You’ll also understand why a country on the other side of the world has a deep-rooted history and connection with its biggest rivals.

But is it time for those die-hard supporters to finally give the boys in green and gold their full support?

WHY DO MANY SOUTH AFRICANS SUPPORT THE ALL BLACKS?

In theory, it makes little sense for a country’s citizens to support another in the very same sport. Unless we’re talking about South Africa’s soccer team, Bafana Bafana. But that’s a topic for another day.

For many who don’t know, it has much to do with our country’s dark history and how POC, both in SA and New Zealand, shared a “trauma bond” over racial discrimination.

In SA, under the Apartheid regime and before the policy of racial transformation was even an idea, non-white rugby players were banned from playing in the national rugby squad, known as the Springboks.

Coloured and black players had their own federations, which were ultimately dictated to by the South African Rugby Board [SARB] and reserved for white players. Even though the South African Rugby Union [SARU] was a non-racial entity, it was also subjected to demands by SARB.

From the inception of Apartheid in 1948  until the 70s, SARB forbade New Zealand natives – known as Māoris – in the All Blacks, from visiting or playing against SA. According to reports, this demand was supported or, at the very least, accepted by New Zealand authorities, including the New Zealand Rugby Union [NZRU].

The racial tensions saw an explosive turn of events in the late 60s when the New Zealand protest group Halt All Racist Tours proposed the boycott of games and tours in South Africa. 

During this period, many POC in SA stood in alignment with New Zealand’s All Blacks. Many outspoken Māori players also criticised the Apartheid government as well as their own, who inadvertently enforced a racial divide. 

A sporting boycott later saw South Africa omitted from the first two Rugby World Cups, in 1987 and 1991.

Fast forward to 2010, and the South African government – via Sports Minister Makhenkesi Arnold Stofile – would offer an official apology for the actions of the Apartheid government.

In a letter to New Zealand media, Stofile said: “I do believe that both the NZRU and SARU should apologise for the folly of those who came before them.

We cannot be expected to simply forget where we come from and the pain it caused many people.”

SUPPORTING THE SPRINGBOKS IN DAWN OF DEMOCRACY

Following the inception of democracy in 1994, the first black president, Nelson Mandela, urged South Africans to mend racial divides and support the Springboks. The move would see him being criticised by militant groups for trying to promote a “fake unity.”

Nevertheless, Mandela would tell the public of the Boks: “The country is fully behind them. I have never been so proud of our boys as I am now. I hope that that pride we all share.”

A year later, SA – who were once shunned by the world over Apartheid atrocities – not only hosted the Rugby World Cup but won it too.

Iconic images of the late proud president – donning green and gold –  lifting the Webb Ellis trophy alongside Springbok captain Francois Pienaar made headlines around the world. The historical scenes were credited as the moment South Africans of all races formed a bond through sport and support for, ultimately, the Springboks.

The 1995 World Cup final game, coincidentally between the Springboks and All Blacks,  took place at Ellis Park – where the countries will face off again this weekend in a Rugby Championship match.

“It was the first World Cup in which South Africa was involved.

“We were the host country, we won, and it unified the nation,” the late Chester Williams, then the only POC in the Springboks, told World Rugby in 2013.

He added: “Everyone was so happy. White, black, everyone. That day, we all became legends, and after the match, things were so much better in the country.”

IS IT TIME TO MOVE ON?

Despite the Springboks winning four World Cup titles, appointing its first black captain, Siya Kolisi, and players’ emphasis that they are “playing for South Africa,” there are still many who would rather show love to the All Blacks.

Some, like muso Prince Kaybee and podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa, insist they enjoy New Zealand’s rugby style. Others are more bold in their support, with multiple fan groups insisting that their “blood is black.”

Some even claim that the Springboks will remain a reminder of Apartheid’s painful past.

Facebook user Nicole de Oliviera posted: “As a person of colour and South African, as a fighter for equality, I will never support the Springboks. To this day, it is governed by extreme racial prejudices, with a few token players.”

She added: “South African rugby is a monument of Apartheid racism and segregation. The people of colour that watch it are slaves with a poor memory.”

Which begs the question: Should sports fans have the freedom of choice on who they wish to support? Or does being a South African make you a Springbok supporter by default?

And what about those who reject the Springboks based on what happened decades ago, by people who have long since died?

The empathetic truth – from my perspective as a POC – is that you cannot tell anyone how to feel. Especially if they have endured pain and trauma at the hands of their oppressors in their past. Their feelings are valid.

Let them support who they want, in this case, the All Blacks. For those who have strong opinions, perhaps their pain needs to be acknowledged.

Ultimately, I believe that their hurt will heal and their faith in South Africa will be restored.

DO YOU SUPPORT THE ALL BLACKS, AND IF SO, WHY?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Don’t forget to follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest social media updates.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE SERIES

The Mommy Club: Sugar and Spice is the first spinoff from the smash hit Showmax Original, The Mommy Club. The series premiered on 8 August with new episodes every Thursday. The Mommy Club: Sugar and Spice follows affluent mothers within Durban’s Indian community. 

So, who stars on the series?

• Abigail Nepaul (41)
• Asharia Parsad (27)
• Christina Devraj (26)
• Devina Knowles (43)
• Kim Jones (33)
• Lenore Goss-Matjie (45)
• Neetasha Singh Bugwandin (36)
• Twins Losh and Resh Naidoo (45)
  

Lenore revealed that the most difficult part of filming a reality show for her was managing her illness. She also went on to say that she was saddened by how some ladies were tearing others down.

“The toughest part of being on a reality show for me was managing my fibromyalgia flare-ups during filming. Despite the challenges, I pulled through because I am a warrior. The second was dealing with people’s ignorance with regards to “isms”, such as ageism and stereotypes, which was sometimes emotionally draining, but I schooled them,” she said.

“The PhD (“pull her down”) syndrome displayed by some cast members was also sad to witness and experience,” she continued.

WATCH THE TRAILER

THE DRAMA ON ‘THE MOMMY CLUB: SUGAR AND SPICE’ COULD BE ON THE ‘REAL HOUSEWIVES OF DURBAN’ LEVEL

So, can the drama on The Mommy Club: Sugar and Spice compete with the Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD). Well, it seems the series comes close. The Real Housewives of Durban has run for several seasons and was one of the most popular Real Housewives series on Showmax, trending after each episode aired, on X (formerly Twitter).

The Mommy Club: Sugar and Spice is not doing that badly, also trending on X, with many social media users expressing their thoughts online. Many have compared Christina to Nonku Williams, who starred on both Real Housewives of Durban and the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip South Africa. Take a look…

Christina set tongues wagging after talking about her husband, who is a General Practitioner (GP), performing surgery. Her other comments at the baby shower also shocked viewers… and the other mommies.

On the latest episode of the series, she rubbed some of the ladies the wrong way, after making comments about Lenore’s race. Lenore was visibly upset at her event, and later asked to have a one-on-one conversation with Christina. The pair sat aside from the other ladies and discussed their differing opinions.

“I just feel like I need to pull you aside to chat to you about some of the comments you made. You made a comment to me not once, not twice, about being a coloured. And like now the competition I entered, about being brave… it comes across as very offensive, when one is pinpointing a person’s race,” said Lenore.

Christina then asked Lenore to educate her but also continued to make comments that did not sit well with Lenore.

“I feel like this is an insecurity of yours. Sometimes people just want to ask to be educated, sometimes people just want to ask to know the context of your story,” said Christina.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ‘THE MOMMY CLUB: SUGAR AND SPICE’?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

She has carved out a positive path for herself and her family, yet she still attracts online abuse.

Much of this is shockingly coordinated and malicious in nature.

THE MEGHAN MARKLE AND PRINCE HARRY HATE

Recent analyses show that a small but highly active group of accounts generates much of the hate Meghan receives online.

This group is responsible for a significant portion of the negativity directed at her.

One report revealed that just 83 Twitter accounts were responsible for 70% of the hateful content aimed at her and Prince Harry, according to Image.

These accounts used sophisticated tactics to evade suspension and even monetised their attacks through YouTube channels. This generated substantial revenue by spreading rumours and falsehoods.

THE MEGHAN MARKLE SCRUTINY

One might ask, why Meghan? Why is she the target of such intense scrutiny and hate?

The answer lies in a toxic combination of factors. These include racism, sexism, and the British media’s longstanding habit of building up and tearing down public figures.

Meghan is a biracial woman who married into the royal family.

She became an easy target for those who harbour prejudice and disdain for anyone who doesn’t fit their narrow view of what a duchess should be, according to The Guardian.

PERCEIVED TRANSGRESSIONS

However, the intensity of the hate she receives is grossly disproportionate to any perceived transgressions.

While Meghan Markle has made mistakes—who hasn’t?

The response she endures is far more vicious than that directed at other public figures in similar positions, according to Self.

As Meghan Markle herself once remarked, “I don’t care if you’re 15 or 25; when people say things about you that aren’t true, it is so damaging to your mental and emotional health.”

ONLINE HATE

The Duchess of Sussex has faced an onslaught of criticism and baseless accusations, including unfounded claims of bullying royal staffers and outright racist slurs.

These attacks are not only excessive but also deeply unjust.

The coordinated nature of the hate campaign against Meghan Markle is particularly alarming.

Twitter analytics services uncovered networks of users who deliberately spread false information about her, often using coded language to evade detection, according to Washington Post

THE FIERCE BACKLASH

These networks amplify their messages, distorting perceptions of Meghan Markle and feeding into the wider narrative pushed by some media outlets.

The motivations behind this hate are complex. Racism undoubtedly plays a significant role, as does misogyny.

Meghan’s outspoken nature and her decision to step back from royal duties with Prince Harry have sparked fierce backlash, as if she has violated an unspoken rule.

THE BRITISH MEDIA

The British media has a notorious history of pitting women against each other and tearing down those who deviate from tradition.

It has only fueled this fire.

Tabloids have often painted Meghan Markle as a villain, scrutinising her every move with a level of hostility rarely seen towards other members of the royal family, according to the BBC.

BROADER ISSUES IN SOCIETY

The relentless focus on Meghan’s perceived flaws distracts from her contributions and reinforces harmful stereotypes.

It’s time to question why society allows, and sometimes even encourages, such treatment. Meghan Markle deserves the same respect and consideration as anyone else.

RESPECTING EACH OTHER

In the end, we must ask ourselves: What kind of society do we want to be?

Will we have a society that tears people down for sport, or one that uplifts and supports each other, regardless of race, gender, or background?

The answer should be clear. Meghan Markle should not be receiving this level of hate.

IS THE CRITICISM OF MEGHAN MARKLE FAIR OR UNJUSTIFIED?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

MIA LE ROUX IS THE FIRST-EVER DIFFERENTLY-ABLED MISS SA

Outgoing Miss SA (2023) Natasha Joubert passed down her crown to Mia le Roux at the end of the Miss SA finale held at the SunBet Arena, Times Square in Pretoria. This marked an era of change and inclusivity as Mia made history as the first woman, who is differently-abled that was crowned Miss SA.

Mia was diagnosed with hearing loss at the tender age of one. she was blessed with a cochlear implant by her community when she was just two years old. She explained that this was lifechanging and allowed her to hear, in her acceptance speech.

“As a little girl I never would have thought that someone like me could become Miss South Africa. It is extremely powerful what this could mean to other little girls – that even if you have something that makes you different, you still can achieve your dreams with determination and hard work,” she said in her acceptance speech.

“At the tender age of two, I was blessed by my community with the gift of a cochlear implant. Family, friends and strangers rallied to raise funds for this operation – a life-changing opportunity that allowed me to hear. It was also the start of a long journey to listen to sound and connect with the world through speech, a journey that also has taught me to never give up,” she continued.

“It took two years of speech therapy and continued repetition of words before I looked up to the sky one day and said my first four words: ‘Kyk daar, wit wolke – look there, white clouds,” she added.

Take a look at five things to know about Mia here.

MIA LE ROUX REPRESENTS CHANGE IN BEAUTY INDUSTRY

Mia’s win is a win for all women who felt they did not previously fit beauty pageant criteria. The Miss SA Organisation started paving the way for change and inclusivity over the last few years. In 2019, transgender women were allowed to compete in the pageant.

In May 2023, the Miss SA Organisation announced that women who are married, are mothers or have tattoos are allowed to compete at the pageant.

“This year we have pushed more boundaries than ever before and we are delighted to welcome all women who are ready to step onto our leadership platform and be the next ambassador for South Africa,” said Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil.

“We, as women, are so many things; we can be business owners, leaders, innovators,
influencers, mothers, daughters, philanthropists, role models, ambassadors and queens all
at the same time. Showcasing the multi-diverse nature of all of this will be at the core of the
competition,” she continued.

“This is a game changer for South African women, and it’s a bonus for us as an organisation, as it means we have a much larger pool of women eligible to enter,” she added.

While inclusivity was there before Mia, she is the first woman to win the pageant that did not necessary meet the previously deemed standards of being Miss SA. Therefore, her win is a win for all the women who never thought they could be pageant titleholders as well.

So, Mia marks the first-real change in the pageant industry.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THIS YEAR’S PAGEANT?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1

You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

Here is an overview of how the Miss SA rules have changed over the years. In general, the rules have become less strict.

Tattoos and piercings – taboo in 2016, okay in 2024

The rules of the 2023 and 2024 pageants stipulate that there are no restrictions in terms of tattoos or piercings. The rules for the 2020 pageant also include that applicants will not be disqualified if they have tattoos or piercings.

A few years before that, however, one of the rules clearly stipulated that candidates must not have any visible tattoos. This was still the rule in 2016, for example, according to TVSA.

Divorced? A no-no in 2020, not a problem in 2023

Another major shift through the years is marital status.

The Miss SA 2020 eligibility requirements stipulate that ‘the applicant shall not ever have been married (civil nor customary), nor had a marriage annulled’.

The 2016 rules state that applicants should ‘not be married and never have had a marriage annulled’.

IOL reported that Miss SA organisers have announced that married women can also now enter the pageant as of last year’s pageant.

The latest (2024) requirements state that there are no restrictions in respect of the applicant’s marital status. Additionally, in response to the question ‘Can I be a guardian of a child or have given birth to a child?’ the rules stipulate that there are no restrictions in terms of the applicant’s ‘parental status or appointment as a legal guardian of a child’.

The rule pertaining to motherhood in 2020 stated that applicants cannot be pregnant or have given birth to a child. Also, applicants could not enter if they were parents of a child or if they were the legal guardians of a minor.

It seems as if the rules are changing in the direction of focusing on the person’s achievements, role in the community, etc. and moving away from the physical, e.g. height or weight specifications.

What do you think of the changes to the rules over the years?
Are the current rules indicating a shift towards ambassadorship?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article.
You can also email info@thesouthafrican.com or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

The 23-year-old has pulled out of the competition, no doubt due to overwhelming pressure and fear of the actions of strangers on the internet.

Here are five reasons why it was probably the best move she could make for herself.

#1 MENTAL HEALTH AND CYBERBULLYING

Mental health probably sounds like a cliche these days, but that’s probably because more people are stepping into an enlightenment of their holistic health.

In last week’s episode of Crown Chasers, a tearful Chidimma revealed how she had suffered from depression, anxiety, and even failed suicide attempts. She even had the scars on her wrists to prove it.

Chidimma also hinted how being shunned on social media brought her to an all-time low, something she previously had to fight to get out of.

Last year, former Miss SA Lalela Mswane also shared how cyber trolls had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Speaking to Anika Larsen on eTV’s My Guest Tonight, she said: “At a point, I actually wanted to die by suicide because I absolutely got to a point where I couldn’t handle it.

“There are so many people that have died by suicide when people actually know what they put them through. So I don’t think they [critcis] even care.

“And a part of me was like, I will jump and die, fall to my death. All because of people that don’t know me”.

#2 CHIDIMMA COULD BE A VICTIM IN ALL OF THIS

According to Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, Chidimma Adetshina’s mother is alleged to have committed fraud and identity theft when registering her birth in 2001.

The minister stated that Chidimma herself could not be held accountable for this, as she was just an infant.

The young woman also consented to the verification. Why would she do this if she had something to hide?

And why would a woman – with a Nigerian name and fully aware of xenophobes and Afrophobes in the country she WAS born in – knowingly put herself in the firing line?

#3 XENO ATTACKS AND X (FORMERLY TWITTER)

Xenophobic attacks in our country – particularly against Nigerians – is a chapter many, including myself, would like to forget, if not erase. It goes against the very ethos of being a South African.

X (formerly Twitter) is undoubtedly the breeding ground for such-minded people.

Anonymous trolls like Chris Excel and Norma Kay get a kick out of riling the masses up, using phrases like “patriotism” and “nationalist” to instill hatred against others.

#4 IT’S OK TO LET GO

Not everyone is meant to win titles and crowns, such as Miss SA.

Conceding doesn’t mean accepting defeat or giving up. There’s something admirable about walking away, gracefully, with your head held high.

While the public may not have all the facts yet pending an investigation by Home Affairs, I’m hoping this notion applies to Chidimma.

#5 HOPEFULLY, CHIDIMMA  WILL USE HER ‘FAME’ FOR CHANGE

With the spotlight firmly on her, I’m also giving Chidimma the benefit of the doubt that she will continue her mission statement she promised to fulfill when she entered Miss SA.

This includes focusing on advocating against gender-based violence, empowering women, and possibly even promoting African unity and not division.

Last year, finalist Levern José also withdrew from the competition after being accused of being a high school bully. After acknowledging the pain she had caused, she promised to hold herself accountable and do better.

The Johannesburg real estate agent recently reflected on how her experience shaped her into who she is now.

