WEEKLY SA Mirror 50th ED

MIGRANT MIRRORWEEKLY SAHAMBA JOBS PUBLIC Insight to connect the dots... see pagethKAHLE 4HEARINGS EditionDEBORAH page 3508page Friday 20 May 2022 D E Q L www.weeklysamirror.news MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... MILITARY VETERANS SMELL A RAT ...REJECT GOVT’S PLAN TO PAY PENSION BENEFITS ACCORDING 2TO QUALIFICATIONS see page

2 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 20 May 2022 MK PENSION PAYOUT RUCKUS PAYOUT DISPARITY: Military veterans’ body concerned that MK’s top brass will receive fat pensions by virtue of qualifications and high rank while lower-rank cadres get much less... By Isaac Moledi ment’s intention went against the letter and spirit of UNHAPPY: Mdu Chiyi, national spokesper- ago; and Government’s plans to pay military veterans the agreements entered into by both parties about son of the Liberation Struggle War Veter- • The review of the prejudices in the SA National pension benefits based on academic qualifica- two years ago, before the breakdown of their ne- ans of South Africa (LSWV-SA). tions may disadvantage and alienate hundreds gotiations with the Presidential Task Team led by Defence Force and the SA Police Service in- of former ex-combatants with lower education deputy president Mabuza. tegration processes, as well as the presidential credentials. declaration on the plight of veterans. “We are really saddened by these actions as Negotiations between the government team led This criterion has already caused anger and what the government has in mind is to go against by deputy president David Mabuza and the LSWV- divisions among cadres of the liberation mili- the agreement contained in our consensus docu- SA stalled last October, after government accused tary wings of ANC’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), ment, by making payouts without the input of the the ex-combatants of holding hostage three cabinet Azapo’s Azanian National Liberation Army (Azan- people affected. ministers at a Pretoria hotel. The talks were aimed la) and PAC’s Azanian People’s Liberation Army at resolving the military veterans’ long-standing (Apla), who stand to receive lower pension payouts “One other thorny issue is that the government grievances. than expected, if government’s plan go ahead. does not say how much it is putting on the table. About 53 members belonging to the liberation But paying the ex-combatants their pension benefit war veterans’ organisation allegedly held hostage Addressing military veterans in Mahikeng in according to qualifications will exclude hundreds Defence and Military Veterans Minister Thandi North West on May 14, Deputy President David of military veterans who did not go to school when Modise, her deputy Thabang Makwetla and Min- Mabuza told a gathering of military veterans that they joined respective liberation movements. ister-in-the-Presidency Mondli Gungubele at the they would finally receive their long-awaited pen- Saint Gorges Hotel in Irene after negotiations be- sion payouts and other benefits as the obstacles “Besides, people who will benefit out of the tween the two parties broke out with the ex-com- preventing the government from doing so had been process will be ANC generals and commissars as batants, who demanded an audience with President overcome. “I am glad that we have overcome that well as members of former SA Defence Force and Ciryl Ramaphosa and his deputy. hurdle. We have finally approved the pension roll- other military forces belonging to the Bantustans,” But the case against the ex-combatants has out which we think will go a long way to assist our said Chiyi. since been dropped. They faced various charges, military veterans,” he said. including conspiracy to commit kidnapping and Chiyi said because of these frustrations, they 26 counts of kidnapping. Their case was dropped But what the Deputy President appeared to have instructed their legal team, led by ANC stal- on Tuesday this week. The National Prosecuting have omitted to reveal at the veterans’ meeting was wart and former treasurer Mathews Phosa, to be on Authority (NPA) said the withdrawal of the case that the Government had factored a provision re- the lookout for any pension payout or benefit to the followed successful representations made by the quiring the military veterans’ payouts to be paid ac- veterans and interdict the process. accused’s defence team. cording to qualifications, said Mdu Chiyi, national Although the LSWV-SA welcomed the NPA spokesperson of the Liberation Struggle War Veter- Chiyi said they had instructed the team to pro- decision, saying that the prosecuting authority ans of South Africa (LSWV-SA). ceed with a “multi-billion” class action to compel had vindicated their assertion that the case was government to compensate them for the sacrifices based on “trumped-up” charges, the “confused and Chiyi said their members were concerned that they made to liberate the country from the apart- shocked” Makwetla could not fathom how the case the government was working on the criteria with- heid government. was dropped. He said he had submitted an affidavit out having consulted them. In terms of the govern- to the State explaining exactly what had transpired ment plan, cadres possessing matric qualification In the legal brief handed to the organisation’s when 26 people, including himself, Modise and will receive 50 percent of pension benefits paid to lawyers, which Weekly SA Mirror had seen, the Gungubele and two body guards were held hostage veterans with tertiary qualifications, while those LSWV-SA is demanding payment of long-out- for close to three hours. without matric will qualify for lesser amount. standing pensions, reparations, special pensions, “Since the case involving our members has housing, educational and other benefits for putting been withdrawn, why can’t the government call us Weekly SA Mirror’s attempt to obtain comment the lives of military veterans on the line in their to proceed with the negotiations as they initially from the Department of Military Veterans (DMV) fight for democracy. pointed at the trumped-up charges to be one of the or the Deputy President was unsuccessful. The LSWV-SA’s demands included: obstacles? We are the ones who initiated this pro- • Reparations amounting to R4.2 million per vet- cess, and government cannot rule us out without Chiyi said he was not surprised with Mabuza’s negotiating with us,” says Chiyi. utterances which proved “the government’s inten- eran; tion to sideline LSWV” and proceed with the pay- • Compelling government to pay them pensions out without representations from ex-combatants. amounting to R15 000 a month; He rejected the mooted plan, saying govern- • Government asked to honour and comply with agreements made in the consensus document both parties had entered into about two years

Friday 20 May 2022 NEWS 3WEEKLY SA MIRROR FRASER: DEATH, BE NOT PROUD CHERISHED: Deborah Fraser’s music touched so many lives. May her children ac- cept and receive the healing her fans got By Gugu Sibiya MOURNED: She was a phenomenal artist shocked. I still am. I don’t even have words to con- The passing of Gospel music star Dr Deborah deserving her legacy to be kept alive by public sole the family because I’m also broken. We are Fraser (56) passing last Sunday at Chris Hani support for her upcoming album, a gift to her fans... all going to die someday, but this was totally unex- Baragwanath hospital is still causing ripples pected. The more you think about it, the more sad- across the country. expectations in the marketplace. Debs may be gone but she’s made her mark. dening it gets. Deborah and I worked together for No wonder the Empress’ melodic, multi-ranged Over the years, she had grown spiritually, maternal- a long time while she was still a session artist,’’ she Unbeknown to many had been that she had ly, career-wise, a community builder and business- says, explaining that their relationship goes back to been ill for some time, suffered a stroke she suf- voice graced many local and international albums. wise. She’s put so many kids through school, given her debut offering, Ngizobathola. fered two weeks ago that landed her in hospital. Her sultry voice was well-oiled instrument she them a home. She’s one of the artists that helped knew how to play with, much to the delight of her fellow entertainers during the pandemic. “Sizwe Zako and I have composed a song we Affectionately referred to as the Empress of forever electrified audiences and fan-base. Incred- sang at the memorial and the funeral. Perhaps it gospel music, she passed away 25 days before her ibly versatile, she effortlessly straddled genres like She rolled her sleeves and went to work as a will help explain our pain,” Malope adds, empha- birthday on June 9. Although her health had en- jazz, Afropop, maskandi, reggae and pop, with as farmer, travelled the world as the UN Goodwill sising the need for artists to look after each other. dured challenges lately, she fought valiantly until much ease as she mastered gospel. Her message- Ambassador for wet lands and even ventured into she took her last breath. laden songs remain on high rotation. acting on SABC1’s Hola Mpintshi. Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who also worked with Fraser for a long time, was grief stricken. ‘’Debo- Up to then, her spirits had been kept up by A loving, loyal friend who never minced her A highlight was when she was conferred with rah was a friend and a sister, so you can imagine something she was really looking forward to – a words when she needed to call one to order or dish a doctorate last year, while she was still alive to how I’m feeling. I knew she was sick but I never recently completed upcoming offering. advice. We chatted for hours, travelled together, know that people appreciate her contribution. saw this coming. She used to be my backing singer. laughed a lot at her jokes. God forbid, she would Telling jokes and laughing heartily was her thing. Seriously touched by covid-19 and its conse- catch you indisposed. I loved watching her create She set a good example by looking after her I remember the time she called me to confirm time quences, she poured her heart and soul into the masterpieces in the kitchen. A generous and hos- family once she hit the big time. Debs educated her for the show. She referred to me by a silly name single Omama Besililo. She penned, produced and pitable person. siblings’ children, spoiled her parents and loved her we called each other. Only this time around my roped in luminaries like Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Tu four surviving sisters with everything she had. She mother was the one who picked up the phone. All Nokwe, Nomcebo Zikode and Vicky Vilakazi. She was a keeper as far as friends go. When- was devastated when one of them died two years hell broke loose and for a while she couldn’t visit ever we went out, I knew I was going to have a ago. She adored her children. They were so close me at home. I met Debs in the 80s while working at Thandi great time. We’ve comforted each other through my heart breaks for them. magazine. She was backing “it” stars like Brenda our losses, now she’s gone. I love and will miss her “When I checked on her, she was chirpy, as- Fassie, Mercy Pakela, Rebecca Malope, Yvonne royally. An emotional Rebecca Malope was lost for suring me she was getting better. She asked me to Chaka Chaka and Lucky Dube. words: “When I heard of Deborah’s passing, I was thank Nontando and Busi from her record compa- ny, for looking after her while she was in hospital When Letta Mbuli, Caiphas Semenya, the “We are saddened by the untimely pass- have also lost a dedicated and diligent art- previously. I jokingly asked if she was dying, why late Miriam Makeba, Jonas Gwangwa and Hugh ing of Dr Deborah Fraser, which comes as ist who always put her fans and God first these messages. Masekela came back, she added them to her re- a huge loss to both the global gospel mu- in all she did. She respected her craft and sume. At the time, I conceded that the beauty from sic community, South African culture and valued the role she played in spreading Once again, she said she was fine. In the 80s KwaMashu, Durban, was happening. Mind you, our domestic music industry. We extend the Gospel. We are now left with her gift of after a show, we saw everybody drinking wine. We we were still finding our way around our respective our heartfelt condolences to the family, music to draw comfort and strength from. got ourselves a mellow drink usually mixed with careers. She was already a glam girl, natty dresser friends and fans of this hugely talented Rest in peace Dr Fraser, you will never be milk. We were so sick, it cured us of the urge to who looked like she’d just stepped out of the pages musician. May they be comforted in this forgotten.” – Sipho Dlamini, CEO of Uni- drink. May her soul rest in peace,” Chaka Chaka of a glossy magazine. most difficult hour of grief and loss. We versal Music Group Sub Saharan Africa mourned. Courage in hand, Debs went solo in 2000. If Debs comes from a family of nine brothers and people thought she had an amazing voice, they sisters. Except for two surviving sisters, all of them were not prepared for things to come as the pow- are gone. She hadn’t recovered from her sister’s re- erhouse dropped her block-buster debut offering, cent passing and now! She’s survived by two chil- Abanye Bazomboma, which achieved multi-plati- dren, her son Nkosana, and daughter, Aliya. May num status and won her awards. It sold in excess of her soul rest in eternal peace. a million units. All her 14 albums have surpassed

