WEEKLY SA Mirror 30th ED

WIN WIN WIN CONSUMER EYE HELPS CLIENT TWO-NIGHT WEEKEND GET R300 000 STAY FOR TWO COUPLES! 5BANK REFUND 11page page Friday 10 December 2021 D E Q L www.weeklysamirror.news MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... KICK OUT IMIGODOYI WITHOUT USING THE TERM ‘IMIGODOYI’ (MONGRELS) AS PREVIOUSLY TO REFER TO ROGUE ELEMENTS WITHIN ANC, FORMER PRESIDENT THABO MBEKI BLASTS 2CORRUPT OPPORTUNISTS DESTROYING THE PARTY... see page

2 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 10 December 2021 By Monk Nkomo ANC ourselves of such members and organise ourselves The ANC needs to urgently renew itself because RENEWAL IS in a way that will make it difficult for corrupt ele- it has been plagued by corruption, arrogance, ABSOLUTE ments to gain entry into our movement.’’ nepotism, disunity and abuse of state power. AND URGENT PRIORITY - Mbeki said it was self-evident that for the ANC This was said by former South African Presi- to remain loyal to the commitment Luthuli made dent, Thabo Mbeki when he delivered the Chief MBEKI that it would ‘’carry on the programme of African Albert Luthuli Lecture on Friday, to mark the 60th liberation and freedom for all to the best of its abil- anniversary of the very first award of the Nobel POWER: Mbeki says some members attain ity,’’ it would have to retain its character as a true Peace Prize to an African and former president of power to advance personal ambitions… servant of the people. the ANC, in 1961. The theme for this year’s lecture was ‘’ Africa and Freedom’’. Referring to the 2017 ANC National Confer- ence in 2017, Mbeki said they also raised the prob- Echoing the challenges that were raised at the lem of leadership weaknesses. Even the strongest 2017 National Conference of the ANC, Mbeki said ANC supporters agreed that the ‘’ sins of incum- they also highlighted the loss of confidence people bency’’ were deeply entrenched in the organisation. had in the ANC because of elitism, factionalism, Leadership weaknesses and loss of integrity, char- putting self-interest above the people and manipu- acterised by competition to control State resources, lation of organisational processes. factionalism, conflict, ill discipline and disunity, and the use of State institutions to settle differ- Mbeki added that Luthuli dedicated the Nobel ences, were some of the serious challenges that the Peace Prize to millions of people who had dedi- ANC faced. cated their lives to the service of mankind. Those who lived to see the new South Africa being born, ‘’ Slates and vote buying has delivered lead- needed to pose and answer important questions of ers who have difficulty driving our programmes or whether everything that had happened in South Af- commanding respect from society and our support- rica and the rest of Africa was consonant with what Luthuli sacrificed for. Slates and vote-buying have delivered leaders For the ANC to claim Luthuli’s loyalty and legacy, everything needed to be done urgently to who have difficulty effect its renewal so that they could also contribute driving our everything they can to the renaissance of Africa. The ANC, as the ruling party, must also act without programmes or delay to ensure that there was a sustained effort to commanding respect from society and our Without this renewal, it will be impossible supporters….] effectively to deal with the scourge of PURGE: Former president ers…. It is these factors that caused the decline in corruption Thabo Mbeki credibility and support for the ANC. The losses of 2016 Local Government Elections were a direct re- achieve high economic growth rates and the sus- sult of these factors. Unless we arrest them in 2017, tained development of the economy. we will speed up the decline and will face a real threat of losing power in a number of provinces and ‘’Without this renewal, it will be impossible more cities and towns.’’ effectively to deal with the scourge of corruption. Without this renewal, it would not be possible to Mbeki said the Conference took a critically im- build the capable State which is vital not only for portant decision that organisational renewal was an service delivery but also to achieve the required absolute and urgent priority for the survival of the economic growth rates as well as significantly im- ANC. prove the safety and security of the population at large. Despite this critical decision, certain leaders and members of the movement ignored the call and ‘’The high levels of poverty, unemployment instead embarked on widespread fraudulent activi- and inequality stare us in the face, contrary to what ties of self-enrichment involving millions of rands Chief Luthuli expressly said was an intolerable re- and thus crippling the State of financial resources sult of the colonial and apartheid systems.’’ that were meant to improve people’s lives espe- cially the poor. Mbeki quoted part of Nelson Mandela’s Politi- cal Report at the ANC’s 50th Conference in 1997, Mbeki also quoted a letter from President Cyril in which he lamented that over the last three years Ramaphosa which he addressed to ANC members negative features had emerged within the organisa- in August last year in which he said: “As the inheri- tion that included careerism. tors of the legacy of Luthuli, Tambo and Mandela, we must be honest with our people and ourselves. Many among the ANC saw their membership We must acknowledge that our movement, the as a means to advance their personal ambitions to African National Congress, has been and remains attain positions of power and access to resources deeply implicated in South Africa’s corruption for their own individual gratification. problem. Today, the ANC and its leaders stand ac- cused of corruption. Mandela had added: ‘’During this period, we have also been faced with various instances of cor- ‘’ The ANC may not stand alone in the dock, ruption involving our own members, including but it does stand as Accused No.1. This is the stark those who occupy positions of authority by virtue reality that we must now confront. Those who see of the victory of the democratic revolution. Clearly, the ANC as a path to wealth, to power, to influence we have to take all necessary measures to purge or status must know that they do not belong in our movement. They must change their ways or they must leave.’’

Friday 10 December 2021 NEWS 3WEEKLY SA MIRROR JOE NINA PROVES STAYING POWER WITH 30TH ALBUM HERITAGE: He believes music is the umbilical cord that emotionally connects human species… By Robert Tlapu Phiri, Soweto Gospel Choir, Patricia “On Father’s Day, myself, Blondie It is said that too much of every- Majalisa, Ringo Madlingozi and the Makhene and Dr Steve Kekana went late Sibongile Khumalo, just to men- into the studio to complete the 2 songs, thing is dangerous and not healthy, but tion a few. and two weeks later Dr Kekana passed not with the legendary music compos- on. It was the deepest blow I felt, but er, arranger, writer, singer, and multi- Joe Nina has always been a ver- I am happy that I managed to capture instrumentalist Joe Nina, who has an satile and unpredictable musician. the moment and beautiful voices of the abundance of musical talent and stay- In his latest offering 2020, he has legends while they were alive”, added ing power. worked with mostly young musicians Joe Nina. and some barely known in the music Testimony is his latest and the world such as Ryma, Thembi T and He further elaborated that he also 30th album, titled 2020, featuring 15 Arts United. enjoyed working with newer talents as sizzling tracks. Born Makhosini Henry it has always been a wonderful experi- Xaba in a musical family in Katlehong The Killer Joe records owner’s ence, but also because while learning township of Ekurhuleni, the talented music has always been about the so- new approaches from them, it is also music guru started playing drums at cio-economy of life and loving each part of the development which he the tender age of 6, “which slowly lat- other, fusing different music beats, loves. er developed into playing around with which has always been something that guitar and piano. Joe Nina found it easy to do. Joe Nina said, “I believe that mu- sic is the umbilical cord emotionally Around 15, I was clear with the Maria Podesta, the hit song from connecting humans to each other. It is basics and took music seriously as a his 1994 released album Ding Dong, a heritage that restores, nurtures and profession”, added the 47-year-old broke Joe Nina’s “virginity” in the protects our collective memories and musician. South African music sphere, and has national identity. And it is an expres- been revisited and re-recorded and re- sion of our love for life”. Joe Nina drew his musical genes mixed featuring Mo-T. from his father and mother, who were The latest project is a testimony part of a local band as a guitarist and Of his new album, the four-times that Joe Nina is still one of the most vocalist respectively. In the 30 years of SAMA nominee says: “It is titled 2020 talented producers, arrangers, com- his music career, Joe Nina has worked because the initial plan was to release posers and musicians that South Af- with almost all well-known South it last year (2020), but due to the un- rica has ever known. African musicians, including Hugh foreseen Covid situation, there were Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Soweto delays on production as the team could The album is available on all digi- String Quartet, Stompie Mavi, Ray not meet as much as we would have tal music platforms and traditional liked to. Hence 2020”. hard copy material. JO LOVES By Gugu Sibiya “Another huge part of the contest is upskill- TO BRING Like most women who are deeply invested ing. We attended a lot of workshops, learnt about JOY TO LESS finance, relationships, social media, cyber safety, FORTUNATE in their families, Jo Judnick Wilson parked a lot among other things,” says an elated Jo. of her interests on the back-burner to ensure that CHARITY: New they thrive. Humanitarian and charity work is integral to queen is booming with Mrs SA, and thus inspired her desire to help the ideas to shine spotlight Family life has always been especially de- special Olympic team when she found out about on women achievers… manding for the 40-year-old is mother as one of their funding struggles. “I turned to the ladies her two sons has special needs. “He needs lots of for help. For our fundraiser, we held hands and BUSYBEE: Beautiful Jo Judnick Wilson, the medication and therapy. So, for a while I was fo- jumped into an ice pool,” she recalled with pride. new Mrs South Africa 2021 cused on him until I realised he doesn’t need me to hold his hand anymore. That’s when it dawned “It was freezing but worth it. Even the busi- on me that I needed to recalibrate my life.” Deci- nesses and celebrities came on board, paying sion made she entered the prestigious Mrs South for our pledges. I’m proud that, in a small way, Africa beauty pageant. we contributed to their taking part in the special Olympics in Russia. More precious is the bonding As lady luck would have it, the Gauteng and sisterhood experience that we’ll remember beauty walked away with the highly coveted Mrs for a long time,” she muses. South Africa 2021 crown, beating 23 other hope- fuls on a charged-up Emperor’s Palace stage in “Hosting a picnic at a park for dog lovers was Johannesburg. brilliant. They had an amazing time walking their four-legged friends, who loved frolicking in the “It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. sun. 800 people turned out. It created awareness The contest creates self-awareness within you, for the unknown SACCA and its work-around empowers you with tools to recognise what you dogs afflicted with cancer.” have and can still achieve. Boasting a bag full of great ideas, Jo fol- “Most of the ladies vying for the title are lowed this with “Canvas for Cancer”, an online already established achievers in their own right. auction meant to raise funds for the Cancer As- Hence the skills exchange. What impressed me sociation of SA. So, I invited female artists to was that if you have a certain skill, you empow- donate their works. Art appreciators loved them ered other women who also reciprocate. It ena- and dug deep into their pockets, buying most of bled us to learn a lot.” them,” she says, ticking yet another success box. “We were instead in collaboration, hold- “I’ve observed that Siya Kolisi is well- ing each other’s hands. I’ll never forget how the known and supported, but you can’t say the same former Mrs SA Hlengiwe Twala told us. “We’ve for female rugby or netball captains. Instead of been reminded time and again that the journey is complaining, I was touched enough to want to do not about us, but woman empowerment, breaking something about this. barriers and helping other women”. “Through my NPO Build Her Tomorrow, I Speaking glowingly about one of the spon- want to shine the spotlight on female rugby and sors, Margaret Hirsch, Jo says: “Margaret was in- netball captains.” strumental in preparing the semi-finalists for the big day and beyond. “This isn’t just about girls who look up to them, but the boys we raise too. The ladies will She brought motivational speakers to em- create aspirational figures for the youngsters. Our power us for the journey ahead. This was to see boys can also look after and save them in the fu- us emerge from the pageant as better versions of ture. ourselves. She wanted us to understand the mag- nitude of the brand, what it represents and what I’m passionate about hardworking, dedicated our take away from it. women who are ready to exploit opportunities coming their way.

