WEEKLY SA Mirror 103rd ED

SOCIAL MEDIA RR CHILDREN BLACK HAIR OF THE ROW WAR 11page 13page D E Q L www.weeklysamirror.news Friday 16 June 2023 MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... IS THIS AFRICA’S HUMAN TRAFFICKING QUEEN? WANTED: Nigerian Christy Gold fingered 2 to be operating a sex trafficking network from Durbai HOW TORTURE, DECEPTION UNDERPIN DUBAI’S HUMAN TRAFFICKING MAFIA THAT TARGETS AFRICAN WOMEN... p

2 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 16 June 2023 TRAFFICKING HUMAN TRAFFICKERS LIVE IT UP IN MIDDLE EAST SHADOWY: An underground network of thriving underground of suspected sex traffickers the UAE by subletting space to them in an apart- suspected sex traffickers has taken refuge who have taken refuge in the United Arab Emir- ment she owned in Dubai. in the wealthy UAE’s Dubai capital, including ates, a Gulf nation known for its wealth, futuristic Nigerian Christy Gold, flagged as a wanted human skyscrapers and what rights groups say is a poor “I even go as far as advising them like a mother trafficker in her country, and believed to have record on protecting foreign workers and basic so they too can make it in Dubai,” she said. But she extensive networks across the continent. The US freedoms. told the court, “I cannot tell what these people did State Department says efforts to identify and for a living in Dubai.” protect victims have been futile... The UAE is a major destination for sex traf- ficking, where African women are forced into In a written reply supplied by the Dubai gov- By Maggie Michael were trafficked and exploited by her. prostitution by illicit networks operating within the ernment’s media affairs office, the emirate’s po- On a pleasure boat cruising Gulf waters near Three of the women said in interviews that country, an investigation by the International Con- lice agency said claims that Gold had engaged in Dubai’s glittering skyline, a Nigerian woman sortium of Investigative Journalists and Reuters the sex trafficking of African women in Dubai are dressed in a white dress and gold jewelry nod- Gold told them that if they didn’t do as they were has found. Emirati authorities do little to protect “false and have absolutely no basis in fact.” The ded and swayed as a gathering sang “Happy told, they’d be killed and dumped in the desert. these women, according to anti-trafficking activ- statement said Gold had “entered and exited Dubai Birthday” to her. Those who didn’t make enough money for her ists, Nigerian authorities and interviews with traf- legally and was not implicated in any illegal activi- were taken to a torture room in an apartment in ficked women. ties.” Videos of Christy Gold’s 45th birthday party Dubai, where Gold’s brother starved them, flogged were posted in May 2022 on an Instagram account them and shoved hot chili paste into their vaginas, This story is based on interviews with 25 Af- The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said any that showcases her glamorous lifestyle, months according to three anti-trafficking officials and five rican women, mostly from Nigeria, who described suggestion the UAE “tolerates human trafficking or after Gold fled Nigeria, where she was facing sex women who provided detailed accounts in inter- being lured to the UAE by Gold or other alleged that it has little regard to the victims of this heinous trafficking charges. views and court statements. traffickers, as well as dozens of interviews with crime is utterly false.” Such allegations, the min- humanitarian workers, investigators, Nigerian gov- istry said in response to questions, were “baseless Gold — whose name appears in court records “They beat the hell out of me,” one of the wom- ernment officials and others with knowledge of and without foundation.” as Christiana Jacob Uadiale — was a ringleader in en said. “The suffering was too much.” sex trafficking in the Emirates. Their accounts are a criminal network that lured African women to corroborated by court records and case files from The ministry said the UAE’s laws on sex traf- Dubai and forced them into prostitution in broth- In a statement to the court after she was Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking agency. ficking carry heavy fines and prison sentences. A els, backstreets, bars, hotels and dance clubs, ac- charged, Gold denied that she and her brother were report the ministry shared said the UAE had re- cording to six Nigerian government anti-trafficking sex traffickers. “I am not involved in human traf- Human traffickers keep African women in ferred 20 human trafficking cases to the courts in officials, a British human rights activist who has ficking and I do not have any girls in Dubai work- sexual slavery by playing on their financial des- 2021, most involving sexual exploitation. tracked her operation and five women who say they ing for me as a prostitute,” she said. peration and creating webs of manipulation and co- ercion. They subject them to threats and violence. The UAE has also been involved in interna- Gold remains a fugitive from justice — part of They ensnare them in crushing debts, often totaling tional police operations against trafficking net- what anti-trafficking activists and officials say is a $10,000 to $15,000 — huge sums for women from works, the ministry said. Human rights activists poor families. And, in many cases, they exploit tra- and Nigerian authorities say the UAE doesn’t live ditional African spiritual beliefs to make victims up to its anti-trafficking commitments. believe that they have no choice but to do what the traffickers tell them. Fatima Waziri-Azi, director general of Nige- ria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Traf- This investigation is part of a reporting col- ficking in Persons, said there has been “no coop- laboration led by ICIJ, Trafficking Inc., which is eration” when NAPTIP has reached out to Emirati examining sex trafficking and labor trafficking in authorities for help hunting down traffickers work- many parts of the globe. Media partners in the pro- ing out of the UAE. ject include Reuters, NBC News, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism and other news outlets Angus Thomas, a British activist who founded in multiple countries. an anti-trafficking education organization based in Ghana, said UAE authorities were uncooperative Gold did not respond to questions for this story. when he urged them to help African women get In her statement to the court in Nigeria, Gold said away from Gold and her associates. she had helped Nigerian women and men move to “I wrote, I phoned, I emailed, asking them to help me get the girls, sending addresses of apart- ments,” he said. “And I heard nothing.”

Friday 16 June 2023 NEWS 3WEEKLY SA MIRROR TRAFFICKING WORRYING SEX TRAFFICKING TREND BETWEEN DUBAI AND AFRICAN NATIONS WEB: An ICIJ investigation examines networks of companies, people and business practices that draw profit from cross-border labour trafficking and sex trafficking By Michael Hudson 21 million people were working under conditions of BACKROUND On any given day, the United Nations estimates, forced labour. A report released in September 2022 by the International Labour Organization and a non- A total 10 826 kidnapping cases were efforts to do so. nearly 28 million adults and children around the profit group, Walk Free, estimated that, as of 2021, reported in South Africa between April ‘’ Law enforcement agencies had world are trapped in jobs that are so oppressive that the number of people working under forced labour 2021 to March 2022, according to the they amount to modern slavery or human traffick- conditions had grown to 27.6 million. police who added that, between January insufficient resources, lacked the ing. and June this year, an average of 579 necessary training to adequately and Keeping workers physically and emotionally kidnappings a month were reported in appropriately investigate all reported They are forced to work long hours for little or isolated is a method of control in many trafficking Gauteng alone. trafficking cases and continued to no pay, toiling on farms and construction sites, in cases. Employment agents or employers often take rely heavily on victims’ testimony for sweatshops and restaurants, as janitors and, in some away passports and cell phones and tell workers that KwaZulu-Natal had the second highest prosecutions.’’ cases, sex workers. They are exploited by recruiters if they try to leave they will be arrested. number of kidnappings with an average of and employers who use their poverty, isolation and 218 a month for the first half of 2022. Amongst its recommendations, the immigration status against them, often threatening Some recruiters and employers use threats of Report called for the formalisation of a them with violence, arrest or deportation or ensnar- violence or actual violence to trap and control traf- Gauteng had the highest number of confidential reporting mechanism for ing them in debts they struggle to repay. ficked workers. But coercion in human trafficking kidnappings with 4 495 from 2021 to civil society to safely report allegations doesn’t always involve direct threats of physical 2022, with KZN registering 2 520 and of official corruption and complicity A new investigation by the International Con- harm. Often workers are lured into well-laid traps Western Cape with 1028 during the same in trafficking crimes directly to the sortium of Investigative Journalists and other media that ensnare them in large debts for recruitment period. A total 4 512 women were reported government for vigorous investigation. partners has begun examining human trafficking in fees or take advantage of their precarious immigra- missing around South Africa in the three VIGILANCE Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the United States. tion status. In some countries it is a crime to break years between 2016 and March 2019, an employment contract. Authorities often don’t and 3 598 of these women were African, The Liaison Bishop for migrants, The investigation, Trafficking Inc, focuses on care if the contract was fraudulent or the employer 258 were Whites and 63 were Asians. refugees and human trafficking at the two forms of human trafficking: labour trafficking abuses workers. Under the “kafala” system in Jor- Southern African Catholic Bishops’ and sex trafficking. Both involve using force, fraud dan, Lebanon and most Persian Gulf countries, for During the last three months of 2022 Conference (SACBC) has called upon or coercion to induce someone to work or provide a example, employers exercise wide control over – the latest period for which there are South Africans, especially the youth, to service. ICIJ and its reporting partners are working migrant workers’ freedom of movement and legal official crime statistics – an average of 45 exercise vigilance, proclaiming South to bring to light untold stories of hardship and abuse status. The Council on Foreign Relations, a New kidnappings a day were reported to local Africa “a hotspot for traffickers”. suffered by trafficked people — and expose the net- York-based think tank, notes that there’s growing police, a phenomenon which has earned works of companies, individuals and business prac- recognition the system is “rife with exploitation.” South Africa a dubious rank of seventh In a recent statement in February tices that set the traps and profit from them. worldwide as a dangerous hotspot of this year, Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito also Beyond the kafala system, immigration laws in kidnappings and human trafficking. called on South Africans to dedicate the Stories released include articles by ICIJ, The many countries — including the United States — month of February to creating awareness Post, NBC and ARIJ that revealed that many foreign leave migrant workers vulnerable to labour abuses. Police said people were kidnapped about human trafficking. workers for defence contractors on United States mostly to claim ransom from their families military bases in the Persian Gulf have been targets The toll that labour trafficking takes on workers while others were victims of human “South Africa, as we know, is a hotspot of abusive labour practices — including illegal re- is wide-ranging and powerful. Along with economic trafficking. Although police claim they had for traffickers. We appeal especially to cruiting fees that force migrants who are paid as lit- exploitation, they can be exposed to physical and intensified their probe into these incidents, our youth to be vigilant,” Bishop Kizito tle as R18 an hour to work for years before they’ve sexual violence, infectious diseases, hunger, un- the Trafficking in Persons Report SA of made the call ahead of the Feast Day of paid off their debts. sanitary living arrangements and dangerous work- 2022 lamented that the country did not St Josephine Bakhita (February 8), the ing conditions. Surveys of workers who have been fully meet the minimum standards for patron saint of victims of modern slavery Other stories released in 2022 included pieces trafficked find high levels of depression and post- elimination of trafficking but were making and human trafficking. by WGBH that revealed flaws in US protections for traumatic stress disorder. trafficked workers and the failure of Massachusetts authorities to punish labour traffickers who prey on War, disease, disasters, global warming, poverty vulnerable workers. and inequality serve as “push factors,” prompting vulnerable workers to seek out new jobs and new A story co-published this month by ICIJ and Re- lives in new places. uters examined sex trafficking between Nigeria and other African nations and the United Arab Emir- Amid the global Covid-19 pandemic, the United ates. The story was based on court records and other Nations reported that human traffickers had adjust- documents and interviews with 25 African women ed their business models to the “new normal” cre- who described being lured to the UAE by traffickers ated by the disease, especially through “the abuse of along with dozens of interviews with humanitarian modern communications technologies.” workers, investigators, Nigerian government offi- cials and others with knowledge of sex trafficking “Most importantly,” the United Nations said, in the Emirates. “the pandemic has exacerbated and brought to the forefront the systemic and deeply entrenched eco- Human trafficking is said to be the world’s nomic and societal inequalities that are among the fastest growing criminal enterprise. In 2014, the root causes of human trafficking.” United Nations’ International Labour Organization reported that, between them, labour and sex traf- Anyone who has information after labour or sex ficking produce an estimated R2,7 trillion in illicit trafficking can email [email protected] or con- profits annually. At that time, the organisation said tact ICIJ via Signal, WhatsApp or a number of other secure platforms.