4 WEEKLY SA MIRROR NEWS Friday 20 May 2022 GOVT CALLS PUBLIC INDABA TO TACKLE MIGRANT JOB ISSUE FLASHBACK: A public protest engineered by Operation Dudula, which targets undocumented foreign nationals living and working in South África illegally. By Monk Nkomo MIGRATION: The aim is also to establish ployment of foreign nationals in a manner that The Department of Employment and Labour schemes to promote employment for the youths is consistent with the objects of this Act and the will hold public hearings in the country to help Immigration Act; provide for the registration and determine a policy that will, amongst others, foreigners running businesses in various town- intersection of national interests and guiding regulation of private employment agencies; pro- help to facilitate the employment of foreign na- ships. principles; vide for the establishment of Productivity South tionals in a manner that is consistent with the • Propose sustainable intervention methods; Africa; provide for the establishment of Sup- objectives of the Employment Services Act. The Department of Employment and La- monitoring and implementation mechanisms. ported Employment Enterprises; provide for tran- bour acting spokesperson, Mokgadi Pela, in a ‘’The rationale of the consultation process is sitional provisions and provide for matters con- The draft National Labour Migration Policy statement, said following the release of the draft also to conduct advocacy sessions on the draft nected therewith’’. (NLMP) and the Employment Service Bill were NLMP and the Employment Service Bill, the De- Employment Services Amendment Bill and Na- The public hearings in North West will be held published on February 28 this year and members partment of Employment and Labour’s Public tional Labour Migration Policy, so as to ensure at the following venues: of the public were given 90 days to submit writ- Employment Services (PES) branch in partner- that the public is sufficiently consulted and to ena- ten submissions. The Employment Services board ship with the Employment Services (ES) board ble the Employment Services Board to adequately Hotel School in Mafikeng from 9am to 11am will be embarking on a series of these public hear- had embarked on a series of public hearings to advise the Minister. on May 23; ings in all nine provinces starting in North West solicit public inputs from stakeholders within all ‘’The Employment Services Board exists to Rio Hotel in Klerksdorp from 9am to 11am from May 23 to 25. the nine provinces. advocate for the Employment Services Act – a on May 24. The NLMP has been designed to achieve the legislation that provides for public employment Kgaswane Country Lodge in Rustenburg The hearings are being held amid the intensi- following: services through the establishment of schemes to from 9am to 11am on May 25. fied nationwide campaign by Operation Dudula, • Document current challenges on the basis of promote the employment of young work seekers Pela said the targeted stakeholders include a movement that aims to root out undocumented and other vulnerable persons; provide for schemes government departments (national and provin- foreign nationals in the country. The movement evidence; to assist employees in distressed companies to re- cial); State owned companies; municipalities (dis- has already drawn massive support in most of the • Adopt guiding principles rooted in South Af- tain employment. trict and local); employers; social partners (busi- provinces. The organization is targeting foreign ‘’The legislation also helps facilitate the em- ness, community and organised labour); religious nationals claiming that they were taking over jobs rica’s core values and international commit- sectors or leaders; Parliament; traditional leaders; meant for South African citizens. ments; research and academic institutions; international • Identify national strategic priorities at the organisations; Non-government organisations and They have already established branches in Constitutional institutions. some of the provinces and they also aim at ex- posing and rooting out extortion rackets that are believed to be demanding protection fees from MONKEYPOX: KEY FACTS ABOUT WHO CASTS MONKEYPOX THE NET • Monkeypox is caused by monkeypox virus, WIDE a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae. ATYPICAL: The health body says it is working closely with 11 countries responding to the virus… • Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease that occurs primarily in tropical rainforest By WSAM Reporter tions while more cases were likely to be reported their community (if any), symptoms and preven- areas of Central and West Africa and is The World Health Organization (WHO) and its as surveillance expanded, according to the WHO. tion. occasionally exported to other regions. partners were working to understand the extent and cause of an outbreak of monkeypox, the “WHO is working with the affected countries “As monkeypox spreads through close contact, • Monkeypox typically presents clinically health body said in a statement released from and others to expand disease surveillance to find the response should focus on the people affected with fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes Switzerland today. and support people who may be affected, and to and their close contacts. People who closely interact and may lead to a range of medical provide guidance on how to manage the disease. with someone who is infectious are at greater risk complications. The organisation said the virus was endemic in for infection: this includes health workers, house- some animal populations in a number of countries, We continue to convene meetings of experts hold members and sexual partners,” the WHO said. • Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease leading to occasional outbreaks among local people and technical advisory groups (such as the meeting with the symptoms lasting from two to four and travellers. Recent outbreaks reported across 11 today of the Strategic & Technical Advisory Group The health organisation warned against stigma- weeks. Severe cases can occur. In recent countries so far were atypical, as they were occur- on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic tising groups of people because of a disease, adding times, the case fatality ratio has been ring in non-endemic countries. WHO continued to Potential [STAG-IH]) to share information on the this was “never acceptable”. around 3-6%. receive updates on the status of ongoing outbreaks disease and response strategies,” said the statement. in endemic countries. So far, there were about 80 It could be a barrier to ending an outbreak as it • Monkeypox is transmitted to humans confirmed cases so far, and 50 pending investiga- Monkeypox spreads differently from COV- might prevent people from seeking care, and lead through close contact with an infected ID-19 and WHO has encouraged everyone to stay to undetected spread. “As the situation is evolv- person or animal, or with material informed from reliable sources, such as national ing, WHO will continue to provide updates we learn contaminated with the virus. health authorities, on the extent of the outbreak in more,” the statement added. • Monkeypox virus is transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding. • The clinical presentation of monkeypox resembles that of smallpox, a related orthopoxvirus infection which was declared eradicated worldwide in 1980. Monkeypox is less contagious than smallpox and causes less severe illness. • Vaccines used during the smallpox eradication programme also provided protection against monkeypox. Newer vaccines have been developed of which one has been approved for prevention of monkeypox • An antiviral agent developed for the treatment of smallpox has also been licensed for the treatment of monkeypox.

Friday 20 May 2022 HEALTH 5WEEKLY SA MIRROR HYPERTENSION: BEWARE THE SILENT KILLER DAMAGE: This condition can damage vital organs including the heart and brain By Thuli Zungu amount he receives does not cover all the family’s “High blood pressure or hypertension occurs Fortunately, the early prevention and manage- Two days before Christmas a neighbour who needs. when that force increases and stays higher than ment of the condition is advisable by ensuring was as fit as a fiddle passed out at his gate while normal for a period. This condition can damage your blood pressure is measured regularly and driving in his car, hit the gate before causing Asked about his medical condition, he thinks the blood vessels, heart, brain and other organs.” through some ‘doable’ activities that includes: extensive damage to his house. this was caused by thinking a lot. He was not It can, however, be detectable with some of the . reducing salt intake (to less than 5g daily). surprised that he had sugar diabetes because his following symptoms : · eating more fruit and vegetables. To commemorate May the 17th which was mother and maternal grandmother suffered from · early morning headaches. · being physically active on a regular basis. World Hypertension Day, Weekly SA mirror the illness. · nosebleeds. · avoiding use of tobacco. spoke to the victim, Themba Mofokeng,* who · irregular heart rhythms. · reducing alcohol consumption. preferred to remain anonymous. “Thank God my house is paid up and my kids · vision changes. · limiting the intake of foods high in saturated will have a shelter should the Maker decide to call · buzzing in the ears. At the time of the accident he did not know he me,” he says. fats. had sugar diabetes or that he suffered from high · eliminating or reducing trans fats in diet. blood pressure and that he almost had a heart at- Madeleine Barkhuizen, Bestmed Medi- · reducing and managing stress. tack. He was made aware of his medical condition cal Scheme’s Executive Manager of Sales and when he checked in at the Tshepo Themba Hospi- Marketing , says the common chronic condition tal in Dobsonville. called hypertension, better known as high blood pressure is often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ as Mofokeng was retrenched in 2021 just after there is an estimated 46% of adults with hyperten- the country was placed under lockdown due to the sion worldwide who are unaware that they have Covid-19 pandemic. the condition. He was the family’s sole bread-winner. Al- Barkhuizen says this prevalent condition though he is earning a monthly pension, the is best described as the force of blood pushing against the inside lining of the arteries. INSTITUTE INTENSIFIES ANTI-COVID FIGHT WITH FREE JAB DRIVE SAVING LIVES: Aurum Institute supports public health care in SA’s seven provinces Bandile Mthandela, CEO of Aurum Innova By Victor Mecoamere become a leading global health and research in- been positive, but low demand became a challenge PICTURE the following unusual scenario: A stitute, employing more than 3 000 workers. The in some of the areas, so the Aurum teams had be- man is shouting at the top of his voice, “Free institute usually partners with the governments, the come innovative and had changed the vaccinations Covid-19 vaccination or a booster shot. Every- private sector and the communities to design and times to accommodate people coming back from one is welcome. We are at your service.” deliver high-quality care and treatment, especially work, and staging weekend vaccination campaigns. in underprivileged areas. Mathandela has called on more people to come The setting is a tent situated a few steps away forward to get vaccinated. “We have lost too many from the main entrance to a small shopping centre Bandile Mthandela, the chief executive officer people to COVID. Each of us has an opportunity to where a top retailer is the anchor tenant, so the ex- of Aurum Innova, a division of the Aurum Institute, do something, to give ourselves a fighting chance.” pectation is that most of the shoppers have come has told the Weekly SA Mirror that taking health for grocery items, cash withdrawals and other care to the people is at the cire of the institute’s The institute, which gained its independence transactions from several auto-teller machines work. He said the tents had been set up for the from AngloGold Ashanti Health Services in 2005, (ATMS) and takeaway lunch from a nearby fish and convenience of the people, especially in the rural seeks to make a difference in the area of Tuberculo- chips eatery. Five out of about twenty passers-by areas, where accessing services such as Covid-19 sis (TB), HIV-Aids and occupational lung diseases stop to sample the service and emerge with smiles. vaccine, would be a major hassle. Mthandela said through epidemiology and the implementation of This vital, lifesaving community service is being more than 170 000 people had been vaccinated at related research programmes. The institute also brought to the people’s doorstep in South Africa’s places of convenience including retail sites, taxi supports public healthcare services in Gauteng, major centres by an organisation known as the Au- ranks and grant payment points in Gauteng, East- notably Tembisa in Ekurhuleni; Klerksdorp and rum Institute, which describes itself as a proudly ern Cape, Mpumalanga, Western Cape, Free State Rustenburg in North West; Northern Cape, West- African, health impact organisation that is dedi- and North West. He said the institute’s staffers who ern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Free cated to researching, supporting and implementing were manning the tents had been trained not to be State. The institute’s Centre for HIV-Aids Preven- innovative, integrated approaches to global health. dismissive, but educative to the people. tion Studies (CHAPS) specialises in HIV preven- It started its operations in 1998 and has grown to tion research and HIV-Aids prevention services and According to the institute, at some point, the technical assistance. reception of these vaccination sites had generally

