`s office at 013 947 3912. | Auctions Writer…

RACHEL Martin, 43, of the Midrand Fire Station, has never shied away from a challenge. Martin’s sheer tenacity was recently rewarded when she walked home with a top award following a rigorous 12-week training course. The course was attended by an elite team of public safety professionals from across Gauteng, including Tony Stacey (crew commander), Chris Morris (advanced life support: Gauteng Provincial Government), Morné Mommsen (Midvaal Emergency Services) and Mervyn van Ginkel (Tshwane Emergency Services). Martin was the only female enrolled for the advanced training course among the leading team of EMS technicians. Focused on handling rescue dogs, the intensive course was presented by Genesis K9 Group, a canine facility offering K9 Handler training, as well as the leasing and sale of trained apprehension, detection, tracking, and patrol dogs. She…

Take Your Breath Away Linwood Barclay Loot.co.za (R235) HQ IT’S always the husband, isn’t it? One weekend, while Andrew Mason was on a fishing trip, his wife Brie vanished without a trace. Most people assumed Andy had got away with murder, but the police couldn’t build a strong case against him. For a while, Andy hit rock bottom; he drank too much, was abandoned by his friends, nearly lost his business, and became a pariah in the place he had once called home. Now, six years later, Andy has put his life back together. He’s sold the house he shared with Brie and moved away for a fresh start. When he hears his old house has been bulldozed and a new one built in its place, he’s not bothered. He’s…

A YOUNG female graduate from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) making strides in the cybersecurity industry said healthy company cultures and access to skills development and mentorship opportunities could encourage more women to join the male-dominated industry. Global Customer Success Advocate at cybersecurity firm Mimecast and UJ graduate Ruth Mukole said a supportive culture and opportunity to make a real impact have proved to be the perfect mixture as she makes inroads in the fiercely competitive, highly skilled and male-dominated cybersecurity industry. Mukole was celebrated by the firm this week in commemoration of International Girls in ICT Day. International Girls in ICT Day, celebrated on April 28, aims to encourage girls and women to pursue education in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fields and pursue careers in related industries.…

Aluta continua was president Samora Machel’s mantra, which means the struggle continues. The entire humanity must now say aluta nova, which means the new struggle begins. A new struggle against environmental degradation must begin in earnest. As South Africans, we must honestly acknowledge the country’s infrastructure could either be destroyed through catastrophic events such as the deluge in KZN or through civil hands. The quintessence of destructive civil hands had been the torching of Parliament and the destruction of railway infrastructure by rogue elements, among others. The tempestuous waters in KZN led me to the Hopi prophecy: “When earthquakes, floods, hailstorms, droughts, and famine will be the life of every day, the time will have then come for the return of true path.” In my view, the true path is…

A renewed round of load shedding was implemented amid heavy rains during the week of April 11. During March, the government also decided to formalise “temporary” lockdown restrictions into permanent regulations issued by the labour and health departments. These will be in operation indefinitely if adopted. What can this tell us about the state of South African democracy? Load shedding and lockdown have a few important characteristics in common. The most important is that no other policy or policies in recent memory have proven as economically and socially destructive to South Africans. Another is that both policies are regarded as strictly necessary by the political class. Neither policy, additionally, was endorsed by the electorate. And finally, both policies significantly expand government power. Load shedding and lockdown teach us a very…

Sir Lewis Hamilton is having a tough time of it right now, but at least things are looking up for the seven-time world champion on the home front. The great Brit this week won a dispute with his neighbours at his R360-million London mansion in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, after the council granted him permission to chop down a “beautiful” sugarplum tree outside his home, as reported by the BBC. Apparently, Hamilton’s tree surgeon insists that the offending fern is “mostly dead and dying”. I know, slow news day, right? At my much more modest domicile, there is a rather destructive Morus alba – a silkworm mulberry – whose taxonomy I just learnt this week, that grows just on the border of my property and that of…