4 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 16 June 2023 NORTH WEST HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH FAILING ‘BATHO PELE’ INEPT: Members of the public share heartbreak Two people that WSAM spoke too, shared eighth time. Each time she had not been attended experiences at some government offices in the similar experiences. Tshegofatso Maake, a resident to because the branch had no lights or was offline”. province… of Lerome village said she was returning for the seventh time to the branch, in an attempt to apply According to a source who spoke to WSAM By Robert Tlapu and passports. for a passport. “Each time I come here, it is either anonymously, the generator stopped working in Is it Home or Horror Affairs? This is what If is unusual for some to unfortunately leave the the branch is offline or there is no electricity due 2021 but had not been fixed since. Questions sent members of the public have been asking each to load shedding, but they have a huge generator, to three individuals responsible for the Mankwe time they visit the Mankwe branch in Mog- branch without receiving any help after spending why are they not fixing it. I use two taxis which Home Affairs, Branch Manager Nkhensani Ndlo- wase, north of Rustenburg, and are greeted by a the entire day at the branch without been attended cost me R25 a single trip, so imagine how much I vu, District Operations Manager Noko Setoaba and “TEMPORARILY CLOSED” sign at the door. to, due to problems such as electricity loadshedding have spent already. But I managed to apply for the Provincial Manager Eunice Mhlanga, but they all Not once, so many times. and Home Affairs system being offline. passport finally, because I really needed it for our referred the WSAM to Home Affairs spokesperson trip to Swaziland,” a relieved Maake said. Siyabulela Qoza. Yet, the branch has a huge power generator in- Not so long ago, a bereaved family, speaking to stalled in the yard, which should provide alternative WSAM on condition of anonymity, shared a story Olebogeng Nthole of Moruleng also shared Eventually an email with media related ques- power supply during loadshedding, but the contrap- of coming to the branch to fetch a death certificate almost similar frustrations, “I applied online and tions were sent to Qoza, who acknowledged he re- tion has not been working for over two years. before opening its doors to the public at 7.30am, booked a slot on April 2023), but we couldn’t get ceived the query and promised to respond. Later, but leaving disappointed after a long wait. Unfortu- help on time and load shedding happened. Then we after numerous emails and phone calls to Qoza, still Every single day most residents who come nately for them, there was loadshedding scheduled had to go to Rustenburg branch on Monday and we had not responded. from various villages and townships in the Moses between 11am and 3pm in the area, which saw the managed to apply for the passport”. They spent al- Kotare district in the North West leave their respec- family having to leave the branch without the death most R200 on transport fares to visit both branches. With weeks gone by with no luck of getting any tive homes in the early hours of the morning, hop- certificate. They then had to come back days later response from Mr. Qoza, WSAM sent an email to ing to beat long queues often – much to their disap- to complete the application process, and were lucky A talk radio station Power FM caller Bethuel the department’s Chief of Staff, Modupi Maisela pointment – without success. On a lucky day, ‘early this time around, but it turned out an expensive ex- from Makapanstad said he went to the branch at the ka Mdluli, for an intervention. He requested Qoza birds’ hit the jackpot and find lights on and even the ercise because of travelling costs. Nafcoc building in Soshanguve, but unfortunately to attend to our complaint. Days went by with no computer systems working. did not receive any assistance. response from Qoza once again. A follow-up email WSAM reporter spoke to one angry family was sent to Maisela ka Mdluli, who responded, “I Daily, as early as 6am, the Home Affairs pre- member, who said: “This is not fair on us, and how “I travelled from Makapanstad to Soshanguve spoke to the MLO (media liason officer) last week cinct is a hive of activity as buses offload people are we going to make claims at insurances with- which cost me R85 a single trip to collect my smart and he informed me that he called you but you were from various villages around the district munici- out the death certificate? Why is the generator not card ID. I was there very early, and when the branch not available”. pality region. They come to the branch to apply or working? Now we have lost R500 on transport cost finally opened at 8am, we were told the branch was fetch documents like death, birth certificates, IDs to come here, so we going to spend another R500 offline. They only got online around 10:30am, and Finally, it took Mr. Qoza a period of six weeks on Monday”. at 11h00 there was loadshedding. The power came to respond to the enquiry. In a short phone call, he back hours later, and we were told the system takes said “we have ordered a new generator from over- a while to kick in, and it was just after 3pm. One seas, and I am told it is at the harbour. I will send lady told me she was visiting the branch for the you full details in a moment.” By the time of going to print, he still hasn’t sent the details. UNDER FIRE: Gauteng GAUTENG provincial commissioner EARNS DUBIOUS Brigadier Elias Mawela WILD WEST concerned at the number STATUS of illegal guns in the province GRIM STATS: Murder, hijackings, assault, rape, shoplifting and stock theft on the rise By Ali Mphaki to 52 694. ingly overwhelmed the SAPS were able to record riod in 2021, adding that most women and children Death stalks Gauteng residents more than in Noticeable, however, is though there was a 6 some successes, recording 4 022 incidents of crime were killed by people known to them. detection by police to recover guns and ammuni- any other part of the country, if the latest provincial 480 increase in sexual offences cases, the period tion. All in all crime detected as a result of police According to Mawela, 44 children were mur- crime stats released by General Elias Mawela this under review is somewhat of an improvement com- action, which includes alcohol and drugs resulted dered. The murder weapons included firearms, week are anything to go by. pared to 2012/13 when 60 888 such cases were re- in 68 658 of such cases. knives and other sharp instruments, stones, rocks, ported. bricks and blunt objects. On the question of fire- With a population of about 10-million people, Speaking to local media Brigadier Mawela arms Brigadier Mawela said their recovery of fire- the SAPS recorded a total of 25 181 murder cases If you thought you were safe being in your car, said in their analysis of the crime stats it was obvi- arms was very high and that the SAPS was con- from January to March this year - a staggering 26.1 think again. Hijacking cases rose from 16 731 last ous there were lots of assault (with grievous bodily cerned about the proliferation of weapons. increase in the murder rate or more exactly 5 209 year to 20 923 cases for the period under review. harm) and common assault cases which only goes more people killed during this period compared to to show people unable to resolve their misunder- “This doesn’t mean that only illegal firearms last year. This translates into 4 192 more hijackings than standings amicably. are used to commit crime. Licensed firearms are last year. Not to be outdone, truck hijackings also also being used in the wrong way. I am pleased As if to show people of Gauteng have a short went up to 1 741 cases, 344 more of such cases. A total of 1 721 people were murdered in the with what our officers are doing to recover firearms fuse and prefer to settle their scores physically, the province during the quarter, which was an increase from the wrong hands. SAPS also recorded 22 095 attempted murder case Seemingly undeterred, cash-in-heists criminals of 151 compared to the previous year. Mawela said during the same period - an 18.1 percent increase or kept the SAPS busy, with 238 cases reported, up 278 women were killed during the last quarter of “Our marching orders are simple: Our officers 3 388 more cases. from 43 last year. While your home is supposed to 2022, an increase of 89 compared to the same pe- are out there looking for all firearms in the wrong be your castle, brazen Gauteng criminals went on hands,” Mawela said. Attempted assault cases also increased dras- to committ roberies at 21 832 residential properties. tically, with 19 449 more cases reported than the previous year, which brings the total for this year’s Business properties were not spared either, first three months to 162 842 cases. with 20 012 non-residential properties robbed. For whatever reason, shoplifters were hard at work but The men in blue were also kept busy with com- these would see a total of 12 379 cases reported to mon assault cases, with 169 963 cases reported, 20 the police. 521 more than the previous year. The stats would also show 15 197 of shoplifting In such a volatile environment, women find cases were reported during 2012/13. Gauteng may themselves more vulnerable, with 41 739 rape cas- be a cosmpolitan area but it will come as a pleasant es reported. When you add sexual assaul, attempted suprise that stock theft is also on the rise. sexual assault it brings the total of sexual offences The SAPS say they had to deal with 5 901 of such cases - a drop of 342 last year. Though seem-

Friday 16 June 2023 CONSUMER & LEGAL MATTERS 5WEEKLY SA MIRROR Consumer Eye AWARD-WINNING CONSUMER EDITOR LOOKS 060 936 2673 INTO YOUR COMPLAINTS ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER CHEMICAL MAY CAUSE DNA DAMAGE, CANCER – STUDY CELLS: New research shows a chemical found in Splenda, sucralose-6-acetate, is “genotoxic,” causing DNA damage, lead to oxidative stress, inflammation, and even cancer By Kaitlin Vogel “Population-based studies REAL SUGR Many people turn to artificial sugar substitutes on the cancer risk of VS to reduce their calorie intake, but a growing body sucralose-6-acetate may be ARTIFICIAL SUGAR of evidence shows the potential health hazards as- considered in the future. sociated with these substances. But it will be difficult to If you’re wondering whether it’s better to as much as possible, which may include natural establish a direct consume smaller amounts of refined sugar rath- sugars such as honey or agave. Now, a new study found that a chemical, sucra- cause-and-effect er than excessive amounts of artificial sugar, it lose-6-acetate, found in sucralose (sold under the relationship between may ultimately come down to how much you When choosing sugar substitutes, you trade name Splenda) causes DNA damage. sucralose-6-acetate and consume. could opt for stevia or monk fruit over artifi- cancer because of cial sweeteners — but it’s a good idea to talk Researchers from North Carolina State Uni- The Dietary Guidelines for Americans rec- with your doctor first, particularly if you have a versity and the University of North Carolina at the multifactorial dimension ommends people over two years old limit their health condition like diabetes. Chapel Hill determined the chemical is “geno- of cancer. Still, this data sugar intake to no more than 10% of their daily toxic,” which means it harms genetic information calories — or no more than 10 teaspoons of “Naturally-occurring sugar substitutes that within cells. They also exposed human gut tissues already suggests that the sugar a day. Children under two shouldn’t have are not created in the laboratories are consid- to sucralose to examine the effects on gut health public be more careful any added sugars at all. ered healthier alternatives,” Leonardo said. and the potential for carcinogenicity. in taking these artificial Still, health experts have cautioned that 10 Considering the risks of refined sugar, Da- The results were recently published in the sweeteners and shift to teaspoons of sugar a day may still be too much. mianos said he encourages his patients to con- Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. other ‘safer’ alternatives.” The American Heart Association (AHA), for sider healthier low- or no sugar alternatives. instance, recommends no more than six tea- In an interview with Medical News Today Dr John Damianos, a hospital resident at Yale spoons of sugar per day for women and nine “Instead of soda or diet soda, switch to selt- (MNT), Dr Susan Schiffman, co-researcher of the School of Medicine, not involved in the research, teaspoons a day for men. zer water,” Damianos recommended. study and an adjunct professor in the joint depart- told MNT that “the paper studied sucralose-6-ace- ment of biomedical engineering at North Carolina tate in isolation.” “We know that excess refined sugar is as- “Instead of highly processed foods and State University and the University of North Caro- sociated with a myriad of adverse health out- drinks to satisfy that sweet tooth, grab fruits lina at Chapel Hill, said: “The most compelling “While this compound is an intermediate of comes,” said Dr John Damianos of the Yale with their natural sugars paired with an abun- finding was that a contaminant and metabolite of sucralose (comprising up to 0.67% of sucralose) School of Medicine. “There is also accumulat- dance of health-promoting fibre and phytonu- sucralose could damage DNA in human blood cells and metabolite, it does not make up the majority of ing data that certain artificial sweeteners may trients,” he added. and express genes in human gut epithelium that ingested sucralose, and it is uncertain how much is also be harmful.” can induce inflammation and even cancer.” For the produced in the human intestine,” he noted. “Date sugar and Yacon syrup are unique study, researchers exposed human blood cells to For overall health, experts recommend sugar alternatives that have a lower glycemic sucralose-6-acetate in several in vitro experiments. Damianos added that “the findings raise po- adherence to a healthful eating pattern that index than sugar, may provide health benefits, The results showed signs of genotoxicity. tentially concerning findings that deserve further emphasises whole foods and limits processed and make for great baking. study, but do not practically reflect what occasional foods and foods high in sugar. The researchers also found that sucralose or even frequent ingestion of sucralose-sweetened Coconut sugar, molasses, honey, maple caused leaky gut or damage to the gut lining. In food and beverages have on health.” Damianos said a balanced diet is “consist- syrup, and agave are commonly used but still addition, they observed the genetic activity of the ently associated with better health outcomes.” can raise blood sugar, and so should be used gut cells and discovered that sucralose caused an According to Schiffman, the next steps for re- SUGAR SUBSTITUTES sparingly. increase in gene activity linked to oxidative stress, search will be looking at the biological impact of inflammation, and carcinogenicity. sucralose when paired with acesulfame-K, another Experts recommend avoiding added sugars I also encourage patients to consider the artificial sweetener that often accompanies sucra- totality of the diet, with particular attention to The results support the growing evidence of lose in food products. Future sucralose research increasing dietary fiber and healthy fats, which the harmful effects of artificial sweeteners, such as could also include population-based studies, which blunt the insulin spike.” – MNT News an increased risk of heart disease and cancer. may deepen scientists’ understanding of the con- nection between sucralose-6-acetate and cancer. “For many years, artificial sweeteners have already been suspected of having carcinogenic Leonardo said: “Population-based studies effects,” Dr Danielle Leonardo, a board-certified on the cancer risk of sucralose-6-acetate may be specialist in internal medicine and medical oncol- considered in the future. But it will be difficult to ogy in Calabarzon, Philippines, not involved in the establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship be- research, told MNT. tween sucralose-6-acetate and cancer because of the multifactorial dimension of cancer. Still, this “This [study] is another push toward confirm- data already suggests that the public be more care- ing this hypothesis. I believe that we have already ful in taking these artificial sweeteners and shift to established the foundational research for the theory other ‘safer’ alternatives.” – MNT NEWS and the preliminary data is already present,” Leon- ardo added. LIMITATIONS While the results are cause for concern, it’s un- clear how sucralose could affect health on a broad- er scale. As such, further research on the effects of sucrose-6-acetate is still needed, particularly in human trials. “We are limited by the fact that these are only in vitro (test tube) and animal studies and so we are still a long way before we discover its applicability in human patients,” Leonardo explained.