She shared in an Instagram post: “Smiling through the challenges, wrestling with my flesh, and redefining trust. Drawing strength from my roots, healing for myself, and setting firm boundaries. 

“It’s been a year of hard work and resilience. Despite it all, I am grateful for the evidence, Yahweh. As one chapter closes, another begins”.

Let’s hope, like Levern, Chidimma uses her experience to author her next chapter, and achieve her wildest dreams.

So, what does the gold medallist have to do with it?

Both women are not only South African citizens, but they also have a parent who was born abroad.

However, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has lauded one has is “the greatest Olympian this country ever had”, the other, he’s referred to as giving him “funny vibes”.

THE PA, AND MANY SOUTH AFRICANS, ARE GUILTY OF XENOPHOBIA, AFROPHOBIA

As their name suggests, the Patriotic Alliance is a party all about putting South Africans first, and rightly so.

While their spirit of nationalism and dedication to rebuilding the country is commendable, their influence to incite hatred and fuel ignorance among their countrymen is deplorable.

Chidimma Adetshina has publicly disclosed that her father is Nigerian and her mother is South African. Miss SA has thoroughly vetted her documents and confirmed that she is eligible to participate in the pageant.

But because half of her ancestry hails from Nigeria and so does her name, South Africans have rejected her, ridiculed her and told her to “go home”.

If that wasn’t bad enough, PA president Gayton McKenzie’s decision to entertain sexist, racist, homophobic, and xenophobic X troll Chris Excel, for mere popularity points, has added fuel to the raging fire on social media.

Then there is PA Deputy-President Kenny Kunene, whose ignorant views have made us question how he is fit to be in parliament or speak publicly, for that matter.

Speaking to Clement Manyathela on SABC, the former “Sushi King”’ revealed that the PA would be interdicting Chidimma from participating in the Miss SA pageant because she is “not South African enough”. 

He also found fault with a clip of her being embraced by foreign nationals – whom he claims she has an “allegiance to”  – and even mentioned a video, now dispelled as “fake news”, of a Nigerian man falsely credited as being Chidimma’s father.

Kunene also hinted that Chidimma’s identity documents could have been fraudulently acquired.

“Her full name is Nigerian….It’s a problem”, he brazenly said.

Manyathela then attempted to reason with Kunene by saying: “You are taking stuff on social media and treating it as fact. Instead of as a responsible party writing to the Home Affairs department [to express your concern]. You haven’t verified anything…that’s irresponsible”.

Kunene clapped back: “This girl is a Nigerian. There is nothing that gives us confidence that she is a South African. We want South African surnames there. We want Jacqui Mofokeng and Basetsana Kumalo, not what what”.

EVEN HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER IS NOT IMMUNE TO IT

Chidimma Adetshina is proof that South Africans are not just xenophobic, but Afrophobic too.

Last month, new Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber became the victim of cyber trolls who called for his dismissal based on unfounded rumours that he was born in Zimbabwe.

On the X platform, various social media users and a few news sites shared screenshots of a Wikipedia citation that Schreiber was born in Zimbabwe.

However, eNCA reporter Pule Letshwiti-Jones reminded the public that anyone can edit the online encyclopedia. This was an affirmation that not everything you see on social media, is the truth.

He tweeted: “Newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber is not from Zimbabwe. Schreiber was born in the Northern Cape. Verifying information won’t hurt anyone”.

Schreiber confirmed that he was, in fact, born and raised in South Africa.

He tweeted: “Drew my first breath at Radie Kotze clinic in Piketberg [Western Cape]. Grew up in Kleinzee in Namaqualand [Northern Cape], followed by studies in Stellenbosch, Berlin and Princeton”.

He added: “And until my last breath, I will fight for the country I love against liars and looters.”

LOVE FOR TATJANA, HATE FOR CHIDIMMA

So why do Gayton, Kenny, and many South Africans love Tatjana Smith – whose father was born in the Netherlands – and reject Chidimma Adetshina, whose dad is a Nigerian?

Based on SA’s undeniable hatred for their fellow Africans, the answer is self-explanatory. 

Like Tatjana, Chidimma wants a chance to represent South Africa and show the world that she, too, can become a “golden girl.”

Sadly, if South Africans don’t drastically change the way they treat fellow Africans, her dream and others like her will never become a reality. But more concerningly is the sad truth that Africans will never peacefully coexist together.

LACONCO SHOWING MATURITY FROM EPISODE ONE

Nonkanyiso “LaConco” Conco is best known for starring on the Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD). The reality star has also hosted a few other shows. She was also previously engaged to former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. The pair have a son together.

The other ladies on the Real Housewives of Durban believed that LaConco was guarded about her life while on the reality series. A few years later and LaConco has now starred on the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip South Africa.

The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip South Africa saw ladies from different South African Real Housewives franchises come together and spend about two weeks in a luxurious villa in Jamaica. The ladies included:

• Nonku Williams – The Real Housewives of Durban S1-4
• Beverley Steyn – The Real Housewives of Cape Town S1
• Christall Kay – The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S1-2
• LaConco – The Real Housewives of Durban S1-2
• Lethabo Lejoy Mathatho – The Real Housewives of Johannesburg S2-3
• Liz Prins – The Real Housewives of Gqeberha S1
• Londie London – The Real Housewives of Durban S2
• Melany Viljoen – The Real Housewives of Pretoria S1

There was no shortage of drama on the show. From the tension between Melany “Mel” Viljoen and Bev Steyn, to the racial comments by Bev towards Liz Prins, Christall Kay often feeling dismissed and the heated argument between Nonku Williams and Londie London. However, there was one person who stuck out: LaConco. The mom of one showed maturity and good conflict resolution skills.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION SKILLS

On the first episode of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip South Africa, LaConco got upset at Mel when she called her Mrs Zuma. However, instead of creating any drama around the situation, LaConco decided to talk to Mel directly and get her feelings off her chest, displaying maturity. The pair then moved on.

Throughout the series, LaConco, who is far younger than most of the ladies, played peacemaker and displayed excellent conflict resolution skills. She often sat down privately with the ladies to listen and understand where they were coming from. On one of the episodes, the ladies got upset at Mel for using some “trends” in conversations, and LaConco also had a conversation with Mel to hear her out.

On the last episode of the series, Nonku also played peacemaker after the heated argument between Nonku and Londie. The argument was over Nonku asking Londie why she came to the villa in Jamaica so late. LaConco took Nonku aside to listen to her feelings, stood her ground on what’s wrong and right, and advised Nonku to apologise to Londie.

LaConco carefully explained the situation to Nonku from Londie’s perspective. Nonku then sat down with Londie and apologised to her in a heart-to-heart conversation. So, it seems LaConco has been the most mature on the show despite being one of the younger ladies. She has also been very understanding towards the ladies, and different personalities. The reality star has gone out of her way to understand each person, especially during times of conflict.

Also on the last epsiode of the series, Nonku expressed that she felt judged by her “Salt and Pepper bae” after she posted a topless photo.

DO YOU THINK LACONCO WAS THE MOST MATURE HOUSEWIFE PN ‘REAL HOUSEWIVES ULTIMATE GIRLS TRIP SOUTH AFRICA’?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.

‘Sasabona wants the limelight,’ says Al Jama-ah’s Hendricks

Al Jama-ah leader and founder Ganief Hendricks – who is now also the deputy minister of social development in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of national unity (GNU) executive – says there is no set timeline set for Gwamanda’s rumoured resignation as mayor of the City of Johannesburg.

“It is not true that mayor Gwamanda will be out before the end of August [2024] as the ANC Johannesburg secretary Sasabona Manganye says,” Hendricks told The South African.

This was in response to Manganye’s statement last week, where he told Newzroom Afrika‘s Xoli Mngambi that Gwamanda’s exit as mayor was imminent.

“It will be before the end of August. We believe those discussions will be done probably in a week or two, and we can be able to have the new executive mayor that will come from the African National Congress,” Manganye said last week.

Gwamanda is out as Johannesburg mayor. But when and how?

It is a near certainty that Gwamanda will be replaced with ANC Johannesburg chairperson Dada Morero as the new mayor, with Hendricks telling The South African that ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi had tasked him and TK Nciza – the ANC Gauteng secretary – with sorting out the timelines and mechanics.

And from what can be deciphered from statements by both Manganye and Hendricks, it seems this move to replace Gwamanda is a long time in the making.

Gwamanda was installed last year and before him, Thapelo Amad – also from Al Jama-ah – was the mayor between 27 January 2024 and 24 April 2024. Now it looks like the ANC’s turn to hold the mayoral chains.

Enter Action SA in the mix

Slap bang in the middle of the ANC-Al Jama-ah nexus, is Action SA and their dealings with the liberation movement.

These dealings led to an agreement that the ANC would get the mayorship while Action SA would get the council speaker position, replacing incumbent Margaret Arnolds of the African Independent Congress.

Between the two parties, they are one seat short of the required 136 seats (ANC – 91 + Action SA – 44 = 135 seats) out of a total 270 council seats. Where this one seat will come from is anyone’s guess.

Hendricks says they will back an ANC or majority-coalition candidate as mayor but they will not vote for an Action SA candidate for speaker of council.

But now the delay in implementing this agreement with the ANC has left Action SA leader Herman Mashaba seemingly anxious.

Mashaba told The Citizen that he had left it up to the ANC to handle the transition because of its role as leader in the council but it seems his patience is wearing thin.

“The mayor has got to go. Negotiations are underway with the mayor at the same time. We want the ANC to understand that we do not have time,” he said.

And don’t forget civil society’s disapproval of Gwamanda. At the weekend, they gathered to agitate for his removal as mayor, citing crumbling infrastructure and the contentious R200 electricity surcharge, among other complaints,

Johannesburg citizens need certainty in light of R2.5 billion loan

All of these deals, and delays in implementation, leave the City of Johannesburg’s residents in limbo.

Daily, signs of decay in the city’s infrastructure become more apparent to ordinary residents. Water cuts, potholes and “load reduction” – load shedding by another name – continue to cripple businesses and people’s lives.

And now that the city’s council has recently approved a R2.5 billion loan from French financier, Agence Française de Développement, to alleviate a R2 billion budget shortfall for 2024-2025, the questions are: Who will be the mayor tasked with using these funds to rehabilitate the richest city in Africa? Will that mayor stick around long enough to do so, or will he or she become another casualty of coalition politics?

Which candidate do you want as Kabelo Gwamanda’s replacement?

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‘REAL HOUSEWIVES ULTIMATE GIRLS TRIP SA’ AND TINDER

Christall Kay, who starred on the Real Housewives of Johannesburg, took Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip South Africa viewers on her journey of using Tinder while in Jamaica. The housewives, from several different Real Housewives franchises in South Africa, spent about two weeks in a luxurious villa in Jamaica.

While in Jamaica, Christall Kay met a younger man named Sebastian, who hails from Argentina, through Tinder. Christall spent sometime – and a night or two – with Sebastian. She also met his parents and sister, and she was head over heels within the first 24 hours of meeting him. However, she was also aware that this was not going to be a serious relationship, due to the pair living on different continents. So, to the Real Housewives star, it was just a “summer romance.”

However, Real Housewives of Gqeberha star Liz Prins did not feel the same. While the ladies were seated together, Liz expressed that Christall had a “one night stand” with Sebastian and not a “summer romance”. She then expressed that she did not approve of using dating apps.

“Let me correct you, it was not a summer romance. It was a one-night-stand, that you found on the internet,” said Liz to Christall.

“I’m just shocked, you didn’t come here to go on bloody Tinder,” she continued.

Speaking to The South African, in an exclusive interview, Christall revealed that she had been safe and weary before meeting Sebastian and she insisted they had a video call.

“I was weary but I made sure we had a video call before meeting,” she said exclusively to The South African.

So, are dating apps change the dating era and redefining romance?

ARE DATING APPS EVOLVING DATING AND REDEFINING ROMANCE?

THE ERA OF DATING

With each generation, dating evolves. From the romantic eras of the 1940s and 1950s, to dates being more formal in the 1970s. According to Legacy Box, dating in the 1980s became less formal and allowed couples to relax, which included pizza and movies. By the 1990s online dating slowly became a thing, from emails to instant messages.

Online dating grew in the 2000s. However, the difference was you usually would actually meet people in person before the first date, or through mutual friends and family. In the early 2000s, social media apps such as Facebook became more popular and this allowed people to chat over social media, before actually meeting in person.

In the 2010s, dating apps such as Tinder (launched in 2012) were released. This changed the era of dating because people who were interested in dating were able to simply sign up for an account, and start swiping left or right to choose a potential partner. Other dating apps such as Bumble and Hinge also became a popular way for people to meet and get to know each other.

In recent years, Tinder became more known as a hook-up app while other apps such as Bumble became more frequently used for pursuing longer-term relationships.

HAS DATING APPS REDEFINED ROMANCE IN THE NEW GENERATION?

Dating apps have certainly revolutionised the way people date in the current generation. Aside from having many options on social media, than just the people you meet in person, there is also one major change. This is being able to filter potential suitors to exactly what your “type” is rather than getting to know people for who they are.

For example, dating apps allow you to set an age range, how far away they live from you and more. Users can also add details about themselves like their height, career information, religion, likes and dislikes onto their profile. So, you can essentially make a “yes” or “no” decision before having a single conversation with a person, which is a little unnatural.

Therefore, dating apps are far more limiting than in-person interactions and has changed the era of dating in the recent years.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TINDER AND DATING APPS?

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He reiterated government’s intention to get the ball rolling on the contentious National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme and spoke about the procurement of renewable energy as we move towards the Just Transition. He touched on government’s intention to “tackle crime and corruption”.

Ramaphosa paid special attention to how South Africa could get out of its economic rut, rightly saying “growth happens at a local level, where people live and work” and promising to fix our struggling municipalities so that they can attract investment.

The president also threw small business and the informal sector into focus, saying these would also be vital for “inclusive growth and job creation”, provided government pays them on time.

All in all, he rattled off a list of South Africa’s priorities he previously spoke about during the State of the Nation Address on 8 February 2024. But this time, the areas of focus were framed by the country’s new reality – the so-called Government of National Unity (GNU).

This GNU, he said to South Africans’ relief, would also look into making more foods VAT exempt.

“As the Government of National Unity, we will look to expand the basket of essential food items exempt from VAT and undertake a comprehensive review of administered prices, including the fuel price formula, to identify areas where prices can be reduced,” Ramaphosa said.

Where is Ramaphosa’s voice?

But there was one issue that was conspicuous by its absence from Ramaphosa’s speech. Palestine.

During the State of the Nation Address in February, Ramaphosa was unequivocal about the Palestine-Israel war, which has led to the deaths of at least 38,848 people and 89,459 wounded in Gaza as of 19 July 2024, according to Al Jazeera.

“Guided by the fundamental principle of human rights and freedom, we have taken up the Palestinian cause to prevent further deaths and destruction in Gaza.

“We have welcomed the ruling of the International Court of Justice [ICJ] that Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent acts of genocide against Palestinians,” he told members of Parliament (MPs).

This came on the back of the ICJ acceding to South Africa’s plea that Israel be censured and ordered to curtail acts of genocide.

“We condemn the killing of civilians on all sides and call on all parties involved in the conflict to commit to a peace process that will deliver a two-state solution,” he said.

Now, fast-forward five months to 18 July 2024, which ironically is Nelson Mandela’s birthday – a champion of Palestine’s freedom and a close comrade of Yasser Arafat, the late Palestinian freedom fighter.

What did Ramaphosa say about Palestine during his Opening of Parliament Address? Nothing. Zilch. Not a single mention.

Ramaphosa ignores Palestine during Opening of Parliament Address

What has changed? Why did Ramaphosa make zero mention of the ongoing Israel-Palestine war – a cause championed by the political party he leads and a sixth administration he was in charge of?

Could it be that priorities have changed, and if so, why?

When Ramaphosa and the ANC spoke about “apartheid Israel” at every opportunity before the 29 May elections, there was no GNU. The ANC was free to set the terms of government and foreign policy, using its own party ethos.

Now with the GNU, the ANC is working alongside the Democratic Alliance (DA), Freedom Front Plus and the Inkatha Freedom Party in the executive, three parties who – in the National Assembly in November last year – voted against an Economic Freedom Fighters’ (EFF’s) motion to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel and shut down its embassy in Tshwane.

ANC MPs supported the EFF motion and it was adopted, with additions, as included by then-ANC chief whip Pemmy Majodina, “that the House – calls upon the government to close the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel until a ceasefire is agreed to by Israel and Israel commits to binding United Nations-facilitated negotiations whose outcome must be a just sustainable and lasting peace”.

After MPs pushed through the motion, it fell on Ramaphosa to implement it, with his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya saying the president noted and appreciated Parliament’s guidance.

“The president and Cabinet are engaged over the matter, which remains the responsibility of the national executive,” Magwenya said in November 2023.

Have the ANC’s GNU partners gagged the party’s vociferousness over the freedom of Palestine and the pausing of diplomatic relations with Israel?

Malema: Palestine is no longer on SA’s agenda

EFF leader Julius Malema seems to think so.

On Thursday afternoon, hours before Ramaphosa’s address, Malema said the Palestine issue would be negatively impacted by GNU dynamics.

“The DA is a product of an apartheid system which has always been in cahoots with the Israeli state,” Malema said, alluding to the DA’s National Party roots. The National Party forged a close relationship with Israel during apartheid, with the Jewish state supplying Pretoria with arms.

“The GNU being a product of that arrangement of apartheid beneficiaries… there is no way it will fight for the total liberation of the people of Palestine.

“The Palestinian question is threatened by this Government of National Unity because the DA is a beneficiary of the National Party’s government and the DA has remnants – including Freedom Front Plus – of apartheid.