6 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT Friday 20 May 2022 IKUSASA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CAREER GUIDE THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SIDES OF TECHNOLOGY AFFECTS HUMAN LIVES WORLDWIDE HELPS: Modern technology increases the unemployment rate due to the machinery used By Isaac Moledi population’s needs and lifestyle. ones easily even if they are very far away from and social media. They say unlike websites an It is evident that the impact of technology on our Although this is the case, experts say many new them. social media accounts are very easy to build for day to day lives has grown exponentially over • Improved education and learning process. a business and provide an exposure on a wide the past decade. entrepreneurs do not utilize technology to its full Technology enhances the education and learn- variety of platforms such as Facebook, Twitter extent to propel themselves to new heights. But ing process. Nowadays people can easily en- and Youtube. Whether it is laptops or cell phones, technol- they caution however, that the manner in which we hance their knowledge using the internet. Most Negative impact of technology. ogy helps people to get connected with the world use technology will decide whether its effects are of the data present on the internet is free of cost Experts warn however of some negative ipacts and acts as a portal to vast amounts of knowledge beneficial or detrimental for society. and people can access this data anytime and of technology and these include: which can be accessed with ease. anywhere. • Increase in unemployment as a result of the ma- Positive impacts of technology on society. • Mechanized Agriculture: Technology changes chinery and the technical equipment used. According to some experts, technology is de- Experts believe that technology has a more the working mechanism of farmers. Lots of • Increase in pollution: Due to vehicles and ma- fined as the body of knowledge that deals with the positive impact on humans or society as compared machines and technical instruments were in- chinery used, the rate of pollution is increasing innovation, invention and application of technical to the negative impact. It makes people’s lives troduced in the agricultural area which makes continuously which causes global warming. means as well as their inter-relationship with life, easier and rewards them by providing resources or farming very easy, effective and automated. • Increase in health and mental concerns as a society and the environment. tools that makes life much easier. • Easy to access information: People can easily result of the physical as well as mental health The following are some positive changes that access information via the internet anytime and effects on human beings. In other words, technology means the use of technology brings to our life: anywhere. Most of the information present on • Increase in cybercrimes due to the excessive scientific knowledge to achieve some specific • Improved Communication: Communication is the internet is free of cost so people can use use of the internet. goals or create applications that are used in indus- the most important part of society. We build them to enhance their knowledge and skills. Experts also warn of the technology-induced try or in everyday life. or transfer our thoughts with each other with • Research and Development: Through the use societal problems such as identity theft, gaming ad- the help of communication. Although earlier of technology, businesses can research the mar- dictions, health and fitness issues, cyber bullying, This means that technology affects the life people used pigeons or birds to transfer their ket through the use of secondary data. Experts various acts of terrorism and crime and defamation of people and changes the way of their learning, messages to their loved ones, experts say due say this is extremely useful as it provides busi- among others, as well as cultural changes where thinking and communication. It plays a major role to technology, the medium of transferring in- nesses with in-depth knowledge about markets people are now using phones, tablets or comput- in society and – more than ever before - it becomes formation has changed dramatically to include before penetrating them. ers to communicate. -Additional information by very tough to imagine the life without technology. mobile phones, email, etc. Nowadays people • Web based advertising: Experts believe that EPICentre of the University of Windsor; geeksfor- send messages to loved ones or known people one of the most beneficial uses of technology is geeks.org Some experts believe that both technology and via email, social media platforms, etc. It is the advertising to millions of people around the society are co-related, co-dependent, co-influence fastest, efficient and effective medium. People world at a click of a button through websites with each other. They say human societies have can talk or share information with their loved grown inextricably linked since technical systems like mobile phones, computers, TV sets etc. are produced by humans and reflect the very basis of a TOURIST GUIDES By WSAM Reporter the National Registrar. REGISTER ON The Department of Tourism has ap- Setwaba hosted a virtual event THE CARDS pointed Ms Mmaditonki Setwaba as the National Registrar of Tourist to honour South African Guides in REIGNITING Guides. March 2022. This celebration will of- THE SECTOR: fered Guides a platform to share best Maintenance of a Setwaba is currently the Deputy practices and discuss challenges. This central database Director-General: Tourism Sector Sup- year’s theme was: “Reigniting the Tour- crucial in building port Services within the Department. As ist Guiding Sector” which will focus on a resilient industry the National Registrar, Ms Setwaba will restoring, re-activating and re-thinking post Covid-19 work in conjunction with the Provin- tourism, particularly in the Tourist cial Registrars to ensure the growth and Guiding space. Ms Mmaditonki Setwaba National Registrar of Tourist Guides development of the guiding sector. Her responsibilities, among others: • Main- “Building a more resilient tourism tenance of a central database of tour- economy post-COVID-19 is key to the ist guides registered by the Provincial future of tourism and the sustainability Registrars; • Development of a code of of the Tourism Sector and the Tourist conduct and ethics for tourist guides; • Guiding profession,” said Setwaba. Facilitate hearing and determining ap- peals; • Monitoring of trends in the sec- In South Africa, Tourist Guiding tor; and • Promotion and development is a regulated profession governed by of the guiding sector nationally. national legislation and policies. In- dividuals who wish to become Tourist Her appointment occured aptly as Guides must undergo training as part of the Tourism Sector acknowledged In- a formal qualification registered by the ternational Tourism Guide Day on Feb- South African Qualifications Authority ruary 21. This annual commemorative (SAQA). day aims to raise awareness about the profession and the critical role Tour- Upon being certified as competent, ist Guides play as brand ambassadors such person will receive a certificate is- at destinations. “We have some of the sued by the Culture, Arts, Tourism Hos- best Tourist Guides in the industry and pitality and Sports Sector Education they are one of the reasons why tourists and Training Authority (CATHSSETA). keep returning to our country and tour- ism sites. I urge you to keep learning They must thereafter apply to the and growing as we position South Af- relevant Provincial Registrar to be reg- rica as a world-class destination,” said istered in order to operate legally. This process unfolds as prescribed in the Tourism Act, 2014 and the Regulations in respect of Tourist Guides, 1994 and 2001 respectively

Friday 20 May 2022 PERSONAL FINANCE/BUSINESS 7WEEKLY SA MIRROR STRUGGLING By Isaac Moledi think you can, or you think you can’t – SOUTH AFRICANS South Africans are facing dire economic you’re right’. And the same applies to the URGED TO BUILD challenges, with 87% of the public strug- belief that investing will help you find fi- PASSIVE INCOME gling to make ends meet. nancial freedom. 2. Knowledge: The next step requires the in- INVEST: To achieve financial freedom south Of this number, 34% would not have vestor to do research and to learn about the africans must invest in real estates enough savings to last a month if they were to properties in which they would like to in- lose their source ofincome, according to Wealth vest. Scott Picken, Wealth Migrate Migrate founder and CEO, Scott Picken. 3. Accessibility: This refers to the action of founder and CEO investing – you can have all the knowledge However, Picken says this freedom can be about your desired investment, but unless within reach through investing in quality assets you actually do something with it, it’s use- such as real estate to build up a passive income. less. Wealth Migrate is a leading FinTech real estate 4. System: Your system is what helps you investment platform which is passionate about manage your portfolios. educating South Africans on how to go about 5. Accountability: As with anything new or building up a passive income and reaching fi- difficult, the chances of doing it on your nancial freedom. own are very small, but an accountability partner can help. “Financial freedom means having suffi- 6. Result: This is the profits from your invest- cient savings, investments and cash on hand to ment. If you want to get wealthy, you’ve afford the lifestyle you want,” says Picken. got to get results. “Potential investors often believe this is a “Simply put, it’s the freedom to choose and linear progression, but in fact it’s spiral, be- a stepping stone towards this is to build a pas- cause once the results of your investment have sive income which is derived from investing been realised, you can go back to step one and your money in a product that generates profits, reinvest all over again with a strengthened be- creates stability, security, and ultimately, free- lief. I call this an upward spiral,” says Picken. dom in your financial life.” “The challenge is that it works the opposite way too,” he says. “A downward spiral exists When it comes to ways that people have because if the belief, knowledge, access, sys- been supplementing their income, Picken ex- tem and accountability are not there, then you plains that investing in cryptocurrency such as get no results. No one learnt to walk by reading Bitcoin has been rising over the past couple of a book, they did so through action and I believe years. “It is important to note that although you that the same applies to achieving financial can secure a triple return on investment, the freedom.” only way to get your money out is to sell.” Picken shares that wealthy people prosper due to the habit of consistent investing. “Our He points out that real estate is one of the philosophy is that, by dropping the minimum tried and tested investment vehicles through investment from $100 to $10 (until end of which people can earn a passive income. “In May), we can give a lot more people the oppor- fact, 49% of the world’s wealth is held in prop- tunity to participate in the property market and erty where people not only create their wealth start their journey to financial freedom. but protect it too. However, only 12% of the Over and above accessibility, we are giving global population has access to residential real them the ability to diversify their investment, estate and less than one percent has access to enabling them to invest in 10 deals and assets commercial property, which is where the real across various countries and currencies.” wealth is.” He adds that by lowering the minimum in- vestment fee, this also gives investors the op- “It is for this reason that Wealth Migrate portunity to reinvest what they earn from their has reduced its minimum investment fee from investments more easily. $100 (approximately R1,570) to $10 (approxi- “To achieve financial freedom, South Afri- mately R157) to give more South Africans cans need to take action and invest. Now is the greater access to the global real estate market,” time to take the next step,” Pickens says. says Picken. To assist new investors to get their foot in the door and work towards financial freedom, he shares six steps to real estate investing: 1. Belief: According to Picken, Henry Ford has been quoted as saying ‘whether you By Isaac Moledi develop, test and launch innovative solutions to early childhood challenges by igniting the Innovative Edge, an impact-first inves- ecosystem around them; and provide multiple tor focused on solving early childhood rounds of funding, strategic coaching, opera- challenges in South Africa, says it has tional support and connection to social capital. made funding available for ventures that support preschool teachers to boost lan- She said selected applicants will be sup- guage and literacy development for 4 to 6 ported to pitch their solutions to the Innovation years olds in the country’s impoverished Edge Investment Committee in September communities. this year and successful social entrepreneurs According to the company, social en- will join the Innovation Edge Investee Com- trepreneurs and organizations with a proven munity and receive fit-for-purpose (amount track record of implementation in any pro- and financial instrument) funding, customized ject aimed to improve preschool teachers’ venture building support and connections to support of early literacy development for social capital. 4-6 year olds are invited to apply for fund- ing for their product, service or venture. She said applications must meet the fol- The stage of the solution or venture can be lowing criteria to be eligible for consideration: anywhere on the spectrum - from feasibil- 1. The solution must focus on supporting ity to scale-up, according to Nonku Nyathi, preschool teachers/ECD practitioners work- Investment Associate at Innovation Edge. ing with 4-6 year olds in Early Learning The application deadline for submis- Programmes in low-income communities in sion is June 15, 2022. Nyathi says the avail- South Africa to deliver quality Early Literacy ability for funding follows the recent publi- and Language programmes. cation of South Africa’s biggest measure of 2. The solution must be context-appropriate early childhood, the Thrive by Five Index and can adopt either a low-tech or a no-tech which found that almost half (49%) of 4-5 FINANCIAL INJECTION approach. year olds from the poorest households, who 3. Solutions must be at the stage of feasibil- are attending Early Learning Programmes, ity testing, prototyping and market testing, or are not meeting the literacy and language transitioning to scale. Nyathi said her company standards for their age. TO TACKLE EARLY does not accept ventures in the ideation phase. 4. The applicant must have evidenced early Quoting the Index, Nyathi says, “These traction either in the early childhood sector, or children are more likely to struggle to learn a similar adjacent sector. to read and write when they start school. 5. The applicant must outline concrete This will not only affect their education out- CHILDHOOD plans for future sustainability and growth be- comes across all subjects, but also influence yond investment from Innovation Edge. their likelihood of completing secondary 6. The applicant must have a deep under- schooling and going on to do meaningful standing of the problem and have been proac- work.” CHALLENGES tive in identifying possible solutions. According to the Thrive by Five Index, Nyathi says Innovation Edge, an impact- “in order to improve the early literacy and first investor, is committed to increasing their language skills of South African preschool- investments in early stage ventures run by ers, we need to find effective and creative entrepreneurially-minded women and teams of ways of training, supporting and providing colour. Their impact focus is on solving early resources to their teachers.” IMPACT: Invitations open for organisations with childhood challenges within impoverished Nyathi says her company’s initiative communities in South Africa. is motivated by the outcome of the Thrive by Five findings. “Our company supports proven track record to improve literacy projects Submissions for applications are open on- social entrepreneurs and organizations that line on the company’s website innovationedge. org.za.