6 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SKILLS Friday 16 June 2023 WHY YOUNG By WSAM Reporter SOUTH Innovative, self-driven, self-starters who are VISION: Ms Zizile Lushabam, SEIFSA human AFRICANS technically minded and enjoy solving problems capital executive SHOULD STUDY make good candidates for artisan training. 250 people a day and offers apprenticeships in 10 trades. A TRADE This is the view of Zizile Lushaba, Human Capital & Skills Development Executive at Steel As part of its commitment to empowering ARTISANSHIP: Learning a trade can open Engineering Industries’ Federation of SA (SEIF- young South Africans, SEIFSA took part in Cell many doors for young people in terms of SA), who adds that candidates who fit the descrip- C’s recent Youth Day event. The See Youth fo- employability and self-employment tion could explore options such as becoming a cused on ways to empower the country’s youth, opportunities... welder, fitter and turner, boilermaker or pipe fitter. including helping them to develop the skills of en- trepreneurship among other things. CRITICAL: Welding skills are in demand. SEIFSA is a national federation represent- ing 18 independent employer associations in the Many artisans find their practical skills and metal and engineering industries, with a combined experience perfectly suited to running their own membership of over 1 200 companies employing small businesses, says Lushaba, adding that these over 170 000 employees. skills were useful in “day-to-day life for those who are looking to explore the entrepreneurial route”. At a time when the unemployment rate is close to 40 percent (39.2 percent in the first quar- Emphasising the need for young people to ter of 2023), with the jobless rate among young train as artisans, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africans as high as 61 percent, the focus on – in his State of Nation Address earlier this year – post-school education and training is imperative. the number of students taking part in artisan train- Choosing a trade increases young people’s chanc- ing in TVET colleges would be increased from 17 es of being employed as there is huge demand for 000 to 30 000 during the 2023 academic year. more artisans in all sectors of the economy and this is not only true of South Africa, says Lushaba. “One of the key ingredients for economic growth and competitiveness is the ability to attract Degree-based careers may attract better-pay skills which the economy needs,” he said. Artisans opportunities, but one had to be employed before were always in demand — from the most to the getting paid, she said. South Africa had many un- least developed economies — and this was un- employed graduates, showing that a degree did not likely to change in the near future. always guarantee a job. Contrarily, there were far fewer trained artisans languishing among the un- The SEIFSA Training Centre is run in partner- employed. ship with Thuthukisa, a specialist advisory, con- sulting, projects management skills programmes The emphasis on practical training made new- delivery company. It is registered with the Depart- ly qualified trades people infinitely more employa- ment of Higher Education and NAMB and has ble than university graduates, Lushaba points out. trade-tested more than 400 candidates a year since 2014. “Trades require the following three elements — theory, simulation (practical training) and ex- periential learning (on-the-job training). Experi- ential learning allows the learner to be exposed to the workplace sooner than university gradu- ates, which provides the opportunity to learn from professionals who guide and mentor them,” says Lushaba. The trades also offer learners who may battle to achieve the marks needed to study at university an alternative and sometimes far better option than simply slotting into whatever degree I will be ac- cepted into. “University is theory intensive while a trade provides an opportunity for individuals who might not excel as much on theory but would be far bet- ter with hands-on, practical exposure and learning. Being employed as an apprentice and/or qualify- ing as an artisan also provide earlier earnings prospects, which is a big benefit for many South African families,” she says. There are many colleges around the coun- try where young people can learn a trade. The SEIFSA Training Centre in Benoni, Gauteng, for example, offered a full range of artisan training — from welders to electricians. Keeping up to date with the needs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the Centre also offers skills such as robot- ics and 3D printing to meet industry demands and these skills are taught using e-learning, virtual reality and e-assessments. The Centre can train PROGRAM TO EXPOSE PUPILS TO ADVANCED ENTREPRENEURSHIP By Priscilla Malinga IMPACT: Bank teams up with business “We want to make SJ Van der Merwe a school training entity to prepare and nurture future of employers, and not employees”. These were entrepreneurs at school level… the words of Tebatso Matshepo, Absa’s head of business transformation and citizenship, while DITTY: SJ Van Der Merwe Technical High choir Currently the school currently provides three MENTORSHIP: Tepatso Matshepo addressing staff and pupils at SJ Van Der Mer- graces the business program launch with learning streams – technical, mathematical, and do the entrepreneurship course and then not pro- we Technical High School in Lebowakgomo, choral music sciences skill sets, which are underpinned by the ceed to tertiary,” said Tebatso. This program was Limpopo, recently. The occasion was to launch compulsory subjects which include English, Busi- designed to show pupils at a high school level what the Built 4 Biz programme to prepare local pu- ness Admin and Engineering. entrepreneurship is all about, so they could make pils for post-matric entrepreneurship careers. a career call whether it was something they would However, Built 4 Biz program will empower like to fully pursue or not. The bank initiated the project in partnership learners of all streams with critical entrepreneurial with YOUinc, which specialises in delivering high- knowledge to become “tomorrow’s leaders”. In “As a subject, entrepreneurship will help teach impact personal development training to youth, and addition, the school intends to complement the you survival skills, challenge them think outside which will assist in designing and adapting the en- project with an innovation showcase/expo” around the box, and empower them with the ability to jug- trepreneurship programme into the technical high’s October and November. gle things in life. Even if you decide to become a current curriculum. doctor, if you don’t have a business mind, you will Tebatso said that, unbeknown to her during her not be successful. A lot of careers actually require As part of the initiative, YOUinc will conduct younger days, she herself was exposed to entrepre- that we become business savvy”. two-hour-long personal development training ses- neurship much earlier when her mother got her to sions once a month to a group of 60 pupils, who sell sweets and snacks to raise money to buy bread will split into two groups to be exposed to separate for their family. Hence, it was important that pupils learning themes. learn business skills at a younger age to learn there are other channels to follow other than going to ter- Relating her own experience from her young tiary and getting a job. days, Matshepo felt the programme came too late for her now that she is an adult, whereas this was “This does not mean that students should now what her class needed growing up in the prov- ince as young pupils to prepare them for world of business. During her time, she said, the focus and teaching was only to assist pupils to finish matric and go to university in order to get a better job.

Friday 16 June 2023 PERSONAL FINANCE/BUSINESS 7WEEKLY SA MIRROR BRICS APPEAL ON THE RISE - SWISS PROF SCENARIO: De-dollarisation drive, economic growth cal tensions that are currently affecting a number of financial markets, where a still increasing number prospects, geopolitical tensions fuel BRICS appeal... European economies provide an additional factor of financial institutions have been suffering from for participating in the BRICS club before long,” the US-dollar dominance, since the US bank- By Igor Kuznetsov nations have shown their eagerness to join up as Sergio Rossi said. ing sector has revealed its own systemic financial BRICS has proven itself to be an increasingly well, including Egypt. Recently, Algerian President fragility in the aftermath of Silicon Valley Bank’s desirable club to join, since it offers dynamic Abdelmadjid Tebboune called for accelerating his Many experts and officials believe that with collapse, which induced a domino effect affecting and profitable business prospects, especially in country’s entry to BRICS. America’s “unipolar moment,” a popular term other regional banks rapidly and dramatically for light of the de-dollarization trend and geopoliti- coined by Charles Krauthammer in the early 1990s, both their depositors and shareholders,” Rossi said. cal tensions, Sergio Rossi, professor of Macro- “The BRICS circle is becoming increasingly on the wane as multipolarity rises, BRICS has be- economics and Monetary Economics at the Uni- appealing to other countries, as it represents an in- coming increasingly more credible than any of the In late March, Egypt formally applied to join versity of Fribourg, Switzerland, told Sputnik. teresting and profitable business opportunity for a Washington-led organizations. the New Development Bank (NDB) founded under growing number of stakeholders across the global the auspices of BRICS, raising the obvious ques- Lately, numerous nations have lined up to economy, particularly as a result of the increasing The reasons behind it are several, ranging from tion: what could the North African country possibly knock on BRICS’ door, and that number continues willingness to get rid of the so-called dollar-dom- relentless US attempts to maintain its dominance offer the bloc and vice versa? to rapidly grow. The ever-increasing popular bloc inance, which has been dictating both firms and at all costs to the so-called “exorbitant privilege” of emerging economies is made up of Brazil, Rus- governments’ decisions in emerging and develop- provided by the US through the dollar’s role as the “Egypt represents an interesting market for sia, India, China and South Africa and accounts for ing economies around the world. international reserve currency, to which BRICS ap- BRICS countries, as regards foreign trade as well 25% of global GDP. pears to offer a viable alternative. as foreign direct investment opportunities. Eco- As the number of countries in such a circle nomic and financial activities could benefit of Last year, Iran and Argentina officially filed to increases, the benefits for them become more and “The main reasons for this shift to the BRICS Egypt’s entry to the BRICS club, whose dynamics join BRICS alongside 11 other applicants. Several more relevant, particularly in regard of economic community are twofold. On the one hand, it has might be supported by this entry. growth and business opportunities. The geopoliti- become crystal clear that the US policy stance is a major factor of geopolitical tensions across the There is a ‘win-win’ dynamics that could give global economy, particularly as regards foreign rise to a regional economic and financial integra- trade and economic development. tion in order to offer an alternative currency area with regard to the US-dollar dominance across the On the other hand, Washington-led organiza- global economy,” Rossi explained. – Sputnik Inter- tions have been trying to preserve the key role of national News the US dollar in the global economy as well across BUSINESS INDABA TO EXPLORE SUPPORT TO INFORMAL SECTOR BOOST: Townships remain hive of activity but preneurs and providing them with the tools they in order to generate broader economic benefits,” need to overcome these obstacles, we can enable noted one analyst. problem is how to unlock their potential to them to flourish and grow their businesses, thereby strengthening our economy as a whole.” And, according to experts, despite the govern- generate benefits... ment initiatives to develop the townships, these With the country’s unemployment currently townships remain as they were initially conceived By Isaac Moledi Retail businesses such as spaza shops, fast food hovering above 35% with an estimated 17% of - spatially disconnected and alienated from main- The two-day inaugural Township Economies outlets, bakeries, shebeens and hawkers dominate South Africa’s total employment emanating from stream economic activity. Conference and Expo to take place at the Em- the informal township economy. Additional busi- the informal economy, it is hoped that this con- perors Palace in Ekurhuleni on the East Rand nesses include backroom rentals, minibus taxi op- ference will offer a lifeline for countless families But Siyenza insists that the event aims to help on Monday will highlight multiple challenges erators, mechanics and panel beaters, metal fabri- without formal employment. SMME’s thrive by providing the necessary tools to and opportunities township businesses faced cators, childcare services, barbers and hair salons transition from an informal business landscape into due to their location in underserved black com- among others. But skeptics remain doubtful of the positive a formal one. munities. outcome of the event saying countless number of The Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhu- conferences held on behalf of black entrepreneurs “The conference will also expose them to other This is according to conference and expo or- leni, Sivuyile Ngodwane will welcome the partici- with the promise that their businesses will prosper markets, offering opportunities for government ganizer, Siyenza Management. The two-day event, pating guests while executive chairman of GBSH had in the past failed. They wondered if this was and big business procurement. Additionally, it will from June 20 to 21, presents a distinctive opportu- Consult Group, Ambassador Tal Edgars, will de- not another talk shop. empower service providers to showcase skillsets, nity to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship and liver the keynote address. access financial mechanisms and facilitate trade will enable small, medium and micro enterprises Most businesses are brought into existence for between SMMEs. (SMMEs) to access skills development, leading to Other speakers have been sourced from a varie- survival with little or no understanding of costs, re- long-term growth and business opportunities. ty of local and international business organisations. sponsibilities, markets, funding needs and other re- The theme for the 2023 event is “Creating quirements of the business such as a lack of proper Growth Entrepreneurs,” which Siyenza says will The organizers describe the event, which will These include representatives from the Black financial records and systems and technology. serve as a catalyst for enterprise development, aid- be addressed by, among others, the country’s re- Business Council, Township Economies Commis- ing the growth and development of township econ- nowned black business leaders and individuals, as sion of SA and Nafcoc. In addition, these businesses lack the systems omies to deliver not only more jobs but business a one-stop destination for township entrepreneurs necessary to handle growth or deal with associated growth and economic activity. as it will explore support services to the informal “Townships are often left behind in the eco- risks. market sector, focusing on the challenges and op- nomic growth of cities. In a country with an un- According to Siyenza, the Expo on the other portunities these entrepreneurs faced. employment rate of over 35%, the informal sector According to some experts, it is surprising that hand will offer companies a productive space to ac- is a lifeline to countless families who lack formal for a country where about 60% of the unemployed cess new markets. employment,” according to Siyenza . come from townships and the informal settlement, these areas are often left behind in the economic “While the Finance Centre is set to showcase “By understanding the challenges of entre- growth of the cities. “Townships have always been the latest trends and provide financial support and a hive for entrepreneurial activity, but the main access to finance for entrepreneurs, the challenge has always been unlocking the potential How-to Centre will facilitate ways to start a business, register it, provide tax support and more.”