Malema added that the progress the EFF had made on the Palestine issue in South Africa had been reversed by this “elite pact”.

As of now, there is no word on what Ramaphosa plans to do about the passed motion to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel but what is known is that he completely ignored Palestine on Thursday evening.

And Malema is convinced the silence is a result of Ramaphosa being hamstrung by his GNU partners.

“There is an ongoing aggressive war by apartheid Israel over Palestine, and you never said anything about that because your coalition partners are all fanatics of Zionist Apartheid Israel. Shame on you that you said nothing about the genocide committed right in front of us because o laba poso [you are hungry for positions].

“You choose glory over the dying children and women of Palestine because you are scared to offend your coalition partners. President Mandela, a close friend of Arafat, who you said we must celebrate yesterday should be turning in his grave,” the EFF leader said on Friday afternoon during the debate on the Opening of Parliament Address.

Has the GNU muzzled Ramaphosa and ANC on Israel-Palestine issue?

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Charity on Mandela Day

Mandela Day is an annual event that takes place on 18 July to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. The event takes place globally. This day is aimed at inspiring individuals, communities, and organisations to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles. Essentially, the purpose is to inspire people to take part in activities to help those who are in need. Also, consequently, to make a positive impact in their communities through charity.

How did the day come about?

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly declared 18 July as ‘Nelson Mandela International Day’ in November 2009. Their reason was to emphasise Mandela’s contribution to peace and freedom.

The UN’s Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognises Mandela’s values and dedication to the service of humanity in various aspects. These are: conflict resolution, race relations, promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, the fight against poverty, and also the promotion of social justice.

The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and also the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

Giving back on Mandela Day: An ethical question

Publicity has the positive effect of attracting volunteers, raising awareness, and generating donations. However, an ethical question arises when businesses use charity primarily for profit or to improve their public image. Exploiting the situation undermines the true spirit of charity.

However, despite the motives of the business, the receiving party still benefits. So, does it matter if the main goal is not purely altruistic? Does ‘the end justify the means’ in this context?

“There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.”

Nelson Mandela

Does a company promoting its good deeds on social media indicate self-interest and personal gain?

What is your opinion on the matter?

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With the number of parties contesting the elections rising to 52, along with a number of independent candidates, it is the view of the writer that the percentage of support for all parties currently represented in Parliament will decrease.

This increase in political options means votes are likely to be more widely distributed, reducing the share for each established party. Furthermore, with the ruling ANC facing internal challenges and increased competition from opposition parties, speculation about the election outcome is rife.

In this piece, I delve into the factors that may influence the outcome of the 2024 elections and explore the potential scenarios that could unfold.

ANC’s internal challenges

The ANC, which has been in power since the end of apartheid in 1994, is facing significant internal challenges that could impact its performance in the 2024 elections. The party is first and foremost tested from within.

Factionalism, corruption scandals, and leadership disputes have eroded the party’s public image and thus public confidence in its ability to govern effectively. Persistent power outages or load shedding have increased public frustration and highlighted the government struggles with provision of basic service delivery.

Additionally, the Phala Phala scandal involving allegations of money laundering and corruption linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s farm, has further tarnished the party’s image. This was exacerbated by the management of the Covid-19 pandemic. Compounding these issues is widespread discontent with the ANC’s handling of the Zondo Commission report and its recommendations on state capture and corruption.

While the ANC still commands a significant voter base, disillusionment among its traditional supporters combined with increasing discontent over economic stagnation and high unemployment rate may lead to a decline in their performance at the polls.

Opposition parties on the rise ahead of elections 2024

Meanwhile, opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance (DA), the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and newly formed parties like ActionSA, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party are positioning themselves as viable alternatives to the ANC.

The DA, in particular, has been successful in attracting support from disillusioned ANC voters by emphasising good governance and effective service delivery, especially to urban and middle-class voters.

The EFF, with its populist rhetoric and focus on radical economic transformation, continues to mobilise support among South Africa’s youth and marginalised communities.

ActionSA is seeing a surge in voters drawn to its message of non-racialism, competence and an end to corruption, positioning itself as a viable alternative to both the ANC and DA.

Meanwhile, the PA is increasing its voter base by focusing on issues affecting the working-class communities, such as crime, unemployment, and poor border control. It is solidifying its support among Coloured communities by addressing issues specific to their demographic, positioning itself as a voice for their concerns including economic inequality.

On the other hand, MK Party is gaining momentum by tapping into sentiments of liberation struggle nostalgia and leveraging the Zuma brand by aligning itself with the former president’s political legacy. By associating with Zuma, the party aims to appeal to voters who remain loyal to him despite his controversies, particularly in regions where he maintains influence like the KwaZulu-Natal.

Newly formed parties

The emergence of the MK Party presents an unpredictable factor in this election, introducing uncertainty into the political landscape. Its presence could potentially disrupt traditional voting patterns and influence electoral outcomes in unforeseen ways.

The party aims to challenge the ANC’s dominance and attract disaffected ANC members and supporters, with most people believing it has the potential to divide the ANC in two, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.

MK Party remains the wild card of this elections, however its impact on the 2024 elections remains to be seen but should not be underestimated. 

In addition to the 14 parties currently holding representation in the National Assembly, there is a notable expansion in the upcoming 2024 elections, with a total of 38 new parties appearing on the ballot paper.

This surge reflects diverse political landscape in South Africa, encompassing a wide array of ideologies, interests and regional affiliations highlighting the democratic nature of the electoral process. The writer posits that only the top five parties currently holding seats in Parliament (ANC, DA, EFF, IFP and FF+) are likely to maintain their representation in the National Assembly and the rest will face oblivion.

This forecast suggests a significant shift in the political landscape, potentially leaving several smaller parties without any parliamentary seats. The writer argues that these smaller parties missed an opportunity to collaborate and form a voting bloc under a unified umbrella. Such collaboration could have prevented potential wasted and enhanced their collective influence, presenting a more formidable challenge to established parties.

Regrettably, according to the seat allocation formula, votes that do not make up a seat will primarily advantage the larger parties with higher overall vote tallies. This observation underscores the strategic importance of pre-election coalition building among smaller parties in maximising their electoral impact, enhance their relevance within political space and advancing their shared policy objectives.

At most, the electoral competition among these smaller parties and independent candidates appears to be a struggle for securing even a single seat in Parliament, without significantly impacting the prevailing status quo.

While these parties may contest elections fervently, their electoral gains often fall short of altering the overall political dynamics as we have seen in the last national elections of 2019. Consequently, their limited representation may hinder their ability to enact substantial legislative changes or exert significant influence on national policies.

Among the newly formed parties, three have shown considerable traction and are anticipated to secure representation in Parliament. The MK Party, ActionSA and the PA have garnered sufficient voter support, as evidenced by their performance in the 2021 local government elections and subsequent by-elections, indicating their ability to independently contest and potentially win seats in the 2024 elections.

Potential election 2024 outcomes

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) indicated that over 27.79 million voters, the highest since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, are eligible to cast their votes in the 2024 national and provincial elections.

While various polls have offered their projections, our prediction is purely speculative, devoid of any scientific methodology but rather informed by general observation.

This intuition-based forecast offers an alternative perspective-grounded in a review of relevant literature and experience, leading to the following election outcome projections as compared to the previous elections:

SCENARIO 1: ANC retains majority – highly unlikely

Despite its internal challenges, the ANC manages to retain its majority, albeit with a reduced margin. The party’s long-standing support base, combined with its extensive resources and infrastructure, enables it to hold onto power for another term.

SCENARIO 2: Coalition government – very likely

The ANC fails to secure a majority, leading to a coalition government involving the following parties:

ANC and MK Party – highly likely

This coalition will signify a reconverging of the ANC contingent upon resolving internal disagreements over key leadership positions, particularly the contentious “Ramaphosa element”, which could prevent a unified front.

ANC and EFF – highly likely

There are no significant ideological differences between the two parties except in the realm of implementation. However, historical conflicts, leadership rivalries and lingering animosities could complicate the coalition negotiations, especially on key leadership positions.

ANC and DA – likely

The ANC and DA have fundamentally different political ideologies and policy approaches, particularly on issues like economic policy, social welfare and governance.

However, to prevent what could be seen as a calamity and the continuation of corruption with the other two options, the DA might be persuaded to consider a coalition or collaboration arrangement with the ANC, where they share governance responsibilities based on provincial majorities.

ANC and a number of smaller parties – likely

As we have seen with municipalities, while the coalition with multiple parties could enhance the ANC’s ability to govern effectively, it would require careful negotiation, formal agreements clearly outlining the terms, power distribution, priorities and the management of the coalition.

The dynamics of forming and managing coalition government with a number of parties could be a tedious exercise due to a number of factors including, diverse interests, policy compromises and managing public perceptions.

Coalition politics could result in greater political instability and policy uncertainty but may also foster greater accountability and transparency.

SCENARIO 3: Opposition government – highly unlikely

A substantial shift in voter sentiment would be necessary for an opposition party to win a majority of the 400 seats in Parliament, representing a historic turning point in South African politics and signalling the end of the ANC’s decades-long dominance. This dramatic change would not only alter the political landscape but also reflect a significant realignment of public trust and priorities.

Additionally, the prospect of all opposition parties uniting to form government with the exclusion of the ANC as some has been punting, remains highly improbable. The ideological differences and varying agendas among the opposition parties pose significant barriers to such a coalition, making this scenario an unlikely outcome in the near future.

In conclusion, as South Africa prepares for the historic 29 May national elections with the introduction of independent candidates for the very first time, the political landscape is characterised by uncertainty and change.

The outcome of the elections will be influenced by a myriad of factors, including the ANC’s ability to address internal challenges, the performance of opposition parties including independent candidates who must get about 90 000 votes to secure a seat, and the country’s economic and social trajectory.

Whatever the outcome, the 2024 elections are likely to shape the future of South African politics for years to come. The ANC is still widely expected to be the biggest party, although below the 50% as several polls projected.

The immediate challenge with this outcome, it will throw the spanner in the works in how the president will be chosen in the absence of a majority party.

Written by Joe Mojapelo, a former COO of the Ekurhuleni municipality and current president of the Independent Citizens Movement

It was a far stronger connection that brought Dusty to the House of Smiles community centre in Phillipi. Dusty had met the founding director of the Amandla development, Scott Clarke, a year ago and felt inspired to help the group.

Dusty was then approached by Babylon night club in Johannesburg and Zero21 Social club in Cape Town in conjunction with MVT productions to perform in South Africa in January 2019. Dusty seized the opportunity to come out to South Africa to perform but also to get to see first hand some of the work done by the Amandla Development.

Amandla Development are in fact all about making connections. What they do primarily is connect learners in Phillipi with resources that the provide the support they need to complete their education and become employable, active citizens.

On their website Amandla Development describe the Resource Access Programme they run: “Because being ready to learn requires adequate access to supports like quality healthcare, good nutrition, and personal supports, Amandla facilitates a programme through schools to bring Philippi’s learners the knowledge, access, and empowerment they need to take charge of their educational journey and make use of the resources around them in the community.

“In a short time, Amandla has built the Resource Access Programme – or RAP – to bring practical support to Philippi’s students and to provide real-time guidance to help them take charge of their education journey:

“RAP brings nonprofits who provide help like tutoring, counselling, and positive after-school activities to schools to get students involved.

“RAP matches students with mentors as someone to look up to and be a real-time link to local support for issues ranging from domestic violence to substance abuse to not getting enough food to eat at home.

“RAP is turning the tide for Philippi’s students, and we want to get the programme into EVERY school in the community.”

One of those resources is the Adolescent and Youth Friendly Space (AYFS), a humble but vibrant space in Phillipi that hosted Dusty after they had been given a tour of the area.

Speaking of the experience Dusty said: “Well this is my first time out of my own country, I’ve been here for like a week now and every experience I’ve had has been so bougie and luxurious and expensive, so being able to take today to leave actual Cape Town and really explore South Africa and see the people who live here who are in need was heartbreaking.”

Dusty joined in a on a session of the AYFS after school programme, enjoying a play put on by the learners and joining in on a session of musical games.

The AYFS has an IT Centre that doubles as a quiet study area for students as well as music and dance programmes. Amandla partner with other NGOs to provide counselling, sexual reproductive health education and HIV and AIDS Testing. Dusty and a group of representatives from a foundation headed by a prominent South African actress were given a tour of the facilities in the form of roleplaying scenarios that young people come to them for help with frequently. It was a sobering introduction to the work done at the AYFS bringing home the reality of life in Phillipi.

As a data driven NGO Amandla produce an incredibly detailed report card of key indicators that displays in cold hard text the challenges facing young people in Phillipi but statistics don’t have names or faces and they are hard to connect with if you don’t at least have a basic understanding of what things are really like.

The AYFS is a noticeably friendly place, and this is by design and is part of the vision for the space.

As Dusty played games with the children of the AYFS, I stood a distance away waiting to speak with him and taking in the surroundings and looking over Amandla Developments data. I began to panic because I didn’t think there was any way for me to accurately convey what I had seen or learned in a way that anyone would be interested reading. I stewed on this for a week before launching into writing this because people were expecting something from me but I am still terrified that I cannot do justice to all the actors in the surreal slice of life that was a Monday afternoon in Phillipi.

I do know that Dusty was genuinely touched by both the work being done and the kids of the AYFS and the staff that spent some time with the performer.

Dusty said: “It was touching spending time with those kids. I love what is going on here, there feels like there is so much hope and love and excitement with the staff members and all the people that are here. It is just really beautiful.”

In the limited time I spent at the AYFS I got a sense that everyone involved was committed to doing as much as they could to help the community of Phillipi while at the same time seemingly all of them were prepared to see a large portion of their efforts go in vain.

Part of Amandla developments data focused approach involves maximizing their success rates by networking with other NGOs and government departments and accurately measuring the outcomes. In a short amount of time since being established the Amandla development have made an impact but their greatest challenge is the one that brought Dusty to Phillipi. The performer had raised a sizeable sum to contribute towards Amandla’s annual costs but the organization remains in need of further funding to extend and maintain their work.

There isn’t anything about this piece that is news and I hope it doesn’t come across as a Press release for an NGO.

The entire experience left me with mixed feelings, I was delighted that Amandla were doing the work they were doing and thrilled that a drag queen that I admire, Dusty was involved with a worthy cause but at the same time I was overwhelmed by the feeling that for all the efforts of these wonderful people the problems of the people of Phillipi and elsewhere in South Africa won’t be budged by a handful of NGOs. And that this crude attempt to convey those experiences and call people to action would just fall completely flat.

I did it anyway because there are good people everywhere and while I may not be one of them I might as well try to shine a light on them.

If you feel urged to help Amandla Development in any way they have bags of information and contact details at www.amandladevelopment.org.

Forgive us if we don’t immediately rush to the conclusion that columnists in New Zealand are deeply concerned about the strength of Springbok rugby and allow us to explore the option that the intention could be to sow division in the ranks and place pressure on players of colour.

The targeted snipes at quotas come off as mind games from an All Black camp concerned that a Springbok resurgence could see their hold on the Webb Ellis trophy slipping.

Conjuring the image of Nelson Mandela extending an olive branch to white South Africans by donning a Springbok jersey in 1995 is a cheap emotional trick on a country that has moved past the point where grand symbolic gestures are meaningful and where real change is being demanded.

Transformation quotas are not a punishment for white South Africans and rugby is not being taken away from one demographic and given to another. They are a prerequisite for SA Rugby to do business within South Africa though and that is unlikely to change in the near future. SA Rugby is a business and they don’t just sell rugby tickets and merchandise, they sell a brand identity. That identity is national unity and to that end, transformation targets serve to protect the brand.

Of course, the ideal would be for the targets not to effect on-field performance.

READ: Another Kiwi has had a go at the Springboks transformation policy

The suggestion is that at the World Cup the Springboks will be held to stricter quotas and be unable to select their strongest team. It is here that individual players of colour are singled out.

In his column for stuff.co.nz Mark Reason places much of the blame for the Boks capitulation at the end of the match at Loftus on black players who came off the bench and he singles out hooker Bongi Mbonambi, misspelling his name as Bongo. [At the time of writing this had not been corrected and it is unclear if this was intentional.]

All Black coach Steve Hansen’s suggestion that rugby was never a black man’s game betrays ignorance of the history of the sport in South Africa and suggests that SA Rugby has had to coax people of colour into playing rugby when nothing could be further from the truth.

Players of colour are accustomed to being held to a higher standard than their white counterparts but few terms rankle hard-working professionals more than being labelled a ‘quota player’.

Rassie Erasmus must hold his team together and ensure that each member of that World Cup group feels incorporated and part of a cohesive unit and he must do so regardless of what selection restrictions are placed on the team. To some extent, SA Rugby needs to acknowledge that a reluctance to transform the sport into a truly inclusive national game has led to stricter quotas being forced on them.

The real work of transformation remains at the grassroots level and that simply involves ensuring that all South Africans are afforded the opportunity to have access to rugby. Simply put it is a radical attempt to broaden the talent pool available to SA Rugby by allowing more kids and adults to enjoy the game. The targets are a marker given to those who run rugby to measure progress. If there aren’t enough quality players to fill those targets then it suggests that more work needs to be done.

Progress is not linear though and the Springboks could probably use a little wiggle room to balance transformation and on-field performance.

There is absolutely no reason that SA Rugby cannot work closely with government to ensure that fixed quotas are relegated to the past alongside segregated teams, but that will require a show of faith from both sides.

What South Africans don’t need is advice on nation building from a group of people so ignorant of the realities of sport in this country that they allowed the old South African flag to be flown in Wellington, however briefly.