8 WEEKLY SA MIRROR OPINION/ANALYSIS Friday 20 May 2022 Comment A YEAR ON, MIRROR STILL By Russel Morena DIGITISATION ON THE WALL Economies of the world are increasingly opting TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF Today, a year ago, we – a group of journalists – to operate in the digital space. Thanks to technol- were seized by a dream which rekindled our un- ogy and vast knowledge in libraries of the world, AUDITS dying passion for journalism. And that dream was markets get tapped into easily. Either from your lap, to start our own publication. palm of your hand or from a desktop. UNIVERSAL: Tapping into modern technology Three factors motivated our decision to The operations mentioned above are possible allows auditors to collect and analyse broader pursue this dream: the fluid state of journalism, whilst sitting at home, in a coffee shop or a car. paucity of critical black perspective in the main- Indeed we live in times where the development of industry data sets that were previously inaccessible stream media, and the allied issue of sparse black self performance of work-related tasks can get done media ownership. Hence our mission to strive anywhere, where there is access to internet connec- and the transition to more effective use of technol- sional body that has been serving the public since towards contributing to the diversity of media tivity. So, increasingly, the room of opportunities ogy means auditors and accountants can perform its inception in 1988. In its role of advancing public ownership in this country, which then manifested was expanding for production deadlines or self-em- their duties exceptionally. accountability and auditing, SAIGA pursues a col- in the establishment of Weekly SA Mirror, an in- powerment goals to be met speedily. Such are the laborative approach to increase member value. dependent online news publication, 100 percent advantages of digitalisation that include enhanced It denotes effortless attendance of upskilling black-owned, self-funded from shallow pockets, agility. courses from anywhere and obtaining data essential Thus we are open and look forward to partner- and commandeered by two women co-editors, to prepare financial statements. So, it makes sense ships with ICT companies. Corporations within the overseeing a handful volunteer staff. Innovative methods are also on the rise, im- for digital technology upskilling and development ICT sector will ensure a broader embrace of techno- proving efficiency and boosting productivity. The to become much of a critical acquisition for ac- logical advancements by accountants and auditors. For a publication launched at the height of auditing and accounting professions have been do- countants and auditors. ICT companies are significant, strategic partners Covid-19 pandemic and socially inhibitive lock- ing their best to move in pace with technology. for our field of accounting and auditing because downs, our year-long journey has been truly il- It was encouraging that local auditing and ac- we need to be at the top of our game in addressing luminating, exacting, inspiring and tough. Tough There was a realisation of an opportunity for the counting professionals were catching up with glob- technological security challenges. Such is crucial because of lack of resources, yet inspiring be- accounting profession to use digital technologies in al trends during and post COVID-19 restrictions. to enable accountants and auditors to do their work cause we still soldiered to show up every week – processing data far quicker and reliably. Opting to without fear or favour. without fail – to continue our stimulating journey. go digital provides the right circumstances to rede- Face-to-face audits happened less than before It has not been easy, though. Yet, at no time did we sign financial procedures and generate added value. as the forced migration to the new normal of do- Last year, SAIGA signed a memorandum of un- contemplate giving up. NO. ing things with reduced physical contact became a derstanding with the Association for Advancement Tapping into modern technology also means reality. of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABA- Throughout the past 12 months, we have been going beyond the confines of company data, allow- SA). The goal is to help with capacity challenges in telling ourselves this is all about pursuing our pas- ing auditors to collect and analyse broader industry It also bodes well for progress, growth and effi- the public sector. sion. And, since the start of our journey, passion data sets that were previously inaccessible. ciency that auditors in South Africa have increased did indeed push us to reach this milestone. their investment in technology. Such helps in the With this partnership, members get assisted Therefore, auditors were enabled to identify fulfilment of their audit obligations and upskilling with online learning. Information is also made Yet, we lost some fellow travellers during informational outliers better. Increased, also, was requirements. available to enable them to access learning pro- the course of this arduous journey. Some of our the ability to generate trading insights and focus on grammes online across the country. colleagues, took the off-ramp along the way, as a business and financial reporting risk. Leveraging on Organisations like ours, The Southern African consequence of pressing personal matters, but we Institute of Government Auditors, were now able Digitalisation improves the quality of audits are still greatly thankful to them for starting this to conduct all necessary training virtually without and its role as a governance mechanism. Thanks to journey with us. They will not be forgotten. physical contact. The positive developments make advancements in ICT, auditors can now focus on it possible to keep our programme running costs data analysis rather than on data collection. Also, we lost two great media personalities minimal. * Morena is the chief executive of the Southern who shared our dream of self-fulfilment and joined us in this journey without immediately expecting It was something auguring well for the opera- AfricanInstitute of Government Auditors a cent, but believed in the project’s long-term vi- tional sustainability of SAIGA, a non-profit profes- ability, only to be unexpectedly called yonder by our Maker. Yes, great souls they were – Nomakula “Kuli” Roberts, who brought spunk to the publi- cation, and so too the inestimable contribution of the inimitable veteran sportscaster Dumile “Phe- sheya Pha” Mateza. Indeed, our virtual offering and newsroom are truly poorer without them. We will always remember them with special fondness and reverence. Whither Weekly SA Mirror now? Well, we celebrate the first anniversary of our publication mindful of the myriad challenges paving the long, winding road ahead. Nonetheless, we are deter- mined to forge ahead to stake a meaningful place in the media landscape of this country. We strive to be the best of ourselves, so that we can grow this publication to envisaged heights of excel- lence to make it a sustainable project. Still in the drawing-room are plans to lever- age the publication into various formats, now that we have been buoyed by the warm public reception so far. Thankfully, this has translated into WSAM carving 80 percent of its footprint in South Africa and the rest of the continent and 20 percent in Europe, Asia and the Americas, includ- ing Russia, for that matter. As for our content, it is admittedly work-in-progress as we continue to build muscle into our tiny operation to plug the holes. That said, we know critics will always be there, and – of course – their voice is always wel- come, for constructive criticism leads to progress. Yet, we are determined to push ahead to vig- orously pursue our vision to become a major me- dia player in this country. v 060 936 2673 [email protected] Weekly SA Mirror is published by Weekly SA Mirror Pty Ltd. Correspondence to be directed to: PostNet Suite 230, Private Bag X 9, Melville 2109. Website: www.weeklysamirror.news Contact: 060 936 2673 Letters to be sent to: [email protected] MIRRORWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... Weekly SA Mirror subscribes to the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media. As a subscriber 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 com- plaints procedures.

Friday 20 May 2022 OPINION/ANALYSIS 9WEEKLY SA MIRROR The Makoko community in Nigeria is one of VACCINE ROLLOUT mation were among the influential determinants. the most disadvantaged in the country. Located on ELUDES NIGERIA’S This hesitancy was combated by providing easy- the edge of the Lagos lagoon, it is made up of in- FAR-FLUNG VILLAGE to-understand information regarding the vaccine, formal settlements with no access to basic ameni- its benefits and side effects. The researchers lever- ties such as clean water and sanitation. It also has HESITANCY: Makoko community potential victim aged africanDRONE’s geographic data collected one of the lowest Covid-19 vaccination uptakes in during the MapMakoko project, and arranged a country — which also has one of the lowest vac- of complex web of misinformation about vaccines... community engagement with the Yaba Local cination rates in the world. Government Development Area officers and local WATERY TERRAIN: Because of its unique topography and location, Nigeria’s Makoko leaders to collect data. Scientific research on the ground in Makoko community is difficult to access and has largely been left out of governmental develop- reveals misinformation and lack of education ment plans and vaccine rollout ‘We navigated community entry and access about the Covid-19 vaccine is the cause of vaccine to the population by first engaging with the com- hesitancy. the community leaders who appointed coordina- within the community. munity gatekeepers at all levels, starting with tors to assist during data collection. Dr Ozoh explained that they were then able to the executive chair of Yaba Local Council De- As part of Code for Africa’s OUTBREAK velopment Area (LCDA), the Medical Officer of and MapMakoko projects, two researchers from The community coordinators helped with sen- recruit and interview consenting adults of 45 ac- Health, through to the health educators, the com- Nigeria, Dr Obianuju Ozoh at the Lagos Univer- sitising the residents on the purpose of our visit ceptors and 45 non-acceptors of the vaccine as re- munity leaders and the religious leaders,’ said Dr sity Teaching Hospital and Dr Ayesha Akinkugbe and the potential benefits, while encouraging them quired by the Barrier Analysis (BA) approach (an Akinkugbe. Through the LCDA, the local health from University of Lagos, College of Medicine to grant us access. assessment tool used to identify determinants of a educators played a major role in meeting with the conducted research on the ground in August particular behaviour), and analysed the data using community gatekeepers who are influential in mo- 2021 to determine the enablers and barriers to the Understanding and respecting community’s the standard BA analysis tool. bilisation, information dissemination, and aware- Covid-19 vaccine uptake in Makoko. The projects cultural, social and religious norms is imperative ness creation. sought to increase knowledge on the extent of during engagements with gatekeepers and other From the preliminary evaluation, the re- Covid-19 spread in order to assist in vaccination community members. Honesty in the motive of the searchers said that many vaccination ‘acceptors’ ‘We at CfA strongly believe in the proactive efforts in Africa. engagement is key in reducing the existing scep- were still hesitant to take the vaccine. According cooperation between civic technology and data ticism towards visitors and social programmes to them, mistrust, misconception and misinfor- journalism initiatives such as OUTBREAK and For perspective, only 5,727, 711 people had MapMakoko and the African scientific commu- received the first dose of the vaccine in Nigeria as nity’, said chief data officer Jacopo Ottaviani. of November 3, 2021, representing just 5.1% of a population of about 200 million. The low rates ‘The idea is to bring together scientists, jour- are attributed partly to vaccine shortages as well nalists and technologists in Nigeria, with the aim as logistical challenges, such as those associated of promoting scientific development while pro- with transporting the vaccine. viding fact-based communication.’ However, as preliminary findings from this As part of the OUTBREAK project, CfA’s study indicate, much of the problem lies in vac- PesaCheck initiative has fact-checked claims cine hesitancy, which is fuelled by misinformation around Covid-19 and vaccines to debunk mis/ around its safety and efficacy. disinformation by identifying numerous Covid-19 related claims. Makoko is one such community that has po- tentially fallen victim to the complex web of mis- PesaCheck has gone ahead to create awareness information. Because of its unique topography and and sensitisation based on factual information and location, the community is difficult to access and was integral in our engagement in Makoko and has largely been left out of governmental devel- other communities across the continent. Tricia opment plans. Consequently, people have grown Govindasamy, DataLab Manager, noted that Code distrustful of the motives of a relentless stream of for Africa’s WanaData initiative will continue pro- visitors whose impact they have hardly felt. viding opportunities to underrepresented female experts such as Dr Akinkugbe and Dr Ozoh who As such, research efforts by other civic society are passionate about solving real world problems organisations are often seen as exploitative and an through research. invasion of their privacy and have been met with protests and unrest. As found out, this study could Understanding how pre-existing challenges not have been possible without leveraging on re- in densely populated and marginalised informal lationships we have built in the community over settlements such as the Makoko community com- time. pound the spread of new Covid-19 variants, CfA continues to promote dissemination of verified, So what did we do differently? data-driven information across African audiences To begin with, the researchers leveraged their to positively impact the pandemic and vaccine relationship with the Local Government Develop- management. ment Area officers. As a first step, they met with SELF-DISCOVERY: Internation- YOU CHOOSE al motivational speaker Billy TO BECOME A Selekane writes the first of a DEADBEAT OR series of regular columns to AN ACHIEVER be published in Weekly SA Mirror STIMULUS: Each life path has bitter or sweet consequences By Billy Selekane My father was a drunkard. What else could I have gular moment, I made a choice to never become truth – that life is about choices and consequences. The following anecdote is based on a story been? I am my father’s son.” like my father. I had then vowed to do everything, Ultimately, it does not matter what may have hap- humanly possible, not to become my father’s son.” pens in your past. What matters most is how we about two brothers who grew up in a dysfunctional The same reporter had then searched for the respond to what happens to us, what we may learn family. Within the story lies several profound les- man’s brother, who surprisingly turns up to be a Now, these are two brothers from the same en- from it and how we deal with it, going forward. I sons. The boys’ father was a drunkard who went multimillionaire. He lives in a beautiful, gated vironment, but they made certain choices, which hope you will understand that each choice has a set through two messy divorces. Fast forward from community with his lovely wife and four adorable gave them different consequences. One was a nega- of consequences , and these may either be positive their traumatic childhood to when they are now children. The sober man, who is a loving husband tive consequence and the other was an exception- or negative outcomes. aged fifty, the results are completely opposite – in a stable marriage and is a caring father to his ally-positive consequence. The question, here, is: with one brother being a hopeless drunkard who offspring, sits on several boards of companies and “What are the choices you have made in your life, It is time for you to really think about your has outdone his father, as he has seen four annul- charities, respectively; and he is also regarded as and what are these choices’ current consequences? kinds of responses to whatever may be happening ments. His abusive behaviour puts his father’s one of the greatest neurosurgeons that the world And are the related consequences positive or nega- in your life, right now; because the consequences nastiness in the shade; and, predictably, he has had has ever seen. tive? can either be inspirating or devastating. Remem- many stints with the law. ber that life is and will always be about choices. Now, the reporter asks a pertinent question: Surely, it is easy for you to play the blame game Whist’s yours, today? One day, a newspaper reporter gets a chance to “How were you able to become such level-headed because that is what most people tend to do. But Billy Selekane is a published author, internation- interview him, and asks an obvious question: “You person, an amazing achiever, a gentleman as a hus- the profound truth is that each of us make choices; ally-acclaimed motivational speaker, personal, grew up with such potential as a young kid at school, band and a father, compared with your deadbeat and whatever choices you may have made, the re- team and organisational effectiveness special- but your life has not gone exceptionally well, see- brother? lated consequences compound, daily; and, eventu- ist. He is the head of Billy Selekane and Associ- ing that you have moved in and out of rehabilita- ally, these give birth unto themselves – thus mak- ates, a leadership development organisation with tion, you have been arrested several times, and you And, to this, the man responds by saying: “Eve- ing your life what you may not have wanted it to branches in Australia, Middle East, Singapore, have been a divorcee four times; and, what’s more, rything boils down to my childhood. I grew up in become. Sweden, the United Kingdom and United States. those divorces were mired by abuse. Can you tell an abusive family, where my father was a drunkard Selekane is a former president of the Professional us what really happened, what went wrong in your and a divorcee who used to beat my mother. One It such a stage, all you might have to do is to go Speakers Association of Southern Africa. Sele- life, really?” His response was absolutely shocking. day, I went to school without shoes and food, and I back and question the choices that you may have kane is a popular regularly featured inspirational He said: “I simply grew up in a very abusive home. came back home to find empty bottles of beer and made. And I hope that, by making that introspec- voice on several radio and television platforms. whiskey, while the house reeked of alcohol. That tion, you will be able to look back, learn some valu- was the signature of my father; and from that sin- able life lessons, and even understand the profound