8 WEEKLY SA MIRROR OPINION/ANALYSIS Friday 16 June 2023 Comment WOMEN AND CHILDREN ‘HATE IS A DANGER TO NEED TO BE PROTECTED EVERYONE’ AGAINST CRIMINALS UNIVERSAL: Following are UN Secretary-General used to vilify minorities. And disinformation cam- Gueterres’ remarks to the Security Council on paigns have smeared and threatened United Nations Women and children are vulnerable mem- “The Values of Human Fraternity in Promoting and peacekeepers and humanitarian workers with lies. bers of our society who need to be constantly Sustaining Peace”, in New York yesterday… safeguarded against criminal elements in our In Myanmar, social media has been exploited to midst who are hellbent on terrorizing communi- By António Guterres It (hate) greases the wheels demean and demonise the Rohingya minority, in- ties throughout South Africa. It is therefore the I thank the Government of the United Arab of violence, frays the social citing attacks and violence. In Iraq, the recent pro- duty of the police to ensure their safety and to Emirates for convening this important debate liferation of hate speech targeting Yazidis in Sinjar track down and trace criminals who are commit- on the values of human fraternity in promoting fabric, and corrodes has stoked fears among the community that it will ted to make their lives unbearable and for women and sustaining peace. the pillars of stability. once again be the target of atrocity crimes. The list and children to feel unsafe at public spaces and It is, in short, often the goes on, and it is growing. even in their own homes. It is an immense privilege to be joined today by bloody heart of conflict. His Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Grand Imam Hate is a danger to everyone and so fighting it The government must be reminded that a na- of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and His Excellency Arch- And that heart is must be a job for everyone. We must collectively tion that fails to protect their weaker members bishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Re- pumping venom and strengthen our defences. First, we must reign in the of society would be doomed. Women are the lations with States of the Holy See. I also extend division throughout hate that is spreading online. Earlier this week, I mothers of our nation and children are the future a warm welcome to Latifa Ibn Ziaten, briefing on the bloodstream of the launched a policy brief to promote information in- of our country. Failure to protect these groups is behalf of civil society. global body politic… tegrity on digital platforms. itself a crime against humanity. Faith leaders are vital allies in our shared quest swell of xenophobia, racism and intolerance, violent It proposes a code of conduct to help Member The recent statistics released by Police Min- for global peace. My esteemed predecessor Dag misogyny, anti-Muslim hatred, virulent anti-Semi- States, digital platforms and other stakeholders ister Bheki Cele on crimes committed in South Hammarskjöld once observed that, and I quote: tism, and attacks on minority Christian communi- make the digital space more inclusive and safer Africa between January and March this year, “The United Nations stands outside — necessarily ties. Neo-Nazi white supremacist movements today for all — while defending the right to freedom of paint a rather gloomy picture of the future of outside — all confessions, but it is, nevertheless, an represent the top internal security threat in several opinion and expression, and the right to access in- our women and children. A total 969 women and instrument of faith. As such it is inspired by what countries — and the fastest growing. formation. And as part of Our Common Agenda, 245 children were murdered during this period. unites and not by what divides the great religions we are working on a Global Digital Compact for A record 10512 rape cases were registered. This of the world.” Demonisation of the other; disdain for diver- an open, free, inclusive, and secure digital future translates to around 116 rape cases a day. This sity; disregard for human rights — these evils are for all, firmly anchored in human rights and non- is appalling. The murder and rape of women Every great faith summons the imperatives of not new to our time. What is new is their speed and discrimination. and children in this country have now tragically human fraternity, mutual respect and understand- their reach. Social media has equipped hatemon- become a norm in our society. The statistics no ing. These universal values animate the United Na- gers with a global bullhorn for bile. Today, no con- Second, as we move toward evermore multi- longer shock members of society who have now tions Charter and are at the core of our work for spiracy is too outrageous to find a vast audience; no ethnic and multi-religious societies, we need to grown to accept this as a way of life. peace, justice and human rights. falsehood too absurd to feed an online frenzy. invest in social cohesion. We need to ensure that every community feels respected in their unique Something drastic needs to be done – and Preserving peace and preventing war is the rai- Unverified assertions or outright lies can gain identity while feeling valued as an integral part of swiftly too. Cele has announced the launch of son d’être of this Council. Threats to peace come in instant credibility, placed on an equal footing with society as a whole. We need to recognize diversity Operation Shanela which would see more of- many forms — from competition for power and re- facts and science. They are often embraced — and as a richness of all societies — not a threat. ficers patrolling our streets and police officers sources, to human rights violations and weak gov- even promoted — by political leaders. Hate-fuelled tracking and tracing criminals. A total R65 mil- ernance, to extreme poverty, inequalities and mar- ideas and language are moving from the margins Hatred takes root in the soil of ignorance and lion has also been allocated to police stations ginalization that breed hopelessness and despair. to the mainstream, coarsening the public discourse fear. But when we enrich the soil of knowledge which recorded large numbers of murder and and triggering real-life violence. The effects are with facts, science and historical accuracy, hatred rapes. This effort is welcomed but is not enough. But an all-too-common denominator to the on- everywhere — and they are deadly. The perpetra- cannot spread like a deadly weed. That means en- set and escalation of conflict is hatred of the other. tors of the heinous attacks on a mosque in Christch- suring quality education for everyone, everywhere, The worrying factors are that it is some of Hate fuels humanity’s worst impulses. It is a cata- urch, a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and a church in including women and girls. It means supporting these same police officers whose job it is to pro- lyst for polarisation and radicalisation and a con- Charleston all were radicalised online. education systems that instil respect for science and tect us, who were involved in the commitment duit for atrocity crimes. It is also a result of these celebrate humanity in all its diversity. And it means of some of these serious crimes. Cele recently crimes, contributing to horrific cycles of violence The United Nations itself is not immune to this a surge in education financing, peacebuilding and announced that about 47 policemen were arrest- that can churn for decades. threat. Last year, a survey of United Nations peace- global solidarity. ed in KwaZulu – Natal following their alleged keepers found that 75 per cent see mis- and disin- involvement in serious crimes in the area. Our It greases the wheels of violence, frays the so- formation as a direct threat to their safety and secu- Finally, and fundamentally, we must strengthen judicial system should also play ball and mete cial fabric, and corrodes the pillars of stability. It is, rity. From our resident coordinators to our envoys, the values of compassion, respect and human frater- out appropriate jail sentences for criminals found in short, often the bloody heart of conflict. And that mediators, and peacekeepers — all have raised nity and secure free and safe civic spaces. They are guilty of serious offences. It is disturbing that the heart is pumping venom and division throughout the alarm. And, of course, many challenges on the our best antidote to the poison of discord and divi- police – after spending long periods in investi- the bloodstream of the global body politic. agenda of this Council are directly affected by hate sion. This demands action by all of us across inter- gating and bringing the culprits to book – they speech supercharged by modern technologies. From national organizations, Governments, civil society, are rewarded with the convicted criminal being Around the world, we are witnessing a ground- Bosnia and Herzegovina to Libya and beyond, hate and the private sector. And it requires intervention given a suspended sentence. This will obviously speech is exacerbating tensions between communi- by faith leaders everywhere. discourage the police from intensifying their ef- ties and eroding trust in institutions. forts to fight crime. It is actually a travesty of The fact is, we see examples of intolerance in justice. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all societies and among all faiths today. It is the the Central African Republic, hate speech has been duty of religious leaders to prevent instrumentali- While we appreciate the sterling efforts of zation of hatred amidst their followers. The declara- the men and women in blue to fight crime and tion “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living the obstacles they go through to achieve this Together” — co-authored by His Holiness Pope goal, were also urge them to change some of Francis and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al- their strategies and intensify their street patrols Azhar Ahmed Al-Tayeb — is a model for compas- because their visibility would help a lot in stop- sion and human solidarity. ping criminals in their tracks to commit crime. It urges religious and political leaders to bring Women are the backbone of our homes and an end to wars, conflicts, and environmental degra- communities. Children are our priceless gifts dation. It calls on people of faith to recognize and from God. It is our duty to protect them at all respect one another, join hands and work together times and ensure their safety at all times. for the good of humanity. v 060 936 2673 At this time of strife, let us all take inspiration from this Declaration and renew our commitment [email protected] to stand together as one human family. Weekly SA Mirror is published by Together, let us forge an alliance of peace, root- Weekly SA Mirror Pty Ltd. ed in the values of human fraternity. Rich in diver- Correspondence to be directed to: sity, equal in dignity and rights, united in solidarity. PostNet Suite 230, Private Bag X 9, Thank you. Melville 2109. Website: www.weeklysamirror.news Contact: 060 936 2673 Letters to be sent to: [email protected] MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... Weekly SA Mirror subscribes to the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South Af- rican Print and Online Media. As a sub- scriber publication and member of the Press Council of SA, the publication is thus subject to the Press Code and to the jurisdiction of the PCSA’s complaints pro- cedures.

Friday 16 June 2023 OPINION/ANALYSIS 9WEEKLY SA MIRROR DE BEERS GROWLS OVER BOTSWANA’S DEMAND FOR CUT IN ITS LION’S SHARE MY TIME-UP: buy these stones at a certain price but when they northern neighbours. Buyers in Western Europe TAKE Conglomerate under later sell the same package in the open markets, have shunned Russian diamonds, the world’s larg- pressure to accede their value sky rockets. Batswana ask how is this est producer of the stones. This partly explains why Sekola Sello to demand for 50- possible unless their worth was deliberately un- Botswana made record high sales in 2022. 50 percent share dervalued. A fair question. The diamond industry A mighty battle royale is raging between the partnership over that is a secretive and murky world even at the best of Diamonds account for 30 perfect of the coun- government of Botswana and diamond selling country’s diamonds… times. try’s Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) and 70 per- global cartel De Beers, formerly a South African cent of its foreign exchange earnings but the econ- owned behemoth. manding that the whole agreement must be negoti- Batswana were screwed for 50 years pure and omy has not grown to levels that were expected. ated afresh. With elections scheduled for next year, simple. Why can’t De Beers make amends and Diversifying the economy away from mining has Rid of all the verbiage the fight is basically Bot- this is going to be an important campaign plank. change this patently unfair agreement. not produced the desired results and this has put swana’s demand that it must get a fair share of her pressure on the national treasury. This makes sense diamonds which she co - owns with De Beers. At Renegotiating the agreement is a matter of eco- In terms of the present agreement the Botswa- why Botswana would want to derive much from the present in terms of agreements entered between the nomic justice as well as restoring the integrity of na government through Debswana sells 25 percent diamonds. two, De Beers gets a lion’s share of the profits. It Botswana. Many Batswana are unhappy about it of the stones produced while De Beers sells the re- has been like this for almost 50 years and Botswana and failure to resolve it could be the underbelly of maining 75 percent. There is also an overtly political dimension wants to end this. the ruling party.I also suspect that the ruling Bot- to the dispute.The ruling BDP currently holds 38 swana Democratic Party is ratcheting matters on Failure to resolve the issue has angered the nor- seats in the national assembly against the combined A little bit of history is necessary to understand this issue in order to take the wind out of the op- mally unruffled Botswana President Mokgweetsi opposition’ s 57. It is not exactly an overwhelm- why Botswana entered into this patently unfair position sails. Masisi. In February he told a gathering in his home ing majority. The opposition is once more going to agreement in the first place. At the time Botswana village, make full capital out of this issue. and De Beers created a holding company called Apart from the issue of shares, Botswana has Debswana, it was only six years after the country other critical grievances on the entire agreement “We are dealing with a giant. It is the first time It is not ng to be easy easy for De Beers to had thrown off the shackles of British colonialism. package. Another bone of contention is the role of it has been shaken like this. We want what is ours. change. If it was, they would have done the right Botswana was one of the poorest countries in the the all powerful Diamond Evaluator whose man- These are our diamonds and we want a majority things from the time these negotiations started world. date as his title suggests, is to evaluate the worth stake...if the talks become difficult, we will say no, about five years ago. of the stones. Botswana would like to appoint their let everyone pack and go”. Desperate to improve her economy and without own Evaluator because it is alleged the current one There are fears in some quarters in Botswana any Motswana who understood this industry - one seems more beholden to De Beers. Botswana also wants greater access and clar- that De Beers could “ punish “ Botswana’s econ- of the most secretive and opaque in the world - it ity on the value of these stones after they leave the omy by deliberately depressing the price of this was easy for the country to be taken advantage of The government, it seems , is in the dark about country and enter the international markets. Apart commodity or fund an opposition to the BDP that and De Beers did precisely that. At the time De the correct amount of diamonds or carats it produc- from the issue of a fair agreement there are oth- would be less inclined to take a radical position on Beers controlled almost 80 percent of the global es and their true value except what the Evaluator er factors which are forcing government to push the issue. This latter scenario is unlikely. If there’s diamond sales, making it virtually a monopoly. says and there is no way to verify his claims. a hard-line stance against De Beers. The Russia one thing that unites Batswana right across it is the - Ukraine conflict is working in the favour of our need to change the agreement. De Beers is no longer a monopoly but it is still Many Batswana including some government very influential in this business. Today Botswana officials claim that at present they are not in a posi- Concerns about retaliatory measures by De can look for potential suitors all over the world with tion to know whether they might be short changed Beers are well founded. Big cartels do not simply China being among the many obvious candidates or not. roll over and allow their profit margins to be un- Why is De Beers refusing to accede to Botswana’s dercut. They fight. There is another complicating demand for a 50 - 50 percent share partnership According to those who subscribe to this theo- factor for Anglo American. In South Africa min- among other demands is the proverbial one million ry, the evaluation lacks transparency. It is claimed ing companies are looking at the events across our dollar question. Negotiations over this matter have that De Beers as a separate entity from Debswana northern neighbours with a certain sense of trepida- been going on seriously for the past five years. It tion. There’s a fear of the domino effect any such was one of the heated campaign issues in the last concessions could have on them. TJuhsint k?ingelections in 2018. The opposition was vocal in de- An equitable resolution of the Botswana - De Beers seemingly intractable issue could be a pointer to whether talks between the African Na- tional Congress government and big business over the worsening economic crisis facing the country are likely to bear fruit. Anglo American is still the most powerful business voice in the South African economy. The two parties are focusing primarily on three core challenges. Namely; the energy crisis, the col- lapsed logistics infrastructure and crime. The first two affect the bottom line of commerce in a big way SMILE TO THE CAMERA, MY LORD! CIRCUS: Upmanship and flamboyance reigns admission as a legal practitioner or lecturer often supreme in courts - thanks to television... wearing a disguised political hat or narrative, being interviewed on the sidelines, giving running com- By Nhlanhla Mbatha exceedingly slow as upmanship and flamboyance posed to carry their heavy legal artillery. mentary on television as a “legal expert”, unleash- rears its ugly head with all sorts of interlocutory ap- Every sideshow stunt now requires postpone- ing their existent or non-existent talent and expertise DAMN to whoever introduced televising court plications throughout and the tedious subjecting of on the unsuspecting captivated television audience, proceedings live. Apart from journalists jostling for witnesses to, often irrelevant, time-wasting, long- ment for heads of argument to be submitted and an- with their pedantic analysis. better scoops, photo shots and shoving their micro- winded and superficial questioning. other postponement for the judicial officer to make phones and cameras in the faces of the accused per- a ruling. Not only is the television reporter cluelessly sons and lawyers asking clichéd and slanted ques- Some in the lawyering profession have become nodding to some of these charlatans. The so-called tions to make the deadline for the day’s or next day’s glorified entertainers and stand-up comedians who Even the witnesses are making sure that they get “expert analysis” is in fact nothing other than a per- news headlines. can win Golden Globe Oscars awards hands down. their instant fame with their ridiculous demands and sonal opinion dressed up as educated guesswork and threats despite well-established subpoenaed witness- indulgent speculation peppered with legal jargon. In the process of this the wheels of justice grind To add fuel to the fire, suddenly the presiding es who are competent and compellable witnesses. judicial officers are now afraid of asserting their au- No wonder three to four weeks trials are now thority on the proceedings. Now they entertain all What happened to confident, knowledgeable and taking years to complete amid the process of amass- kinds of frivolous applications, objections and tech- technically savvy and assertive judicial officers who ing a convoluted court record that makes a mockery nical stunts. nip sideshow distractions in the bud and focus on of well-established procedural and evidentiary rules. forging ahead with the crux of the issues being tried Every two seconds there is postponement be- before court? Speedy trials and swift justice are compromised cause legal representatives can no longer argue on under the ill-conceived guise of moving with the their feet because they did not come prepared despite Small wonder the court rolls are clogged with times, technology and access to justice, access to their bulgy and big bags and suitcases that are sup- part-heard matters. Compound the above situation information and freedom of expression and the free further, anyone with a law degree or professional media. *Mbatha is a freelance journalist