4 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 10 December 2021 DEBARRED LAWYER JAILED FOR MISUSE OF TRUST FUNDS ROLL: She will effectively serve 10 years in prison for fraud and continuing to practice while struck off the roll… By Frank Maponya removed from the roll of attorneys after she was Unscrupulous Eastern Cape lawyer Anna Johanna Maria Swanepoel, 47, has been imprisoned after An Eastern Cape lawyer has been handed a 15- convicted of theft of trust monies. being found guilty of fraud, theft and contempt of court year sentence on charges of fraud and for practising Ngcakani said the lawyer had applied for leave She said also that between February and June 000 from this amount to her clients and misappro- despite being struck off the attorneys’ roll. Anna to appeal against the court order and that the ap- 2016 Swanepoel had received a total of R1 300 priated the remainder of the funds (R56 000) for Johanna Maria Swanepoel, a 47-year-old lawyer plication had the effect of suspending the execution from a client for a child maintenance case. personal use,” she explained. based in Eastern province, was found guilty of act- of the order. She said however, on October 13 of ing in defiance of the court order. the same year, Swanepoel withdrew her application “Swanepoel was approached by three clients to Ngcakani further said that later in November after prosecutor, Senior State Advocate Ulrike De draft a contract of sale to receive a purchase price and December 2017, Swanepoel had received R1 The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Klerk had “skilfully” argued against the appeal af- of R160 000 and to obtain an eviction order from 500 from a client for representing them in a domes- Court on Thursday sentenced Swanepoel to 15 ter solid evidence had been gathered and presented the property. She drafted the contract and received tic violence case. In all those cases, Ngcakani said, years imprisonment on charges of fraud, theft and to the NPA. The order was effected and Swanepoel a total of R160 000 from the purchaser in Novem- Swanepoel had never divulged her status to the cli- contempt of court. Five of the years have been sus- was struck off the roll. But she continued to prac- ber of that year. However, Swanepoel paid R104 ents when they approached her for legal assistance. pended for a period of five years on condition she tice as an attorney and represented numerous cli- is not convicted on similar charges during her sus- ents, said Ngcakani. pension. “In October and November 2015, Swanepoel Swanepoel was struck off the attorneys’ roll issued receipts for a total amount of R30 000 to a in 2015 for allegedly being involved in fraudulent client to instruct a senior counsel to represent the activities in line with her practicing as an attorney. client for a robbery trial,” she said, adding that the She was found to have continued taking money client had paid Swanepoel the amount. from unsuspecting clients who needed legal repre- sentation. “In February 2016, Swanepoel further issued a receipt for funds received from a client for a rape According to Eastern Cape regional spokesper- trial. And again in June 2016 she issued receipts for son of the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA), a total of R1 000 to a client to institute civil pro- Anelisa Ngcakani, on August 27 2015 the Graham- ceedings against a certain government department stown High Court had ordered that Swanepoel be on behalf of the client,” Ngcakani said. MUM WON’T FORGIVE HER SON’S KILLERS ANGUISH: She says she still agonises over the fact that her son paid with his life for a mere cap… Thorisho Themane, 28, was brutally attacked by a group of youths in Polokwane in By Frank Maponya teenagers during sentencing. 2019. He later died in hospital “I am a Christian who, by nature, should be Following the convictions, Themane said she forgiving. But the fact that my son was killed for had mixed feelings about the development as she a trivial thing such as taking a mere cap has left was still deeply saddened that her son paid with a huge scar in my heart such that I find it dif- his life for a mere cap. Hence, she found it diffi- ficult to forgive his killers. I just wish they could cult to forgive the convicted men and teenagers. be jailed for life.” She said she was aware of the fact that after These were words on Wednesday of a long- serving their respective sentences her son’s kill- grieving mother, Maria Themane, shortly after ers would ultimately return to be reunited with the Polokwane High Court convicted those re- their families. sponsible for the brutal killing of her son, Thor- isho Themane, whose death sparked widespread “And I will never get to see my son again. public condemnation in January 2019. But I hope that with time I will heal from the pain that I had been going through since my Themane’s 28-year-old son was assaulted son’s death and wish God could give me strength by a group of people, including teenagers then to cope and ultimately forgive them,” she added. aged between 13 and 16, and died a day later, after being accused of taking a cap belonging to The two adults accused had testified that one of the teenagers in Fauna Park, a suburb in Themane was assaulted by the young offend- Polokwane. ers while he was outside Mothapo’s homestead. They told the court that they could not stop the Four teenagers and two adults were found fight as the children were many. However, one guilty of the murder while two adults, Chuene of their friends who was in the car with a baby Maleka and Alfred Mothapo, were found guilty was trying to call the police who allegedly never of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily arrived at the scene. Previously, it was the evi- harm. The other two teenagers were only found dence of the state witness and the child offender guilty of assault and one of them was turned into that the two adults had also assaulted Themane a state witness. Sentencing on the matter is ex- and that one of them had used a carjack in at- pected to be delivered on February 24 next year. tacking the deceased. NPA Limpopo spokeswoman Mashudu Ma- Maleka and Mothapo were out on bail while labi-Dzhangi said while they were happy about the minors were released under parental care. the judgment, the court would take into consid- Themane’s brutal assault was recorded on a eration the Child Justice Act in relation to the cellphone video that went viral on social media two years ago.

Friday 10 December 2021 CONSUMER & LEGAL MATTERS 5WEEKLY SA MIRROR Consumer Eye AWARD-WINNING CONSUMER EDITOR LOOKS 060 936 2673 INTO YOUR COMPLAINTS BANK REFUNDS CLIENT ILLEGALLY DEDUCTED R300 000 ERROR: Banking ombudsman says the bank admitted its error By Thuli Zungu Kwanda Vabaza the Banking Ombudsman’s Tendani said her banker should have known that ,”Tendani said A 52-year-old mother of four has won her bat- Communications Manager said the bank will refund if a bond is paid up, the bond cover ceases to exist, This was despite the Bank Ombudsman’s rul- tle against Standard Bank which has ultimately all the Home Loan Protection Plan (HLPP) premi- but nonetheless advised her to take a loan against it. agreed to refund her more than R300 000 which ums charged to the home loan account from May ing that the unauthorised debits on her account was was unlawfully debited to her account as month- 2005, as well as reversing all the interest associated She said when she paid off her bond in 2005 the an error. Vabaza said the bank was committed to ly premiums for a Home Loan Protection Plan with these premiums. He said the bank offered to bank should have stopped debiting her account for amicably resolve this matter within a manner that is despite the fact that she had paid off her bond refund R333 627.76 if Tendani accepts the settle- the monthly premiums as the policy came to an end fair and reasonable for all parties concerned and is fifteen years ago. ment offer. in terms of clause 6.1 (a) and (b) of the policy but aligned to Treat Customer Fairly outcomes. it was not. She said over the years when the debit Pinki Tendani of Mondeor, Johannesburg, is The amount of R333 627.76 is based on the fol- orders bounced the bank was happy to top them onto “With this in mind, SBSA will refund all the getting sorted after Consumer Eye took up her com- lowing calculation: Assurance Premiums amount her bond. Home Loan Protection Plan (HLPP) premiums plaint with the Banking Ombudsman and Standard of R301 969.60 plus interest of R181 658.16 less charged to the home loan account from May 2005, Bank. She had accused Standard Bank of unlaw- amount already refunded R150 000. Tendani said it was only in 2018 when she asked as well as reversing all interest associated with these fully deducting the amounts for the premium on a the bank to send her a copy of her bond contract. premiums as charged. This refund will be reduced policy that was terminated after she paid off her Tendani has yet to accept this offer. After fail- She then realized that she was illegally debited for by the R150 000 credit that had been paid into the bond 15 years ago. ing to pay the monthly premiums for the protection a policy that lapsed fifteen years ago. “By that time, home loan account in 2019. plan, the bank threatened to sell her house. She then I had already repaid over R1 million which is triple Tendani said when she paid off her bond, she took out a loan of R387 000 against her bond a few the amount I had borrowed,” Tendani said. “The outcome will place the complainant in the was relieved that she now owns her house and no years after paying the bond off. position she and her co-mortgagor would have been one would take it away from her. The bank however Her current balance stands at R720 000 which in if the above credit life policy were not in place continued to debit her account for the protection Tendani said she had a bad credit record after is double the loan amount she took to pay off the since May 2005 , when the bond was paid up,” he plan on the loan she had taken. the bank had sent an adverse record to the Credit Home Loan Protection Plan. When she raised this said Bureau against her. error three years ago, Standard Bank admitted the Consumer Eye then intervened and asked the error but insisted on only refunding half the amount. Vabaza said the bank has established that Tend- Banking Ombudsman to review her matter. She said with the advice of her banker at that ani has not paid the home loan account since 2018 desperate moment she took a loan of R387 000 It was with the intervention of the Banking Om- and the above reversals will not settle the full arrears Standard Bank (SBSA) will now be resolving against her bond account to settle the unpaid debit budsman that Standard bank admitted its error, she on the account. her complaint and pay back all the premiums they orders for a Home Loan Protection Plan which said. “What was most unfair was that the Banking have collected after her house was paid off. should have automatically stopped when the house Any further outstanding balances will follow the was paid off. Ombudsman ruled that the bank should only normal collections process if the complainant does repay her half the amount I have already paid not engage the bank to settle the amount , he added. CONSUMERS HAVE part of. Spending in a certain way or at certain LEARNT A LOT ABOUT shops with your cards, setting up an auto payment SAVING MONEY AND on your credit card or having certain products SERVICING THEIR DEBTS with your financial services provider could also help you to earn more rewards. BUDGETS: The year 2020 helped many people to adjust their budgets For example, when you hold your credit prod- ucts with FNB, you can unlock more value and By Thuli Zungu could save on monthly credit service fees. Your double your rewards with your FNB Aspire Ac- The year 2020 has taught many South Af- revised personalised interest rate might be lower count. than the interest on your previous repayments ricans the value of applying good money man- which can help you save on interest paid and in *Keep track. When it comes to including agement principles whilst servicing their credit. turn free up cashflow. credit into your finances ensure that you do not Emma Mer, CEO of FNB Loans says over the last take on more credit than you can afford and once year, many South Africans revisited their budgets By switching, you can also free up monthly you have credit, ensure you meet your minimum and made meaningful financial changes. cashflow or save on the total cost of credit over repayments every month. A tool such as nav- the lifetime of your loan, depending on what Money on the FNB Banking App provides timely Mer says being debt free is possible but not works for you. updates about your credit status that will help you always easy to achieve. “However, there is an op- manage your credit and earn eBucks in return. portunity to explore avenues to free up additional *Make sure that you benefit from maximum cash flow through applying good money manage- rewards and value-adds: reward programmes *Understand the cost implications of the ment principles while using debt in a responsible can unlock multiple ways of saving. It could be products and offerings available to you: manner.” through discounts depending on your reward tier or through maximising your spend with rewards Whether you need to better manage your Mer shares four tips on how to apply good so that you can minimise your cash spend.The money during unique circumstances or for ways money management principals to free up cash ability to earn extra could be dependent on the to better handle your ongoing credit agreements flow even though you have debt obligations: type of products you hold and how you manage and potentially save, reach out to your credit pro- them – it’s therefore helpful to spend some time vider, and use the educational tools available to *Save on fees by switching : When you switch understanding the rewards programmes you form you, to explore your options. Lee Mhlongo, the your qualifying credit into a single agreement you FNB’s CEO of Home Finance adds that FNB Life offers tailor-made insurance products to bolt on to consumers’ Home Loan, like Basic Mortgage Protection Plan (BMPP) or Dynamic Life. These insurance products automatically ad- just their cover amounts and monthly premiums in line with the outstanding balance on your home loan. Should you make any extra payments into your home loan, you’ll not only save on interest, but your BMPP or Dynamic Life cover and pre- mium will also reduce. “If you need to access money from your home loan again, your insurance cover will increase to make sure you remain fully protected,”Mhlongo says.