10 WEEKLY SA MIRROR CONSUMER Friday 20 May 2022 Consumer Eye AWARD-WINNING CONSUMER EDITOR LOOKS 060 936 2673 INTO YOUR COMPLAINTS OMBUDSMAN OFFICES RECOVER R400M FOR COVID-HIT CONSUMERS RECOUP: The civil unrest in KZN and Gauteng in July last year also impacted on the national psyche Reana Steyn, Ombudsman for Banking Ser- Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, CEO of the Office of vices the OSTI By Thuli Zungu Three Ombudsman offices recovered a whop- Denise Gabriels, Deputy Ombudsman for OLTI “This is evidenced by the record number of ping R416.6 million on behalf of consumers complaints received and investigated by the OBS in 2021 despite the challenges their employees She says OSTI did not attain two operational crease in registered complaints in 2020 and the in 2021 where the number of complaints adjudi- faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic ,taxi vio- targets that it set for itself in 2021, which is an av- almost 12% decrease in registered complaints last cated by the OBS increased by 7% as compared lence and load-shedding throughout the coun- erage turnaround time (TAT) of 120 days and en- year. to 2020.” try. suring that the number of complaints outstanding for six months did not exceed 10% of the number OSTI finalised 10 879 complaints, 0,7% more Steyn says the number of cases finalised in In a joint 2021 Annual Report, the Ombuds- of open complaints. than in 2020, and from the complaints finalised 2021 increased from 7 230 in 2020 to 8 039 clo- man office for Long-term Insurance (OLTI) says it recorded a monetary benefit and value for con- sures. This was a 9% increase from 2020. “This it recovered R200 million while the Ombudsman It ended the year with an average TAT of 138 sumers of R197 188 388. An overall customer ex- dramatic decrease from FNB can be attributed to for Short-term Insurance (OSTI) had a monetary days and with 332 complaints outstanding for perience rating of 76% out of a target of 80% was the initiatives implemented by the bank’s CEO benefit for consumers amounting t0 R197 188 six months instead of 300. She says 11.7% fewer maintained - the same score as in 2020. and staff to ensure that the bank aligns itself with 388. complaints were registered in 2021 when com- the Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) principles pared to 2020. The Office of the OSTI registered Teixeira-Mckinon also acknowledged the and the requirements of the Conduct of Financial The Ombudsman for Banking Services (OBS) 9 797 new complaints of which 259 were COV- dedication and hard work of the staff during an Institutions (COFI) Act. recovered R19 400 000 on behalf of consumers ID19-linked complaints, 197 relating to business exceedingly difficult year. “There is a sense of re- last year. Both the OTLI and OSTI stated that interruption and 62 were about travel insurance. building and returning to a former state of being, “They made a concerted effort to look past the their staff had to contend with the loss of relatives, including returning to a normal state of health, black letter of the law in respect of the merits of a friends and colleagues because of the COVID-19 The COVID-19-related complaints made up mind and strength, and at the same time, adjusting complaint and to apply considerations of fairness pandemic. Denise Gabriels, Deputy Ombudsman 2.6% of all the complaints registered by the office to a new and different way of life.” and reasonableness where the facts of the particu- for OLTI, says many employees contracted the vi- in 2021. In 2020 COVID-19-related complaints lar matter allowed for such considerations.” rus, resulting in prolonged absences and some lost comprised 7% of all the registered complaints. Reana Steyn, Ombudsman for Banking Ser- close relatives. vices says 2021 brought with it serious financial Specific attention was also given to the vul- Teixaira-Mckinon says complaints resulting challenges for most South African banking con- nerability of some customers and often settle- The civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gaut- from KwZulu Natal and Gauteng civil unrest last sumers. These consumers had to turn to the OBS ments were made based on those considerations. eng in July also impacted on the national psy- July were specifically categorised as South Af- for intervention against their banks. This approach has certainly proven to be fruitful che and the Western Cape taxi violence prevented rican Special Risk Insurance Association (SAS- for the bank and has resulted in the reduced num- some employees in the Office of the OLTI from RIA) complaints and 31 of them were registered She says 2021 saw a notable increase in cases bers that our office has seen, says Steyn. going to work for several days while loadshed- last year, with 23 relating to commercial lines and for most banks compared to the previous year. ding further exacerbated the situation, Gabriels eight relating to personal lines insurance. While in 2020 Absa Bank (ABSA) recorded a re- She says the OBS opened a record 8 257 com- said. duction in the number of complaints (down 36% plaints during the reported period. This was a 7% The Office of the OSTI ended the year with 3 year-on-year), 2021 was the opposite. Only First increase from 2020 and a 28% increase from the “Against this backdrop, the reported results 052 open complaints compared to 4 210 in 2020, National Bank (FNB) recorded a significant de- number of cases opened in 2019. are remarkable, and for this all tribute must go to the difference being primarily due to the 7% in- crease in the number of cases opened in 2021. the staff who displayed resilience and persever- Despite this increase, the OBS was able to ance despite the adversity,” Gabriels said. resolve these complaints efficiently, she says. She encouraged all consumers who have been She says OLTI received 17 379 written re- wronged by their banks or who have suffered loss- quests for assistance which exceeded the record of es or some serious distress and inconvenience due 14 198 set in 2020 and 7 533 cases were finalised to a bank’s maladministration, to contact her of- compared with 6 512 in 2020. “The increase in fice for the free dispute resolution service it offers. the number of complaints can largely be ascribed to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic as insur- She says continuing the trend from previous ers have widely reported on the increased number years remained the same as they received and of claims. resolved complaints relating to fraud, maladmin- istration by banks, closure of bank accounts and “Our subscribing members also had to operate repossessions. Steyn says 2021 was the first full under challenging circumstances. Many had staff year where the OBS collated the statistics in re- working from home, which had its own challeng- spect of vulnerable consumers. es of accessing information and documentation. Seventy percent of vulnerable consumers “Combined with an inordinate rise in the were classified as such due to age while 22% were number of claims, especially funeral and credit classified as vulnerable due to a life event such insurance claims, this gave rise to many service- as retrenchment or the death of a spouse/partner. related complaints,” according to Gabriels. “A very concerning statistic is the 5% of vul- Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, CEO of the Office nerable consumers who were over 85 years of age of the OSTI, echoed Gabriels sentiments. “2021 and the 22% who were between 75 and 85.” She was a year of struggles, continued resilience and says internet banking complaints increased by 6% hope for a brighter tomorrow. Going through two compared to other categories. “This is an alarming years of a harrowing pandemic has taught us that 6% increase from 2020 and a worrying statistic as just surviving is not enough; we need to reshape it goes against the progress made in 2020 where ourselves for the future.” the number of internet fraud victims had dropped significantly to a record low of 13% of the total complaints,” says Steyn.

Friday 20 May 2022 CONSUMER 11WEEKLY SA MIRROR Consumer Eye AWARD-WINNING CONSUMER EDITOR LOOKS 060 936 2673 INTO YOUR COMPLAINTS By Thuli Zungu COVID-19 HAVE after the virus is contained. The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally SLOWED THE PACE The ways in which people spend their leisure changed the world as people know it. It is a health and economic crisis that has a sustain- AND INTENSELY time are changing because of the outbreak and re- able impact on consumer attitudes, behaviours IMPACTED ON lated social distancing measures and again, these and purchasing habits. Companies can adapt to PEOPLE’S DAILY habits are likely to be sustained. More than half these changes by taking action to respond, reset (61%) plan to continue watching more news after and renew to be positioned even stronger for the LIVES the outbreak, while 55% will prioritize more time future. with family. Entertainment, learning and DIY have MIGRATE: Consumers have migrated to online shopping, also seen a rise. People are living differently, buying differ- ently and in many ways, thinking differently. Sup- a trend that is likely to be sustained for a long time “This trend is reflected in the types of apps that ply chains have been tested. Retailers are closing consumers are downloading, related to entertain- doors. Consumers across the globe are looking at It states that in times like these our need for the the way people view personal hygiene, health and ment, news, healthcare and education. Underlying products and brands through a new lens. The virus basic necessities of life take precedence. It comes how they engage with communities, friends and consumer needs (e.g. to connect, to be entertained, is reshaping the consumer goods industry in real as no surprise that personal health is the top priority families. People are embracing technology more to learn, to be informed) remain the same, yet tech- time, rapidly accelerating long-term underlying for the consumers surveyed, followed by the health than ever to support all aspects and consequences nology is changing the way it happens. trends in the space of mere weeks. of friends and family. Food and medical security, of isolation. There is also positive evidence to sug- financial security and personal safety were other gest that this crisis will build communities rather Companies must increase their focus on digital Research indicates that new habits formed now leading priorities, according to the research. than separate them. vs. traditional tools to engage with consumers and will endure beyond this crisis, permanently chang- improve experiences.” People are working from ing what consumers value, how and where they The outbreak of the virus has pushed consum- People are embracing technology more than home as businesses close doors and encourage re- shop and how they live and work. ers out of their normal routines and they are adapt- ever to support all aspects and consequences of iso- mote work. Many employees who have not worked ing new habits and behaviours that many anticipate lation. There is also positive evidence to suggest remotely before—or not often—plan to do so more Even as this crisis continues to evolve, by ex- will continue in the long term. that this crisis will build communities, rather than frequently in the future. ploring the changes that are happening now, peo- separate them. 80%of consumers feel more or as ple can consider what consumer goods businesses It found that the COVID-19 outbreak has connected to their communities and 88%of con- High percentages of employees feel they have should do today to prepare for what’s next. slowed the pace and changed daily lives for many sumers expect these connections to stay intact long the right environment and tools for remote work, consumers and this is having a profound impact on but some miss social contact. Overall, employees The research conducted by Accenure between feel their employers have taken the right steps to March and April this year suggests that the Cov- protect their health and keep them well informed. id-19 pandemic has intensified interest in “con- scious consumption” or the practice of seriously Employees who now find themselves work- considering the environmental and societal impacts ing from home are broadly positive about the ex- of purchase decisions. perience. Unsurprisingly, those who worked from home previously are more likely than newcomers The findings challenge brands to rethink how to feel they are more productive at home and feel they cater to the pandemic-adapted consumer. The they are more professionally satisfied than they are research states that consumers are more fearful of in the office . the economic impact of COVID-19 than for their health. It found that consumer priorities have be- CPG companies that have a virtual working come centered on the most basic needs, sending strategy will strengthen their employee value prop- demand for hygiene, cleaning and staple products osition and show that they are in-touch with their soaring, while non-essential categories slump. employee preferences. The factors that influence brand decisions are Forty six percent of people who never worked also changing as a “buy local” trend accelerates. from home previously now plan to work from home more often in the future, according to research. Digital commerce has also seen a boost as new Source: Accenture COVID-19 Consumer Re- consumers migrate to online for grocery shopping – a rise that is likely to be sustained post-outbreak. search, conducted April 2–6, N = 1,118 re- spondents working from home.