10 WEEKLY SA MIRROR JUNE 16 Friday 16 June 2023 FACTS ABOUT DRUG ABUSE AND SOME POINTS OF DISCUSSION JUNE 16 1. Affects your brain and behaviour 2. Population at Risk - PLANTING THE SEED FOR TOMORROW * Glue 9 years old, * Alcohol 10 - 12 years old LESSONS: An act of courage by the class of 1976 for our youth to emulate... * Dagga 11 - 12 years old, * Poly-drug use (alcohol, tobacco and By Sipho Mabuse High, Naledi High, Orlando High, Diepkloof High them accept full responsibility for continuing to School and Sekano Ntoane. hold the baton firmly passed through working in dagga) 14 years old, The war waged against June 16, 1976 to deny our societies, communities to make our country a * Harder drugs such as cocaine it deserved respect is as much a malicious wrestle To echo Alice Walker, June 16, 1976 reminds better place as the June 16, 1976 generation had with the memory of the nation to forget the greatest all of us that freedom was not free. The youth and intended and died for. This passing of the baton and heroin at 16 - 17 years old, as milestone that irreversibly turned the tide in favour. students of this country paid with their blood, sweat is not not without exemplary visionaries that came reported by key informants. and tears. before us. 3. South African Police recorded 2,3 million Never since the Sharpeville Massacre of March cases of drug-related crimes over the 21, 1960 did South Africa’s struggling majority The day elevates its meaning to the youth and In the 1950s and 1960s, the Nelson Mandela/ past 10 years. draw a line in the sand with their lives in face of students to look up to. The power to bring about Mangaliso Sobukwe generation said “Freedom In 4. A study of 50 homicides in a New York danger as they did on June 16, 1976. changes would not have been as felt and made pos- Our Lifetime”. That was a determination to say City precinct, noted for its high level of sible without the June 16, 1976 students’ move- they were going to live and see that freedom day drug dealing, found that 42 percent The declaration of the 1950s of ‘freedom in our ment. dawns. were drug-related, and the drug-related lifetime’ that has sounded so distant had never been homicides more often involved firearms so nearer. All became clearer as the student relocat- That movement showed that power lies with In the 1970s and 1980s, the generation of Tsiet- and younger male victims. ed the struggle from the classroom into the streets. the young people not with the positions. The lesson si Mashinini said “We Are The Last Generation To 5. In remembrance of this day think of this movement left us with, is that for change to Be Oppressed” and had resolved to make the 1990s Hector’s mom, Dorothy Molefi; spare a That these were children, it did not matter to happen we must change ourselves first to see the the last decade of apartheid. And that happened. thought for Christopher’s mom, Rebecca the heartless might of oppressors whose instinctive change we wish to be. Trustee. These mothers loved their sons reaction to live is to kill. True to its brute force, What is the responsibility of the youth and stu- to lose at their tender ages. in the eyes of the system Hector Pietersen (13), June 16, 1976 was confirmation of the nation’s dents today then? 6. There certainly is a whole world waiting Hastings Ndlovu (15), and Christopher Trutter (15) words, actions and deeds that someday we will be for you to make it better. were the enemy whose lives did not matter. Oppres- free and thus should the day be esteemed as a well It is to guard and protect the precious gift of 7. For the world to get better, it requires a sors were doing what they knew best: the lives of to drink from to quench our thirst for knowledge to freedom left for you by those that are no longer better you. the oppressed are not worthy of the body they live arm ourselves to confront the challenges facing (us here. It is to utilise all the opportunities the freedom 8. So be good for good’s sake for your in even when under age. This is how the dreams as) with resolve to fight and to win fully aware that granted you to advance yourself, communities and generation and the ones coming after. of the mothers of the three, Hector, Hastings and for as long as we lose a good fight, aluta continua. families you come from. It is to take responsibility 9. A changed better youth would be a fitting Christopher were rudely snuffed out. for leading the changes they wish to see in order to tribute to the dignity and sacrifices of This current generation would be wiser by re- make a difference. June 16, 1976 This is what Alice Walker meant when she membering this day with gratitude, honour and de- said: “We are a people for whom others have died.” cency. To forget this day would be no different as It is to understand that, without them, there is To this end the following should be tackled There is no greater courage than that. And there can fools parted easily with their treasury. no future for this country. As a result, they must with a long distance view in mind. Though the fo- be doubt or denying that the class of 1976 dem- build it in the full knowledge that it is the kind of cus for the 47th anniversary will be on drugs, sub- onstrated this to the brim with the slogan ‘forward The memory of our martyrs is a bond of mem- future you want to live in. It is believing that their stance and alcohol use, the project is an integral ever, backward never’. ory tying us with one another into a bond of suffer- responsibilities are part of the bigger struggle that part of addressing the overall social ill that breeds ing together to free our minds from the legacy of the must continue to execute fully aware that the and encourages harmful lifestyles and erodes true This is a message that the present day youth apartheid education to advance not only ourselves, good of a cause of any struggle is not an easy path. humanity. dare not turn a deaf ear to. On this year’s 47th An- as individuals, but also the society and specifically niversary of June 16, 1976, still rings unmistakably communities we come from. WHERE TO FROM HERE There should be acceptance that this will not true. The road to travel to this end, requires a respon- be an easy task. It needs a lot of effort and dedi- This day is therefore no less than a shrine for fir cation. Many had similarly thought the apartheid The source of inspiration to this expressed cour- nation’s deep meditation and a baptismal for other sive vehicle in the form of an organization geared system would last forever, but was put to an end by age derived from conduct of students from historic young people joining the youth movement to regard for that purpose. The World Challenger Candidate June 16, 1976 students when all seemed a mission schools that include Orlando West Junior (Phuti), the day as renewal and determination to deepen our is an organisation billed to undertake this noble task impossible. Orlando West High School, Morris Isaacson, Musi commitment to make a change as a youth. for societal wellbeing. Our youth may think of themselves as too This commitment by our young should see young to shoulder such a project, but then Hec- tor Pietersen in Soweto was only 13 and Christo- pher Truter in Cape Town only 15 when they were killed. So were many of those that marched that day in their teens. Some may even think that it will take too long for the project to succeed. But that is what the struggle is all about. It is nevertheless made easier to bear by an unbroken chain of values. It should not be forgotten that the first impulse was set in motion by generations before and was brought to a finishing point completed by the June 16, 1976 generation. The blossoming may not immediately show, but a tree can on grow tomorrow from the seed that is planted today.

Friday 16 June 2023 AFRICA 11WEEKLY SA MIRROR ARCHBISHOP DECRIES PLUNDER OF DR CONGO’S IMMENSE WEALTH GREED: The country’s natural resources INJUSTICE: Archbishop monopolised ‘by rare gluttony of ruling elite Fulgence Muteba Mugalu of and unscrupulous multinationals’ while Lubumbashi Archdiocese in Congolese languish in poverty… DRC. Credit: CENCO By Jude Atemanke nation amid the misery of ordinary people, The natives of the Democratic Republic of which the Catholic Archbishop said continues Congo (DRC) do not “sufficiently benefit” to worsen amid a “general indifference of the from the country’s immense wealth, the managers of public affairs.” Catholic Archbishop of Lubumbashi in the Central African nation has said. Muteba acknowledged with appreciation the resilience of the Congolese people, urging Archbishop Fulgence Muteba Mugalu ,who them to “not despair”. was speaking during the conclusion of DRC’s third National Eucharistic Congress, cautioned Making reference to the people of God in the Congolese people against despair amid DRC, which is home to Africa’s largest Catho- challenging situations of their lives. lic population the Catholic Archbishop said, “Thanks to their Christian faith, they firmly be- “The Congolese people, a tiny fraction of lieve in a better tomorrow. They are aware that whom are taking part in this closing Eucharist their destiny is in their own hands.” of our third national congress, live on a terri- tory endowed with immense natural wealth In his closing remarks during the Holy which, unfortunately, does not sufficiently ben- Mass, Muteba underscored the value of unity efit them,” Archbishop Muteba said during the among the people of God in DRC. June 11 closing Mass that was held at the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi. “Our presence in this TP Mazembe stadium bears witness to our attachment to the unity of The Congolese Archbishop continued, this great country blessed by God, which un- “Whether we’re talking about copper and co- fortunately continues to sink into disorder and balt in Katanga, diamonds in the Kasai, timber misery,” he said. in the Equatorial or customs revenues from the nine countries around us, the dividends of this The 60-year-old Archbishop continued, immense wealth are being monopolized by the “Our people cherish unity and national cohe- rare gluttony of a ruling elite and unscrupulous sion. multinationals while the Congolese people who own it, languish in poverty.” The Catholic Church, to which the major- ity of these people belong, is the most eloquent He went on to decry the lavish lifestyle of symbol and the clearest sign of this country’s a section of politicians in the Central African unshakeable unity”. He added, “Anyone who tries to divide the country for political reasons will find the Con- golese people in their path.” – ACI Africa SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM IN KNOTS OVER ‘BANTU’ BLUNDER BIAS: Canva Receives Backlash For Its App Labelling ‘Black Woman With Bantu Knots’ As ‘Unsafe’ In Search Results By Ngozi Nwanji adult content, hate, and abuse.” She added, “Canva, if you need a DEI consult- age, it can result in perceptions like you raise here. There is a prevalent issue of racial bias within What was initially presented as “safe, respon- ant, give me a shout. I’ve been a fan of your plat- On the other, if the safeties *don’t* trigger, we can artificial intelligence (AI). However, a particu- form for some time, but this is not it. Be the change. end up showing offensive results like in the ele- lar online company has been called out for its sible and ethical technology” and a feature to “em- Please.” ment search you’ve also highlighted.” AI feature. power” Canva’s community has ruffled some feath- ers. Following Parker calling out Canva, fellow He continued, “Of course, we do strive for In November 2022, Canva, a graphic design LinkedIn users chimed in about their negative ex- simply not having offensive representations. That platform, announced its image-generating app, In a LinkedIn post, Adriele Parker, a DEI perience using its Text to Image app. isn’t easy to do at scale and feedback like yours is Text to Image. thought partner, shared that, while searching on crucial to helping us find things that slip through Canva for a photo of a Black woman with a certain In the post’s thread, one of Canva’s leads re- the gaps.” “We’ve invested heavily in safety measures that hairstyle, the results weren’t pleasant. sponded to the online backlash with the claim of * Ngozi Nwanji is a Nigerian-American jour- help the millions of people using our platform ‘be a resolution. a good human’ and minimise the risk of our plat- “I was playing around with Canva‘s text-to- nal ist, writer, and content creator from form being used to produce unsafe content,” Canva image app and prompted it to generate a ‘Black “Yes, we’ve fixed this in Text to Image, and and based in Silver Spring, Maryland with a shared in the announcement. “For Text to Image woman with bantu knots’ and an error appeared have raised the elements concerns with that team passion for storytelling, media representation, this includes automated reviews of input prompts telling me that ‘bantu may result in unsafe or of- too,” Trust & Safety Product Lead at Canva Joël and music. Along with writing for AfroTech, for terms that might generate unsafe imagery, and fensive content,’” she wrote. “Tell me your AI team Kalmanowicz shared. “Thank you for flagging it, she’s the founder of her own entertainment of output images for a range of categories including doesn’t have any Black women without telling me Adriele Parker. These are actually a great pair of website, Z’s P.O.V — a platform for under- your AI team doesn’t have any Black women. My examples of the balancing act we have: on the one rated music and Black creatives. goodness.” hand, if the safeties over-trigger like in Text to Im-