6 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Friday 10 December 2021 IKUSASA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CAREER GUIDE FIBRE NETWORK PROVIDER PLOUGHS BACK TO COMMUNITIES WITH FREE WI-FI CONNECTIVITY: Vuma fibre to schools project benefits thousands of learners in Soweto, Vosloorus & Mitchell’s plain By WSAM Reporter stance, each learner should be able to access fast, says educators and learners alike were benefitting ers who tend to work at a slower pace are able When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit our affordable, and reliable internet connectivity, add- from this enabling of access to a higher standard to progress faster when using the internet-enabled shores, schools were forced to change over to ing that technology providers – including Vuma – of learning, as this is essentially helping to bridge gadgets.” Tshabalala says for students with learn- remote learning. But for this to happen success- have a central role to play in making this happen. the digital gap that has been highlighted by the ing disabilities, being able to learn through expe- fully, both the educators and learners needed Kwong says Vuma’s Fibre to Schools project, for Covid-19 pandemic-enforced lockdown and the riences that engage all the five senses, computer- to have access to online learning platforms, instance, which provides a free fibre connection resulting shift toward remote learning. based e-learning programmes can be a useful and this has starkly highlighted the need for to schools on Vuma’s existing fibre deployment technique to such learners assist in grasping and better connectivity access in the country and routes, is one of the many projects that the com- Leona Krishna, a principal at Sparrow Foun- understanding new concepts. has also exposed the gaping digital divide in pany to make a difference in the communities it dation School for learners with Special Educa- South Africa. touches; adding that, “Guided by its philosophy of tional Needs (LSEN), which is one of the benefi- Isaan Muller, a computer literacy teacher at ‘if we can, we must’, Vuma strives to drive trans- ciaries of the project, says that having access to Roodepark School, says having access to the in- Taylor Kwong, the Corporate Social Invest- formation and break communication barriers.” fibre has changed the way learning and teaching is ternet brightens up the educational experience for ment (CSI) manager for South Africa’s largest happens in the classroom, adding that, “Teachers the learners, and helps the learners to get a better fibre network operator, Vuma, says the last 20 Kwong says Vuma, in collaboration with have access to more information, and not just in idea of what they are being taught. Muller says months alone have highlighted the huge need for its partner ISPs, has connected more than 470 the South African context, while pupils are more a fast, reliable internet connection also makes it improved connectivity access in South Africa, registered primary and high schools in mostly engaged in the lesson and want to learn.” easier for learners to download and engage with adding that, “Digitisation is no longer optional, traditionally Wifi-underserviced regions, includ- educational apps, which are specially designed to the pandemic was proof enough that access to the ing Gauteng areas like Soweto in Johannesburg, Sonto Tshabalala, the principal of Igugu Pri- help people with learning disabilities digest infor- internet and digital learning opportunities are an Vosloorus in Ekurhuleni and Mitchells Plain in mary School in Mofolo, Soweto says the pandem- mation easily. “These include text-to-speech apps absolute necessity for all schools and learners.” Western Cape, supporting hundreds of thousands ic and the resultant restrictions have unleashed that read text aloud, aiding learners with dyslexia Kwong says regardless of background or circum- of youngsters and their teachers through access to many things, so it cannot be business as usual in who may struggle with reading text on a page or the boundless opportunities of the internet. Kwong the schools, adding that, “e-learning assists our screen,” says Muller. students, and we have seen that even the learn- FIVE REMOTE LEARNING TIPS FOR PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN EMPOWERMENT: Warning that increased children to ask questions and express their feelings • Protect children online - Digital platforms access online brings safety & privacy risks with you. Remember that your child may have dif- provide an opportunity for children to keep learn- ferent reactions to stress, so be patient and under- ing, take part in play and keep in touch with their By WSAM Reporter television or through the radio. Also, factor in play standing. Start by inviting your child to talk about friends. But increased access online brings height- The COVID-19 pandemic has upended family time and time for reading. Use everyday activities the issue. Find out how much they already know ened risks for children’s safety, their protection, as learning opportunities for your children. And and follow their lead. Discuss good hygiene prac- and privacy. Establish rules together about how, life around the world, leading to school closures, do not forget to come up with these plans together tices. You can use everyday moments to reinforce when and where the internet can be used. Set up working remotely, physical distancing, and all this where possible. Although establishing a routine the importance of things like regular and thorough parental controls on their devices to mitigate on- is a lot to navigate for parents to navigate. Below, and structure is critically important for children handwashing. Make sure you are in a safe environ- line risks, particularly for younger children. Don’t Robert Jenkins, the Global Chief of Education for and young people, in these times you may notice ment and allow your child to talk freely. Drawing, forget that there’s no need for children or young the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), of- your children need some level of flexibility. Switch stories, and other activities may help to open a dis- people to share pictures of themselves or other per- fers five tips to help parents to keep children’s edu- up your activities. If your child is seeming restless cussion. sonal information to access digital learning. cation on track while they are staying at home. and agitated when you’re trying to follow an online learning programme with them, flip to a more ac- • Take your time - Start with shorter learning • Stay in touch with your children’s • Plan a routine together - Try to establish a tive option. sessions and make them progressively longer. If the schools - Find out how to stay in touch with your routine that factors in age-appropriate education goal is to have a session of 30 to 45 minutes, start children’s teacher or school to stay informed, ask programmes that can be followed online, on the • Have open conversations - Encourage your with ten minutes and build up from there. Within a questions and get more guidance. Parent groups or session, combine online or screen time with offline community groups can also be a good way to sup- activities or exercises. port each other with your home schooling.