12 WEEKLY SA MIRROR OBITUARY Friday 20 May 2022 GONE TOO SOON: Mourners at the funeral of scribe Phindi Xaba who was buried at the Nasrec Memorial near Diepkloof in Soweto last Saturday. Photo: Sipho Maluka PHINDILE XABA By Sandile Memela life. It is a turning point to ... maybe eternity. IS NOT DEAD We buried our colleague, friend, peer and For me, Phindi has embarked on a very long BUT A SPIRIT sister, Phindile Xaba at Diepkloof Cemetery trip to nowhere. At some point, we shall all outside Nasrec on a cold Saturday morning. realize that she did not leave. The trip never SELFLESS: Xaba All her life, she was a journalist turned me- happened. We shall always remember her or gave her life to dia trainer. Above all, she was a pathfinder talk about her. And when we do, she shall join and pioneer in feminist journalism. She was us wherever we are. journalism serving an editorial leader in her own right. the nation through She will not say a word. She will just Of course, she was not the type to ride the smile. I know it is vain to philosophize or be her pen crest wave of popularity or celebrity. Instead, sentimental about a serious matter like death. she was humble to a self effacing extent. She A LAMP DIMMED: Journalist Phindi Xaba left footprints in the hearts of people she touched preferred to stay behind the scene, remain in But as we formed a guard of honour over the shadows. Phindi’s man-made grave, I felt there is abso- lutely nothing to fear about death but the fear I used to tease her that we cannot afford to of death itself. We buried the flesh and bones put our lights under the table. She must not just but not the spirit. Death be not proud. be a lamp on the table but we needed to have Gods starlight on her as she stood and danced Those close to her say Phindi had resigned on the roof tops. herself to her fate, to transform into a formida- ble spirit in the beyond and in our midst. But she would have none of it. There are very few journalists, like her, who do not love Thus, she is a Guardian Spirit now, looking the glory and limelight of being a media work- over us. er. I dont think that Phindi failed herself by You see, many journos are drawn to the succumbing to death. It is what it is, a natural, media limelight like moths attracted to light. necessary and unavoidable dark passage to be- They thrive on the attention. come part of the spirit world. Phindi had no time for that. ‘Just wait No man, woman or child can avoid or es- Maggia. Let me just do my work. This is not cape it. It does not care whether you sought about me.’ And I let her have way but I did not celebrity status or were self effacing. stop teasing her. Death is an invisible monkey on everybod- There is not enough darkness in the world ys shoulder. Count your blessings. You, too, to blow out light from her lamp, or any lamp. your days are numbered. She has left footprints in the hearts of people she touched, especially women fellow travel- So, when God, the Creator allowed Phindi lers. to die, it was not to punish her or mankind. It was to show that He is in control. We must just And the people turned up in their hundreds. learn to be humble and peaceful like Phindi, When her daughter, Nhlanganiso stood up to resign ourselves to our fate, whatever it is. pay tribute, she remarked that, ‘It is packed.’ You see, the Phindi I knew did not let mis- Every seat in the tents was taken with erable misunderstandings run from month to throngs standing at the back and on the side month. She did not keep wreteched quarrels aisles. Of course, the long tents were put smack alive. bang in the middle of the street. She was quick to choose peace, avoid un- Phindi gave her life to journalism. She necessary bickering and kill the Ego. The Ego. served her community and the nation through Journos have big ones. the word. Sowetan. Real magazine. Online The Journalist. SABC. M-Net. Etc. If it was not for Death is neither good nor evil. It is just the love of the word, she would not exist. No- what it is. And it thinks it took Phindi. Well, it body would remember her her. She died at the exists to remind us that we are not here forever. very young age of 53. Life is too short. The physical life of the body is too short. I drove to Diepkloof with media activist, The true way to understand Phindis death Mpikeleni Duma for company and solace. He is to realize that death is a physical thing where did not know Phidi that well, he said. But he we bury the flesh and bones. came. But the Spirit lives. So, be like Phindi. Try Now that Phindi is dead, I feel that death to be nice to family and friends. You are not is neither the end nor opposite of life. It was here forever. Death that took our colleague and sister. Death took our colleague and sister to remind us that Dont go to bed holding grudges. Love the death does not exist. children. Hopefully, they will carry your mem- ory to the house of tomorrow. Maybe it was to give her peace. Spare her the agony of cancer. Or the trauma of a difficult Let people be free to live their own lives. life where you become helpless and dependent Do not impose your wishes or expectations on on others like a child. I dont know. others. They do not owe you anything. I think her death does not mark the end of Forgive yourself. You are not an angel. Above all, take care of the living to spèead love. Mourn, if you must. But it is utter mad- ness to be afraid of Death. The spirit of Phindi Xaba lives

Friday 20 May 2022 SOCIAL 13WEEKLY SA MIRROR FUNERAL OF THE LATE PHINDILE XABA Pearl Ransekeng,Ido Lakota,Musa Zondi and Ruth Seopedi Motau. Photo: Sipho Maluka Thapelo Molatudi with Faniswayo Mdluli. Photo: Sipho Maluka RISA LAUNCH SA OFFICIAL MUSIC CHART Charlotte Bwana,Minel Musson,Zadok and Rea. Busi Queen of Pretoria with Goitse Lelaka. Melo Mthethwa with Rabi Moeketsi. Photo: Sipho Maluka Photo: Sipho Maluka Photo: Sipho Maluka

14 WEEKLY SA MIRROR TOURISM Friday 20 May 2022 NORTHERN CAPE - SOUTH AFRICA’S DIAMOND PROVINCE FIRST PEOPLES OF AFRICA: The Namas and the Khomani San are protected in the diamond province with only a small percent living in small towns found strewn around. NATURAL SPLENDOUR: A perfect destination for those who prefer to travel the road less taken DARK-MANED: The Northern Cape is home CHARMING: Meerkats are found in abun- By Ali Mphaki History will record that Kimberley is also to the most sought after lions which can be dance in the Northern Cape The Setswana dialect spoken here is like the first city in the southern hemisphere and the found in its six national parks music to my ears, quipped a friend when we second in the world after Philadelphia, Pennsyl- drove back from an action-packed weekend vania in the US to integrate electric street lights FAUNA; The desert-like landscape comes alive all year round with beautiful flora. in Kimberley the other day. I couldn’t agree into its infrastructure. with him more, myself left spellbound by how the locals roll out their Setswana phrases in Not all is diamonds in the Northern Cape, an Afrikaans accent. for an up and close encounter with wild animals, a trip to the Felidae Centre, situated about 28km It’s like a white guy trying to do a Black outside of Kimberley on the N8 Bloemfontein thing, or more precisely, a black guy doing a road (Petrusburg route) is a must go to spot. white thing, to steal from Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff of TSOP fame. Their adventure tour includes a normal tour and an open vehicle drive inside our 180 ha en- Yes, this is the Northern Cape, home to ‘first closure with free roaming lions peoples of Africa”, the Namas and the Khomani San (my people). A perfect opportunity to see these majestic animals as close as half a meter away in their It is a place of contrast. natural habitat and get the chance to take amaz- While it is the largest province in South Af- ing photos. rica, stretching across the land at 372 889km, yet it is the most sparsely populated, with only To further immerse yourself in nature, it 2.3 percent of the population living in the small may interest the reader to known that the North- towns found strewn around some of the most ern Cape is home to no less than six national starkly beautiful untouchable landscapes in the parks, which include the KgalagadiTransfron- country. tier Park, described as a desert oasis and home It boast a desert-like landscape, yet blessed to gorgeous dark-maned lionss. with unique flora and fauna that comes alive all year round. Other parks include Namaqualand National Known rightfully so as the Diamond Prov- Park, Ai-Ais/RichtersveldTransfrontier Park, ince after the exquisite minerals discovered Mokala, home to the numerous antelope and in the area in 1871, it makes a strong case as charming meerkat and of course the Augrabies, a place of natural beauty and historical land- home of the famous thundering waterfall marks. Take the Big Hole, for instance. A visit to the province would not be com- This is where the diamond mining took plete without a drive to Sutherland, where you place from 1867 and where you find the biggest will find the South African Astronomical Ob- man-made hole in the world – 240 metres deep. servatory and SALT (South African Large Tel- For those with an inkling for history, nearby escope, the single optical telescope in the south- there is an open air musem where you can see ern hemisphere. the “Old Town”, a replica of what the mining town in Kimberley used to be like. To round up your stay in Kimberley it would be like a crime against humanity not to via Galeshewe, arguably the oldest township in South Africa. The vibe here is AMAZING! I will be go- ing back soon.

Friday 20 May 2022 EXHIBITION 15WEEKLY SA MIRROR MADONNA OF TOWNSHIPS: Brenda Fassie, Weekend Special hitmaker who was Photographer Jacob Mawela (red golf shirt) chats central to township pop culture in the 1980s. to an arts and photography student at Pretoria Ace photographer Jacob Mawela’s recent exhibition Art Museum. opening at Pretoria Art Museum attracted droves of visi- IMAGERY: Portrait of Sandra Laing, a tors, who were awed by his creativity. The exhibition, woman classified Coloured but born of which made its debut at the Benoni Museum on Heritage White parents and about whose life a Day last year, will be presented at the Workers’ Museum film, named SKIN, was made. in Newtown, Johannesburg on June 12. Photographer Jacob Mawela shares a light moment with Pretoria Art Museum’s Dirk Oegema and museum curator Hannelie du Plessis STATESMAN: Portrait of FW de Klerk, former president of South Africa who announced the end of Exhibition visitor Nkgafeng Tshesane gets a lowdown from Jacob Mawela apartheid YESTERDAY’S SA SEEN TLADI’S ROVING THROUGH TODAY’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHIC EYE Mr Tladi Khuele is a South African photographer who grew up in Soweto in the 1980s. As a photog- rapher during apartheid times, he felt the urge to photograph and document the unpleasant black life experiences in the inner City of Johannesburg. As such, from 1980s he began his photographic journey of photographing the visual street moments that he encountered, such as young street vendors being arrested by white police officers, evictions, fashion- able streets of the city and township dwellers at taxi ranks heading back to the dusty townships after a hard day at work. Over the period from 1986 to 2016, he saw and documented the drastic changes on how both white and black people engaged and related to the city. With the changing political climate and the release of Nelson Mandela, the environment of the city changed as more and more black people took up residential and commercial spaces within the city both informally and formally. The upkeep of the city declined as many big businesses left the city. The aim of this exhibition is to show the unpleas- ant black life experiences in the inner City of Johan- nesburg by presenting a visual account and narrative of the evolution of the City of Johannesburg from 1986 to 2016.