12 WEEKLY SA MIRROR HEALTH Friday 16 June 2023 ONE IN FIVE SOUTH AFRICANS LIVE WITH PAIN – UCT ACADEMIC ANOMALY: Healthcare professionals globally prompt us to think about the underlying psycho- receive very little training on how to manage neuro-immune physiology contributing to pain,” patients’ pain, and as a result, graduates lack the she said. skills, knowledge and aptitudes they need… ‘Pain interrupts our meaningful life roles’ By Niémah Davids feel threatened SUFFERING: Professor Romy Parker deliver- Parker said pain is crucial because it affects an • a process in which the brain continuously sam- ing a lecture on pain management at the Uni- individual’s quality of life. More than that, she add- “Ouch!” A common phrase everyone uses at versity of Cape Town. Photo: Robyn Walker ed, it interrupts, interferes and disrupts the patient’s some point to express pain. Whether you’ve just ples internal and external environments at a identity. Pain affects thousands of South Africans. stubbed your toe, struggling to overcome a nasty subconscious level. pain,” she said. In a cross-sectional research study conducted in migraine, or burned your finger as you removed “How many of you cut yourselves and don’t Types of pain 2010, 36% of participants who visited community your favourite dish from the oven – it’s always, notice it? And when someone walks over and says: healthcare centres in Cape Town reported chronic “ouch!” But what is pain? ‘You’re bleeding’, you look down, see the blood Individuals experience two different types of musculoskeletal pain that was not related to an in- and suddenly it starts to sting. But it wasn’t sore pain: acute pain, which is perfectly normal and oc- jury. In a separate study eight years later, 62% and The fascinating concept that everyone can re- a second ago. Because your brain starts to process curs within the first two to six weeks of an injury; 45% of women in community healthcare centres in late to was the topic of discussion during the latest more information once you’ve noticed the blood, and chronic pain, which refers to pain that has been the Free State and the Western Cape respectively instalment of the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) and it automatically starts to generate the pain,” she present for more than three months. She said acute reported chronic joint pain. inaugural lecture series presented by Professor said. pain occurs soon after an injury during what’s re- Romy Parker. Her lecture was titled “Pain manage- Did you know? ferred to as the first inflammatory phase of healing “Pain stops your thinking, it stops you from do- ment to reduce suffering in South Africa – integrat- (lasts seven to 10 days) and the pain gets worse be- ing, and stops you from engaging. But it doesn’t ing interdisciplinary research into the healthcare It’s also “absolutely possible” to feel pain in fore it gets better. During the second tissue regen- just interrupt you in that way, it interrupts your professions”. the absence of nociception. Nociception, Parker ex- eration phase (up to six weeks after an injury) the physiology in multiple ways. People with severe plained, deals with a series of events and processes tissue begins to regenerate and heal. post-operative pain are more likely to suffer from Parker, whose career started in sports physi- an organism requires in order to receive a painful a whole range of complications post-procedure, otherapy, is now the director of the Pain Team in stimulus, convert it to a molecular signal and recog- “There’s still a bit of pain and remodeling that like infections, delay in wound healing and depres- UCT’s Department of Anaesthesia and Periop- nise and characterise the signal to trigger an appro- goes on after the regeneration phase before the sion,” she said. “Pain interrupts us as human be- erative Medicine. She’s a researcher, clinician and priate defensive response. Therefore, when clini- third remodeling phase of healing, which lasts three ings. It interrupts our relationships; it interrupts our teacher, and in 2019 she received UCT’s Distin- cians examine patients in pain, order various blood months. But after three months most tissue healing meaningful life roles; it interrupts our joy.” guished Teacher Award – the university’s highest tests and imaging to locate the source of the pain, processes are done. That’s why we refer to most How pain affects South Africans teaching accolade. She’s also part of the interdisci- and fail to find the root of the problem, it’s invalid chronic pain as pain that’s been present for more plinary team at Groote Schuur Hospital’s Chronic to conclude that the patient is not really in pain. than three months. It’s no longer about the tissue; Sadly, one in every five South Africans are Pain Management Clinic. it’s about something else,” Parker said. living with pain and patients commonly seek as- By way of an example, she said, the pain of sistance at primary healthcare level because of it. “Pain is not about tissue damage; pain is about heartbreak and loss is real and is felt deeply by But clinicians and researchers have now moved But what can be done to support patients with pain? so much more. Pain is really about human beings,” a loved one. Yet, that pain won’t emerge as a red beyond time-based classifications of pain and in- Parker said healthcare workers can make the differ- she said. “Too often we decide on treatment for flag in blood tests or on a patient’s x-ray results. stead focus on the three mechanisms of pain: noci- ence they need. people based on imaging or on tissue issues only. However, Parker added, functional MRI scans ceptive pain – pain that stems from actual or threat- That’s one dimensional and pain is multidimen- conducted on people suffering from pain after the ened damage to non-neutral tissue and activates Engaging with patients on an emotional, psy- sional. It’s not purely about tissue issues. It’s about loss of a loved one revealed the same kind of brain nociceptors; neuropathic pain – pain that stems chological, cultural and religious level is step one. people.” activity typically experienced after someone frac- from a lesion or disease of the somatosensory nerv- And rather than using the biopsychosocial model in What is pain? tures a bone or experiences other forms of physical ous system; and nociplastic pain – pain that stems their work, she suggested healthcare workers adopt trauma, indicating that they are in pain. from altered nociception despite no clear evidence the sociopsycho-biological model and think about Parker divided the concept of pain into four of actual tissue damage. people and contexts first. categories: “Pain is such a complicated thing. We need • a conscious construct of the brain ways of making sense of it and getting a handle on “Mechanism-based classification of pain She said there’s a lot that can be done to com- • a sensory emotion it in one way or another. So, a couple of things we bat pain and teaching and training healthcare pro- • something individuals experience when they do as pain clinicians and researchers is we classify fessionals is an important piece of the puzzle. But healthcare professionals globally receive very little training on how to manage patients’ pain, and as a result, graduates lack the skills, knowledge and aptitudes they need once they leave the lecture hall – and that needs to change. “If pain is about threat, then treatment is in eve- ryone’s scope of practice,” Parker said. This article was sourced from UCT News KEEP ON time in the day is one of the most common reasons cise in their local communities. Paris 2024 (along MOVING given for not being able to reach this goal. At the with the French Ministry of National Education same time, starting with just 30 minutes of move- and Youth and the Ministry of Sport and the Olym- BETTER HEALTH: Starting with just 30 ment a day has significant health benefits for hearts, pic and Paralympic Games) has already introduced minutes of movement a day has significant bodies and minds. 30 minutes of physical activity as part of the school health benefits for hearts, bodies and minds curriculum over the past 12 months, in recognition This is the basis on which the World Health Or- of the multitude of mental and physical health ben- By Nonhlanhla Makhajane duces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Being ganization, WHO, together with the International efits of daily exercise. active also ensures healthy growth and develop- Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to launch Let’s The world is moving faster than ever, but people ment in young people and staying healthy in later Move campaign on Olympic Day, June 23, to in- Over 131 mass participation events and digi- are moving less. What is not in dispute, however, life. spire and enable the world to move for better health. tal activations will take place in all corners of the is that regular physical activity can help prevent world, being organised by the National Olympic or manage certain diseases, like heart disease, Research has found that one in four adults and Led by Olympians and created in collaboration Committees (NOCs) and the wider Olympic Move- stroke, diabetes and some types of cancers. over 80 per cent of young people do not meet the with WHO, Let’s Move will begin on June 23 with ment, providing an opportunity for everyone to recommended minimum activity levels needed for an invitation to make time every day for movement move together on Olympic Day. It also helps to prevent hypertension, and it re- optimum health (WHO, 2022). Not having enough for better health. On the day the Olympic Move- ment will encourage and support people around the Olympians are more than athletes: they are role world to make this time in their daily lives to move models for people to enjoy sport and the benefits in any way, anywhere. of physical activity. The Let’s Move initiative, sup- ported by the WHO, combines the power of the This includes a digital invitation from Olym- Olympics and WHO’s advice on physical activity pians Allyson Felix, Pau Gasol, PV Sindhu, Yusra to help inspire and motivate people to move more Mardini– to name a few of the athletes involved – for better health.” to schedule 30 minutes to move this day with them and to join the Let’s Move Olympic Day digital Past and future Olympic hosts will also take workout from anywhere in the world, with the am- part in the initiative by encouraging people to exer- bition of turning this into a daily habit. cise in their local communities. Paris 2024 (along with the French Ministry of National Education Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Di- and Youth and the Ministry of Sport and the Olym- rector-General, said, “The Olympic Movement has pic and Paralympic Games) has already introduced a unique ability to harness the power of increased 30 minutes of physical activity as part of the school physical activity through sport for improving pub- curriculum over the past 12 months, in recognition lic health. Olympians are more than athletes: they of the multitude of mental and physical health ben- are role models for people to enjoy sport and the efits of daily exercise. benefits of physical activity. The Let’s Move initia- tive, supported by the WHO, combines the power Over 131 mass participation events and digi- of the Olympics and WHO’s advice on physical ac- tal activations will take place in all corners of the tivity to help inspire and motivate people to move world, being organised by the National Olympic more for better health.” Committees (NOCs) and the wider Olympic Move- ment, providing an opportunity for everyone to Past and future Olympic hosts will also take move together on Olympic Day. part in the initiative by encouraging people to exer-

Friday 16 June 2023 NEWS FEATURE 13WEEKLY SA MIRROR FILE - People cross the border from Su- dan to South Sudan at the Joda border crossing in South Sudan, May 16, 2023. The U.N. migration agency says Sudan’s conflict has displaced more than 2 million people as the tally of civilians killed in the fighting climbed to at least 959 people. Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April when monthslong tensions between the military and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and elsewhere across the northeastern African nation. The fighting has forced more than 1.6 million people to leave their homes for safer areas inside Sudan. (AP Photo/ Sam Mednick, file) KIDS CARRY HORRIFIC BURDEN SUDAN CONFLICT TOLL: UNICEF has called for better protection as the Janjaweed, were accused of widespread kill- Activists and residents in Genena reported doz- for Sudan’s children trapped in ‘unrelenting ings, rapes and other atrocities. The Janjaweed later ens of women were sexually attacked inside their nightmare’… folded into the RSF. homes and while trying to flee the fighting. Almost all rape cases were blamed on the RSF, which By Jack Jeffery had died from hunger and illness in the facility UNICEF said it needed $838 million to address didn’t respond to repeated requests for comment. since mid-April. the crisis. Meanwhile AP reports that the conflict CAIRO (AP) — The conflict in Sudan has killed in Sudan has displaced more than 2 million peo- Khamis Abdalla Abkar, the provincial governor over 330 children and left 13 million more in In West Darfur province, “at least 14,836 chil- ple, quoting the United Nations on Wednesday, as a of West Darfur province, accused the RSF and al- dire need of humanitarian assistance, UNICEF dren under five are expected to be severely mal- UN official warned that escalating attacks in Darfur lied militias of attacking local communities across said today, calling on the country’s warring fac- nourished,” UNICEF said. For weeks, the restive city could amount to “crimes against humanity.” Genena. In a phone interview on Wednesday with tions to better protect vulnerable young people. province has been under a near-complete commu- Saudi-owned television station, Al-Hadath, he nications blackout. Sudan has plunged into chaos since mid-April urged the international community to intervene to For two months, Sudan’s military, led by Gen- when months-long tensions between the mili- protect civilians in his province. eral Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the paramilitary Khamis Abdalla Abkar, the governor of West tary and its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Darfur, was abducted and killed on Wednesday Forces, exploded into open fighting in the capital, Hours after his interview with the television Mohamed Hamden Dagalo, have been locked in a hours after he accused the RSF and allied Arab Khartoum, and elsewhere across the north-eastern station, Abkar was abducted and killed, said Mini deadly power struggle. The fighting has killed more militias of attacking local communities across the African nation. Arko Minawi, the governor of the Darfur region. than 958 civilians, according to Sudan’s Doctors’ province’s capital, Genena. Abkar made the accu- The circumstances of Abkar’s abduction and kill- Syndicate, which only tracks civilian casualties. sation during a telephone interview with the Saudi- The fighting continued unabated Wednesday in ing were not immediately clear. The true death toll is likely much higher. owned television station, Al-Hadath. parts of the capital and the western region of Dar- fur, both have seen some of the worst battles. At A video footage circulating on social media late “Children are trapped in an unrelenting night- Later Wednesday, video footage circulating on least 959 civilians have been killed and about 4,750 Wednesday showed a group of armed men, some mare, bearing the heaviest burden of a violent crisis social media showed a group of armed men, some others were wounded as of June 12, according to wearing RSF uniforms, detaining Abkar. Another they had no hand in creating - caught in the cross- wearing RSF uniforms, detaining Abkar. Shortly Sudan’s Doctors Syndicate, which tracks civilian night footage — too graphic to broadcast — pur- fire, injured, abused, displaced and subjected to after, new footage — too graphic to broadcast — casualties. portedly showed Abkar laying on the ground with disease and malnutrition,” said Mandeep O’Brien, purportedly showed Abkar laying on the ground wounds in his neck and face. Sounds of gunfire UNICEF’s Representative in Sudan, in a report is- motionless with wounds in his neck and face. The brutal clashes have forced more than 1.6 were heard as well as people shouting in Arabic, sued Friday. million people to leave their homes for safer areas “This is the governor,” and “God is great.” On Thursday, Sudan’s Military and United Na- inside Sudan, according to the International Organ- UN steps up criticism of IMF and World Bank, tions Integrated Transition Assistance Mission, or ization for Migration. About 530,000 others fled to Volker Perthes, the U.N envoy in Sudan, said the other pillars of the post-World War II global or- UNITAMS, blamed the RSF and affiliated Arab the neighbouring countries of Egypt, South Sudan, Tuesday the fighting in Genena has taken “an eth- der. Biden returns to Philadelphia to rally with un- militias for the killing. Chad, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, and nic dimension,” with Arab militias and armed men ion workers in first big event of his 2024 campaign Libya, the agency said. in RSF uniforms showing “an emerging pattern of According to the United Nations’ latest figures, the “Compelling eyewitness accounts attribute this large-scale targeted attacks against civilians based eight weeks of fighting have displaced more than 2 act to Arab militias and the Rapid Support Forces,” The medical group said the toll could be much on their ethnic identities.” Such attacks, “if veri- million people across the country, with lawlessness UNITAMS said in a short statement. higher, given it was unable to take into account fied, could amount to crimes against humanity,” he and ethnic violence intensifying across the Darfur those who were killed or wounded in the ongoing warned. region. It wasn’t immediately clear how UNICEF The RSF denied any involvement in the mur- clashes in Genena, the provincial capital of West accounted for the 13 million children. There are der, instead blaming “outlaws” for killing Abkar. Darfur. The city’s hospitals have been out of ser- Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the U.N. special advis- roughly 21 million children in Sudan, which had The paramilitary accused the military and its intel- vice since the fighting erupted there in April, the er on the prevention of genocide, also condemned a population of over 45 million before the conflict ligence service of fueling tribal conflict, in a post group said. “the shocking violence” in Genena. She warned in broke out. on its social media page on Thursday. a statement Tuesday that such fighting could turn All of Sudan’s 18 provinces experienced dis- into “renewed campaigns of rape, murder, and eth- Last week, the International Committee of the In the early 2000s, African tribes in Darfur that placement, with Khartoum at the top of the list nic cleansing amounting to atrocity crimes.” Red Cross rescued 297 children from an orphanage had long complained of discrimination rebelled with around 65% of the total number of displaced in Khartoum. The operation came after 71 children against Khartoum’s Islamist government, which people, followed by West Darfur with over 17%, Darfur had been the scene of genocidal war responded with a military campaign that the In- according to the IOM’s Displacement Tracking in the early 2000s, when ethnic Africans rebelled, ternational Criminal Court later said amounted to Matrix. accusing the Arab-dominated government in Khar- genocide. The state-backed Arab militias, known toum of discrimination. Former dictator Omar al- In Genena, the provincial capital of West Dar- Bashir’s government was accused of retaliating by fur, the RSF and allied Arab militias rampaged arming local nomadic Arab tribes, known as Janja- through the city over the past week, killing and weed, who targeted civilians. wounding hundreds of people, according to local activists and UN officials. The Janjaweed later evolved into the RSF.