Friday 10 December 2021 FOOD AND WINE 7WEEKLY SA MIRROR HIGH SPIRITS AS SA BRANDY CHARTS NEW PATH CHALLENGE: Three brandy lovers win opportunity to craft innovative brands…. YUMMY: Delectable delicacies served at the brandy luncheon. By Len Maseko innovation. The South African Brandy Innovation RENOWNED: KWV master blender Pieter De Bod is the figure behind the winery’s award- For many years, South African brandy has Challenge seeks to harness that DNA in plotting winning brandies. its success into the future,” says Reade-Jahn. been sustained by evolution and innovative, of industry stalwarts in launching their own brandy which it sorely needs more than ever as consumer To bolster the new chapter for local brandy, brands. Nyamoduko won in the category of new tastes shift with the times. the foundation launched in September a competi- market development; Coetzer Hanekom for his tion to cultivate new ideas geared to take the spirit pink brandy, in the category of new intrinsic; and, That much SA Brandy Foundation execu- to the next level – which would see it rising to the Michelle Coates for her Blend-Your-Own-Brandy tive director Christelle Reade-Jahn and brandy occasion by emulating gin’s staggering success of kit, in the category for consumer insights. distillers is firmly in the purview of the two par- gin in recent years. Through the competition, it ties, who are deeply conscious of the challenge hoped to attract creatives to submit game-chang- Speaking at the event, Western Cape provin- ahead as they wrestle with the lingering conun- ing brandy business ideas – figuratively out of the cial minister of Agriculture Ivan Meyer said: “It drum punctuating brandy appreciation in this barrel – for the chance to win a cash award and is my hope that it gives you the necessary plat- country. The riddle pertains to the indisputable mentorship in launching their new brand. form to develop your skillset and play your part in further placing South African brandy on the world map.” He added that the brandy industry, as ABOUT BRANDY well as broader agriculture, were essential for job * The top five things you don’t know about creation in the province, which is why it was so important to acknowledge innovation and excel- South African brandy. lence and promote it on a global scale. * There are three styles – blended, vintage and potstill. * SA brandy is the world’s finest, winingn the major trophies most of the time. * Brandy is made from the highest quality wine – mostly chenin blanc and colombar. * Our potstill brandies are double distilled in copper potstills and matured in oak barrels for at least three years. * Blended brandies are trending on the cocktail scene. GUEST: Selina Mutale drools over a WINNER: Tinashe Nyamoduka savours the brandy cocktail. moment. distinction of South Africa’s being truly top-class A total of 40 entries for the SA Brandy In- SA Foundation executive director Christelle Reade-Jahn, Wellington Muromba (left) and product and ranked among the best in the world novation Challenge were evaluated by a panel of Billet Magara at the SA Brandy Innovation Challenge in Cape Town contrasted with phenomenal consumption by lo- six independent judges focusing on innovation cals of French brandy labels otherwise known as and the expansion of markets to new consumers. Cognac. From the total received, a top 10 were selected through a pitching den that gave entrants four Hence Reade-Jahn has seized on the enor- minutes to present their game-changing ideas. mous task to break this psychological barrier, es- pecially among the younger generation, who are This selection culminated with the winners still locked in the seemingly ineradicable habit of being announced during an awards luncheon gluttonously quaffing Cognac, in spite local fine hosted at Western Cape Premier Alan Winde’s brandy being as good as French offering and – in official Leeuwenhof residence in Cape Town on some instances – even better. December 6. “From the very beginnings over 300 years ago The three winning entrants, Tinashe Ny- right up to its status as world champion, South Af- amoduko, Michelle Coates and Coetzer Hanekom, rican brandy has been sustained by evolution and each received R30 000. They will be mentored by

8 WEEKLY SA MIRROR OPINION/ANALYSIS Friday 10 December 2021 Comment ANC MUST TAKE TOUGH PLANNING: Health Minister STANCE AGAINST ROGUES Joe Phaahla Corruption is an infectious disease that OMICRON - NEED FOR needs a potent medicine to destroy before it CAUTION BUT NOT ALARM spreads, causing extensive damage. PROACTIVE: : Health Minister Joe Phaahla ensure hospital Facing this dire prognosis is one of Africa’s preparedness, which will include flexible, agile bed surge planning, most glorious liberation movements – the Afri- ensuring the availability of health care workers… can National Congress, which is now fighting for survival because of leadership weaknesses, By Dr Joe Phaahla patients with mild symptoms are more likely to be will still be effective for managing patients with se- arrogance, elitism, factionalism and ill-disci- This variant B.1.1.529, first reported by South admitted as a precaution, patients are diagnosed vere COVID-19. pline. These are some of the factors that have Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong, was classified with COVID-19 incidentally when admitted for How does the variant affect children? plunged the party into a major crisis in recent a Variant of Concern (VoC) by the World Health other reasons, and because there has not been suf- years. Organization, and named Omicron on Novem- ficient follow-up time for severity and outcomes to During the three-week period of November 14 ber 26 2021. As of December 8, 42 countries in have accumulated, which is typically up to 3 weeks to December 4 2021, there was an increase in admis- Delivering the Chief Albert Luthuli Lec- all 6 WHO regions had reported the variant with after diagnosis. sions among children under 5 years of age, observed ture to mark the 60th anniversary of the first many countries reporting sustained community in the City of Tshwane Metro hospitals where the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to an African, spread. Understanding the level of severity of the Omi- early resurgence in the fourth wave occurred. Chil- Mbeki repeated what he told the ANC National cron variant will take several weeks. Our hospital dren 18 years and younger comprised 21% of all ad- General Council in 2000 when he warned the Omicron has driven a resurgence in COVID-19 surveillance has demonstrated that patients still do missions during this period. party had attracted and continued to retain op- cases in South Africa, with 89,651 cases reported experience the full spectrum of the disease: from portunists and careerists within their ranks. nationally from November 7 to 4 December 4 2021. mild to severe disease. All variants of COVID-19, However, this pattern has changed over the three Weekly cases in Gauteng province have increased including the Delta variant that is currently domi- weeks of the early fourth wave in Gauteng, and the He described the ilk as people who joined by 415% for the week ending December 4 2021 nant worldwide, can cause severe disease or death, proportion of admissions in children <5 years com- the movement, not because they respected or compared to the previous week, while hospital ad- especially for the most vulnerable people (those pared to total admissions in the week, has decreased supported any of its strategic objectives, but missions rose 204%. who are older and underlying medical conditions), from 14% (week 46) to 11% (week 47) to 8% (week because of the sole aim of furthering their What is known about Omicron? and thus prevention is always key. 48). personal careers and using the access to State power they had as a ruling party, to enrich Transmissibility: It is not yet clear, but it seems Symptoms of the disease: For now, we don’t The provincial and national picture is indicat- themselves. likely that Omicron is more transmissible (more have any information to believe that this variant ing an increase in both cases and admissions among easily spread from person to person) as compared causes different symptoms from other variants. An- children of all age groups but no change in the pro- What Mbeki echoed confirmed that corrup- to other variants, including Delta. Omicron very ecdotally doctors have reported that patients present portion of children with COVID-19 who died. Early tion within the party was detected many years quickly displaced Delta as the dominant variant in with scratchy throat, cough, fever, diarrhoea and data from our hospital surveillance and also reports ago, but the ANC had failed to destroy the Gauteng. vomiting. In children many have non-respiratory from public and private hospitals indicate that the seeds of this devastating disease before they symptoms. admissions are largely in children admitted for other could have time to sprout. The number of people testing positive has risen reasons and testing positive incidentally, are of a rapidly in Gauteng and Omicron has spread to most Effectiveness of prior COVID-19 infection: short duration (3-4 days) and do not show features The former President has now called on provinces. The reproductive number of the virus preliminary evidence suggests there may be an in- of severe disease. the ANC to remain loyal to the commitment (which shows how many people are likely to be in- creased risk of reinfection with Omicron (people of Chief Luthuli and embark on an urgent or- fected by one person) is currently 2.5, higher than it who have previously had COVID-19 could become We know that over the course of the pandemic ganisational renewal programme to win back was at any prior point in the pandemic. reinfected more easily with Omicron), as compared in South Africa, children have not been severely af- its lost image. to other VoC. fected by COVID-19. Despite making up 30% of the Severity of disease: It is not yet clear whether population, they comprise 12% of cases, 5% of hos- For his part, President Cyril Ramaphosa is infection with Omicron causes more severe disease Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines: our sci- pital admissions and less than 1% of deaths. trying his utmost to crack down on corruption or death as compared to infections with other vari- entists are conducting studies to understand the po- – to the extent of his stance buttressed by the ants, including Delta. Preliminary data suggests that tential impact of this variant on how well the vac- However, the children who are at risk for severe party leadership’s decision to ask senior ANC there are increasing rates of hospitalisation in South cines work but it will take 2-3 weeks before we have disease and death are those who are under 1 years, members implicated in corruption to step aside Africa, but this may be due to increasing overall clear evidence of the vaccines’ performance against probably due to their immature immune system, and until the outcome of their court cases. But that numbers of people becoming infected, rather than a Omicron. Current vaccines remain effective against children with comorbid medical conditions such as has not been enough to stop the mad feeding at result of specific infection with Omicron. severe disease and death. premature birth, diabetes, cancers, HIV and TB. the trough. Early data from the DATCOV COVID-19 na- COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to pro- There is need for caution but not alarm. We ex- Instead, corruption has remained deep- tional hospital surveillance show that among pa- vide protection against severe diseases with the pect the Omicron variant to behave in the same way rooted, manifesting itself in almost all the tients who already had a hospital outcome and were previous variants, and it is expected that such effec- as other variants when it comes to children. Children municipalities countrywide as well as in most no longer still in hospital, a lower proportion of pa- tiveness will be maintained against Omicron. Early are less likely to be infected when exposed to the vi- government departments. On the one hand, tients admitted in the fourth wave had severe disease studies have revealed that there is only some loss rus, less likely to be severely ill when infected with the Auditor-General has noted with growing as compared to patients admitted in a similar time- in protection of the Pfizer vaccine against Omicron. the virus and less likely to die when severely ill. alarm the incidence of fruitless and wasteful frame in the second and third waves. What will we do over the next few weeks? expenditure as brazen and unqualified officials Effectiveness of tests: the widely used polymer- disregard financial management rules with im- Similar experiences have been reported from ase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen (rapid) tests In South Africa, our scientists will continue, as punity. The question is, how deeply divided public and private hospital in Gauteng. It must be continue to detect infection, including infection they have done in the past, to conduct high quality party can must the collective to cleanse itself noted that severity data has several limitations at the with Omicron, as we have seen with other variants research to understand this new variant, and quickly of a terminal disease that has rendered it almost early phase of the wave when numbers are small: as well. share the information locally and with the world. dysfunctional in its key organs? Effectiveness of current treatments: Corticoster- Most dire is that those implicated in cor- oids, oxygen therapy, antivirals and anticoagulants ruption within the party have established their own code of truth to justify their pilfering, quite in conflict with the values of the party, as embraced by founders like Nelson Mandela, O R Tambo, Walter Sisulu, Chief Albert Luthuli. Yet, the ANC fought for the liberation of Black people in this country and promised a better life for all, a call that now all seems something of a mirage. Instead, rogues within the party have been steadfast on the to steal millions of rands ear- marked for development and upliftment of Black lives. This is a disgrace. The ultimate question is, will the ANC fi- nally heed the call to embark on an urgent or- ganisational renewal so to redeem itself? A tall order, perhaps – one that will surely depend on its readiness to jolt itself forward for a pe- nultimate Damascene moment. Or will it risk plunging into the oblivion. v 060 936 2673 [email protected] THULI ZUNGU ..........................Co-Editor PEARL RANTSEKENG..............Co-Editor MOLEFI MIKA ..................Deputy Editor GUGU SIBIYA ................. Lifestyle Editor Weekly SA Mirror is published by Weekly SA Mirror Pty Ltd. Correspondence to be directed to: PostNet Suite 230, Private Bag X 9, Melville 2109. Website: www.weeklysamirror.news Contact: 060 936 2673 Letters to be sent to: [email protected] Weekly SA Mirror commits to truthful, accu- rate, fair, balanced reporting. The publication is in the process of submitting its application to join the Press Council.