Watch: Pathways to Excellence – how one organisation is shaping transformation

Opposition parties to the ruling ANC government are using load shedding as an election weapon to appeal to voters, making endless promises to make it a thing of the past.

Therefore, given that South Africa is experiencing increasing energy demand, which is expected to rise steadily and double by 2025, the question is, what are we doing to ensure a long-term solution to the energy crisis?

SOLAR ENERGY IS RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE IN SA

Solar energy is thriving more than ever, providing reliable, sustainable, affordable power solutions.

According to those in the “know-how” who attended Africa’s most significant energy event, the Solar & Storage Live Africa, last week, the South African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) will soon announce its prestigious Innovative Energy Project of the Year award.

The event showcases new technologies and market disruptions that enable Africa’s energy transition and clean energy innovations to the forefront. 

PROVIDING INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS

Arnab Chatterjee, the director of Grenex, a rising star in the solar energy field, says South Africa faces unique challenges requiring innovative thinking.

The company, nominated in the top two final contenders for this year’s Innovative Energy Project of the Year award, aims to grow and contribute towards solving more considerable challenges such as unemployment and global warming.

Their commendable work on the Bertha House project has earned them this prestigious nomination. 

“We believe that South Africa is a unique country with unique challenges that require innovative thinking and commitment to improve the living conditions of all people in the country,” says Chatterjee.

“As such, we have ensured that we focus on our goals while being involved in developing our communities. This nomination brings recognition to our efforts and our passion, for which we are eternally grateful,” he adds.

Chatterjee says this nomination brings some recognition to the entity for its current and historical work in innovatively solving community challenges.

CREATING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND GLOBAL CARBON EMISSIONS

“We set our project goals to ensure that we increase our employment opportunities provided by the company by around 25% each year and impact global carbon emissions by 1% by 2050,” he said.

The Innovative Energy Project of the Year award winner will be announced at the SAEEC Annual Conference Gala Dinner scheduled to take place on 3 October. 

Over 350 local and international suppliers presented alternative energy solutions and were exhibited during the 3-day event.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY GCINA NTSALUBA

There’s a lot to say.

Garbage collection, water access, and other governmental services aren’t always as efficient as South Africans are expecting. Sometimes, these services are nonexistant or entirely lacking.

Why is this true in a democratic country like South Africa?

Why is it true in a country where people want to work – and want their things to work?

Here’s why it’s not right in all of Southern Africa.

Service Delivery: Paul Mashatile blames ‘apartheid government’

Minister Paul Mashatile blames ‘apartheid government’ over service delivery, according to The South African news.

Apartheid’s collapsing infrastructure leaves problems, according to Mashatile. South Africans are, so far, divided about what he has said.

Undelivered services are a growing international issue.

Service delivery and the resources lacking

Lacking resources could be a reason for South Africa’s current services lacking. People who want to do their jobs, might not have access to the resources to do it – leading to service gaps.

Does every municipality have enough to make things happen?

Delivery protests and lacking services say no.

Service delivery and crime or corruption

Crime costs, and leaves important state departments with lacking budgets.

Services can’t be delivered where crime or corruption interfere, Criminals interrupt important work – or crime just takes important money.

Crime is a problem for everyone.

Report crime and corruption. It stops bad things, but might also restart good things.

Delivery complaints can also go to The Presidential Hotline: 17737.

What helps?

What helps South Africa to recover?

Be involved in South Africa yourself. Small contributions make a big difference – and everyone can do something to change the nation’s state.

Get involved in your community. Take action in your street. Collaborate with local security, police, and government services. Know what’s going on around you.

Report crime to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Together, South Africa can be better.

Send your thoughts

Tell us what you think about this story. Send your thoughts to info@thesouthafrican.com. We love hearing from you!

READ MORE ARTICLES BY FRANCOIS JANSEN (ALEX J COYNE)

University fees and unemployment are some of its causes.

Why do people toyi-toyi?

Why do South Africans yell, burn tyres, or march to parliament in thousands?

It’s important to listen when people have had enough of something.

Here’s the psychology of protesting under the magnifying glass.

Protest

Cambridge Dictionary defines it as ‘a strong complaint’.

People take action when they’re unhappy, or feel they aren’t being heard. South Africans have a history with strong complaints, including complaints against the old South African government.

A legal march doesn’t harm anyone.

Legal marches must be approved and arranged. An illegal march can be shut down by police, with its partciipants liable for crimes and damages.

You can represent any cause.

It’s part of the Constitution, but must be done right.

Legal protest action: what it takes in South Africa

South Africans have a constitutional right to action.

There are rules.

Legal marches must adhere to legal guidelines. Protest Guide says ‘notify local authority’ and appoint someone to be in charge.

Approved, legal marches are safe and authoritative. Register a legal march with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

It’s your right to say something. Doing it correctly is your responsibility.

ProtestGuide has a file to explain it in PDF.

Government discourages violent actions. Peaceful protests marked Nelson Mandela’s time as lawyer and activist. It’s important to say it responsibly.

You can say what you need to, without needing harm or fire to make your cause. Action brings people together, but should never separate anyone from humanity.

Famous protest actions

South Africans have a lot to say.

It has a whole Wikipedia page. Blockades, marches, and temporary occupations that say no for causes.

Against apartheid, against high-fees, against state and private corruption, and against low wages.

Speaking up makes things happen.

Tell us!

Tell us what you think about this story at info@thesouthafrican.com. Send us an e-mail and let us know. We love hearing from our readers!

READ MORE ARTICLES BY FRANCOIS JANSEN (ALEX J COYNE)

Khama Billiat and hope for a second chance in Zimbabwe

Khama Billiat ended eight months of guessing and speculation when he inked a deal with unfancied Zimbabwe Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Yadah FC on Wednesday. The move came after his efforts to sign for DStv Premiership suitors such as SuperSport United and Cape Town City fell through.

ALSO READ: REVEALED: Billiat takes HUGE pay cut to escape Kaizer Chiefs nightmare

The Yadah FC’s deal might seem a downgrade for someone who, for decades, had the DStv Premiership fans feeding on his slick feet. Khama Billiat’s show of brilliance in Mzansi kicked off at Ajax Cape Town and then roared to life at Mamelodi Sundowns. However, what was thought to be a progressive move to Chiefs proved to be a frustrating venture. Indifferent and inconsistent performances were followed by a litany of injuries.

Is Khama Billiat’s age an issue in Zimbabwe

Now, the former Warriors star has returned to Zimbabwe while advancing in age football-wise at 33. He is also rusty after spending months kicking heels at home. A growing record of niggling injuries has not helped his cause, either.

ALSO READ: Khama Billiat now the highest paid player in Zimbabwean PSL!

It is not easy starting all over again. Expectations from Yadah FC’s management and fans will be high. Additionally, few foreigners return to the DStv Premiership once they come back home while hoping to recharge. If Khama Billiat hopes for redemption and a return to the DStv Premiership, he can perhaps use compatriot Gilbert Mushangazhike as the reference point. The spiky-haired striker signed for Orlando Pirates in 2007 after spending time back home in Zimbabwe following an earlier stint at Manning Rangers.

How difficult is it bouncing back into DStv Premiership?

ALSO READ: Ex-Chiefs star Billiat reacts to Yadah move

Elsewhere, Zambian Augustine Mulenga has crawled his way back to AmaZulu FC two years after being ejected due to a career-threatening injury. Malawian Joseph Kamwendo had a last dance with the PSL five years ago to turn the hands of time he previously spent at Pirates. So, surely, if his Facebook post is anything to go by, Khama Billiat might be hoping for a second DStv Premiership Shibobo dance. On Wednesday, the 33-year-old forward wrote: “Back to Work. Thanks God for Another Chance.”

Sections of the Zimbabwe football fraternity, too, hope Khama Billiat’s homecoming will spark new life into his career. They even hope to see him slip into the Warriors’ gold and green again after having retired years ago. “It’s a great move for both parties. He needed to be home to recharge his batteries. Maybe a change of scene was needed for him. Maybe we can also beg him again for the national team,” Zimbabwean football scout Loben Makiyato told The South African.

ALSO READ: ‘It’s like Ronaldo moving from Europe to Asia’ – Katsande on Billiat

Is the forward’s move to Zimbabwe a catalyst for Warriors’ reunion

However, some quarters in Zimbabwe are not overly optimistic about Khama Billiat’s flirtation with Yadah FC. A Zimbabwean football analyst noted that “at his age and with those injuries, I don’t see him playing two or more seasons.” Can the talented attacker perhaps prove his doubters wrong and live up to the true meaning of Khama, which means persistence?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY PETER KANJERE

The series captivated millions of readers, starting with the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997. JK Rowling is one of the world’s richest authors thanks to its success.

Unfortunately, the series is also controversial at times.

A Wizarding World addition brought Harry Potter and the Controversy in Africa.

Here’s how the series writer drew criticism for creating Africa’s Hogwarts.

Harry Potter and the Controversy in Africa

Hogwarts is the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, according to the series.

Readers might know that it’s not the only one joining schools like Beauxbeatons located across the world.

What about Africa’s Wizarding School?

The Wizarding World answers this question.

Uagadou, found in Uganda.

There are also other African schools, according to the Wizarding World. Why is this bad? Uganda links to many superstitions about witches and often real-life witch hunts.

Harry Potter: Uagadou Wizarding School

Uganda might have seemed a good place for Africa’s Wizarding School.

Unfortunately, this is also a place where superstitions about witches are very real. Considered part of everyday life, many innocent people have been accused of witchcraft – and harmed or killed.

JK Rowling drew reader critique for putting Uagadou Wizarding School in Uganda.

ALSO READ: Witchcraft in South Africa: Is gogo bewitched or ill?

Many readers feel that she simply shouldn’t have done it.

JK Rowling and other controversies

Rowling has also drawn previous criticism for her comments about trans-women.

Harry Potter has also been under the spotlight for ‘promoting witchcraft’, according to some religious groups who are against it.

Has she gone too far?

Tell us your thoughts

Tell us your thoughts. Should Africa’s Wizarding School be anywhere else? Let us know what you think with an email to info@thesouthafrican.com.

READ MORE ARTICLES BY FRANCOIS JANSEN (ALEX J COYNE)

The past’s politics can affect the country’s future, especially when some voters might choose to side with a political party for one reason: it’s what their parents used to do.

Do parents play a role in how their children will vote?

Here’s what parents and their children have to think about.

Your mother’s politics: is party loyalty part of your heritage?

According to studies, guardians and parents have a direct impact on their children’s social views – and sometimes, political choices.

ALSO READ: VIRAL VIDEO: Mzansi gogo singing on her 100th birthday

We learn from our parents: how to eat, how to cook.

Political views and other social conventions are also learned from the household. Some people wash their chicken before cooking because their parents did – or vote for a certain party for the same reason.

Your mother’s politics might have a big impact on who you choose to vote for.

Your mother’s politics

Parents and politics inevitably spill into their children’s lives.

ALSO READ: Grandparents and SEX: Yes, gogo is having it!

Children can choose to rebel (choose something else), or agree (choose the same). Someone raised in a racially biased environment, might choose to continue being racially biased in their own lives – until a conscious choice makes a change.

ALSO READ: Dating app syndicates: SA’s new danger?

Did your mother’s politics deliver on its promises?

If it didn’t, assess your own reasons for casting that vote.

Your mother’s legacy – and your future

Kids don’t always follow in their parents footsteps.

ALSO READ: Local Celebrities becoming victim to ‘bitcoin scams’

Regardless of who your mother’s vote was for, you get to make your own choice. If you make spaghetti in a different way, that’s your human right – just the same way you would vote.

It was their legacy – and it’s your future.

More about this story

Send us your thoughts on this story to info@thesouthafrican.com. We love hearing from our readers, and we want to hear from you!

READ MORE ARTICLES BY FRANCOIS JANSEN (ALEX J COYNE)

The Soweto giants are on the market head-hunting for a substantive handler. They want to fill the void created by Molefi Ntseki’s exit. Cavin Johnson is currently holding fort.

ALSO READ: Will Chiefs make a move for Pitso, following his recent views?

Coaching Kaizer Chiefs? Pasuwa who?

For some days now, Pasuwa’s name has crawled its way into Chiefs’ coaching job narrative. Chiefs’ fans, who have been starving for trophies, would be forgiven if they asked: Pasuwa who? However, in terms of coaching pedigree on the elite level, the Zimbabwean is up there among Africa’s finest coaches.

Pasuwa is in charge of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the Malawi Super League. Pasuwa has turned Bullets into an-all conquering machine after winning five league titles on the trot. They are Malawi’s own answer to the question of Paris Saint-Germain of the French Ligue1. So far, the voice of reason calling for Chiefs to consider the former Zimbabwe’s Dynamos FC gaffer has echoed from an unlikely prophet. It has come from former Mamelodi Sundowns’ star Alois Bunjira.

ALSO READ: Coach ratings: Kaizer Chiefs candidates

Why Pasuwa might be Chiefs’ interesting fit

“If Kaizer Chiefs cannot land Pitso Mosimane, I think they should seriously look at Zimbabwean gaffer, Kalisto Pasuwa, who has won nine league titles in the past nine years in two different countries so far,” Bunjira wrote on his Facebook page, according to Goal.com.

There is talk of Mosimane being the hot favourite to awaken the sleeping giants of Soweto. However, Jingles never comes cheap. The Soweto-based side might find Pasuwa an interesting fit. Afterall, he is tactically astute. He is an elite progressive coach.

ALSO READ: Pitso sends message to Kaizer Chiefs bosses?

How the Zimbabwean has won 9 league titles in a row

Pasuwa has installed a template of superior brand of attacking football at Bullets. The Zimbabwean has just retained Malawi’s TNM Super League title with a depleted squad of young and average players such as Lanjesi Nkhoma. More tellingly, two years ago, the Mutare-born gaffer had the courage to let go of 12 seasoned campaigners, including ex-Orlando Pirates star Chiukepo Msowoya. Bullets somehow still reclaimed the league title.

Only blot for the former Warriors gaffer

The only blot on the resume of the quiet coach has been his struggles in Africa. Bullets have not made it past the CAF Champions League preliminary round phases in the last five years. This year, the Malawi football kings were outplayed and knocked out from the Champions League second round by eventual Sundowns’ slayers, TP Mazembe.

However, the former Warriors mentor proved that he is a top-notch coach when he last visited Mzansi. His Bullets stunned Benni McCarthy-led AmaZulu 1-0 in a Champions League first preliminary round contest in 2021 in Durban.

ALSO READ: What’s Chiefs Johnson secret about Khune?

Back home in Zimbabwe, Pasuwa delivered on all fronts. He led Dynamos to four consecutive league titles before picking the Malawi job. His time with Warriors saw them qualify for the AFCON finals.

Medicine man the doctor ordered for the Soweto giants?

Pasuwa knows how to survive and thrive in high pressure environments. Bullets and Dynamos have very demanding fans. Pasuwa didn’t need time to adjust when he arrived at Bullets in 2018. He hit the ground running and has nine major trophies under his belt now.

The 53-year-old knows how to manage big characters that if handled carelessly can divide teams. While with the Warriors, he managed the likes of ex-Sundowns and Chiefs winger Khama Billiat. Chiefs might find Pasuwa as the right man to steady the ship.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY PETER KANJERE 

Springboks killing Test match rugby? NO!

The Springboks are certainly not the most popular team in the world of rugby. As previously published, the Springboks do not play for international fame and acceptance. They play for their country and their people. That seems obvious, and most teams claim the same. The reality is that this team actually lives this concept. 

ALSO READ: Springbok Rugby World Cup success: A beacon of hope for Mzansi

The myth that Springbok fans are the most obnoxious

When it comes to overseas pundits, armchair critics and “fish and chips” lower league players and keyboard warriors, the Springbok team and supporters are the worst of the worst. Cheats. Full of excuses. Ref-bashers. 

The strange reality is that fans and administrators of most teams have been guilty of doing exactly the same thing they accuse Springbok fans of doing. 

Springbok fans did not abuse Wayne Barnes after the Rugby World Cup Final. Admittedly, Tom Curry was abused on social media after Bongigate. It wasn’t Springboks fans who abused Bongi Mbonambi. Who sent death threats to Cobus Reinach’s family?

ALSO READ: World Rugby: What are they doing to the game we love?

The double standards

The final “cherry on the cake” was the then All Blacks coach, Ian Foster, publicly stating that he had submitted a letter to World Rugby to “clarify” refereeing decisions during the final. The All Blacks are not Snow White innocent when they lose. The “Spirit of the game” and all that stuff that the Springboks and their fans are held accountable to? There can’t be two sets of standards.

ALSO READ: The Springbok Bomb Squad 7-1 split was not against the Spirit of the Game: Here’s why

The myth of the Springboks killing Test match rugby

It is remarkable for a team that is killing Test match rugby to be able to fill their home stadiums. Playing away from home isn’t going to be a problem either. No All Blacks, Wallabies, Ireland, or France fan will sit at home because their team is playing against the detested and boring Springboks. They will want to be in the stadium in the hope that they were there when their team beat the Rugby World Cup champions. 

We could even suggest that the Springboks are not killing Test match rugby 

but adding an edge to every Test they play. Everyone wants to “slay the dragon”.

ALSO READ: Springbok Rugby World Cup winning captains: Francois Pienaar

The boring Boks myth

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beer holder). So the Boks milk scrum penalties. So does every team around the world that has a dominant pack. Watch the Premiership over the weekend and you will see exactly that, with thunderous support from the fans.

The Boks have an unfair advantage because they can field two forward packs of similar quality. How is that an unfair advantage? Nobody cares that the Boks are at a significant financial disadvantage compared to most of the top ten rugby-playing nations. Neither do South Africans. They make the best of what they have available.