14 WEEKLY SA MIRROR BOOK REVIEWS Friday 16 June 2023 DEMYSTIFYING THE ART OF SCIENCE AND HEALING DIAGNOSIS: Heather Linn’s memoir takes off veil of secrecy around the art of traditional healing practice By Edward Tsumele I looked forward to this book also because mother who was a healer. She used a combination ther Xirhilele is said to have been a great healer. He of a personal interest in the subject of healing as of spiritual sources to diagnose and come up with a is my grandfather. When a few months ago, books publicist Janine a whole, but the type that uses the healing power remedy, mainly herbs needed to heal the afflicted. Daniels casually mentioned to me that there was a of spirits or herbs, or a combination of both. For In XiTsonga, we call such people with the gift and Xirhilele’s father’s father, Tsumele, my great book coming out this year about the life of a healer the longest of time, I always wondered what could calling of the calling on high spiritual powers to grandfather, whose name is today my surname, is based in Cape Town, and whether I was interested have happened to the development of this kind of heal vane swikwembu –literally meaning they have said to have been even a greater healer at the servic- in reviewing the book, without hesitation, I said healing If, our ancestors had the literary knowledge spirits. es of humanity. Several generations of the Mahl- yes. For a good number of reasons. and the ability that modern, Western trained doctors aules before them, healed Africans in their commu- have, who are able to write books and articles about But a non-literal meaning is that they have nities afflicted by disease, way back before modern This is because I have a particular interest in their art and science of healing, that they publish in God-spirits. And, indeed, my childhood memories Western medicine was part of modern humanity. the art and science of healing, the healing that hap- books and peer reviewed journals. of people who would come to my grandmother’s pens the traditional way, practised by mainly, but homestead, emaciated, extremely thin with life lit- Now back to the Cape Town based healer not exclusively by the successive generations of This personal interest is connected to my own erally ebbing out of them, would a few weeks later, Heather Linn. It is because of this history and my Africans as they healed the afflicted and the tor- family history in relation to healing. When I was months, and even years, leave the homestead full of background and proximity to the art and science mented in their communities. five or there about, I lived with my maternal grand- life and looking forward to a fulfilling life again. In of healing as a five-year-old child that I looked appreciation, they always promised to come back. forward to reading her memoir No Gold without Dragon: Wisdom Teachings of a Quantum Healer, And come they did, and they would shower published by Sacred Dragon Publishing. The 356- my grandmother with various gifts, from cows to page book with a recommended price tag of R420 sheep, and even goats. I became a beneficiary of is now available at bookstores. some of those gifts simply because she was my grandmother who adored me. Loved me. I, however, do not re- member her charging for her services, but preferred that her customers pay her with whatever gifts they deemed fit. (I could however be wrong as I was too young to know what discus- sions were taking place behind the scenes. I therefore cannot say with absolute certainty, what was the na- ture of the transaction that took place between them). That was my mother’s side of the family. But on my paternal side of the family, well, my clan, their heal- ing gifts throughout history, is well- documented. Mostly orally, passed from generation to generation. But, yes, even in books (well, find the book with the totems and take note of the clan name of Mahlaule, Map- engo, Khovani). For example, my late father Makhuva, was the last of his line who did not practice medicine beyond his rudimentary knowledge of a few herbs, and you can blame that on the “modernising” influence of Johannesburg where he spent most of his youth and young adult life work- ing as a migrant worker. This I know because I lived in his life time. His fa-

Friday 16 June 2023 FOOD AND WINE 15WEEKLY SA MIRROR SA BUBBLY AWARDED GRAND GOLD IN BELGIUM... MILESTONE: Pongrácz is the only local sparkling wine to be awarded a Grand Gold for its Pongrácz Brut at the 2023 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles held in Belgium. The vintage Desiderius Pongrácz 2015 was awarded Gold. Only elev- en Grand Golds were awarded at the competition with one each to South Africa, Spain, Italy and Portugal, and seven to France. The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is the global benchmark for wine competitions, singling out wines of excellence from across the world. EVENTS ZEVENWACHT’S JOZI EVENING Cullinan Library Park, north east of Pretoria, on June 24. FORTIFIED WINE FIESTA An exclusive wine tasting of Zevenwacht wines will be This year, the festival has been divided into two differ- The Muratie Flavours of Winter Festival invites wine lov- hosted at the Norman Goodfellows Fourways store and ent events, namely the Winter Wine Festival and Summer ers to head out to Stellenbosch for a mellow fireside cel- graced by the presence of winemaker Hagen Viljoen on Wine Festival, each focusing on Wines ideal for the spe- ebration of Cape “Port” and fortified style wines – on July June 27. The evening will be spent tasting some of the cific season. At the Winter Wine Festival, estates from all 1. The Muratie Farm Kitchen will be serving a delicious most mouth-watering offerings from the Zevenwacht over the Western Cape will gather to showcase their top array of traditional & rustic meals suited to the wintertime. Wine Estate.Meet fellow wine lovers and complete your wines. The evening at one of the Cape’s oldest wineries will start experience by shopping all your favourite wines in-store. Being Winter, one can look forward to beautiful Red with a glass of a luscious fortified wine to warm the cock- To find out more, email us: [email protected]. Wines, Port, Sherry, Muscadel, Hanepoot as well as a vari- les of your heart, with live music in the background and Tasting takes between 17h30 and 20h00. Norman Goodfel- ety of Liqueurs, Whiskey, Brandy, Cognac. Of course, the some warm treats to enjoy. lows Fourways is situated on Fourways Crossing, corner festival will not be complete without its signature market. The evening will be warmly hosted by the winemakers William Nicol Drive & Sunrise Blvd, Lone Hill, Sandton. Various stalls selling arts and crafts, handmade, home- from Muratie, Allesverloren, Axe Hill, Delaire Graff, Bo- Tickets cost R100 a person. made as well as food. plaas, The Fledge and Peter Bayly. All the wines on show Live entertainment by various artists. will be available for purchase at cellar door prices. Tickets CULLINAN WINE FEST Tickets include a wine glass and unlimited tasting from cost R195 (children free). Due to limited space, book in The 8th annual Cullinan Wine Festival will be held at the 10h00 to 17h00 daily as well as the live performances by advance (021) 865 2330. our artists. Tickets cost R40 a person.

16 WEEKLY SA MIRROR FOOD AND WINE Friday 16 June 2023 TROVE: Marina Theofrastos of Vergelegen, whose wines also received medals. PAMPER: Frans Mothapo of Survivor Wines spreads the vinous message AFRICAN SPLENDOUR: Tsholo Sentle’s Makoti Limited Edition was worthy winner. TWOSOME: La Bri Chardonnay and Sparkling Brut GLITZ: Perseverance Malatse and Hope Tendie take a break at PROUD: Ronald Mkhize of DGB showcasing Old Road wowed guests on the evening the show 12 Mike Syrah 2021 Vintage which scored 97 points by the judges. SA PUTS ITS BEST VINOUS STEP FORWARD The Trophy Wine Show, sponsored by Investec and held at the Joburg’s Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday, was a memorable social affair where the 114 wines of distinction tasted filled the guests’ hearts with immeasurable vinous pleasure. All wines – the trophy winners, gold and silver medallists included – will undoubtedly put South Africa’s brand on a formidable footing, going forward.

Friday 16 June 2023 MOTORING 17WEEKLY SA MIRROR MOTORING: Briefs THE ALL-NEW SUBARU CROSSTREK TOYOTA PROMISES 1500K RANGE EVS BOLD OR PLAYFUL; The all-new Subaru Crosstrek in its glory Toyota is promising a new-generation of COMPACT industry-leading electric cars from the sec- ond half of this decade, with plans to intro- CROSSOVER: The duce solid-state batteries from 2028. famous Symmetrical At an all-day executive briefing – held under the theme of ‘Let’s change the future All-Wheel Drive system of cars’ – Toyota said it was expecting to bring electric cars to market with solid-state is a standard feature batteries delivering a driving range of ap- proximately 1500 kilometres. across the range AMBIENCE: Interior design and operation architecture previously seen on the new Subaru Outback and Subaru WRX models in South Africa continues in the new Crosstrek, which The Japanese car giant claims “next- By Ali Mphaki also features the latest driver’s multi-function display and steering wheel as well as a new generation” lithium ion batteries will be 11.6-inch central display. launched from 2026 with approximately 1000km of driving range, while its solid- Its a bold and non-conformist design which from the words Crossover and Trekking, an impres- name a few. state batteries will up the driving range by evokes a sense of playfulness and adventure. Con- sion into the car’s versatility and capability in a va- The top-of-the range iS is fitted with Subaru 50 per cent after 2028. ceptualised around the lifestyle for which it has riety of terrains and environments. become popular, the all-new Subaru Crosstrek now leather seats with 8-way adjustable power opera- “We are determined to be the world available in South Africa, as with all the Subaru It was a bold step into the compact SUV seg- tion, and the base iL is fitted with fabric seats. leader in batteries,” Chief Technology Of- models sold in Mzansi comes endowed with the ment when the Subaru XV/Crosstrek made its ficer Hiroki Nakajima said. famous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system - a worldwide debut 12 years ago, sending the opposi- Like the XV it replaces, the new Subaru Cross- standard feature across the Crosstrek range. tion on a spin with its leading ground-clearance and trek line-up comprises just a pair of derivatives, BMW M - MANUAL IS DEAD off-road competence as well as standout design. each employing the Japanese brand’s familiar natu- Geared not to sacrifice capability at the expense rally aspirated 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder Boxer petrol en- BMW M’s future is automatic. We’re of comfort or performance, Subaru says this always- Compared to the outgoing model, the Crosstrek gine. With symmetrical all-wheel drive as standard, talking transmissions, people. As far as M is on all-wheel drive system has been further improved features larger wheel arch cladding and rocker pan- power again goes to all 4 corners via a continuously concerned the twin clutch gearbox is dead, with faster response times that enhance the vehicle’s els all around the vehicle. From the rear, the con- variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters the manual doesn’t have long left. After agility and control in a number of different driving tours of the C-shaped tail light clusters are more and 8 pre-set steps. that, it’s torque converters only until single environments and surfaces. pronounced. speed EVs presumably take over. In the Crosstrek, this horizontally opposed For those in the know (if you know you know), Interior design and operation architecture previ- motor makes an unchanged 115 kW and 196 Nm, The just launched M2 is highly likely there’s nothing quite like experiencing a brand-new ously seen on the new Subaru Outback and Subaru though now sips at a claimed 7.2 litres per 100 km, to be the last manual M car. Expect an M2 Subaru vehicle. The brand has become synomy- WRX models in South Africa continues in the new making it ever-so-slightly more efficient than be- Competition in a couple of years, a facelift mous with ultimate driving experience and safety Crosstrek, which also features the latest driver’s fore. Luggage space, meanwhile, is listed as 320 in four, an M2 CS at some stage and then in motion.The newcomer replaces the previous gen- multi-function display and steering wheel as well as litres, while ground clearance comes in at 220 mm. a gradual wind-down until the M2 finally eration Subaru XV presented as the compact SUV a new 11.6-inch central display. smokes its last set of tyres around 2030. within the Subaru SUV range next to the Forester So, how much does the newcomer cost? Well, and Outback. New on the Crosstrek compared to the outgo- the Crosstrek 2.0-i L ES is priced from R579 000, What’s snuck up on us is the demise of ing model is Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android while the Crosstrek 2.0-i S ES kicks off at R669 the twin clutch gearbox. That much-vaunted Where the XV and Crosstrek names were used Auto™ integration as well as Bluetooth® connec- 000. For the record, the outgoing XV 2.0i was last instant shift gearbox isn’t currently used on separately in different markets around the world, the tivity for audio and phone call operation and a wire- listed for R464 000, with the XV 2.0i-S ES having any BMW M car – and won’t be making a Crosstrek name has now been adopted worldwide, less phone charging pad. The infotainment system cost R531 000 comeback either. We could have guessed as including here in South Africa. The name is coined also operates the vehicle settings such as EyeSight much when the M4 CSL arrived last year Driver Assistance features and X-Mode settings to The Subaru Crosstrek is presented in 9 exterior sporting the same eight-speed auto as the colours. rest of the M3/M4 range, but now Dirk Hacker, Head of Development at BMW M, LIFESTYLE: The name is has confirmed as much. coined from thewords Crossover and Trekking, “The double clutch, from BMW M’s an impression into the point of view these days, it’s gone,” he told car’s versatility and TopGear.com. “It’s now manual or automat- capability in a variety ic, and automatic electrified for the future.” of terrains and environments LEXUS GX DEBUTS The 2024 Lexus GX brings the SUV into its third generation to replace the cur- rent iteration that dates all the way back to a debut for the 2010 model year. The new model has a much more chiseled, rugged- looking appearance than the outgoing one. There’s more modern tech, too. The new SUV goes on sale in early 2024 overseas, and no pricing is available at this time. The 2024 GX rides on the body-on- frame GA-F platform that’s also underneath the LX 600. It features a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link setup at the rear. The new model adopts electronic power steering, which Lexus claims offers increased steering feel on- and off-road. An Adaptive Variable Suspension with active dampers is an option. At launch, the only powertrain available is the GX 550 that comes with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 making 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It hooks up to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. This setup al- lows for up to 8,000 pounds of towing. GERMANY U-TURNS ON EVs When EU lawmakers voted to ban the sale of new combustion engine cars in the bloc by 2035, it was a landmark victory for climate. In February, the European Parlia- ment approved the law. All that was needed was a rubber stamp from the bloc’s political leaders. Then Germany changed its mind. In a reversal that stunned many EU insiders, the German government decided to push for a loophole that would allow the sale of combustion engine cars beyond the 2035 deadline — as long as they run on synthetic fuels. It’s an exception that could put the Euro- pean Union’s green credentials at risk. The bloc is legally obligated to become carbon- neutral by 2050. With cars and vans respon- sible for around 15% of its total greenhouse gas emissions, a phase-out of polluting ve- hicles is a key part of EU climate policy.