Friday 10 December 2021 OPINION/ANALYSIS 9WEEKLY SA MIRROR By Jacob Mawela THE INDEFATIGABLE household names such as the late Ingoapele Madin- On an overcast Friday afternoon in Mapetla, goane and Matsemela Manaka, as well as, Kenneth Soweto, a gangly grey-haired man of easy-going SOL Nkosi, Nandi Nyembe and Trevor Yamba, among demeanour rose from his sofa and moved across others. As an author and publisher, he has three re- a living room to bend in front of me so that I 90RACHILO cently penned tomes in the offing, namely, Some could feel a deep, soft gash atop his pate. Came Running, The Sad Saga of the Calamitous Educational System and Mzansi Musos Introducing It was just a fortnight afore his 90th birthday the New Breed (a collaboration between him and celebration and he was in typically high spirits! He the late Sibongile Khumalo). incurred the physical scar – including broken ribs – he explained, from the rifle butt of a policeman A spell-binding storyteller, his memory is as whilst coming from the abode of Dr Nthato Mot- sharp as a split second ago! The man-about-town lana in Dube, right in the thick of the June 16 1976 (by his own description) whose wardrobe items students’ uprisings which were to turn the course were supplied exclusively from the US, and erst- of South Africa’s struggle against grand apartheid. while member of legendary actor Tony Curtis’ Fan The incident resulted in his having to spend 28 days Mail Club (through subscription to Esquire maga- at Baragwanath Hospital’s ICU. zine) nostalgically recalled the then Dollar Brand’s brief stay at his family home in White City, Soweto On the wall of the same living room hung an in 1956 – with the devoted jazz musician ultimately instantly recognisable monochromatic image of a having to move on after neighbours’ objections to his all-night tinkling of the family’s Kahn piano’s LONGEVITY: Veteran playwright-cum-actorhandsome young man with a perfect white dental ivories! set dressed in a pressed shirt replete with cuff links, whilst he peers from behind a copy of a 1958 edi- And the literary rendezvous on the Market pre- cinct in 2010 with Nigeria’s Nobel Literature Lau- celebrates 90th birthday this week…tion of Drum magazine featuring a smiling beautiful reate, Wole Soyinka, who, amidst the glare of press lass on its cover. The man himself flashes an urbane cameras, had the following compliment to intone to smile at the camera – that of the publication’s pio- a fellow man of letters: “Brevity is the soul of wit – neer photographer, Jurgen Schadeberg. that is where your greatness lies in writing poetry!” Boasts that he went on, at the time, to have an affair with the model on the cover page! “Ke ne “I’m as healthy as a baby!” Rachilo exclaims, ke baba!” (I used to be hot), he reminisced of the upon my enquiring after his well-being? This is moment the image was recorded in Sophiatown – a none other than, Sol Rachilo, a Pietermaritzburg- renaissance epoch when he served a freelance writ- born soul about to turn nonagenarian (90 on De- er’s stint on the magazine, having been recruited by cember 12 – with a celebratory razzmatazz in his its editor, Can Dorsay Themba, a former English honour to be hosted by the Africa Museum on the teacher of his at Madibane High School in Western day) – and someone who has lived through World Native Township. War II, apartheid and more than a quarter century of That 18 months’ jaunt with the posse of talents South Africa’s democratic era! of Jim Bailey’s newsroom even led to him featuring alongside a duo of them, namely, Bloke Modisane One of six siblings (three boys – one of whom, and Lewis Nkosi, in playwright Athol Fugard’s the- Simeon, succumbed to TB in infancy - and three atrical play, No Good Friday. In that very year, 1958, girls) who stayed in Alexandra and thereafter he had first crossed paths with Fugard whilst on a Soweto. His dad, China, ran a bookstore which also Drum assignment to cover on-goings at Joburg’s fa- traded in music vinyls in Mofolo – a township rar- mous rendezvous of creatives, Dorkay House, and ity matched only by another distinction, the Rachilo recalled that he “stumbled” into the play which he family owning a piano (a Kahn – the one which put was cast into on the spot! paid to Ibrahim’s shot stay). Unbeknown to him, the moment was to mark a turning point in his career as he veered from jour- His mom, Emma, serenaded the family over it nalistic designs and into the world of theatre (which – with the thespian himself, taught by Emily Mot- was to occupy his life for more than four decades) sieloa (a lady who regularly featured in Drum in and a lifelong association with Fugard. From there- the 1950s) how to play it whilst schooling in West- on, he switched from being a journalist to becoming ern Native Township. Indicative of being raised a thespian. in a domestic environment which contributed to An affable and meticulous fellow, he handed the honing of his creative proclivities, an indelible me a notebook containing timelines of his involve- memory of Rachilo’s features iconic Black Con- ment in theatre starting from 1959 when he got a sciousness leader Stephen Biko coming into their lead part in Fugard’s Nongogo; 1967, the period he bookstore to purchase a copy of Franz Fanon’s The got to direct a trio of his own plays; 1975, when Wretched of the Earth, whilst in Soweto to visit he featured in Fugard’s Boesman and Lena; 1977, Wessie Mphahlele in 1973. when he directed, The Way We Saw It Happen (based on the 1976 Riots – and a play whose remake A father of three sons, Rachilo was married to he mentioned that then president Nelson Mandela Sylvia Goba, a Model-of-the-Year from Durban, to saw at the Market Theatre in 1994) and Township whom he was married from 1962 until her passing Housewife; 1978, had him forming the Federation in 1998, of which Mpho was born. He has two other of United Black Artists (FUBA).Long a household sons, Rachilo and China (with a partner). name and one which wore varied hates of a poet, playwright, author, director, publisher, speech and Asked whether he was looking forward to his drama teacher – among some of his legacies entail 90th birthday celebration, Rachilo responded cir- initiating the Children of Soweto Action Centre ACTIVE: Veteran actor Sol Rachilo chats to cumspectly, adding that he’s of the Jehovah Wit- (COSAC), where he taught children drama lessons, top ballet dance teacher Nomsa Manaka ness faith – a lifelong devotion and a factor which explains why in spite of a lifetime in showbiz, he’s with some of his protégés numbering similarly been a teetotaler all of nine decades! “My mother,” he recalled, “used to sniff my clothes to ascertain that I didn’t reek of liquor!” A happy 90th birthday, Bra Sol! GOLDEN OLDIES: Sol Rachilo and veteran musician Abdullah Ebrahim

10 WEEKLY SA MIRROR FASHION/LIFESTYLE Friday 10 December 2021 By Mpumi Brown BEYONCE, It’s time to deck the halls with a newly re- ADIDAS leased collection, which was launched yester- SHIFT day. Superstar Beyoncé has fans covered for INTO the holiday season, announcing on her new FIFTH Ivy Park x Adidas collection appropriately GEAR named Halls of Ivy. IVY PARK X ADIDAS: Mega star The fifth collaboration between the 40-year- uses stylish activewear to promote old singer and the activewear company is meant diversity, self-belief and self-expression… to “unite all people, regardless of background, colour or creed, while celebrating each individ- connecting with one another, and sharing space ual’s creativity,” according to WWD. with like-minded people,” reads a press release. Bey herself stars in a video teaser for the “Our design cues are based on this philoso- collection, of course, strutting through wood- phy and present a collection of classic fashion sil- panelled halls and hitting the tennis court with houettes, infused with individual style, swagger celebrity offspring, including Natalia Bryant, and the spirit of following your wildest dreams.” Reese Witherspoon’s children, Ava and Deacon Phillippe, and her own daughters, Blue and Ivy Basketball stars James Harden and Jalen herself. Green also sport menswear styles throughout the cinematic clip. Per WWD, fans can expect “Halls of Ivy firmly believes that the a whopping 89 apparel pieces, 11 accessories power of higher learning can also come from and four footwear styles from the release, many finding your own voice through self-expression, in collegiate-style houndstooth and plaid pat- terns. As usual for Ivy Park, sizes will span from XXXS to 3XL for the unisex styles for the wo- menswear, and prices range from R700 - R9500. There will also be 34 kids’ styles — includ- ing a faux fur coat, puffer jackets, skirts, hood- ies, sweatpants and crop tops, plus Adidas Ultra Boost sneakers (R1400) — with prices ranging from R780 to R3000. Halls of Ivy will launch exclusively for 24 hours on adidas.com on Dec. 9 before being re- leased globally today.