ALSO READ: Springbok Rugby World Cup winning captains: John Smit

The solution to save rugby from the anti-rugby Springboks

This is pretty simple. Beat them with the sexy rugby that apparently every rugby fan wants to see. All you need to do is beat the best defense in the world, which is part of rugby. No credit is given to the Springboks for winning on the scoreboard. 

The reality is that even the most die-hard All Black, Wallabies or whatever team’s fan will take a 3-nil Rugby World Cup victory rather than play expansive rugby and lose. There is no comments section on the Webb-Ellis trophy. No points are awarded for artistic impression. 

Those who believe the Springboks are killing Test rugby can live in their fantasy world, including prancing unicorns, flying elephants and the tooth fairy.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY RYAN JORDAN

ALSO READ: Kaizer Chiefs star to leave after four months?

A celebration of unity amidst diversity

This fiercely contested football match between two local teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, goes beyond mere competition on the pitch. It holds a profound cultural significance that resonates deeply with the people of Soweto and beyond. Soweto, which stands for “Southwestern Townships,” is home to a diverse mix of cultures and ethnicities.

ALSO READ: How much will Sundowns pay for Chiefs target Khanyisa Mayo?

The historical significance of the rivalry

The Soweto Derby provides an opportunity for the local community to come together, regardless of their differences, and rally behind their respective teams. It is a celebration of unity amidst diversity.

The roots of this rivalry can be traced back several decades when the two teams emerged as arch-rivals during the apartheid era. At the time, football served as a means of resistance against the oppressive regime. The Soweto Derby became a symbol of defiance and resilience for the people of Soweto. Today, the derby continues to carry that same spirit in a drastically different political landscape.

ALSO READ: The latest PSL transfer rumours: Where is Kaizer Chiefs star?

Soweto derby boosting the local economy

It is a reminder of the triumphs and struggles the community has faced throughout its history. When the two teams take to the field, the atmosphere becomes electric, and the passion of the fans is palpable. The sounds of cheering, singing, and drumming reverberate through the streets of Soweto. Beyond the football pitch, the derby has a significant impact on the local economy.

Local businesses thrive during match days as fans flock to the area, eager to be a part of the excitement. Street vendors selling fan merchandise, food, and drinks create a bustling atmosphere, showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of the community.

Moreover, the Soweto Derby serves as a platform to showcase and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Soweto. Traditional attire, songs, and dances are proudly displayed and performed by fans, encapsulating the vibrant spirit of the township.

ALSO READ: Kaizer Chiefs boss slams social media trolls and fake fans

The derby has become an event that not only unites people around their shared love for football but also highlights the beauty of Soweto’s cultural tapestry.

The showdown will take place at the FNB stadium on 11 November 2023. Kick-off is at 15:30.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY MABONGI GAZU

ALSO READ: Springboks | ‘Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie’: What is it?

A desperately needed unifier

In a country with so many divisive influences, the Springboks have defied a lot of political influences. From being close to pariah status after 1994, they have become the darlings of a nation. Success that a nation without much to celebrate can celebrate together.

There are still some who try to put a damper on that success for their own gain. The celebration and adulation that was on display during the Rugby World Cup roadshow was enough to show what the bulk of South Africans seek. Success.

Amazing scenes in the Mother City today #StrongerTogether #Springboks pic.twitter.com/yHKmn547Ff

— Springboks (@Springboks) November 3, 2023

ALSO READ: Malema rants and raves about Boks, ‘apartheid symbol’

Hope for a chance of upliftment

For a nation where poverty is a reality for many millions of people, the examples of Makazola Mapimpi and Siya Kolisi are an inspiration. Rugby can be a gateway out of poverty. They are a symbol of hope for every child, no matter what their situation.

Underdogs can also win

South Africans know that they are always the underdogs. Politically. Financially. Popularity. Even during this Rugby World Cup campaign, it was obvious that World Rugby wanted France to win it. The fact that the best technical bid, South Africa’s, was discounted was the early warning sign. It should not be forgotten that they hosted the Rugby World Cup as recently as 2007.

If not France, the All Blacks would be a decent alternative. The only reason for this is marketing value and revenue generation. The underdogs poking the establishment in the eye and derailing their marketing plans is what South Africans feed on. 

Being relevant by being different

If you can’t be the popular kid, being the disruptors who play for a much higher cause than World Rugby’s quest for money and TV ratings is a good place to be. Being a distruptor by winning tournaments that is an inconveniece to World Rugby’s plans. By playing succesful tournament rugby. By being innovative within the laws of the game. 

That innovation is what South Africans thrive on and gives them hope that success against larger, more cash rich nations. 

ALSO READ: Remembering Duane Vermeulen in THOR mode

Rugby World Cup results matter

Detractors, podcast commentators or sour journalists want to paint the Springboks as cheats, boring, playing against the spirit of the game, slowing the game down. Unfairly so as they offer hollow words and not facts. They can keep on painting that picture if they want to, but one thing is for certain.

There will be four Rugby World Cup wins recorded on the Springbok jersey come the next Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY RYAN JORDAN

Is World Rugby making a mess of the game?

We take a fan’s eye view at some of the areas that World Rugby has created more confusion and unhappiness than anything else.

This is a take on a few recent issues in the game. World Rugby can rightfully be accused of being a bit tone-deaf to what the rugby world wants. Both in handling discipline issues and their strategic view of the game.

ALSO READ: How much are the Springboks worth as a brand

BongiGate

This is the most recent incident that World Rugby handled very poorly. Whatever your opinion is of the incident, there are a few concerns about how they handled it. 

The subject has been well covered already, so we mention the important points and will not delve into finer detail. 

Firstly, there was no definitive evidence coming out of the game. Just hearsay. The fact that Mbonambi seemed to be in the position of having to prove his innocence instead of him being proved to be guilty. SA Rugby went to great lengths to provide Mbonambi with a very strong legal team as well as linguistic and lip-reading experts.

ALSO READ: Hands off: Rassie Erasmus contracted until 2025

World Rugby did themselves no favours in the eyes of Springbok fans when they brought a second game into the discussion. The Springboks vs England game in November 2022. World Rugby took a second stab at finding Bongi Mbonambi guilty and failed again.

World Rugby is very correct in taking any allegations of racism very seriously. The time they took to bring this to a close was simply unacceptable for the simple reason that his Mbonambi’s accusers could present no proof.

ALSO READ: ‘What a ride’: Siya, Rachel Kolisi and kids enjoy Springboks SA tour

World Rugby’s new competitions fail to deliver for all

World Rugby was cock-a-hoop announcing their new worldwide two-tier competition. The problem is not what they have announced, but what they have not announced. 

The Six Nations and Rugby Championship teams will be joined by two other as yet unnamed teams to form the top-tier competition. Those teams will be invited by SANZAAR and Fiji and Japan are in pole position.

LISTEN: ‘First time in CPT, first flight’: Story of boy who renamed Etzebeth to ‘Elizabedi’ 

The second-tier competition involves Canada, Fiji, Japan, Samoa, Tonga and USA. This competition does give these teams some certainty in terms of Test matches against each other but is a few decades too late

Japan and Fiji would be the big winners in this new arrangement as they would be guaranteed a lot more competitive Test rugby. 

World Rugby has been generous in expanding the 2027 Rugby World World Cup from 20 competing teams to 24. How have they enabled those four extra teams to be at least fairly competitive? 

ALSO READ: Warmth and love: The Springboks take Durban!

This is where World Rugby has dropped the ball

World Rugby has ignored the plight of new developing nations and a few longer-term competitors. 

Where do teams like Chile, Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, Georgia, Romania and Namibia fit in and develop themselves to be at least competitive without regular Test time and World Rugby financial backing? The only conceivable reason that the USA and Canada are included ahead of these teams, most of which actually qualified for RWC2023, is to give them a hand up to be reasonably competitive at RWC 2031 being hosted by the USA.

World Rugby’s decision to ignore the other teams is short-sighted and does not speak to their mandate to grow the game across the globe. The “third-tier” teams deserve a lot better.

ALSO READ: Bongi’s ‘wenkant’ T-shirt sets off the English press… again

World Rugby losing touch with the fanbase

There are two further considerations. The application of the head contact laws and the sanction for head contact and the unbalanced importance of cards on the result.

ALSO READ: Handre Pollard was mowing the lawn when Rassie Erasmus called

Head contact laws

There is no doubt that World Rugby needs to protect players when it comes to head contact. Where they are not getting it right is when it comes to that old favourite “the referee’s interpretation”. There is no consistency in the application of the laws and even the casual observer can point that out.

The yellow card referral system has assisted in speeding the process up so that the correct can be arrived at. The reality is that some incidents are very similar and different decisions arrived at. Sometimes, head contact is not foul play. It is a rugby incident  Players attempting to make a tackle are often in no position to change their tackle height, especially if they are the secondary tackler.

To point out the absurdity of some situations, the example of Faf de Klerk’s tackle that nearly hit Nick White’s moustache off his face is relevant. White milked the situation as efficiently as a farmer milking a Jersey cow.

The unbalanced importance of cards

When one of the most important things fans focus on in your game is the carding of players, your game has taken the wrong direction. Fans give the big “Ooooo” after a big hit or whistle a la the French. Spectators baying for a card at every half-opportunity. Water cooler chat on a Monday morning? Who should have been carded.

Anyone with a smartphone can take a still pic of a TV screen and feed the social media keyboard warrior with “irrefutable proof” of foul play. It is almost as if the cards are more important than tries.

Nobody is saying that discipline isn’t important. So is making it understandable and justifiable for fans.

ALSO READ: Springboks stalwart lauded by Ulsterman

We do have to ask World Rugby:

Is this what you really wanted for the game?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY RYAN JORDAN

Men do cry

If men were not born to cry, they would not even have tears, but they do have tears and they do get hurt. The idea that men do not cry led to many men bottling up their emotions. According to stats suicide rate varies between the two sexes with males having a higher suicide rate as compared to females with the female-to-male ratio being 3:1. Men commit suicide because they have no shoulder to lean on. They are conditioned to think crying strips them of their masculinity.

ALSO READ: Deaf allies and advocates: How hearing individuals can support the deaf community

Stop neglecting the boy child!

Boy children are told to be fearless; they are not allowed to fear dogs or be scared to walk out during the night. A boy child is not allowed to be a child, to be protected and to be looked after they are taught to survive, to look after their families and to be men, especially in homes where there is no father. That is so detrimental as men think being afraid or not wanting to fight is a sign of weakness leading to them getting into unnecessary fights to prove that they are “men.”

ALSO READ: The emotional cost of pursuing your passion in the black South African community

Rejection has nothing to do with your masculinity

If there is one thing that men hate the most is rejection. Men swear at women who reject them and sometimes it gets to the point where men stalk, rape and kill the women who reject them. Men need to be taught that rejection has nothing to do with their masculinity and that not every girl is “playing hard to get.” Every no should be taken as a no and not a room for the man to try harder. Giving up when courting a girl does not make one weak instead it makes a man strong enough to take a no.

ALSO READ: OPINION: long-distant institutions: Notes to consider before enrolling

GREETINGS IN AFRICAN HOMES

In African homes greetings are not just a “hi” and a “how are you”, they go as far as asking about your family, relatives, your dogs and even your studies. Most introverts find it hard to even utter a greeting and that will earn them whispers behind their backs, whispers that think they are better, or they are snobbish. You do not just greet and walk past people in African homes. Greetings are usually conversation starters, starting conversations that are long and can be draining to introverts.

ALSO READ: Deaf allies and advocates: How hearing individuals can support the deaf community

EVERYTHING IN AFRICAN FAMILIES IS HUGE GATHERINGS

A wedding, funeral or unveiling? Be expected to host a very massive number of people. In African homes, there is no such thing as a guest list or sending out invites. People see a tent and invite themselves in and because of Ubuntu those people will be given sits and served. Unlike in Western communities in African homes, you can never have enough chairs and whether you are an introvert or extrovert you will be expected to interact with those people because Ubuntu promotes the communal way of life. When gathering whether in tears or laughter, crowds come out to support.

ALSO READ: The emotional cost of pursuing your passion in the black South African community

BLACK FAMILIES ALWAYS HAVE TO KEEP IN TOUCH

In Western communities, one is expected to keep in touch with their immediate family which usually includes siblings, their parents and their favourite cousins if there are any. In African homes, your aunt’s or uncle’s children are your siblings. Your Aunts and uncles your parents. This makes it impossible to determine what is considered to be immediate family. Introverts find it hard to keep in touch with people in general but despite their feelings and shortcomings, they have to ensure that family ties are not broken by lack of communication.

ALSO READ: OPINION: long-distant institutions: Notes to consider before enrolling

In the rainbow nation, embracing diversity is in our DNA. However, there’s still work to be done to ensure that the Deaf community is fully included. Here are some actionable steps for South Africans to become effective Deaf allies.

Learn South African Sign Language (SASL)

South African Sign Language (SASL) is the bridge that connects the Deaf and hearing worlds in our country. By learning SASL, you not only break communication barriers but also show respect for Deaf culture. Take SASL classes, practice with Deaf individuals, and embrace the beauty of this expressive language.

Raise Awareness Close to Home

Change often starts within our own communities. Organise local awareness campaigns, workshops, and events to educate your friends, family, and neighbours about Deaf culture and the challenges faced by the Deaf community in South Africa. Share stories from Deaf individuals living right here, making the issue personal and relatable.

ALSO READ: Halala! Sign Language (SASL) becomes SA’s 12th official language

Support Deaf-Owned South African Businesses

Economic empowerment is a vital aspect of inclusivity. Seek out and support South African businesses owned by Deaf entrepreneurs. Whether its buying handmade crafts, enjoying Deaf-owned restaurants, or using services provided by Deaf professionals, your support can boost their success and contribute to a thriving Deaf community.

Advocate for Accessibility Everywhere

South Africans can push for increased accessibility in public spaces, education, and workplaces. Encourage institutions and businesses to provide captioning, sign language interpreters, and accessible technologies. Advocate for policies that make South Africa more inclusive and accommodating for Deaf individuals.

ALSO READ: Sign language becomes 12th official language

Cultivate Mindful Communication

When interacting with Deaf individuals, practicing clear communication is key. Use gestures, write down information when necessary, and maintain eye contact to ensure effective communication. By being mindful, we demonstrate our commitment to inclusivity.

As South Africans, our journey toward becoming Deaf allies and advocates begins with understanding, empathy, and action. Together, we can create a South Africa where Deaf individuals are fully included, and their unique culture and experiences are celebrated. Be part of the change, and let’s build a more inclusive nation where every voice is heard and valued.

ALSO READ: South African Sign Language granted official language status

Should you wish to contribute and assist in supporting The South African’s Women in Journalism programme, click HERE

You will be called selfish

Not only are the majority of South Africans raised hard but also most of their parents never had the opportunities presented to them today. They never had NSFAS, some never had the option to pursue their studies and you want to sit on all those opportunities, for what, passion?

Black parents carry big dreams for their children, dreams that one day their children will own houses like those they used to clean back in the days, dreams that their children will not suffer and settle for mistreatment like they did back in the days and settling for a passion that does not guarantee immediate employment might seem like a huge betrayal to the black parent.

ALSO READ: Poem of the day: Ashes In The Wind

Black Tax

Though most people hate the term it is important to note that it exists. Some black parents view their kids as investments. They stop living their own lives to invest in their kid, raise them, take them to school and by the time their kids graduate and get employed they are drained, and they need to be taken care of. To choose a career that does not guarantee access to the best medical aid would be the most ungrateful thing to do to a black parent.

What Will People Say

Black people especially black parents care a lot about what people say before their own well-being and titles are very important in the black community. Even in family gatherings tedious jobs such as slaughtering animals, digging graves during funerals and being an errand boy during gatherings are reserved for those who are unemployed or not in a good economic status whilst the ones who carry titles like doctors, lawyers and accountants are given special treatment.

ALSO READ: African Proverb of the day: 26 August 2023

Choosing passion might be considered to be a basic human right but not for most black people.

Should you wish to contribute and assist in supporting The South African’s Women in Journalism programme, click HERE

We have the novel to thank for this

Based on the Casey Mcquiston novel of the same name, Red, White & Royal Blue forces one to imagine what it would be like to be powerful beyond ordinary means, and still be denied your heart’s desires. As the story goes, a Prince meets the First Son of the United States. The two fall in love but cannot be together because of the pressures of society (because it has always been a pain…), and the crown.

ALSO READ: Meghan, Harry’s story in new ‘The Crown’ films? It’s a possibility

Henry, the handsome British Prince (played by Nicholas Galitzine), and Alex, the equally gorgeous first son (played by Taylor Zakhar Perez) navigate all these challenges to eventually triumph over all the noise with their epic love.

Stand out moments in Red, White & Royal Blue

Aside from Taylor momentarily stealing all the attention with his perfect butt (that was on full display by the way), there are a few moments that rise above the rest. The scene where Alex comes out to his mom is particularly powerful, because it shows the beauty that can occur when a young queer gets embraced by their parent in lieu of being shunned.

ALSO READ: Queer men’s HIV support group launches in Cape Town

Another spotlight stealer is the final moment of Red, White & Royal Blue. We get to see how powerful humanity can be, when people come together to assert that love is love. Love does not only live within the walls of heteronormativity, as society would have us believe. It is universal, and has the ability to spread itself across all sexualities, and gender identities.

Well done Prime Video

The world is changing, and it is imperative that the media takes all the opportunities it gets to tell relatable queer stories. Listen, not everyone will see the light but some will, and the way to do that is with consistent LGBTIQ+ representation. I loved Red, White & Royal Blue, it walked into the room, I turned my head, and said that boy is a 10!