18 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SPORT Friday 16 June 2023 THE WHITE ZIM NDEBELE HERO CRITICALLY ILL: Heath Streak’s career mirrors many of the unresolved tensions of race and class in Zimbabwe yet he remains an integral part of that tea-pot shaped country’s cricketing story and histor By Sports Reporter While Zimbabwean cricketing teams have the invaluable wickets of Mark Boucher and Jonty Since news surfaced of the critical illness of boasted a fair number of all-rounders over the Rhodes, and the Rhodesia-born fast bowler Steve years, it is Streak who generally stands out among Elworthy. Later, in Streak’s time as head coach of Zimbabwean cricketing legend, Heath Streak, who them. He remains Zimbabwe’s all-time leading the national team, Klusener would serve as batting is battling advanced cancer it is no surprise that the wicket taker in both Test and ODI cricket with 216 coach for the Zimbabwean team. all-rounder’s health is eliciting such concern. and 239 wickets respectively, both at an average under 30 (28.14 in Tests and 29.82 in ODIs). He is Within the overwhelming whiteness of both Streak, aged 49, made his one-day international also the only Zimbabwean to have completed the African cricketing teams, Streak and Klusener par- (ODI) debut in November 1993 against South Af- double of 1000 Test runs and 100 Test wickets, and ticularly stood out in their sides for their fluency in rica and followed this up with a test debut the fol- 2000 ODI runs and 200 ODI wickets. local languages. lowing month in a Zimbabwean tour of Pakistan. Zimbabwe had entered international cricket in At the height of his talents, comparisons could Zimbabwean cricket has become more of a na- 1992 and the early team featured batsmen Dave be made between Streak and other equally exciting tional sport in recent years. But the composition of Houghton, Alistair Campbell, the Flower broth- allrounders, such as South African Lance Klusener. the earliest teams of those times rarely reflected the ers (Andy and Grant) as well as all-rounder, Eddo In Zimbabwe’s famous 1999 Cricket World Cup demographics of a black majority nation with most Brandes. win over South Africa, it was Klusener (largely national players being white and generally coming credited with batting his team into the semi-finals from farming and private school backgrounds. A few years later, the leg spinning all round- of that tournament) who remained not out on 52. er, Paul Strang (in 1994), and fast bowler Henry Chasing an achievable total of 233 (featuring high- More than 70% of the Streaks’ family land Olonga (in 1995) would also join the line-up. Some est scores by Johnson, Goodwin, and Andy Flow- was repossessed by the Zimbabwean government. years after this, talents such as Murray Goodwin er), Zimbabwe bowled out their famous rivals for a Eventually, this would lead to a massive rupture in and Neil Johnson would also join the team; return- meager 185 runs. the relationship between core white players and in- ees to Zimbabwe having previously migrated to digenizing Zimbabwean cricket. Australia and South Africa respectively. An inspired Streak bowling spell had claimed In 2000, Streak became the Zimbabwean team captain but resigned amid tensions with the Zimba- bwe Cricket Union board over payments and pro- posed team quotas based on race. He returned to Zimbabwe’s captaincy in 2002 but faced criticism from the same quarters for not taking and making more political stances favorable to the board and government. It was during Streak’s captaincy at the 2003 Cricket World Cup that Olonga and Flower wore black armbands over their uniforms in silent protest over the worsening social and political con- ditions in the nation. Streak was again criticized for not taking strong enough measures against the protest. He was fired from the captaincy in 2004. By 2004, many white players including the Flower brothers and Campbell had left the interna- tional fold. Streak retired from international cricket in 2005. Streak returned to the national team, first as a bowling coach in 2009, and then as a supporting coach in 2010. Grant Flower and Campbell (and other former players) would also return to the team in administrative roles. In 2016, Streak became the national team coach. His tenure was shaky and saw Zimbabwe fail to qualify for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Streak was forced to resign. A few years later, in 2021, Streak became a fig- ure of controversy after being banned from cricket for eight years by the International Cricket Coun- cil for his role in match fixing in various leagues, including the Indian Premier League. Streak ac- cepted the ban but refuted the claims. Streak’s career mirrors many of the unresolved tensions of race and class in Zimbabwe. Yet even within that, there remain few white Zimbabwean sporting figures able to stir interest and conversa- tion across the nation’s many divides. A statement from his family is that he is un- dergoing treatment under one of the most respected onco “He remains in good spirits and will continue to fight this disease in a similar vein to that which his opponents faced during his revered days on the cricket field. “The family hopes that you understand and re- spect their wish for this to remain a private family matter, and thank you for your prayers and good wishes. There will be no further official statements regarding his health at this time. Any news that be- comes public should be regarded as rumour.” Streak, 49, played 65 Tests and 189 ODIs for Zimbabwe between 1993 and 2005. The article is sourced from Africa Is a Country, a news site of opinion, analysis, and new writing on and from the African left.

Friday 16 June 2023 SPORT 19WEEKLY SA MIRROR SPORTS: Briefs URBAN WARRIORS ARE SMOKING JOE: Joe Frazier squaring BACK up with Muhammad Ali in their In what was a valiant effort from Cape Town 15-rounds fight on March 5, 1971 Spurs this season, the Urban Warriors have now which the latter lost secured their spot in next season’s DStv Premier- ship campaign. REMEMBERING With the PSL promotion play-offs coming MUHAMMAD ALI to a close, the Urban Warriors and Maritzburg United recorded a 0-0 draw at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Wednesday night. Needing just a point from the game to gain promotion, Spurs fought hard amid hostile con- ditions on and off the pitch. In warding off nu- merous attempts at goal throughout the second half, the Urban Warriors held on to bag the all important point on the road. SIYA ON THE MEND Springbok captain Siya Kolisi remains on track to be fit for the team’s Rugby World Cup defence, but the outlook is rather grim for utility back Frans Steyn. Speaking at Wednesday’s press briefing in Pretoria, Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber said their captain, who’ll have his lieutenants filling in for him in the Rugby Championship, is meeting all his targets in his recovery from a knee injury. The same couldn’t be said of Steyn, with Nienaber saying the double World Cup-winning utility back is still at an unclear stage of his reha- bilitation. “Siya’s hitting all of his targets that are set out for him, so he is on track,” Nienaber said. TYSON-HOLYFIELD PART AMAZING COMPETITOR: A list of the months before, no win was more crucial for Ali’s THREE finest performances this legendary sportsman career and it took all of his skill and determination, bestowed upon fans of The Sweet Science plus a desperate final round rally, to pull out the Evander Holyfield still open to exhibition split decision victory. with Mike Tyson at combined age of 116 but makes strict rules for trilogy - so long as there is • Joe Frazier L15, March 8, 1971: While ardent no real fight involved. fans of “The Greatest” were crestfallen after he dropped a fifteen round decision to a relentless and The heavyweight legends shared one of box- unyielding Joe Frazier in what is, arguably, the big- ing’s most iconic rivalries in the 1990s, with Ho- gest prizefight of all-time, they could take comfort lyfield twice winning. He stopped Tyson in an from the fact that rarely had a champion fought so upset in 1996 before having his ear bitten into a nobly in defeat to a fellow Hall of Famer. Ali with- year later with the rematch ending in a disgrace- stood an amazing performance from Smokin’ Joe, ful disqualification. But the pair have patched absorbing Frazier’s best punches while winning things up and even talked about fighting once his share of rounds, never giving up, and rising more in a trilogy. from a final round knockdown to battle back and land his own flurries before the bell. And Holyfield has not totally ruled out the cash grab idea - but does not want to fight his old RUMBLR IN THE JUNGLE: • Joe Frazier TKO14, Oct. 1, 1975: Fueled by rival for real. He told SunSport in Florida: “Well, An inspired Muhammad rage borne from a hundred cruel insults, Joe Fra- if we do fine. My whole thing is it’s not all about zier imposed his will on Ali in the middle rounds me, it’s about both of us. Ali used every trick of this brutal war, trapping his quarry on the ropes available to KN George and punishing him with vicious blows that Fra- BONGI IN HAMMARSDALE Foreman in then Zaire zier himself would later say could have “brought down the walls of a city.” Spent and hurting, Ali Proteas captain Bongi Msomi was back in now DRC in 1974 journeyed to a realm beyond human endurance to her home town Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal, somehow reassert himself and batter Frazier in the where she continued to inspire young netball By Sports Reporter at least eleven rounds, in the process demonstrat- late going, forcing the challenger’s trainer, Eddie players. When Muhammad Ali died in June of 2016, ing astonishing speed and stamina Futch, to surrender before the start of round fifteen. • Oscar Bonavena TKO 15, Dec. 7, 1970: Re- A truly remarkable demonstration of stamina, will, Msomi spent time at Emaxulwini Primary the tributes and remembrances came thick and fast turning to action after a three-and-a-half year lay- resilience and courage. School hosting a netball clinic as the excitement and it was gratifying for those who revere Ali to off, Ali took no tune-ups or soft touches but in- for the Netball World Cup builds ahead of the witness the outpouring of love and respect from all stead immediately faced the top contenders in the • Sonny Liston TKO7, Feb. 25, 1964: One of July tournament. Msomi shared her knowledge corners of the globe. division. Despite no longer having the spry legs of the biggest upsets in boxing history. Liston was and skills with approximately 80 aspiring netball his younger self, and the fact he was still working viewed as unbeatable, Cassius Clay his next vic- players, where she took them through simple Do we need a special occasion to pay trib- off some serious ring rust, Ali clearly took at least tim. Instead, the sporting world was shook up that drills and exercises meant to develop and im- ute to arguably the most popular and influential ten rounds from the Argentinian before becoming night by one of the greatest exhibitions of boxing prove their talents prizefighter of all-time? Is there ever a bad time the first to ever stop “Ringo” when he floored him skill ever put on by a heavyweight, as Clay danced to recall the ring greatness of “The Greatest”? We three times in the final round. with swift fluidity and grace, evading Liston’s “As a teenager, I had little interest in netball. think not. These are some of the ring performances power shots and countering with perfectly timed I never pictured myself playing netball profes- which best testify to his multifaceted greatness. The one and only time Bonavena didn’t last the jabs and straight rights. Make no mistake: Liston sionally or better yet for the national team. How- • Ken Norton W15, Sept. 28, 1976: This fight distance. was deadly and dangerous, but the fighter soon to ever, one training session in high school changed stands out in Ali’s pantheon for his noble perfor- • Earnie Shavers W15, Sept. 29, 1977: Another be known as Muhammad Ali took him to boxing my life for the better,” said Msomi. mance in the bout’s second half, an impressive dis- heroic performance in the twilight of Ali’s career. school and rendered him helpless. play of guts and guile no matter one’s opinion of It took everything “The Greatest” had to turn SA “A” TOP ORDER the final verdict. Behind on points against a deter- back the challenge of Shavers, perhaps the hard- • George Foreman KO8, Oct. 30, 1974: Fore- CRUMBLES AGAIN mined foe who appeared far fresher and stronger, est puncher in heavyweight history, a fighter who man’s status as an all-time great heavyweight has the 34-year-old champion, clearly in sub-par con- wasn’t supposed to be in the champion’s class. only grown in the decades since he was first cham- South Africa A slumped to a 160-run de- dition after having suffered a serious leg injury But the man Ali dubbed “The Acorn” proved he pion, but even back in 1974 few thought Ali had feat to Sri Lanka A in the first unofficial Test in in his farcical contest against Antonio Inoki three belonged by giving “The Louisville Lip” an ex- enough left to best the man who had demolished Kandy on Wednesday. The tourists had done well months before, proved his mettle yet again as he tremely tough battle and hurting him more than Joe Frazier and Ken Norton in fewer than two to dismiss the hosts for 151 in their second in- out-dueled the always dangerous Norton in most once with vicious right hands. Fearing his title rounds apiece. nings with Senuran Muthusamy (5/53) claiming of the championship rounds, including the pivotal was slipping from his grasp, Ali, ever the daunt- But an inspired and determined Ali journeyed his second five-wicket haul of the match. The final stanza. less competitor, went toe-to-toe with Shavers in the to the heart of Africa to put on a veritable clinic left-arm spinner finished with career-best match • George Chuvalo W15, March 29, 1966: An im- final round, staggering him in the last seconds with in advanced boxing technique. Using every trick figures of 12/175. pressive fifteen round clinic against an iron-tough a gritty, two-fisted attack. in the book, the challenger controlled the pace and battler who had earned his title shot with a win • Ken Norton W12, Sept. 10, 1973: Norton was distance of the fight, countered with precision, re- This left the tourists a victory target of 346, over crafty veteran Doug Jones and highly compet- a most formidable heavyweight and this may well peatedly beat Foreman to the punch while block- but that proved a bridge too far as the top order itive battles against Zora Folley, Ernie Terrell and have been the finest performance of his career, as ing or slipping George’s heaviest blows, and then once again could not lay a platform. Floyd Patterson. Chuvalo had more success than he gave a superbly conditioned Muhammad Ali capped his astonishing performance with a one- any of the champion’s previous opponents in terms one of the toughest and most competitive battles of punch knockout. All the batters were able to get into double of landing some heavy artillery to the body and yet his. Having suffered an upset defeat to Norton six With a massive crowd of Africans chanting Ali figures, but nobody was able to post anything it slowed Ali down not a bit as “The Greatest” won Bomaye!, it was night unlike any other in boxing substantial as SA A collapsed to 185 all out. history; how befitting that it would also be the sin- gle finest exhibition of the ring greatness of Mu- Keegan Petersen and Muthusamy’s 29 were hammad Ali. — Michael Carbert the highest scores of the second innings. It was a trial by spin, as the South Africans fell to Lak- shitha Manasinghe (2/36), Lasith Embuldeniya (2/36) and Ramesh Mendis (2/50). SA A suffered a calamity when wicket-keep- er Sinethemba Qeshile was run out for 23, just when he appeared well set. Tristan Stubbs was not able to bat in the second innings due to an injury.

MIRROR SPORTWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... BAFANA IN DRY RUN AFCON QUALIFIERS: MOROCCO MADE IT TO THE SEMI-FINALS OF QATAR 2023 WORLD CUP By Sports Reporter Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker on Satur- TALISMEN: Bafana Bafana’s Percy Tau, ingreen, Hugo Broos’ charges, who have already day (10 June 2023). will be in action against Atlas Lions’ goalpoacher En Nesyri whenthe two countries meet in an Afcon achieved qualification for the AFCON finals in Captain Ronwen Williams reflected on Ivory Coast next year, take on the Atlas Lions the legacy of the 78-year-old Barker, who led qualifier at the FNB stadium on Saturday on Saturday 17 June 2023 at the FNB Stadium. Bafana Bafana to the Africa Cup of Nations The match will get underway at 17h00. title in 1996, and also spearheaded the coun- try’s first appearance at the FIFA World Cup in The Belgian coach announced a prelimi- France in 1998. nary 34-member Bafana Bafana squad last month and has now trimmed the list to his final “We have reflected on the man he (Barker) 23 players. The Bafana Bafana coach said he was and the contribution he has made to South does not need to motivate his players against a African football, and the impact he has had quality side that went all the way to the semi- on the lives of players and their careers,” said finals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year. Williams. “If we get a good result, it will be good Turning to the mouthwatering clash for us. It will be good for them too if they get against the World Cup semifinalists, Broos a good result,” he said. Bafana Bafana will go was optimistic about the plans he has in place into the game on the back of an unbeaten run as the countdown continues to Saturday’s that began last year. showdown. The coach said that the mood in camp, the fitness of his players and the cama- The run began in September when Broos’ raderie within the set-up was of paramount charges beat Sierra Leone and Botswana in importance ahead of a match that will get un- two friendlies played at FNB Stadium and derway at 17h00. they have been unbeaten since. “We have a great group of players who The South African senior men’s national work well together and will give anything to team went into camp on Sunday and are cur- win,” said the Belgian mentor. “We are only rently in camp at the University of Pretoria’s waiting for the international-based players to High Performance Centre (HPC) though the arrive in camp – they are Percy Tau, Njabulo first day of camp started with mixed feelings Blom, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Luke Le as one of the youngest players, Cassius Mai- Roux. Everyone knows what is expected of lula, turned 22 years old. But there was also them and while we respect Morocco, we need deep sadness following the passing of former to focus on our game.’’