Friday 10 December 2021 FASHION/LIFESTYLE 11WEEKLY SA MIRROR BEWARE! YOUR HOME SAYS MUCH ABOUT YOU! ERTS’ ULI ROB ORLD K W INDIVIDUALITY: Personalise décor; dump old, impersonal style of matching things … SOCIALITE: Peta Eggierth- Symes loves By Kuli Roberts individuality We spoke to socialite extraordinaire Peta Eggierth- Symes, an art collector, champagne lover and hoarder of all things, about how she decorates her home, which is popular on Tik Tok. This ex-businesswoman owns Pallu boutique where she has everyone from celebrities to the rich; and the famous and the not- so rich and famous. The thing is, everybody - at some time - has a special occasion . How do people describe you? The A-Lister, The Grande Dame with the Great Dane (Big thank you to Craig Jacobs), social butterfly, social swan. Now a lady of leisure and pleasure! What’s your favourite item in the kitchen? First of all, Kuli let me state there is nothing (like) a favourite in my kitchen, but I do look at cookery books. Secondly, I can’t just mention only one of my favourite collectibles in my home, so sneaking in two! The above work of art is by Neil Rodger, the South African in- ternationally renowned portraitist and is from the Everard Read Gallery. His work adorns many gracious homes. I never tire of looking at this. Every home has to have some stylish kitsch! I love this fun tea- pot from Ardmore bought at Charles Greig in 2007. These pro- lific South African ceramics are in Harrods and many top stores abroad and have appreciated so much in value. I am loving the return of kaleidoscope colours and playful pat- terns in a home. We can all colour-crush again! To me there is nothing worse than a house that is what I call a painting by num- bers house! Decorated with ‘matchy’ things, and not bought with love and individuality. Lastly, your home says so much about you, so personalise it. Thanks Peta and I’m sure to have a vibrant festive with this carefree attitude. WIN WIN WIN A WEEKEND OF PLEASURE By Kuli Roberts Birthday Month so we giving Win!! Win!!! Win !!! A Week- away one Weekend Stay for a lucky couples. end of Pleasure Located minutes from OR Tambo International This includes daily breakfasts Airport is a lovely gem called and accommodation for a Friday Birchwood Hotel which boasts and Saturday night within the winning accommodation and next 3 months. conference facilities for work and pleasure. To stand in line to win this prize simply tell us the name Besides the 4 star rating, we of the Hotel. Mail your answer love their luxurious rooms and to [email protected]. suites, resturants, Aviation Bar Terms and Conditions Apply. with Live music and just the idea The winner will be notified in two of Luxury and tranquility before weeks. leaving the City of Gold. Its my The winner of the Taj giveaway is Dr Avele Vongama

12 WEEKLY SA MIRROR MOTORING Friday 10 December 2021 2021 MOTORING:Briefs THE YEAR THAT WAS PEUGEOT FULLY ELECTRI- THRILLS: Manufacturers once more outdid CAL BY 2030 each other in dishing out exciting products Peugeot has announced its plans to go all-in on EVs by 2030. For now, this commitment is only for the European market. CEO Linda Jackson in an interview added that for the international markets, the French company will continue to launch new mod- els with combustion engines during the next decade. Every new model of the brand for Europe, however, will be fully electric from 2030 on- wards. KIA DOUBLE CAB BAKKIE Kia’s rumored upcoming double- cab bakkie may not be a reality for the next couple of years. Of course, there already ex- ists the Kia K2500 and K2700 but these are strictly commercial of- ferings. For the past two years, however, rumours surrounding Kia’s up- coming bakkie have been surfac- ing with many suggesting that the project has already been greenlit by the higher-ups. We wait to see come 2022. VW GOLD GTi: The much -awaited Golf Gti 8 broke ground this year. COLOUR POLITICS FOR IN- SURANCE PREMIUMS By Ali Mphaki STARIA: Hyundai replaced the popular HI confidence in the SA market, Chinese manufactur- The colour of your car determines The year 2021 will, like the one before, go down with a futuristic model ers like Chery, GWM, and Haval, also made their how audible you car is in the road, in history as epochal for mankind. It was like presence felt, churning out one product after the which affects your chance of being time had come to a standstill, held hostage by the other. It is no secret the Jolion was one of Haval’s in an accident (or being written rampaging Armageddonic coronavirus. No one best product of the year, which made the opposition off ). was unaffected, least of which the motoring in- to stop and wonder. dustry, which had to contend with loss of supplies Basically, darker cars are harder as production was disrupted. Alfa Romeo also had some of its exciting prod- to see on the road and are statis- ucts launched with updated versions of the Alfa Gi- tically more likely to be in an ac- But just like they say in showbiz “the show must ulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio. cident. go on”, there were some memorable moments with the industry showing some resilience and continu- Both the Giulia and the Stevio share a 2.9-litre That’s why black, darker grey, ing to unleash those new models. Sales picked up bi-turbo V6 which produces 375kW and 600Nm, charcoal, and navy cars are gener- and there is optimism the new year will see the with the former a rear wheel drive while the latter ally more expensive to insure. industry moving into a higher gear. But.more than an all 4-wheel drive mated to an 8-speed gearbox. anything else, the year 2021 will be remembered as It’s also good to know that me- one in which VW unleashed the much awaited Golf Petro heads were equally excited at the launch tallic paints can attract higher pre- GTi. The GTi launch was no doubt one of the high- of the updated Abarth 595 range, even though only 2 miums because they are more ex- lights of the year, a year in which for the first time in 000 units are available worldwide, but South Africa pensive to repair if your glitter ball decades saw French manufacturer Peugeot win the was not left behind has been involved in an accident. SA Guild of Motoring Journalists, SAGMJ, 2021 ca of the year. And just when we thought Peugeot was The Abarth Yamaha Monster is powered by a The most popular car colour on done with us, out of the blue they broke into bakkie 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine with 132 kW and 230 our roads is white, with 34 percent territory with the launch of the Landtrek. In showing Nm and is mated with a 6-speed manual transmis- of the cars financed in South Afri- sion. ca boasting the white colour, silver comes second at nearly 25%. Audi launched a barrage of RS performance products earlier this year but the arrival of the all- new Audi A3 and S3 took place in July 2021. FUEL YOUR JOKES - What goes through towns and up hills but never moves? A Road! - Where do Volkswagens go when they get old? The old Volks home! - What did the tornado say to the car? Want to go for a spin? - What kind of a driver never gets a ticket? A screwdriver! - What type of car do sheep like to drive? A Lamborghini! ON A ROLL: Peugeot the French manufacturer unleased a hybrid 308 - What does a snake drive? An model of a car which won SA car of the year award. Ana-Honda! - KIDAD.

Friday 10 December 2021 PERSONAL FINANCE/BUSINESS 13WEEKLY SA MIRROR SOUTH AFRICA’S FURNITURE the EFC’s research include the demand for mul- SECTOR ON MULTIMILLION tifunctional, contemporary and modular pieces UNITS A YEAR RECOVERY PATH (Design) made with natural stone surfaces, brass finishes, plating (fabrication) at large volumes and LOCAL: Furniture retailers to source more goods locally economies of scale (capacity). By Isaac Moledi the EFC, could over the next three years change preferential for local customers. “Now it is up to the manufacturers to take ad- South Africa could in the next three years as the large furniture retailers have decided to According to Sherriff, large local retailers vantage of this by aligning their own growth strat- experience an unprecedented recovery of its source more goods locally. egies to the lead enterprises predictions. This will furniture sector of up to two-million units per were looking forward to local manufacturers to give the manufacturers the direction they need for year if the new market- led intelligence from The EFC was established in 2018 by the supply more than 2 million units required to meet their strategic investment,” Sheriff says. the eThekwini Furniture Cluster (EFC) is to be eThekwini Municipality’s Sector Programme De- the expected demands. The EFC’s intelligence believed. partment with the primary objective to develop is based on feedback from three of the country’s Other opportunities outside of the retail mar- the growth and effectiveness of the local furniture leading independent retailers who predict a 3-4% ket are linked to sectors such as tourism, hos- Recent market research by the EFC shows sector which is characterized by diminished de- year-on-year growth opportunity for buying local, pitality and construction. Reliant sectors will be that South Africa’s leading furniture retailers are mand for locally produced products due to the in- specifically in upholstered furniture, office furni- returning to pre-Covid- 19 pandemic levels by looking to replace imports by sourcing up to 2 flux of low-cost Asian imports and a limited abil- ture and case goods, presenting the most opportu- 2023, according to Sherriff. million furniture units per year from local manu- ity to differentiate local products in the domestic nity for local manufacturers to take advantage of facturers. market against quality and price. local supply. The EFC anticipates that residential construc- tion, hospitality and tourism will see the most Furniture sector in South Africa is a multi Promoting the development of the local furni- While this could put South Africa’s struggling growth by 2024. billion rand business with more than 50% of lo- ture sector’s competitiveness has been identified furniture manufacturing sector back on the world cal furniture currently being imported, and this is as a priority for economic development in South map, Sherriff cautions however that the opportu- According to Sherriff, the market intelligence mostly from China. Figures from the EFC shows Africa due to the influence it has on employment, nity is not just going to be given away. used to identify these trends has been conducted that South Africa imported more than R11 billion industrialization and local competitive advantage. by the EFC to deliver on its mandate to boost worth of furniture from China in 2019 but this, ac- This is because the local furniture sector has the She says her company has identified that the competitiveness of the sector by facilitating cording to Paige Sherriff, the project manager of third largest labour force in the country, low bar- firms that leverage this successfully will be those market access opportunities and developing the riers to entry and is close to the market which is that align with the fabrication, capacity and de- competitiveness of manufacturers to unlock these sign requirements of retail. Some examples from opportunities. “There has been a clear need to establish di- rect dialogue between furniture manufacturers and retailers. Manufacturers simply do not know what retailers want. So, as a cluster, we have developed a data- driven, market-led approach to create and facili- tate an ongoing conversation that aligns supply and demand.” According to Sherriff, the EFC was seeing the positive impact of this approach. Despite the economic recession, the organization’s early suc- cesses include R1, 5 million in new sales and 46 new jobs. These growth drivers include market po- sitioning to achieve price-quality equilibrium, improved consumer experience through agile re- tailing as well as social and environmental sus- tainability. Says Sherriff: “When manufacturers bench- mark their businesses against growth drivers and assess their operational capability to support those, they can practically and proactively gener- ate growth. Our data-driven intelligence tools therefore, help manufacturers more strategically align to their chosen market and develop their model to service that market.” She summarises by saying that the import replacement opportunity identified will help the EFC to achieve its goal to increase the economic potential and growth of the local furniture manu- facturing sector. According to her, the EFC’s GrowthFinder tool provides a practical way for manufacturers to do this, and in turn, plays a vital role across the entire value chain. By Isaac Moledi THIS WAS THE save costs and to accelerate digital transformation, For a large number of businesses, 2021 was un- YEAR WHEN MOST according to Reagen Kok, CEO of Hoorah Digital. questionably a year of transformation where BUSINESSES SHED Although the application of data to inform creative companies were forced to change their business work will remain a priority in 2022, the challenge models - for both consumers and employees.- JOBS AND CUT will be to ensure it is done responsibly and in a way and to accelerate the adoption of new digital THEIR BUDGETS that adds true customer value, with the culture that processes. allows companies to pivot, to adapt, and to respond TO SURVIVE to a world where change is only constant. Consumer behavior shifted and a number of Collaborative digital ecosystems: One trend that companies were downsized with scores of employ- DIGITA: Companies must migrate to a unique will continue to grow in 2022, according to Greg ees losing their jobs. On the other hand, company digital ecosystem in 2022 Gatherer, Liferay Africa’s Accounts Manager, is budgets were cut while many businesses were for businesses to reconsider their operating mod- pushed to innovate or risk losing market share to set to be the year that business leaders get serious will likely see even greater growth in 2022, espe- els and migrate to a collaborative digital ecosystem competitors. about a hybrid working model if they want to retain cially among corporates who had not considered it that enables all employees to connect to and ser- top talent, says David Seinker, founder and CEO of before, signalling a substantial shift in how busi- vice client requests. And while continual lockdowns have had a The Business Exchange. ness has always assumed how work should be “Using digital experience platforms to allow cus- detrimental effect on some companies, others have “This model is ideally positioned for a combina- done. tomers to serve themselves without the need to in- prospered and innovated, seizing new opportuni- tion of remote work and in-office work and takes Adapt and be prepared to pivot: In-housing -- the teract with staff, and driving customer interaction ties. This has left many with a big question: What the needs of both the employer and employee into move towards decentralized production and the in- and engagement within the digital world will be a does 2022 hold for these businesses, or will the consideration by responding with a solution that is sourcing of digital and creative work from agencies key driver in 2022.” . world continue to change?This is what experts cost-effective for the former and appealing to the to an internal capability -- is set to grow, as more Local will always be lekker: According to Tim from several fields say about the trends they think latter.” brands opt to take these functions in-house, both to Cordon of the Radisson Group, post COVID-19 will shape the coming year. recovery will continue to be fuelled by domestic Wellbeing at work: For Aisha Pandor, CEO and According to him, the hybrid working model tourism and local business travellers. Cordon be- co-founder of SweepSouth, a positive trend that lieves that based on previous crises, leisure travel has seen many women reaching the leadership po- will recover more quickly -- especially travel that sitions they have long been qualified for, will just involves visiting friends and relatives in combina- grow stronger in 2022. But one of the challenges tion with business trips. that working women have long faced is that they A greener 2022: BetterBond CEO, Carl Coetzee, focus so myopically on their careers and reaching believes that over the next few years, millennials career goals that their overall happiness and well- and new technologies will be driving forces in the being take a back seat. wider adoption of sustainable buildings, but green homes and office spaces are more than just another According to her, the pandemic has taught peo- construction trend. ple to take stock of what matters in life. “A mo- As the world emerge from the pandemic, and with ment has arrived where women are realising that the urgency of climate change, the demand for it’s good for mental wellbeing to show up holisti- greener building practices will gain traction glob- cally at work, not only as career women, but also ally and here in South Africa, too, and will be an as moms and partners who are multi-faceted and interesting trend to watch. balancing multiple responsibilities, skill-sets and interests.” . The future of work is hybrid: The year 2022 is