ALSO READ: Fire Island makes the LGBTIQ+ proud with two Emmy nominations!

Red, White & Royal Blue is streaming now, on Prime Video worldwide.

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No supervision does not mean no work

Being a student in a long-distance institution means that you have nothing that is forcing you to commit to your studies, and it makes it easy for you and people around you to think you have a lot of free time. It is very easy to put off your assignments and tasks for the last minute, and that my friends, is how many part-time students fail to get great marks. Not having anyone to push you and remind you to do your assignments seems cool, but it can be your way to failure. No supervision does not mean no work.

ALSO READ: OPINION: The Women of 1956 crawled so that the next generation can strut

Making campus friends?

How, when you are always cooped to the four walls of your house. The only social life that you are guaranteed to get is from your old classmates and friends. That does not mean you won’t make new friends, but you probably won’t them at school. You have no classes; your exams are online, and people go to the Campus library to study, not to make friends. So, try your best to maintain the friendships and social life you already have.

ALSO READ: Quick and easy pancake cereal: A fun new-age breakfast treat

You might feel alone

Being in a long distant institution means you don’t know your lectures unless there is some recording of a zoom class somewhere or you send and enquiry to them (and they actually respond). You always feel alone when in a long distant institution hence it is important to be the first person to avail yourself to you and your studies. Though it gets lonely, telegram groups and Facebook groups are ready to offer you the support you need and remember to prioritize your mental health.

Should you wish to contribute and assist in supporting The South African’s Women in Journalism programme, click HERE

On 9 August 1956, over 20 000 women marched to the union building to show resistance to the new pass laws that the apartheid government wanted to implement, these pass laws would have stripped them of their freedom of movement.

The women were led by Rahima Moosa, Lilian Ngoyi, “Ma” Albertina Sisulu, Helen Joseph, and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn.

Every year on Women’s Rights Day, these women are remembered.

ALSO READ: How to celebrate women this Women’s Month

The women of 1956 are, and always will be, a representation of women’s strength and their power to rise against all odds.

The only mistake that was made is using these women and their representation of strength as a way to make women stay in already dead marriages, making women take slaps and beatings in their marriages because women are rocks and “you strike a woman you strike a rock”.

The biggest mistake that was made was using these women and making it seems as if a woman has the innate ability to tolerate even the things that are slowly killing them.

This Women Rights Day, it is important to remember what the women of 1956 fought for, to avoid having women who die trying to hold the knife by the sharp blade, to avoid having a woman who feels like they are not woman enough because they could not stay and persevere when things got hard. To avoid having people view women as rocks and not human beings who get hurt.

ALSO READ: Beyonce serves iconic looks during Rennaissance World Tour

As we remember these women it is important to remember that they did not fight so that women can leave their homes in coffins as a sign of their “strength”.

The woman of 1956 crawled so that the next generation of women can walk, they showed the world that women can be involved in politics which were a men’s thing so that the next generation of women can enter spaces where they were not allowed to enter.

Do not use their names to accept the bare minimum and tolerate abuse, they rose against the oppressive government so that the future generation can rise against any situation that oppresses them.

5 years of Vogue balls

That’s why I’m thrilled to see Vogue culture thriving in Johannesburg. There aren’t a lot of safe spaces for LGBTIQ+ individuals, so to have this culturally impactful initiative still going strong five years into the game is dazzling. Vogue Nights Jozi hosted its Winter Ball this past weekend, and it was fierce!

ALSO READ: Another 2.9 magnitude earthquake reported in Johannesburg

“We did it again. Thank you, guys for making it to 5 years with me & @vnj_ball. There are no words. Thank you to the amazing team who have become family and everyone else who has helped us build this community – from brands, industry & entertainment friends, to every single person who has pulled up. Let’s rock for another 5. Inshallah. Merci, L” wrote founder @lelowhatsgood on Instagram

A safe space for queer individuals

From the first ball, Vogue Nights Jozi has always maintained its vision of empowering queer DJs, artists, and performers. The DJ lineup included Pride Dj, Lotion, and Nkly x Pona. Those brave enough to make their play for a trophy competed in the following categories: face, runway, afro dance, performance, and sex siren.

ALSO READ: Big wins: DJ Sbu on MoFaya being official sponsor of Miss SA

“The culture of BALL & DOLLS. @vnj_ball year 5 Winter Ball. It was a BALL” wrote award-winning LGBTIQ+ activist, entrepreneur, and make-up artist @tumipowerhouse

VNJ never disappoints

It is worth mentioning that the Winter Ball gave the people what they wanted and more. The proof is in all the adoration. Here is what the people had to say about their experience at Vogue Nights.

“It was my first time attending and I was not disappointed!!! So much fun, thank you.” Wrote @maqhawemabona

“It was EPIC,” said @_paul_williamz

“Ate down as usual” commented @kemisowessie

ALSO READ: Proof Lyle Foster will always be an Orlando Pirates fan

Let’s vogue more in the future

Vogue culture is growing in South Africa, and it’s all thanks to Vogue Nights Jozi. And with how things are currently going, this feels like just the beginning of something that will continue to be a part of South African queer culture for years. The category is longevity my darling! (https://store.spaceylon.com)

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The rumour about Lil Nas X

So it’s pretty shocking to most of us when we hear rumours of him not being gay. In case you missed it, model Woah Vicky recently accused Lil Nas X of faking being gay to gain popularity and make more money.

She claimed that she has friends that went to high school with Nas X, and according to them, he was never gay.

The truth is heterosexual people will never fully comprehend how difficult it is for gay individuals to accept and step into their truth. High school is one of the hardest spaces to deal with as LGBTIQ+ people. From as early as primary school we face bullying, discrimination, and stigmatisation, not only from our peers but from authority figures as well.

Coming out is a personal choice

So what if Lil Nas X presented himself as straight during his schooling career? Most gay people I know had to do the same thing to protect themselves from being outcasts and turned into objects of ridicule.

And let’s not forget that coming out is a personal choice. A choice that is dependent on you and where you are in your journey of self-discovery.

Vicky’s claim that Nas is pretending to be gay to be more famous is hilarious. There are many brilliant queer musicians out there that are still struggling to make ends meet because their music is not selling, and not because it’s not good enough but because they are LGBTIQ+.

Myth or not but the popular opinion is that record labels would rather a gay man start his career misleading people into thinking that he is straight to sell more records and appeal to a wider audience.

Lil Nas X the clap-back king

Lil Nas X is very outspoken, and that’s one of the things his fans love about him. Although sometimes his comments get him into hot water, most of the time he is leading the charge as a groundbreaking LGBTIQ+ icon. So, it’s fitting that he responded with a spicy clap-back that reads, “Who gives af what ja rule thinks at a time like this.”

What I can never and will never understand is why is Jesus’s name always dragged into these prejudiced agendas? Honestly, the man preached about love, and you are out here embroiling him in your homophobia. Leave him out of your mess, please!

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LUH TSELE

The image of Nelson Mandela, clad in a Springbok jersey, handing the Webb Ellis trophy to Francois Pienaar is a potent one and inspired a Hollywood adaptation of the story but over time that heady feeling of unity faded.

There are myriad reasons that people, all over the world, cannot be reconciled to one another and no amount of opinion pieces about Madiba magic are going to change that but there is still a role for sport to play in bringing people together.

Sport has enormous cultural reach and can be used as a tool for nation building or it can be used to sow division and entrench oppression.

Under apartheid sporting achievements were held up as examples of the excellence of white South Africa while people of colour were denied access to all but the most basic of sporting facilities and were barred from representing their country.

After 1994 sporting teams began welcoming non-white players into their ranks signaling the end to the prohibition on Black representation in South Africa but not the end of division. There is still much to be done to ensure equal access to sport for all South Africans, and many who are opposed to the process of transformation.

There has been progress though in terms of reconciliation as the already fully integrated professional football system in South Africa continues to bring together South Africans of all races, Cricket South Africa drives grassroots developments with its RPC Hubs and we consistently churn out sporting heroes from all walks of life.

Sport illustrates in full living colour how we are different from others, it tells us who is stronger, faster and better and shows us who has and who doesn’t have in so many ways but it also shows us what we have in common.

Everyone who has played sport at any level or even supported a team knows the agony of defeat and the joy of victory. Images of sportspeople celebrating victories or enduring defeat transcend language and invoke and emotional response in all of us. Sport teaches us that other people, like us feel pain and loss as well as joy.

Something sport has been quite good at is the grand symbolic gesture. From a united Korea competing at the Olympics to the Irish rugby team coming together across lines of nation and religion to compete together.

As South Africans we have been treated to sports teams that have punched above their weight on the global stage and given us an enormous sense of national pride and with that a certain togetherness, whether it is Banyana Banyana making it to their first FIFA World Cup or Caster Semenya dominating the 800m in international athletics or the Boks beating the All Blacks.

Sport will continue to galvanize us as South Africans and hopefully it will inspire us to learn how to play as a team and pull together for the common good and for the betterment of our society.

We cannot change the past nor can we bury it and forget about it, to move forward we need to be reconciled as a nation. One of the ways we can do that is by coming together around sport and other social activities and by recognizing the humanity that is common to each of us.

Back in 1995 the country came together in a big way and it was something very real, the event connected people with one another which is the beginning of reconciliation. Sport may not be able to heal the deep wounds in our past but it can bring us all a little closer together.

During Easter, top celebs in South Africa do many things, and it’s up to you to choose anything from the long list of activities you can do this holiday.

GO FOR A VACATION

By far, Easter holidays are the most extended holidays in the Calendar year, and there seemed to be no better time to go for a vacation. During Easter, you can visit South Africa’s top attractive cities and destinations like Durban and Johannesburg.

ALSO READ: A cloudy start to the easter weekend for the Western Cape

Given the length of the Easter holidays, one can move around the country or even go outside the country to explore different cultures and environments. You can even do it since there is a lot of time from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

CELEBRATE EASTER WITH YOUR FAMILY

Visiting the rural areas is one of the most exciting things you may consider this Easter, as you will meet old friends and family. Most South Africans are rooted in their families and enjoy spending time with them. It also means that if one has a family, this may be one of the best times in a year you would get to catch up with them in many ways.

ALSO READ: Load shedding for EASTER WEEKEND: Here’s the UPDATED schedule

CELEBRATE EASTER AT CHURCH

The Easter holidays are traditionally religious, as Christians tend to come together to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is considered one of the most essential important liturgical events, especially in the Catholic Church.

Hence, spending Easter at Church would be helpful if you are religious. Get some time to relax and regather the energy that your soul needs.

PARTY AFTER PARTY

Indeed, this is one of the things most South Africans do during this long holiday. Looking for parties and enjoying them is what many are looking forward to. Moving from city to city or club to club looking for enjoyment may get you to remember this holiday the most.

ALSO READ: ‘R500K in a room’ – Inside Mamkhize’s all-gold bedroom [watch]

OTHER THINGS YOU CAN CONSIDER TO CELEBRATE YOUR EASTER

The above are only a few options for enjoying Easter in South Africa, but the list is endless. You can spend it watching Television or reading stories on social media. You can also clear your backlog at work, among many other things.

After all, this is said and done; everyone knows what they enjoy and that the best you can do for yourself is to celebrate Easter. We wish you a wonderful holiday and urge you to celebrate your Easter responsibly.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY DAVID MUTENGWA

Hookup culture has been taking over

Are monogamous relationships fading in favour of hookups? Honestly, it depends on who you ask. But if I was hard-pressed, I would give a slight edge to answering yes. Since I could comprehend the messages the majority of the globe was sending out about queer people, gay men to be specific, promiscuity was always one of the leading assumptions or stereotypes if you want to call it that.

A 2004 study by a team of researchers from the University of Chicago found that promiscuity and unhealthy behaviour were high among homosexual men in the city Chicago. The study reported that 61.3% of the gay men in the city had been involved with over 30 partners. That was almost two decades ago, fast forward to 2023 when technological advancements have made it easier to connect with basically anyone in the world. Do you think the percentage has decreased?

Based on keen observation, I would say no. Our dating apps are now used as a platform for hooking up more than the advertised promise of finding a love. From the moment I signed first up for my first online dating profile years ago, I learned that if the conversation does not lead to a sexual encounter, the person you “matched” with is likely to disappear like a cloud of smoke.

Some gay men vibe with monogamous relationships

Not that there aren’t gay men, or queer individuals looking for sustainable monogamous relationships out there, those rare breeds are there. It’s just difficult to sort through the clatter to find them. How can it be easy to find them when pleasantries have switched from “hello” to a picture of someone’s penis as a more suitable attention-grabbing greeting?

Please do not misquote me, I am not condemning nor advocating for hookup culture. People have different reasons for engaging in casual sex. As explained earlier in the article, meeting “your soul-mate” in a conventional way in the LGBTIQ+ community is difficult. So if you can open an app, click on a picture of a perfect torso, and get laid, why wouldn’t you? The selling point of hookups is simple, get satisfied with “no strings attached.”

We are pressed for time

Monogamy requires commitment and is time-consuming. You are likely to exhaust time finding that person, and further stretch time trying to build a strong enough bond. Even then it doesn’t guarantee that your person won’t slip up and revert to sliding into other people’s DM’s for meaningless quickies.

Noah, a gay character from the LGBTIQ+ film “Fire Island” once said, “Monogamy is a disease created by straight people to make us less interesting.” Is it?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LUH TSELE

An undeniable star

Since their lonely hour in their first offering, Smith has steadily made their way to their sweet spot. With their second album, they gave us vulnerability and the thrills of it all.

Then they showed us the struggle of how love goes in their previous LP. And now the incredible vocalist is embracing all of who they are, and it’s glorious!

“Let’s live as loudly, and queerly as possible,” said Sam Smith at the 2019 Attitude Awards when they won the award for “Person of the Year.”

Smith is confident in Gloria

The first line you hear when you play Gloria is “have you ever felt like being somebody else”, the next lines continue to unpack the uphill battle that Smith has gone through to get to a place where they love themselves.

This album’s confidence lies in its ability to be relatable on every track, note, and lyric. To be able to be confident, you need to appreciate yourself with all your flaws and Smith does that in this album.

Gloria is different from “In the Lonely Hour” and “The Thrill of It All”, in that it is not trying to fit in anywhere, it’s adventurous, fun, and calm. If “Love Goes” was a second coming-out party, Gloria is a pride festival. So, which tracks should you be looking out for?

Here is the plug

The opening track “Love Me More” is that song you’ll repeatedly play if you have ever struggled with loving yourself, so there is no way I’m leaving it out. Other tracks that shine are: “No God”, “Who We Love”, “Gimme”, “How To Cry”, and the smash hit single “Unholy”.

The Sam Smith stans are here for it!

“I can’t stop listening to the new album from @samsmith. What a joy and a privilege to be able to experience this brilliant artist blossoming into their true self! #gloria” said @MattCainWriter

“That new Sam Smith album is just pure vibes. #Gloria #Perfect #SixShots” said @DeanClericuzio

“Sam Smith DID THAT with #Gloria! This album is everything!” said @TheDaddyBottom

I am excited about this era and cannot wait to see how Sam Smith continues to reinvent themselves. If I was to rate this album I would probably give it 5 stars but instead, I’m going to let you go buy or stream the album for yourself and come back here to tell me what you think.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LUH TSELE

Homophobia usually begins at home

Most queer people’s experience of homophobia will be at home being afraid to come out to their family members because of fear of what would happen to them.

Most of us when we come out we get disowned and kicked out of our homes to either die or fend for ourselves. But the lead-up to that peak moment is just as homophobic and painful.

In most cases, the root of homophobia in our dwelling places comes from religious, and traditional beliefs, and influence from society.

Imagine having to feel uncomfortable watching prime-time television with your parents because there are queer characters on the show you all watch as a family. This level of discomfort comes because of hearing time and time again how wrong, unnatural, and disgusting same-sex couples are from your dad or your mother.

Homophobia in the world

Walking down the street as an LGBTIQ+ person is anxiety-inducing, especially if you are visibly queer. We are subjected to ridicule from the resident homophobes who hang out at street corners, and every other place you can think of in our neighbourhoods.

Don’t get me started on the so-called “metropolitan” cities. It has become a norm for us to get violated in Johannesburg CBD, both verbally and physically.

This tradition of instigating hate feels like a never-ending reign that just won’t let up. It doesn’t matter where you go in this country, and even beyond, people just feel okay shutting us down. Why wouldn’t they? The world has constantly condoned that behaviour. In 2021 the South African queer community lost over 20 lives due to hate crimes. If that doesn’t tell you how scary it is out there, nothing will.

ALSO READ: The truth about body-shaming in the queer community

Internalised homophobia

The environment you grow up in shapes you as an individual, whether you like it or not. I knew a long time ago that I was queer and try as I might I was never going to be able to shake that reality. But that did not stop me from despising myself and trying to become a more acceptable queer individual.

For years I tried to mold myself into the so-called “straight acting” gay man because it seemed like the world gave them less of a hard time than feminine gay men.

We end up hating ourselves because we are taught that people like us are meant to be hated. And if society keeps normalising homophobia, internalised homophobia will always be attached to the LGBTIQ+ community.

“It’s not surprising that suicide rates are highest among LGBTI persons,” said Dr. Charles Ekeh on Untold Facts, Season 3, Episode 6

“You start getting taught all this stuff about what gay people are like long before you know you are gay yourself. And things you learn early in life tend to get etched really deep” said Psychologist and Author Randy J Paterson in a video addressing internalised homophobia on his Youtube channel

ALSO READ: Beyoncé: “thank you to the queer community for inventing this genre”

We can always do better

I have always maintained that for any type of homophobia to end, we need to start teaching acceptance at an early age. When preschool teachers only read books about “mama bear” and “papa bear” and teach about a family structure that only has a mother and a father, they are normalising heteronormativity and shunning homosexuality.