16 WEEKLY SA MIRROR FOOD AND WINE Friday 20 May 2022 FINEST HOUR FOR VAN RYN’S 20-YEAR-OLD BRANDY ACCOLADE: The spirit declared best in the world, capping a remarkable grab of international awards in the past two decades... By Len Maseko grandiose. The brandy captures the Van Ryn’s 20-year-old has done it again, tradition of hand-crafted, authentic scooping the world’s best brandy award this potstill brandy; a tradition we contin- week, an impressive four times since 2008. ue today, following in the footsteps of our founders who achieved Van Ryn’s This week, South Africa’s ultra-premium first international award as far back as potstill brandy was handed the World’s Best 1884.” Wine Brandy prize at the 2022 World Brandy Brandy aficionados keen to ex- Awards, snatching the accolade from an illus- perience Van Ryn’s fine brandies can trious line-up of finest brandies entered from visit the distillery tour in Vlotten- across the globe. The awards are presented by burg in the Western Cape. The TheDrinksReport.com. Each brandy is tasted experience includes of the blind for its nose, palate, and finish, judges re- brandy distillery, a dem- view balance, character, complexity and qual- onstration of age-old art ity. coopering and lapping up a whiff of Angel’s NEW BROOM: Restaurant manager Sandile Mavuso brings new vibe In 2008, Van Ryn’s 20-year-old won the Share in the Van Ryn’s at Rosbank’s Clico Boutique Hotel International Wine & Spirit Worldwide Bran- maturation cellar. dy Trophy; won the same trophy in 2011; and For the ultimate MAVUSO SHAKES THINGS scooped the International Spirits Challenge experience, they can UP AT BOUTIQUE HOTEL Brandy Trophy in 2015. Nearly as decorated as cap their visit with the the 20-year-old are the 12 and 15 editions of pairing of Van Ryn’s Restaurant manager and mixologist Sandile Mavuso is Clico Boutique Van Ryn’s spirits, which are superlative in their 20-Year-Old Brandy Hotel’s manager is putting his own spin on the cocktail menu and rais- own right and have similarly bagged a glut of is paired with a 70% ing the bar at the vibrant restaurant and venue on Sturdee Avenue in awards in the past two decades. Dark Chocolate, which Rosebank. has an intense cocoa, Born and educated in KwaZulu-Natal, Mavuso honed his mixology The potstill brandy is made from Chenin and melts in the mouth skills over several years at various well-known hotels, but really start- Blanc and Colombar grapes and distilled in when enjoyed to the ac- ed shaking things up in the vibrant suburb of Rosebank in Jozi which copper pot stills, one aged more than 200 years companiment of the su- is enjoying a reawakening as a food and drinks hotspot. old, and develops its golden colour as well as premely refined spirit. He cut his teeth in the mixology circles with his participation in Dia- the concentrated flavours during maturation in The brandies are paired geo Reserve WORLD CLASS competitions and workshops. His journey oak barrels over a period of 20 years in the cel- with finest chocolates took him through different roles, including as mixologist, barista, lar. by renowned Cape sommelier, restaurant manager and beverage control at hotels like Chocolatier, Richard the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani and InterContinental Hotel at After spending two decades in the barrels, von Geusau, and also OR Tambo. the final product is a rich, decadent spirit laced matched with a selec- Opened in 2006, Clico Boutique Hotel is perfectly situated in the tran- with delicate sweet vanilla, spice, and rose wa- tion of hand-crafted quil, leafy and upmarket suburb of Rosebank in Johannesburg, South ter, an ultra-smooth, sumptuous finish. A bottle confectionary delights Africa. costs approximately R1500. baked exclusively baked at the distillery. “This World’s Best title is the highest acco- The tours, open six days lade any master distiller aims for. Our commit- a week except Sundays, ment to innovation, quality and the art of craft- cost R120. ing exceptional brandy, comes full circle with yet another global recognition,” says Van Ryn’s Master Blender, Marlene Bester.” “The 20-year-old brandy is timeless and EVENTS PICK N PAY WINE FEST award-winning wineries, delectable restaurants, quirky person, including tasting and a light dinner. Non-members GOES TO JOZI pubs, shops and bakeries. Tickets, available for purchase welcome. on Quicket and valid for all 3 days, cost R190 a person. KLEINKAAP TO ROLL OUT From a spell in Cape Town recently, the Pick n Pay Wine RELOADING: JOBURG’S RED CARPET ONLY WHISKY SHOW & Food Festival heads for Gauteng – to expose Joburg A wine tasting in the countryside beckons as the Kleinkaap to the taste of Cape Winelands’ award-winning wines and After a three-year pandemic break, the annual the Only Uncorked Wine Festival gears up to showcase local wines delectable culinary delights. Whisky Show is finally back for its fourth year! on May 28. The venue is Waterfall Park at Mall of Africa and the date is July 2. Visitors will taste wines from more than 20 es- The show, which takes place on July 28, will showcase Discover new favourite wine among the more than 15 tates and tasty treats featuring Pick n Pay’s Butcher, Fish- monger, Dairy and Greengrocer’s Promise ranges, pre- over 200 premium whiskies, some including new expres- wine stalls while savouring mouth-watering eats at our pared by professional chefs. They also enjoy a picnic of sions to be presented by producers and brand ambassa- numerous food stalls. Live entertainment with music from newly purchased snacks and wines while relaxing in front dors, all the while learning more about your favourite both local & upcoming artists will add to a colourful am- of the stage, soaking up the live entertainment courtesy of drink. The venue is The Deck @ Wanderers, Illovo. bience. popular local musicians. Tickets cost R200 a person, and Tickets cost R600 a person, and are strictly limited to 500 Overnight Package includes two tickets to the event, over- the starts at 12noon and will last until 6pm. people a night and allow you to taste as much as you can night stay at the Kleinkaap Hotel and a buffet breakfast responsibly drink. Doors open at 6pm and close at 10pm the next morning. WINING AND DINING Some of our Wine Stalls who will be showcasing Baby- IN THE KAROO UPCOMING ACADEMY lonstoren, Bonnievale Wines, Spier Wine Farm, Paul Wal- TASTING lace Wines, Lourensford Estate, Montpellier de Tulbagh, Wine show, Calitzdorp ExPRESSed, takes place in the De Krans Wines, Niel Joubert Wines, Landskroon Wines, Klein Karoo town on June 17 to 19. Cape Wine Academy Wine Club is hosting in Johannes- Jakkalsvlei, Rickety Bridge Winery and McGregor Wine burg May 31. Meander. Organisers promise a weekend filled with fun, entertain- Kleinkaap’s event tickets are ONLY sold through (www. ment, stalls, wine tastings, music and sightseeing. Show The event takes place at Chaplin’s Grill in Sandton’s Hurl- kleinkaap.co.za) or via the official Plankton website ( htt- activities will occur across 31 venues, which include ingham. Tasting will focus on Rhône. Cost is R350 per ps://plankton.mobi/).

Friday 20 May 2022 MOTORING 17WEEKLY SA MIRROR PREMIUM APPEAL; The Mahindra Scorpio-N has more smoother lines and wheel arches for a rugged look. MAHINDRA PUTS MORE BITE IN THE NEW SCORPIO By Ali Mphaki SUAVE: The lines are smoother and more transmission. 4x2 and 4x4 options will be offered Mahindra is fast gaining traction as a reputa- rounded than before, lending it a premium appeal with both engines, just like the Thar. ble brand. The Indian manufacturer this week announced the new 2022 Scorpio, which will and below it is the camera for the 360-degree But from what we can gather from its teaser, The Scorpio-N is expected to go upmarket be called the Scorpio-N, has dropped its cam- camera feature. Below that is a sporty bumper the SUV still has a flat and upright tailgate and with features such as LED projector headlamps, ouflage and its exterior has been revealed. with C-shaped LED DRLs enclosing the LED fog similar vertically stacked tail lamps design. That dynamic turn indicators, sunroof, leatherette up- lamp and silver colour skid plate. said, they are now LED units and have sequential holstery, 7” driver’s display and more. Mahindra You will still have to wait a little longer to turn indicators a la Audis. ScorpioN captain seat variant is on the cards as look at its interior, though. That said, let’s not get In profile, the Scorpio-N still looks familiar well. bogged down by that fact as the new Scorpio-N thanks to its upright and familiar silhouette de- Like we said, Mahindra is yet to give us a looks suave and properly upmarket. Let’s take a sign. That said, the lines are smoother and more glimpse of its interior. The Scorpio-N will be sold closer look at the SUV. rounded than before, lending it a premium appeal. alongside the existing model, which will be called You still get a large glass area and the wheel arch- the Scorpio Classic post the N’s launch featuring It looks like Mahindra has taken a safer ap- es have enough muscle for a rugged look. a mild facelift. proach with the Scorpio N’s clothes as design changes are evolutionary rather than ground- What also adds to the overall upmarket look The SUV is expected to feature the same en- breaking. It still has the slatted grille, flanked by a are these large dual-tone alloy rims. Its angular gines as the Mahindra XUV700 which includes a pair of dual-barrel headlights, but now with LED design looks sporty and gels well with the Scor- 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 2.2-litre diesel. lighting and sequential turn indicators. pio N’s overall design. Mahindra is yet to give a proper look at the Scorpio-N’s rear-end. Both engines are expected to be offered with A closer look at the front grille, which now a 6-speed manual along with a 6-speed automatic features sleek chrome slats and a tastefully done chrome bar on top of it. Looks neat. Also, the SUV adorns Mahindra’s new Twin-Peaks logo By Motoring Reporter MAJOR THREATS ability to see at night deteriorates. In addition, older Nighttime driving presents obstacles and risks WHEN DRIVING drivers may have compromised vision due to cata- that you do not have to deal with during the day, racts and degenerative eye diseases. such as shorter days and compromised night vi- AT NIGHT sion. In addition, the everyday risks become a Rush hour: Any time of the year, rush hour can little more dangerous under the cover of dark- UNPREDICTABLE: Your vision accounts for be a dangerous driving time. As the days get shorter ness. nearly ninety percent of your reaction and darkness comes earlier, the drive time becomes more dangerous especially when driving in stop- The eyes, in general, are terrible at seeing at Nighttime driving is made more dangerous by another car/truck. and-go or bumper-to-bumper traffic. night with depth perception, peripheral vision and the following factors: Driving at night means relying on headlights the ability to distinguish colour diminished. Driving under the influence: Impaired drivers Reduced visibility: At night, we no longer and street lights, which don’t provide the same vis- are more likely to be on the road after dark, be- Because your vision accounts for nearly 90% have natural light to help us see road signs, other ibility that natural light does. In addition, many of tween the hours of midnight to 3 a.m. on weekends. of your reaction while driving, nighttime driving drivers, pedestrians, debris in the road, animals, our rural roads do not have any streetlights and at There is a higher risk of sharing the road with an dramatically decreases your ability to effectively and other obstacles. It also makes it more difficult times loadshedding will add to this. impaired driver at night as people leave restaurants respond to potential hazards on the road. to judge the distance between your car/truck and and bars. Age factors: Unfortunately, as we age, our Even with high-beam headlights on, your vis- Construction activity: Often, road construc- ibility is limited to about 110m to 160m (50m to tion happens in the evening hours. With poor light 76m with normal headlights), meaning there is less and other factors, it can be difficult to see construc- time to react. tion work zones and you can get blinded by the brightwork lights being used Night blindness is a condition that makes it hard to see in poor light or at night. Symptoms in- Potholes: Even though national roads are usu- clude: ally well maintained, especially on the secondary · Decreased vision at night or poor ligh or rural roads lack of road maintenance and the in- · Peripheral vision problems creased number of potholes have become a major · Possible loss of central vision threat to the safety of truck drivers. While fatigue, crashes and striking animals were a major concern in years gone by, new and more worrying trends have emerged.