14 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SPORT Friday 10 December 2021 By Masoja Cele MELLOW: Jackie the entire country can be compared to SPORTS: Briefs You can’t talk about Kaizer Chiefs without “Asinamali” is tak- Ntsoelongoe. mentioning the name of the legendary Jackie DESERT STORM FINALE ‘’Asinamali’’ Masike. Whether you remember ing it easy these ‘’ I am humbled and honoured to FOR LEWIS AND MAX him from his playing days or as a coach, the days. have played for such a great team. I en- par-excellence former defender has been part joyed all my years at Chiefs. But, the The season-long battle for the Formula I of the team since its inception to date. JACKIE MASIKE reflection of the death of Ewert ‘’The- drover’s title comes to a head at the Yas - A TIGER WHO Lip’’ Nene still pains me. In Nene, the Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabu this week- Before the lanky defender joined then Kaizer country lost a shrewd football adminis- end. XI, he was plying his trade for Moletsane Real BECAME A trator. Tigers. KHOSI FOR LIFE Unless you have been living under a rock Nene died the cruel death while he you already know that Max Verstappen and “At Tigers I played alongside my childhood VITAL COG: Fearless Chiefs was on a mission to recruit one of the Lewis Hamilton head into the season finale. friend the late Chilliboy ‘’Nobby-Style’’Koloba, defender would scare off strikers ball jugglers this country ever had in level on points and the driver who has the the late Benjamin ‘’Staff-Ryder’’ Kwape and my by applying those hard tackles Nelson ‘’Teenage’’ Dladlla. Painfully as better race will be crowned the 2021 cham- late brother Daniel ‘’Swing-Carlie’’Masike. Ti- it is, I want to believe that Nene’s death pion. gers dished out high quality of football and at- was not in vain as Dladla later won tracted the attention of scouts. While I was en- many titles for Chiefs Hamilton’s spectacular form in the last 10 joying my football at Tigers I was approached races has seen him close the gap to Verstap- by Mike Tseka, the chairman of Dube Ramblers If he was still alive Amakhosi pen slowly but surely, until there was nothing Deluxe, I gladly agreed on Mr. Tseka’s deal and would be in another level than where between them after Meecedes drivers’ victo- joined Ramblers. At Ramblers I was welcomed they are today’’. ry in Saudi Arabia, last time out. by football greats in the mould of the late Ariel ROBUST: Letona, ‘’Pro’’Kgongoane, who later went on to play at as he is some- Everything will be on the line on Abu Kaizer Chiefs, former scribe Fanyana Shiburi and times called, seen Dhabi and despite the destination of the driv- Sugar Motale. The Dube team had everything re- in action during ers’ title beingnunknown, one thing that is a quired of a football team. Mr Tseka who later the latter days of certainty on Sunday is that the sport will be became Orlando Pirates chairman was a popular his playing career losing an Icon. businessman in Soweto’’ says Masike. FIVE ‘BOKS NAMED IN ‘’ I played at Ramblers until early 1969 when WORLD RUGBY DREAM myself, Shiburi and Kgongoane were recruited by TEAM the flamboyant Ewert ‘’The Lip’’ Nene for Kaizer XI. Nene and Tseka were friends so it agreed that SA Rugby president Mark Alexander and we should go and help Kaizer XI. Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber congrat- ulated Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzbeth, Siya Other notable players who were part of the in- Kolisi, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapim- vitation side other than Johnson, Khoza and Mok- pi for being named in World Rugby’ men 15s goathleng, were Stanley ‘’Screamer’’ Tshabalala, Dream Team of the Year. Ingle Singh, Vincent ‘’Tantie’’Julius, Petrus ‘’Ten-Ten’’Nzimande, Elkim ‘’Pro’’Khumalo, Following stellar performances for the Alfred ‘’Ace’’ Mkhonza, and Gerald ‘’Umgaba- Boks in a blockbuster 2021 season, Marx ba’’ Dlamini ‘’added Masike. (hooker), Etzbeth ( lock), Kolisi (captain and flank), Am (centre) and Mapimpi (wing) ‘’Definitely, I tackled and played tough were all included in the Dream Team, which against the opposition, particularly if it was will also feature the four players nominated against Pirates. I always played my best football for the World Rugby Player of the year, Maro against Pirates. We hate losing against Pirates Itloje (England lock), Michael Hooper (Wal- especially in cup finals. We won many of those laby loose forward), Antonio Dupont (Fre- battles and I still have those medals to prove. ance scrumhalf) and Samu Kerevi (Wallabu The presence of the late Pule ‘’Ace’’ Ntsoelon- centre). goe was a master key to our victories. Many of yesteryear fooball fanatics haven’t forgotten how With five representatives, the ‘Boks have Ntsoelongoe combined with ‘’Pro’’Kgongoane in contributed the most players to the Dream the midfield- plotting and executing unforgetta- Team.The All Black have three and the Wal- ble moves. Football will always be honoured by labies two, while Scotland, England, France Ntsoelongoe‘s approach based on skills and the and Wales have one inclusion each. encouragement of flair and initiative. The football maestro greatest asset was that he didn’t rely so DAD TIGER TO PLAY much on the men around him. He had the ability AGAINST SON to take the ball through on his own and created chances out of nothing. Today, no midfielder in Tiger Woods said Wednesday he will make his return to competitive gold at next week’s ANDILE’S AMAZING JOURNEY PNC championship in Florida. AT SUNDOWNS LADIES The former No. 1, who has not played MULTI-TALENTED: ACROBATIC: Andile Dlamini’s transformation from can proudly say that I have purchased a piece of since suffering career-threatening leg inju- Striker turned to goal a striker to a goal minder has been phenomenal land where I am busy building a house for my fam- ries in a car crash in Los Angeles in February, minder excels in at where I come from with the club and what I ily. All of this has been through the game of foot- will play in the December 16-19 tournament newfound role have achieved, I am grateful to the institution”, ex- ball and the support that my mom has given me alongside his son Charlie. pressed Andile, “and that comes from the bottom from that day until today” declared the goalkeeper. By WSAM Reporter of my heart.” “Although it’s been a.long and challeng- She came to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team Her time at the club has seen her making gi- ing year, I am very excited to.close it our by on trial as a striker and was given five minutes to The soft-spoken Dlamini also touched on the ant strides in the game, from winning awards and competing in the PNC championship with prove herself. “I still remember that day when I fact that her love for the game of football was no- trophies, to donning the colours of the National my son Charlie,” Woods announced on Twit- came on trial, it was Coach Annah Monate who ticed by people from the community and it took Team (Banyana Banyana); but the journey was not ter. was at the helm and she said that I had only five someone from her neighbourhood to convince an easy one. She spoke about how she had to stay minutes to show my mettle. her mother that she can play the game. “At first it behind in Tembisa and not move to Durban with “I’m playing with my son as a Dad and wasn’t easy as my mom did not accept the fact that her family as her mother found work in that part couldn’t be.more excited and proud.” I successfully recovered the ball from one I played with boys. I needed soccer boots, so my of the country. player, dribbled my way, and scored. After that friends fundraised so I could get boots without my PELE IN HOSI’ AGAIN goal, I asked her how many minutes were left. mom’s knowledge. The funny part is that one day “My coach begged my mom to let me stay That was how my journey at the club started at the she secretly came to watch me play and saw how so that I can play for the club and he promised Brazilian football legend Pele has been hos- tender age of 15” said Andile as she recollected her happy I was on the field; and surprisingly, at the to take care of me. At that time women’s football pitalised for treatment of previously identi- first taste of life with the Brazilians. end of the month, bought me a pair of boots. That was not what it is today. Our Coach had to make fied colon tumor, his doctors said, the latest is how she approved of my participation. Today I ends meet so that we could have something to eat” health problem for the 81-year-old icon. Sticks has been with The Brazilians Ladies she explained. “At the time, I was staying with team for thirteen years and has grown within the Rhoda Mulaudzi, Refiloe “Fifi” Jane and Lungile The three-time world champion was ad- team. Remarkably, it was at the club where she Mthethwa. Just before matches on Fridays, Fifi mitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao transitioned from a striker to a goalkeeper. The po- and Rhoda, who were in varsity at the time, would Paulo “for follow-up treatment of the colon sitional swap happened because of a punishment. bring us food when they visited. The close knit- tumor identified in September this year,” his “I made a mistake in a game, I had a chance to ted friendship made us realise how much we loved medical team said in a statement. score a goal with only the goalkeeper to beat and the game. We made sure that we fought hard so instead of scoring I did some showboating and the we could make the National Team as there were Pele underwent surgery for tumor in Sep- coach said he will punish me for that.” incentives if you were called up. I was the first one tember 4, spending a month in the hospital to make it to the Banyana squad and with the cash before being released to continue chemother- Coach Brian Dube decided to teach Andile a I earned, I made sure everyone was entertained in apy from home. positive lesson in respecting the game and decided the house. I went out and bought pies, pizzas and to convert the head strong striker into a shot stop- everything you can think of”, an excited Sticks BOXING GALORE THIS per. “I will not lie I was not okay after the game said. WEEKEND as I still wanted to bang in the goals. When I look She further went on to appreciate the club’s There is plenty of boxing action in South Af- efforts in promoting women’s football, “Joining rica and around the world coming up over the the Ladies Team was a motivation on its own. If it weekend. was not for Mamelodi Sundowns, I do not think I would be where I am today” she confessed. “Being On Saturday at the eMnotweni Casino here has given me confidence. I can stand out there in Mpumalanga, WBA Pan African junior and be counted amongst some of the best female welterweight champion Xolisani Ndongeni footballers on the continent,” she said. - Mamelodi meets Israel Kammamba from Malawi over Sundowns FC website 10nrounds in a non-title but, and WBF Inter- national junior-featherweight champion Tha- to Bonokoane faces Said Hassan of Tanzania also in a non-title fight.