Let’s teach children that other families have two mommies, and others have two daddies. I know some people will come for me for even suggesting this.

But if that’s the price I have to pay for standing up for a child being raised by two queer parents or one that will grow up to realise they are LGBTIQ+ themselves, so be it.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY LUH TSELE

The girls were still 19 year old matriculants when they made the big claim.

A claim which is surprisingly believed by the worlds biggest energy drink company Red Bull. and also by female gaming influencer Tech Girl, who writes for Red Bull.

To be clear, I’m not surprised Tech Girl featured the twins, I’ve met her several times.

I regularly see her slurping up ‘Women in Tech’ stories for ESG browny points on her gaming website.

This is where I first discovered the twins..

ALSO READ: Twin sisters chosen to represent South Africa at the Red Bull Basement Global

I’m just surprised Red Bull of all companies, renowned for scouting real talent, actually takes these rookie chancers seriously.

Allow me to elaborate…

My experience with Red Bull Basement

I am the first local journalist to cover the first Red Bull Basement Hatch, hosted at The Tshimologong Precinct in Braamfontein, Johannesburg in 2018, for Red Bull’s own website.

ALSO READ: These three successful tech geeks think university is useless

I saw amazing prototype demonstrations from tech inventors, who were all male at the time.

Red Bull Basement is basically a science expo, where technology entrepreneurs can show of their prototype gadgets, meet mentors in their respective technology fields and hopefully receive funding from deep pocketed investors.

Please keep the funding part in mind, will come back to it later in the article.

So surely, if the Mphahlele twins won the local Red Bull Basement competition, and travelled to Turkey for the world finals in 2021, they must be real.

They outsmarted medical professionals, billion Dollar tech giants, to invent a gadget qualified engineers and doctors have unsuccessfully tried to invent for decades, right?

If so, why isn’t there a single kilobyte of evidence anywhere online, even on Red Bull’s own websites, demonstrating a working Digital XRay Goggle prototype, no matter how glitchy?

I scoured the internet like a virtual Sherlock Holmes, searching for proof the princesses aren’t making spurious claims.

Unfortunately, the deeper I go down the Mphahlele rabbit hole, which is very shallow mind you, the more I realise these girls are amateur fraudsters.

Elizabeth Holmes and Mphahlele twins: psychopaths with different names?

What was that? How dare I compare these innocent angels to psychos?

Round up Hammanskraal’s angry village folk with pitchforks and torches, my family included, to burn me alive in their town square like Joan of Arc.

I’ll even give them a tire and paraffin to necklace me like an Apartheid impimpi (spy) for questioning their supposed child prodigies.

While preparing your witch trial, remember that much smarter and prettier women are getting away with way bigger scams in the biotechnology niche.

Prime example, 38 year old Elizabeth Ann Holmes, former CEO of Theranos, the biotechnology company she founded in Silicone Valley, USA.

Elizabth, a confirmed psycho and criminal, was evaluated at $9Billion in 2015 by Forbes, making her Americas youngest female billionaire.

By 2016, her net worth was valued at 0, and the conwoman was eventually convicted for fraud and sentenced to 11 years in prison on 3 January 2022.

This after her medical device, which she claimed produced blood test results in seconds, was discovered to be a 100% hoax!

But by then, Holmes, with her puppy blue eyes and fake deep voice ( she actually faked her deep voice so men could take her serious) had conned mainly older gullible men out of billions!

Just like the twins, Holmes wanted to ‘inspire young girls in science and tech’.

Just like Holmes, the Mphahlele twins dont care how their manipulative lies will effect the young girls they supposedly care about.

Implications of the Mphahlele’s lies

Now coming back to the funding I mentioned earlier.

If the Mphahlele’s are trying what I think they’re trying, receiving potentially millions worth of funding, people could die!

Imagine someone facing a life threatening health issue, but cant afford medical aid for an x-ray.

The patient sees these cute girls on media interviews and gets manipulated by some made up sob story or their bubbly personalities.

They donate the few pennies they have to their crowd sourcing campaign, only to find out it’s all a scam, and die a slow, agonising death, while the twins shop for handbags with the donations.

These twins are selling a cos play accessory as medical equipment to desperate people needing treatment, and nobody is threatening them with arrests!

VR headsets suck for a reason

As someone whose been in tech and gaming for years, their magical I mean Digital XRay Goggles, will work…

…In Disney sci-fi movies with strong female leads, where they probably got the idea from.

VR headsets have been struggling for decades, example; Nintendo Virtual Boy, released in 1995, discontinued in 1996.

Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg tried cornering the VR headset market with the launch of the Metaverse in 2021.

A year later he lost $230 billion in one day!

Sure, a few VR headsets like PlayStation VR and Hitatchi VR are winning, but VR revenue is a drop in the ocean for these mega corporations.

ALSO READ: ANC’s Chancellor House made 5000% return on the Hitatchi-Eskom deal

So why have VR headsets been struggling to blow?

Firstly, who wants to strap a TV screen to their face and risk going blind?

Also, motion sickness is a real thing with VR, ever tried Beat Saber for 1 hour straight? Make sure you have a paper bag to puke in.

Moreover, nobody wants to risk a tumour because of the full blast of electromagnetic radiation the brains frontal lobe will be absorbing!

Why REAL doctors would think ‘Digital XRay Goggles’ are stupid

Now lets hypothetically assume these goggles are usable in a medical environment.

Must surgeons switch batteries in the middle of an operation if they die?

How will it cool when it eventually overheats? Wont the heat create forehead perspiration?

What about its Bluetooth signals, wont they interrupt other medical equipment using radio transmitters?

Will the doctors’ hands also appear as bones, therefore confusing them during surgery?

Wait, does the device show bones, or organs like a cat scan?

Maybe the goggles switch between different light spectrums like the biomask in the Predator movies?

Has the South African Medical Research Council or World Health Organisation approved the goggles?

We must believe teens from dusty Hammanskraal, figured all this out by themselves, relatively overnight, without medical degrees?

Error 404: Functioning Digital XRay Goggle Prototype Not Found!

When these fraudsters appeared on SABC News, and the reporter asked them to display their gizmo, they had nothing.

I’m not making this up! Click this link, fast forward to 1:50 and hear them saying “Uuuh, we forgot it”.

If you visit the Red Bull Global website and click on FINALISTS category, its hard to believe their over hyped welding goggles, which look exactly like the R50 welding goggles on Takealot.com, came second out of 44 contestants.

There is also no evidence proving these goggles have wiring to power an ‘ON’ light.

Interestingly, there were another pair of twin sisters from Brussels, Belgium.

These two claim to have an app called Find Your Pro which is “like Tinder” but for professionals to find mentors.

That definitely doesn’t sound like a rip off of LinkedIn does it?

These Belgians also lack a working demonstration, not even a screenshot.

Either Red Bull Basement has drastically lower standards, or most entrants also forgot their functional prototypes at home.

Nonetheless, Mahlogonolo and Masego, STOP LYING!

This prompted many people watching the Rugby Championship tie to weigh in via social media regarding what a “little girl” White was and how he needed to “change his tampon” during the half-time break.

ALSO READ: Wallabies scrumhalf Nic White labeled ‘absolutely pathetic’ after milking yellow card at Rugby Championship

White’s Rugby Championship antics will be debated widely but as many quarters consider whether rugby is flirting with the worst of football or if the repercussions of De Klerk’s actions were valid, there is a conversation we don’t seem to think is worth having: the acceptance of masculinity being seen as strength and femininity as weakness.

PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ABOUT RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TIE

It is easy to sit on the couch and think that “it’s just words” without recognising that women get more harassed in a grocery shop queue than most men may ever understand. Shouting and screaming doesn’t seem to help because “it’s just a joke” or “compliment”.

Disagreements aren’t seen as valid but rather as “sensitivity” so often these comments and invasions are internalised and the cycle continues.

ALSO READ: Nic White’s Rugby Championship actions a disgrace to rugby – Butch James

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP COMMENTATORS

White’s conduct is going to be spoken about in colourful terms for the foreseeable future but to their credit, the Rugby Championship commentators discussed the incident in gender-neutral terms. However, their hands aren’t clean.

ALSO READ: Fan chirps Nic White: ‘We thought you were in the ICU’

When things get testy and fists start flying, Rugby Championship commentators are quick to call it “handbags”, which reduces violence to something that’s just an everyday part of life as a woman. The connection is a stretch, but one must wonder why those scuffles don’t have masculine connotations.

HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD?

First, let’s agree that women have a place in sport. Then we need to consciously note that times have changed and that our language needs to follow suit.

Sport is amazing in the ways it can unite, uplift and inspire. So while we are critiquing bad behaviour in one sphere at the Rugby Championship tournament, let’s work hard not to reinforce it in another.

ALSO READ: EXCLUSIVE: Was Nic White guilty of gamesmanship or cheating?

Six weeks of Omicron – here’s what we learned…

Governments worldwide, including the UK’s, said they were acting within the best interests of their own people. But the ridiculousness of relying on harsh and unforgiving travel bans to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was soon laid bare – and most countries have since dropped these restrictions.

That ‘first week’ of Omicron was manic. An atrocious wave of panic set in, thanks to the 25 November briefing led by South Africa’s top scientists. Multiple mutations, missing spike proteins, and a troublesome lineage made B.1.1.529 sound like a doomsday variant. Well, for about a day or two…

Once the haze of concern had cleared, clinical observations came to the fore. SA Medical Association Chairperson, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, was the first to divert away from the forecast gloom. As a frontline doctor, she had observed a new set of patients coming in with COVID-19.

But none of them were gasping for air. Most, in Coetzee’s professional opinion, didn’t even seem to be truly under the weather. This pattern continued for weeks in her clinic, and by the time Omicron had been identified, the long-serving expert decided the time was right to put her neck on the line.

SAMA’s leading lady did the media rounds, to spread the message that Omicron is, in fact, a much more mild form of the virus.

Omicron is more mild, and that’s what we have been trying to tell you

Her calls were quickly backed up by the CEOs of Mediclinic and Netcare respectively. The likes of Salim Abdool Karim, Tulio de Oliveira, and Shabir Madhi – our top virology experts in SA – also began expressing similar views by the start of December.

Sure enough, these words translated into action: Cases soared first in Gauteng, before spreading elsewhere. However, no hospital in SA has been left overwhelmed by the peak of Omicron cases, as new admissions and ICU requirements remain at reassuringly low levels.

The Omicron wave is strikingly different from the Delta wave. Quite simply, this new variant causes less severe disease, and fewer people require hospital treatment as a result of an Omicron infection. South Africa has spent most of the past month screaming this from the rooftops.

UK ‘cast doubt’ on South Africa’s science

So, we ask, why did the UK not want to believe what Dr. Coetzee was saying? Why were the words of Professor de Oliveira not convincing enough? And why did Britain only consider climbing down from its Omicron hysterics, once the same results were published by the Imperial College of London?

One person’s caution is another’s ignorance. Bizarre claims emerged from the UK’s scientific community in the first few days after Omicron was detected within their borders: Suggestions such as ‘this will cause one million cases a day’ and ‘it has a doubling time of fewer than two days’ came from the very top.

Of course, neither statement seemed to carry much weight or credence. Both have, so far, been proven wrong. But why were people like Chris Whitty, the UK’s Chief Medical Officer, so determined to ignore the positive signs coming from South Africa?

Those who spend their careers preparing for the worst-case scenarios will always claim they have to work on pessimistic assumptions. But the UK, with its rapid COVID-19 booster programme and high levels of vaccine uptake, seemed all too happy to trash its own success.

Around 90% of Brits got themselves vaccinated in 2021. Roughly 60% of them – tens of millions of citizens – have had their third jabs, too. The wall of immunity built up in Britain, alongside its large rates of previous infections, must dwarf Mzansi’s.

Time for fear is over

Alas, instead of backing the comprehensive science behind booster jabs and their strong efficacy against Omicron, the UK put itself in a tailspin. Both Wales and Scotland have introduced tougher social restrictions, and vaccine passports have been rolled out nationwide.

It just doesn’t make much sense, though. Even with seasonality fixed in for the Brits and their bleak winters, a large number of patients in hospitals are only testing positive for COVID-19 on an incidental basis. ICU beds and ventilator figures remain static.

South Africa told the world this was a milder form of coronavirus weeks ahead of schedule. They were ignored. The top medical professionals in this country were dismissed with an alarming disdain, and although cases continue to rise in Britain, hospitalisations and deaths have not followed at the same pace set during previous waves.

Make no bones about it, South Africa was punished when it alerted the world to Omicron, then ignored when it shared data highlighting the variant’s ‘reduced lethality’. Essentially, when it suited, our science was used to justify travel bans – then disregarded when the time came to de-escalate.

Where did the UK’s Omicron hysteria come from?

Only recently, within the past 72 hours or so, has the rhetoric started to calm in England.

Ans, as a UK-born writer for a South African publication, the last month has left me feeling like I’ve been gaslit. The people whose research formed the entire basis of our pandemic response were being cast as ‘unreliable’, by those in the British government – and its meek media landscape.

Nuts to ’em. The science from SA was never in doubt, and it shouldn’t be treated with such contempt ever again.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has reportedly earmarked South Africa as a potential new host for a Grand Prix, in a bid to further expand motorsport’s elite competition schedule.

Kyalami in pole position to host South African Grand Prix

Kyalami last hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1993, but the sport’s CEO Domenicali has repeatedly expressed his desire to secure a return to the African continent. The South African

Multiple rounds of discussions have been held between the sport’s bosses and SAGP, the company championing the return of F1 to Kyalami, who in turn have held discussions with government over potential support for the inititiative.

“After forming SAGP, we looked at possible venues for staging a Grand Prix, including Cape Town, Durban in KZN, and others. We soon realised the only venue that made sense was Kyalami, not just because of the historical significance of the track, but almost everything we need to host a Grand Prix is already in place,” SAGP CEO Warren Scheckter told Car Magazine.

“Since then, we orchestrated visits to the track from top F1 officials; most notably Chase Carey, who was CEO of F1 after taking over from Bernie Ecclestone in 2017. Delegates from the FIA also visited the track. During these vis‐its, SAGP facilitated meetings between F1 and many top South African government officials.”

The return of Formula one to Kyalami is a no-brainer. While the circuit needs substantial upgrades in order to adhere with the modern standards and circuit rules, that cost is still likely to be lower than that of staging a street race in either Cape Town or Durban.

While Formula 1 fans might be happy to see the circuit come to their city, the general public’s enthusiasm might dwindle after a couple of days of blocked streets and deafening din. Modern F1 cars may be hybrids but they aren’t exactly inconspicuous. 

Cape Town will stage a Formula E street circuit race, but those cars are whisper quiet.

Kyalami is relatively close to Johannesburg, but out of the way enough to ensure that the neighbours won’t call the JMPD on Domenicalli and company, and the milling crowds won’t cause City officials any great headcaches.

If Formula 1 is to return to South Africa you would bet it would be at Kyalami.

What is the travel red list?

The travel guidance in Blighty is split into three tiers; green, amber, and red. Countries on the green and amber lists generally enjoy easier restrictions on travel, providing that correct testing procedures are followed. It’s even less stressful to visit many of these places if you’re vaccinated, too. However, the red list comes with a set of severe deterrents.

Travellers from South Africa entering the UK must quarantine for an extended period of time, in government-run hotels. The stays are grim, the isolation is brutal, and there is no room for negotiation.

Anyone who needs to make a journey from Mzansi to the British Isles out of necessity will still have to go through this ordeal – costing them thousands in the process. For an overwhelming majority, it’s an impossible ask.

How did South Africa end up on the UK red list?

At the end of last year, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock managed to briefly put his scandalous affair to one side, so he could deal with a significant issue arising from Mzansi. As a COVID-19 resurgence hit both the UK and South Africa, new variants were found in the two countries. Inevitably, a mutual set of travel restrictions were drafted.

The Alpha and Beta variants drove second waves, but by March, both had fizzled out as harsher lockdowns brought the virus under control again. Just when things looked promising, our respective nations were Delta blow…

This time, the Brits were able to ride out another wave, thanks to their swift vaccination programme. South Africa lagged behind, and sure enough, another tough lockdown was needed to bring soaring infections rates down. But with 25% of the population now fully immunised on our shores, we’re doing a decent job of playing catch-up.

So, what makes South Africa’s place on the UK’s red list so silly? Eish, where to start…

Why keeping South Africa on the red list makes no sense

Today, SA recorded a total of 5 372 new COVID-19 cases. By comparison, The UK recorded 37 489 new cases. That alone should highlight the sheer lunacy of our stay on the travel red list. But wait, there’s more.

If this whole ‘red-listing’ of South Africa was determined by the presence of ‘different variants’, then that should also be enough to end this whole farce now. Since June, Delta has been the dominant variant of COVID-19 in BOTH countries. Therefore, travellers are highly, highly unlikely to contract a different strain in South Africa.

Some of the concerns raised about variants are just… well, to use a British term… they’re daft. No mutation discovered so far is capable of evading the neutralising qualities of the vaccine. With Delta, efficacy to prevent transmission has waned, but COVID-19 jabs are still outstandingly brilliant at keeping the vaccinated free from severe illness and death.

Even with the C.1.2 variant that was discovered in SA last month… it turns out that little bastard now wasn’t worth the panic sparked by online doom-mongers and select ‘professors’ who prioritise their newly-found relevance over facts.