Friday 10 December 2021 SPORT 15WEEKLY SA MIRROR AMAKHOSI By Ali Mphaki Before the Sekhukhune clash, Zwane tells www. Kaizer Chiefs and its horde of supporters are kaizerchiefs.com how Chiefs have been coping BACK IN DSTV keeping their fingers crossed ahead of a PSL while dealing with a pandemic. PREMIERSHIP announcement Monday regards the two-game On Challenging Times: noshow by the team following an outbreak of ACTION Covid-19 at their Naturena base. It is a bit complex from our side. It has been a very difficult fortnight, for the fact that we have TOUGH TIMES: Major Covid outbreak PSL Chairman Irvin Khoza and the PSL will had players that have been not coping with the renders Naturena side unable to honour two be announcing their decision on Amakhosi’s re- situation that we find ourselves in. As a club, we successive fixtures quest to have their two recent fixtures postponed, try our level best as the technical team to try and on Monday, December, 13. Chiefs coach Stuart manage the situation. So far so good, knowing NO WHISPERING: PSL chairman Dr Irvin Khoza (left) will on Monday have to pronounce Baxter is reported to be hoping the PSL show leni- that we are dealing with a squad who have various on the fate of Kaizer Chiefs which is owned by Kaizer Motaung (right) ence and don’t award the points to their opponents challenges, with the hope that they will recover after the double noshow. sooner rather than later. We are looking forward to the game. We have had players that started Dropped points from those matches could training on Tuesday and it’s like beginning again. have a massive impact on Kaizer Chiefs’ bid to The good news is that over the course of the week qualify for continental football next season Chair- more players have been returning to training. man Irvin Khoza and the PSL will be announcing Adapting to the situation: their decision on Amakhosi’s request to have their two recent fixtures postponed on Monday 13 De- We are trying to get the combinations right. cember 2021. More than anything else it’s trying to see if they cope, because we will have a team of players who Chiefs no-showed matches against Cape have not been featuring regularly. Guys like Leon- Town City and Golden Arrows after the bulk of ardo Castro and Siyabonga Ngezana will get some their squad and staff tested positive for COV- game time after they have had long term injuries. ID-19. The PSL has provided no information on the matches, and on both occasions, SuperSport The only suspended player we have is Cole TV crews were left waiting at locked stadiums. Alexander. Njabulo Blom is coming back. They have been returning in dribs and drabs.. A brief statement from the league read: “The A long way to go: Premier Soccer League Chairman Dr Irvin Khoza will host a press conference on Monday We still have a very long way to go. Even the league leaders Sundowns will drop points. They While Cape Town City tried to honour the have been good, but it does not mean the league fixture, Golden Arrows did not bother turning up is over. It will be close this season. There will be as they were well aware that Amakhosi had not some teams that will rise to the occasion. Sun- travelled down to Durban. downs will have Champions League games, but having said that they do have a strong squad. But Chiefs have confirmed that they will be mak- playing in Africa will test them and they will have ing a return to action in the PSL this weekend challenges like the rest of us. I think in the last five when they take on Sekhukhune United on Sunday, games of the season we can have a clearer idea as 12 December 2021. to who the favorites will be, but right now there is still a lot to play for. Stuart Baxter will be hoping the PSL show On Sekhukhune: lenience and don’t award the points to their op- ponents after the double no-show. Dropped points Sekhukhune are second on the log and they from those matches could have a massive impact are not there by fluke. They work hard for each on Chiefs’ bid to qualify for continental football other and they have some good individual play- next season. ers in their team, such as Prince Nxumalo. They are a team who defend deep looking to catch you Chiefs are back in DStv Premiership action on counterattacks. They have very quick players, this weekend after what assistant coach Arthur they are fast in transitions and they are a very well Zwane has described as a “very difficult fort- structured team. night” for all at the Kaizer Chiefs Village after a On facing Willard Katsande major Covid outbreak. We are playing against Willard Katsande, a After Chiefs were unable to feature in league former Chiefs player. He has a never say die posi- games against Cape Town City and Lamontville tive attitude. Having him there suits their playing Golden Arrows. Amakhosi will be back in action style. They work hard and grind out results. We on Sunday hosting Sekhukhune at FNB Stadium have a plan for them and their coaches, who have at 18h00. great insight and good football minds. Chiefs returned to training this week and have begun slowly resuming their regular programme. MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... 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MIRROR SPORTWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... EXUBERANCE: Pirates Xola Mlambo has proven a vital cog EXPERIENCED: Thabo Matlaba of Swallows FC LOADING….. SIZZLING ORIGINAL SOWETO DERBY By Ali Mphaki NO HOLDS BARRED: A NAIL-BITING Soweto derby seems to have lost its spark, and In that land of the Samba, the main confron- AFFAIR EXPECTED BETWEEN THE BIRDS relegated to second fiddle by the Kaizer Chiefs tation is Flamengo – Fluminense. Called the AND AMABHAKABHAKA IN A MATCH and Pirates spectacle. Doubts also prevail wheth- Brazilian superclassico, a world record break- LIKELY TO REKINDLE MEMORIES OF er the original derby will ever rise to emulate ing crowd of 194 000 people attended their BYGONE ERA “The Intercontinental Derby’ in Turkey featuring match at the grand Maracana stadium when Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, whose fans hold the they met in 1963. who was leading a squatter movement in Mo- ly with Swallows die-hard fans mostly on the los- world record of the highest level of noise sup- roka, in whose constituency the match was being ing end. And callous though it may seem, indel- port, when the teams met at the Turk Telekom In our land of Gqom and the votjo, it is Or- played, stole the ball and everyone had to plead ible is the humiliation The Birds supporters went stadium in 2011. lando Pirates – Moroka Swallows (the latter with him to give the ball back. Ntoyi gave the through each time their team played at Orlando currently operating as Swallows FC), in what is ball back and Pirates won 9-0. Unbeknown to Stadium. Win or lose, Swallows fans sheepishly Also gone is the corrosive hatred between aptly called the original Soweto derby. True to Ntoyi at the time, his antics would be a precursor obliged to make the sign of the skull and cross- the teams’ supporters – these days they share the its purpose, the original Soweto derby may not to a violent culture that will afflict the original bones with their arms to signify Pirates territory same seating arrangements at stadia. But what have the embellished macabre tag of “derby of Soweto derby until late in the 70s. Like all der- – thanks to knife-wielding local clevers. The time can never erase are the memories. It is up to eternal enemies” ala Olympiakos/Panathinaikos bies around the world, it is easy to compare fans violence would even precipitate a split within the current crop of players to rise to the occasion, in Greece, but it certainly has had its fair share of Boca Juniors and River Plate in the “Argen- Moroka Swallows, following player safety con- respect the jersey and give their respective fans of drama, mostly characterized by fan violence. tine Superclasico”, whose fans are “Ready to kill cerns led by one Difference Mbanya, each time something to talk about going to the Christmas each other”, with those of our Soweto derby. they played against Pirates. break. Swallows FC are hovering in dangerous And unlike in “The Old Film Derby”, whose terrain - though no longer at the bottom of the Celtic and Rangers fans are divided along Prot- The Soweto derby has had it casualties, sad- It is sad to notice that lately the original log, having registered their second win of the estant and Catholic lines in Scotland, intense lo- season against Baroka midweek - will have to calism and inter township rivalry influenced the continue on the same trajectory if they are to ex- original Soweto derby. tricate themselves from the mess they find them- selves in. Moroka Swallows was seen as representing the “new” south western townships, Orlando Pi- For a team that achieved a popularity rates symbolized - the “old”. From the first game throughout their glorious but tumultuous his- ever played somewhere in 1948 between the tory of playing to please the crowd and win at sides, at the number one ground in Jabavu, Mo- the same time, an inconsistent Pirates better be roka, Pirates/Swallows matches have not been warned. The Birds are about to soar. The match devoid of controversy, violence, and even death. is scheduled for Dobsonville Stadium, Tuesday Kick off 19.30. (Additional reporting from The Legend has it that when the match was 7-nil, Peoples’ Club 1937-1973) with Pirates in the lead, a Russian called Ntoyi