(If you know, you know…)

The goalposts have changed, but the UK isn’t playing fair

What is more, SA’s vaccination programme is now thriving. Hundreds of thousands of jabs are being administered here every day. We’ve never had it so good, and this data should give a real ‘shot in the arm’ to DIRCO – as Minister Naledi Pandor continues to lobby the UK government to change our status to amber instead.

A quarter of South African adults are fully vaccinated, with the elderly and clinically vulnerable protected. This country is a safer place for travellers than it was just a couple of months ago – and yes, you can factor in case numbers too.

With little over 5 000 a day being reported in Mzansi, that’s lower than several OTHER amber list countries.

Iran, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Russia are some of the standout examples. And what about India? That is still on the amber list, despite recording more new virus cases than the UK itself in the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, little old South Africa can’t get a look-in – and even the Einsteins in the Conservative’s Cabinet should be able to see the problem here.

Thousands of South Africans ‘unable to see family members’

To conclude, perhaps it’s awfully naive to ask Johnson and his cronies to consider a compassionate side of the argument – but it’s worth a try anyway. The UK and South Africa are inextricably linked. Our cultures, our shared values mirror each other. That’s why so many families are split between both nations, despite the 6 000-mile distance.

Not everyone who travels abroad is a holidaymaker. These restrictions are preventing families from uniting at a time where support and reassurance are needed the most. The pandemic has been the cruellest of all dividers, keeping relatives and friends apart – but the UK’s draconian travel rules certainly run it close.

The red list, therefore, is unfit for purpose. There is no need for South Africa to be ostracised. It is time to face facts, cut some slack, and change tact. Failing that, I fear we’re really going to have to get tough with the UK…

Should they fail to comply, SA should simply stop sending its finest wines and cricket players to the grey little island.

That’ll show ’em.

For you see, this is Schroedinger’s President. He was both aware AND unaware of the corruption around him. He can AND cannot recall vital details about corruption-accused colleagues. Ramaphosa, sensing an opportunity to portray himself as the ‘silent hero’ of the state capture era, has only succeeded in making our political institutions look more terrible than we already thought they were.

Has Ramaphosa been contradicting himself?

Let’s take some quotes from his statement yesterday. Ramaphosa reckons he only learned about state capture and the extent of the issue when the #GuptaLeaks reports were published. So, by 2017 (at the very latest) he was now clued up.

“As it became increasingly clearer – through the so-called Gupta Leaks and other revelations – that a network of individuals was seemingly colluding with senior government officials to occupy key positions and ‘capture’ key institutions, the question that arose was how to respond.”

Silent hero, or convenient amnesiac?

Fair enough, pal. But how do you then reconcile that with the fact Malusi Gigaba was a well-known stooge of the Guptas by this point, but remained in Cabinet – even surviving a reshuffle – when you assumed the presidency? Ramaphosa assumed power in February 2018, and Gigaba remained a minister until November 2018.

In the end, it was a sex scandal that got Gigabyte, and not his multiple links to the Indian billionaires.

He denied claims of receiving lavish gifts & cash. Yet ex-Cabinet minister, Malusi Gigaba at least admitted to the Zondo Commission that he was FRIENDS with the Guptas.

But as that admission stands, President Cyril Ramaphosa says he wasn't aware of this at all. @etvNewsSA

— Graeme Raubenheimer (@GraemeRauby) August 12, 2021

Ramaphosa’s state capture testimony divides opinion

Ramaphosa spoke a lot about ‘resisting’ state capture on Wednesday. He made it sound like he could work against the whole heinous plot from the inside. Fearful of making too much noise and losing his position of authority, Cyril maintains that he provided ‘enough opposition’ to help quell the spread of government corruption.

“Had I and like-minded individuals resigned from the Executive, we would have had no ability to resist the excesses that were taking place – and there was a clear danger that without resistance, there would have been even fewer impediments to the expansion of state capture.”

“My ability and the ability of others to resist and ultimately to bring about changes that would end state capture relied to a large measure on the political balance of forces within the Executive, within the governing party, and within society more broadly.”

State Capture Inquiry brings us ‘two Cyrils’

But that’s just not right, is it? Passivity in this situation doesn’t achieve much, if anything.

At the time he was ‘quietly resisting’ state capture from the inside, Ramaphosa found himself tied up with corruption kingpins Bosasa. Unless he was undercover as someone who receives money from fraudsters, this one just doesn’t fly.

Even after assuming the presidency, he was taking part in ANC committee meetings that sought to appoint cadres in various positions, and they even made recommendations for certain judges to be elected. If Cyril’s path really is one of peaceful protest, he’s going to have to find his voice fairly soon. Or failing that, a working memory…

#StateCaptureInquiry Ramaphosa said some appointments were brought to the committee and others did not. He says he does not recall these appointments.

— ???? Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile (@Gao_Phala) August 11, 2021

A win for accountability? We’re not so sure…

One minute he is fighting corruption, the next he knows nothing about it.

And herein lies the problem. Ramaphosa would like us to believe in the duality of his claims: He was a source of opposition in the shadows, and if there’s anything that looks bad on him, there’s nothing worth remembering. His timelines are muddled, like a presidential Doctor Who – and the whole Gigaba saga has already chipped away at some of his claims.

The ANC leader can be commended for attending the Commission, but what’s the alternative? Well, 15 months in Estcourt Prison by the looks of things. Ramaphosa has done enough to fulfill his legal obligations, but questions still remain.

Ramaphosa is basically contradicting his own claims. You can't claim to be in a coma while present in proceedings. #StateCaptureInquiry

— Itumeleng M (@MsizaQ) August 11, 2021

Springboks must avoid the sin-bin

Much has been made of tackles and officials in the build-up to the first Test between the Lions and Boks, and unless it Warren Gatland is bluffing his team will look to get their opponents sent to the bin.

Not with the sort of theatrics practiced by French skipper Anthony Jelonche against the Wallabies, but with their plot to exploit quick taps to win a string of penalties in the red zone.

READ: Springboks vs British and Irish Lions – First Test preview

The Springboks should be primarily focused on not playing inside their own half, but should they get hemmed in by the marauding Lions discipline will be key.

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber will be aware of what the Lions might do and will have planned for it, but planning and execution could be world’s apart for a team that hasn’t had the best preparation for a tough Test series.

It seems a rarity that a game of elite level rugby goes by without a sin-binning, but if the Springboks ensure they keep 15 bodies on the field for 80 minutes, they will give themselves the ideal base to build a challenge against the tourists.

Kicking key to avoiding yellow 

Outside of poor tackling technique, it is relatively straight-forward to avoid a sin-binning if your team’s kicking game is firing on all cylinders.

To that point, much will depend on the performance of Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk and Willie le Roux, the Springboks main kickers.

The Springboks trio will be up against equally adept kickers in the Lions ranks in Ali Price, Dan Biggar and Stuart Hogg.

Discipline is a word thrown around a lot in a sport where the margin for error when it comes to cards is often razor-thin, but everything about the build-up suggests the Springboks will need a super-human effort to keep players out of the bin.

RUGBY QUIZ | Answer these 5 easy questions and win R1 000!

In the last week, South Africans have endured more twists and turns in the interminable saga that is Jacob Zuma than most nations have had to get through in their existences. There have been more “will he or won’t he?” moments than a season of The Bold and the Beautiful.

I remember all too clearly a conversation I had with a friend in 2004 about Jacob Zuma and whether he would see the inside of a prison cell. Then, despite accusations of corruption and theft, he evaded prosecution, turning himself into a martyr and defeating the Mbeki at Polokwane, with the trial against him being inadvertently dropped due to the “Spy Tapes” which were, at that point, disallowed from being released. 

This week, despite a last-ditch effort to evade the arrest from his legal team, the SAPS mounted their coup de grace shortly before midnight on Wednesday. He is, it seems (although no photo evidence has been forthcoming), in a correctional facility in Estcourt, around 200km from Nkandla.

‘COMPLETELY MEANINGLESS AND FUTILE’

The question is, however, does this actually matter? What difference will it make? As with most things relating to South African politics, the reality is simultaneous that this matters a lot and it will change everything, but at the same time, it is completely meaningless and futile.

Zuma’s legal strategy has consistently been described in the media as “Stalingrad”, a reference to the devastatingly destructive battle of World War Two. With the Nazis advancing swiftly into the then Soviet Union, the Red Army knew that the town now known as Volgograd would be the critical juncture. They proceeded to throw everything they had into the battle, defending street by street until Hitler’s Wehrmacht was so bogged down and fragmented they were forced to retreat. What was left was a decimated shell of a city, razed to the ground. It was, to use another historical analogy, a “Pyrrhic” victory. 

Could it be so with South Africa?  Perhaps this is the wrong analogy, or rather – we have until now gotten it back to front. The prevailing view is that Zuma and his team are the Soviets, defending inexorably against the ceaseless Nazi Panzer tanks who somewhat dubiously are seen as the rule of law. However, maybe Zuma is actually the attacker, trying to destroy the fabric of the nation, and it is the rule of law and the Constitutional Court judges who are the vanguards in the Soviet defence of the Motherland, inch by inch trying to stop the onslaught that is destroying their nation. Finally, they seem to have turned the corner and be making headway in the battle against the invaders.

Please excuse the tired and drawn out metaphor, but it raises an important question. The battle against Zuma might have been won by the judges and the enforcement of the rule of law, but to what end? In the process of the last twenty years, the country has, like Stalingrad, been almost completely ruined.

In a typically antagonistic rant on his PoliticsWeb blog, RW Johnson explicitly outlined last week just how the ANC has let the country down. Sadly the rot is deeper than imprisoning one man. Zuma going to jail will not solve Eskom’s woes, repair battered state finances, roll out vaccines and get through the critical reforms needed to ensure the country doesn’t enter into a debt spiral.

‘ZUMA AND ACE HAVE BECOME STRAW MEN’

The reality could be that Zuma (and Ace Magushule) have become straw men to be knocked down so that ANC leaders can crow that they are winning the fight against corruption, while the actual corruption continues unabated behind the scenes. 

Zuma has become a very convenient and expendable fall guy. Should we, therefore, be celebrating this?

The conundrum reminds me of Nasrec. As we celebrated Cyril Ramaphosa being elected to president of the ANC in December 2017, a worrying sense in the pit of my stomach was that this could, actually, be the worst thing that could have happened to South Africa. If Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had been elected, the ANC would have disintegrated within years, locking them out of power, allowing South Africa to go through the structural changes and rebirth that it has needed for decades. DD Mabuza, however, saw this coming and knew that the only way to remain elected and with access to the lucrative feeding trough would be to elect a puppet with a veneer of respectability and electability.

Now, once again, the rule of law has meant that the ANC is pretending to be a force for change in the country, while the reality is that it is rotten to the core. With Zuma going to jail, something has changed so that nothing will actually change.

Should South Africans, therefore, be celebrating? Momentarily, possibly yes – but until we hold the ruling party accountable at the ballot box we should expect nothing to change for the better. Sadly, because of this prosecution that eventual reckoning may now be further away than ever. 

The very building is on the sight of what was once the most feared prison in the country, the Old Fort, which amongst many political prisoners housed none other than Nelson Mandela. The new constitutional court was itself built out of the rubble from the old prison.

As the first president of a democratic South Africa and an ex-lawyer himself, Mandela was under no illusions as to not only how essential the court would be in a democratic South Africa but also the challenges and threats it would face to uphold the law. When he opened the court in 1995, Madiba warned that it would be tested not only by “direct assaults” but also “insidious corrosion”. 

“The highest and the most humble in the land all, without exception, owe allegiance to the same document, the same principles,” and the court would have a “lofty but also lonely” task to ensure that they did, he said.

NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW, NOT EVEN AN EX-PRESIDENT

Now, almost thirty years later, it can be said that the black, green and red robed judges of the court have indeed risen to the challenge set by Mandela by ruling that no one is above the law, not even an ex-President of the Republic. Unlike in those days of apartheid, where the law ruled that some citizens are subject to different laws based on the colour of their skin, it has been shown that despite being pushed to the very limit the rule of law in a democratic South Africa applies to everyone, equally.

This is clearly a triumph, and a wonderful day for South African democracy. However, a number of questions remain.

First, it is worth pointing out that Zuma has not (yet) been convicted and sentenced on charges of corruption. Indeed those legal wrangles are simply ongoing. What he faces now is a sentence based on his no show at the Zondo Commission, which he himself authorized when president. It therefore remains to be seen whether if he now gives in and decides to stand before the Commission if the sentence will be overruled.

Second, this ruling reminds one in some respects of Al Capone being eventually sentenced not for bootlegging, gangsterism or smuggling, but for tax evasion. While it is a relief that the court did give him 15 months in prison, questions remain about the ability to successfully prosecute him for state capture and corruption, the issues for which legal precedent is most desperately needed.

BAD EGG ANC MEMBERS ‘SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS’

Finally, this is a singularly strong and direct message to other bad egg members of the ANC that no one is above the law. According to veteran political analyst William Gumede, many of them will now be “shaking in their boots”. However, as ever martyrdom is a risk. If Zuma does go to jail, the RET faction of the party may be able to argue more convincingly that they are facing a white led and funded takeover of the ANC and the party who are instrumentalising the judiciary to avert the course of the National Democratic Revolution or somesuch other Marxist nonsense. It will be billed as the return of White Minority Capital.

But for the moment, the RET faction has never looked weaker and Ramaphosa’s place in the party has never looked more secure. While South Africa’s economy might be in freefall, Eskom more decrepit than ever and there may be no end to this interminable pandemic in sight, at least South Africans cant take this moment to toast the courage of our most senior judges and the resilience of our legal system. 

Especially for Ramaphose, this is some much needed good news, however, to once again cite Madiba, “After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb”.

This is just another stop on the long journey which is building a democratic South Africa. Furthermore, it remains to be seen if this is a turning point on a road back to more accountable democracy or a high watermark of judicial independence. Only time will tell.

The best-case scenario is that the current exponential rates of caseloads plateau out towards the end of
July, the health system can start to repair the damage which the recent onslaught has wreaked and we
return to life as usual. This is to assume that the current two-week lockdown works a near miracle, and
infections suddenly ebb.

However, Africa’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that the likely outlook is
however looking much, much, much worse.

‘WE ARE NOT WINNING FOR SURE’

With caseloads across the continent skyrocketing – up three times since only one month ago – doctors
in many parts of the country are warning that hospital beds are scarce, oxygen is running low and the
vaccination campaign is running far behind schedule.

“We are not winning for sure. Each time you get a wave the peak is worse than the previous one,” said
John Nkengasong, director of Africa’s CDC. “What haunts me a lot is the India scenario which could well
happen here, we are not nearly out of the woods yet”.

When referring to the Indian scenario he was referring to the deadly second wave that the country
experienced in the last three months, with the total tally of infections over 20m and over 250 000 dead,
although this is almost certainly a gross underestimate. If that was to happen in SA it could result in
another 100 000 South Africans dead, adding to the estimated 170 000 excess mortalities as of June
2021.

The situation in India was unbearable, with hospitals completely overwhelmed, bodies piling up on the
sides of streets and daily mass cremations becoming part of life. Exacerbating the devastation was the
particularly contagious Delta and so called Delta Plus variants which are now spreading across South
Africa. These variants are not only dangerous for the elderly and vulnerable, but many doctors in India
were recorded as being horrified by how many twenty and thirty year olds were getting seriously ill. The
same is now being reported in Gauteng.

There are many lessons for South Africa that can be drawn from this ghastly experience.

First, the implied tradeoff between saving the economy and containing the spread of the virus through
lockdowns is simply fallacious. If governments dither, as India’s did in February and March and as we did
in May and June, then the subsequent effects of the virus on the health system and the economy are
far, far worse. Ironically, this is a point that was made very clearly by Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi and President Cyril Ramaphosa when they ordered the first lockdowns in March last year, but at
some point over the course of the last 12 months they seem to have forgotten it. A lockdown ordered
now, with the virus already circulating throughout the population, is simply pointless. It should have
been done months ago.

Scenes of South Africans partying and gathering in May and June 2021 will have been very familiar to
Indians who enjoyed watching live sport, attending weddings and going to mass religious events like the
Kumbh Mela, where over 650 000 Hindus swam in the River Ganges, in March and April.

Second, vaccination drives are the only way to permanently halt the spread of the virus, and both in
India and South Africa the pace has been glacial, especially amongst the communities where the spread
of the virus happens most. There is no point in vaccinating the elderly, well off and isolated residents of
Constantia and Bryanston if those communities where spread is fastest – in the informal settlements
and rural areas – are not able to register and access vaccines. Variants, which may become immune to
vaccines, will just continue to evolve and proliferate.

RAMAPHOSA’S FATE RESTS ON ONE THING…

Finally, there is a risk to the politicians themselves when they handle the situation as disastrously as
they have done. Modi’s popularity rating has collapsed since the catastrophic second wave, and
Ramaphosa should not be surprised if his does as well if these chilling forecasts become reality.

At this critical turning point, Ramapahosa’s fate and indeed the fate of the country rests on one thing
only: speeding up and expanding the vaccination campaigns, particularly for those most at risk.

Dr Ridhwaan Suliman, a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, told the
Daily Maverick this week that if this does not happen and South Africa does not manage to achieve
the critical aim of 60% of all South Africans having received at least one dose of the vaccine by Spring then
there will be a fourth wave by December.

Indeed, Professor Francois Venter of the Ezintsha unit at Wits University told the Daily Maverick that
“There will be between 20 and 40 waves before we are all vaccinated,” said Venter, adding that at the
current pace it could take up to 10 years to reach herd immunity in South Africa.

Dissent, across the country, is brewing. The handling of this pandemic has clearly been nothing short of
calamitous. Ramaphosa himself might end up being the highest profile political casualty of a looming
humanitarian catastrophe.