18 WEEKLY SA MIRROR SPORT Friday 20 May 2022 SHA… SHA…. TRADEMARK: Peter Shalulile celebrating SHALULILEEEEEEEEEE! one of his many goals this season AMBITIOUS: Namibian-born striker is the PSL record of 25 goals. tention of the Brazilians and prompted Mamelodi determined to one day with the Ballon d’Or ward Shalulile looked back at his great performanc- Sundowns to capture his services, arriving to Chloorkop with Mothobi Mvala from Highlands By WSAM Reporter teammates and everyone at Sundowns.” Said the es and said, “In the month of April I managed to Park. Since that move, he has flourished and has Peter Shalulile has been named the DStv Pre- Namibian international striker. score two hat tricks back to back against Swallows become a prominent feature in the starting eleven. mier League Player of the Month for April. and Arrows, and it was really an amazing feeling. Although Mamelodi Sundowns endured disap- “It’s a great feeling, it’s overwhelming to re- I guess I will go down into the history of South Asked by the Sundowns Digitial Magazine pointment in their CAF Champions league exit ceive such an award because everyone put in the African football.” which sports icon has influenced him the most, Sh- in April after being knocked out of the quarter- hard work, from the technical team to the players alulile said it has always been Cameroon’s legend final stage, Shalulile put in some good perfor- and the Mamelodi Sundowns family and fans. Born in Windhoek (Namibia), Shalulile devel- Samuel Eto’o. mances for the Tshwane giants. oped a passion for football at a very young age. He I am really happy to receive this award and I is a product of Tura Magic FC in his home country, “I met him at the Mamelodi Sundowns 50th The 28-year-old netted back-to-back hat-tricks am hoping for many more to come.” a club he joined when they were campaigning in anniversary gala dinner where I got the opportunity against Golden Arrows and Swallows FC in a re- the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Khomas to interact with him. We took pictures that I have markable month on the pitch which also saw Bafa- The reigning Champions have scored 53 DStv second division. Remarkably, he helped the team framed and those memories will remain with me na Ba Style reach the Nedbank Cup final. Premiership league goals after 29 matches, with 22 gain promotion to the Namibia Premier Football for life. I have always looked up to him because of goals belonging to the Namibian footballer who is League in the 2011/12 season. From there on, his his exploits during his playing days. He continues “To be honest, winning the DStv player of the in the company of global stars who have hit a 20- career has been on an upward trajectory as he was to be an inspiration.” One thing though that drives month for April I would first like to give glory to plus goal mark so far during this campaign. also part of the National team side that won the Shalulile is the quest to win the Ballon d’Or Award. God [because] He made it possible as well as my COSAFA Cup in 2015. Shalulile stands a chance to close in on a long- “I keep telling people that it is possible to win standing PSL record for most league goals in a sin- In the last few seasons, he has become one that award. I am not one to shy away from chal- gle season and needs just three more goals to equal of the most lethal finishers in South Africa. The lenges because the people who are winning them Namibian forward finished the 2019/20 season as are humans, therefore if they can win it, I can also joint-top goalscorer after bagging 16 goals. clinch it someday,” he says.-Mamelodi Sundowns FC His knack for scoring goals caught the at- By WSAM Reporter INDIA Temba Bavuma’s Proteas T20 squad will make a return to international cricket for the first HERE WE COME time since the ICC T20 World Cup in late 2021, when they take on India in a five-match series HIGHLY ANTICIPATED CLASH: This is CAPTAIN MY across five venues in India from June 9 to 19. the Proteas like we have not seen them in a long CAPTAIN: Temba time,” commented convenor Victor Mpitsang Bavuma;s Proteas Good news is that Tristan Stubbs has received T20 squad to play his maiden Proteas call-up ahead of the highly an- five-match series ticipated contest. against India in June The 21-year-old, right-hand, middle order bat- cent times. ing injury. The National Selection Panel and I are Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David ter, who impressed this past season while playing “This is the Proteas like we have not seen really excited to watch our full strength Proteas Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi for the Gbets Warriors in the Cricket South Africa take on the world’s number one T20 team. (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (CSA) T20 Challenge, scored 293 runs in seven them in a long time,” commented CSA Convenor (Gbets Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill innings, at an average of 48.83 and a strike rate of Selectors, Victor Mpitsang. “ “We wish Temba Bavuma and Mark Boucher Western Province), Dwaine Pretorius (North of 183.12, including 23 sixes. He was also part of all the best ahead of what we know will be spor- West Dragons), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), the South Africa ‘A’ team to Zimbabwe before he The injection of the IPL players means that tainment at its best,” Mpitsang concluded. Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), was called up to the Mumbai Indians camp for the we will have a team that’s ready to fire on all cyl- Tristan Stubbs (Gbets Warriors), Rassie van der 2022Indian Premier League (IPL). inders immediately and has vast experience of the South Africa is currently fourth in the MRF Dussen (Imperial Lions), Marco Jansen (Gbets conditions that we will be playing in. Tyres ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, behind Warriors). Other notable selections include the exciting Pakistan (3), England (2) and India (1). More in- return of fast bowler, Anrich Nortje who has been “Tristan Stubbs is an exciting prospect and formation on the rankings can be located here. India T20I series vs South Africa itinerary: recovering from injury since December 2021 and we’re keen to see what he’s made of and we are Proteas T20 team vs India 09 June 1 st T20I Delhi batters, Reeza Hendricks and Heinrich Klaasen. looking forward to the return of the experience of 12 June 2 nd T20I Cuttack Nortje has been medically cleared for action and Reeza (Hendricks), Klaasie (Heinrich Klaasen) Temba Bavuma (captain, Imperial Lions), 14 June 3 rd T20I Vizag is currently working through his return to play and Wayne Parnell to join the likes of Temba (Ba- Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), 17 June 4 th T20I Rajkot programme while playing for the Delhi Capitals vuma), Tabraiz (Shamsi) and Keshav (Maharaj). Reeza Hendricks (Imperial Lions), Heinrich 19 June 5 th T20I Bengaluru in the IPL. Wayne Parnell also makes a welcome Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Kes- return to the T20 set up for the first time since the “The country can also join us in a collective hav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden team’s tour to England in 2017. sigh of relief at the return of Anrich Nortje, who has been working hard to recover from a frustrat- Besides the aforementioned, Keshav Maharaj and number one MRF Tyres Men’s T20I Bowl- er, Tabraiz Shamsi, the rest of the team will be made up of the IPL contingent, namely, Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen and Marco Jansen, making this one of the most exciting Proteas T20 teams in re-

Friday 20 May 2022 SPORT 19WEEKLY SA MIRROR SPORTS: Briefs RIN GSIDE V IEW LGBTQ+ RIGHTS A CURVED BALL FOR PSG’S GUEYE PULE MOKHINE Paris St-Germain’s Idrissa Gueye refused to play in a match to avoid wearing a rainbow symbol IRON LADY: Boxing promoter Joyce Kungwane with SA welterweight champ Thulani Now Kungwane believes staging the next in support of LGBTQ+ rights, BBC Sport under- Mbenge and trainer Shaun Smith showdowns for Ledwaba will be ideal. During his stands. The 32-year-old former Aston Villa and boxing days, Ledwaba, was hailed for having ex- Everton midfielder was absent from Saturday’s HANDS changed blows with the legendary Filipino Manny 4-0 win over Montpellier. OF STONE “ Pacman” Pacquiao, but quit boxing 2006 due to REMEMBERED eye problem. PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino said only that Senagalese Gueye missed the game for “personal FEMALE PROMOTER: Kungwane takes the bulls by The erstwhile WBU bantamweight, IBF jun- reasons”. The French Football Federation (FFF) ior featherweight, WBU and IBO featherweight has reportedly written to Gueye to clarify why he the horns to honour her late partner Lehlohonolo Ledwaba holder then held a long list of boxers as a trainer was absent. when his boxing days were over. By Pule Mokhine And the “ Iron Lady” of boxing in Mzansi has Homosexuality is illegal in Senegal and pun- South Africa’s prominent female boxing pro- soldiered on admirably by taking the sport of In a short while, Ledwaba produced an SA ishable by prison sentences of up to five years. It moter Joyce Kungwane;’s quest to spread her boxing to the enviable direction through staging champion when Tshepang Mohale won the su- is also illegal in Qatar, where PSG’s owners hail wings as one of Mzansi’s top fight impresarios top-class events single-handedly in the environ- permiddleweight title in 2009, Two years later, he from and where the men’s 2022 World Cup will is continuing unabated. ment widely dominated by male promoters. This guided Doctor Ntslele to the SA flyweight cham- be staged later this year. is in spite of the wide criticism levelled against her pionship. Ledwaba produced his first global titlist Through her fast-growing promoting consor- by naysayers that she would not make her mark in in 2014 when Zolani Tete captured the IBF jun- STRONG WELSH TEAM FOR tium TLB Promotions, Kungwane is now toying the ring as a promoter. ior bantamweight belt. Now Kungwane believes ‘BOKS IN JULY with the idea of keeping alive the memory of her the forthcoming event will be ideal to honor the late life partner, Lehlohonolo “ Hands of Stone” But Kungwane has soldiered on and steered memory of the man of Ledwaba’s stature. Wales head coach Wayne Pivac has named a 33- Ledwaba by staging a tournament dedicated to the the ship alone by staging quality fights in the sta- man squad for the three-Test series against the memory of the former world champion in July. ble and acquitted herself well alongside some of “ Ledwaba was my man through and through Springboks in South Africa in July. the top promoters such as Rodney Berman of the while he was still alive. He deserves a tournament The month will coincide with the one-year Golden Gloves Promotions, for an example. in his honor because he had been supportive of George North and Dan Lydiate return for in- anniversary of Ledwaba’s unexpected passing me ever since I started promoting boxing. He has ternational duty after extended periods out with on July 2 2021 after succumbing to the Covid Last year alone, despite strict Covid-19 pro- been a wonderful life partner. What more can I injury. Ospreys teammate Sam Parry will join -19 pandemic at the age of 49. At the time of his tocol restrictions, TLB managed to showcase five thank him for being in my life except by staging a them in the Wales camp. Scarlets duo Johnny death, “Hands of Stone” was a trainer and one of tournaments at different venues. This includes all tournament in his honor” said Kungwane. Williams and Rhys Patchell are also named. the founding members of TLB that was originally female tournament in September in Polokwane, a - from 2016 - co-owned by Dingaan “ The Rose” WBA bout in June featuring Xolisani “ Nomeva” Sje said details of the event would be unveiled There are two uncapped players: Cardiff Thobela, Jan “Kid Gavillan” Bergman and Dr Ndongeni and hotshot Hekkie Budler who slugged soon. TLB is widely renowned for having resus- Rugby’s James Ratti is called up after featuring Chris Nteta. The four subsequently quit the com- it out on the bill against an international foe. citated the careers of forgotten fighters. Some of in the 2022 Six Nations squad while Leicester Ti- pany, leaving Kungwane as the sole owner to steer the notable fighters that Kungwane brought from gers’ Tommy Reffell is selected in a Wales squad the ship alone. This year saw TLB putting on three exciting oblivion are Ndongeni, Thulani Mbenge and for the first time. bouts on the line for fans throughout the country. Bukiwe Nonina. And the fans just relished that. The first Test is in Pretoria on 2 July, with the She can take pride from staging celebrity box- series continuing at Bloemfontein before finish- ing bout between celebrity rapper Refiloe Phoolo ing in Cape Town. known as Cassper Nyovest and Anga “NaakMu- siQ” Makhubalo in front of some 3000 fans at the EMERGENCY WARD AT Sun City Superbowl in the North West last month. KAIZER CHIEFS Makhubalo outpointed Nyovest over five Kaizer Chiefs’ doctor’s rooms are very busy this rounds . Their bout was a catchweight which week as the team prepares for their final match means it is the weight agreed only by the boxers of the season against Swallows FC on Saturday. themselves. Players such as S’fiso Hlanti and Lebogang And there is no shadow of doubt that honoring Manyama are still out due to the long-term in- Ledwaba in a tournament will bring more glory juries they suffered earlier in the season. They for the promoter in her quest to take boxing to the were recently joined by Keagan Dolly and Samir next level. Nurković in the last two weeks. LET THE All Stars started the season on a cameo pace This week the doctors have had to attend to PLAY-OFFS BEGIN! but regain their zeal in mid-season. They instilled Leonardo Castro who picked up an injury in the fear in the opposition through their shrewd type game against Sekhukhune on Saturday and Si- HOPEFULS: Tuks and Cape Town All Stars of football. They amassed a fair share of points at yabonga Ngezana who is out with a hamstring await team from the DStv to decide who will home and were not bad travellers either. injury. make it to the elite league next season The Capetonians have blended the team Midfielders Kgaogelo Sekgota, Nkosingiph- By Masoja Cele faithful’s with a 1-0 top of the table win against with youth and a few of seasoned campaigners ile Ngcobo and Sabelo Radebe did not train due With the GladAfrica season completed, the the Rich Boyz. However, lack of stability and the the likes of Ndiviwe Mdabuka, Eleazar Rodgers, to a bout of flu. Added to the team’s injury woes spotlight shifts to the national play-offs to de- final third finishing was their downfall. Zaphania Mbokoma, Ayabulela Konqobe and is Cole Alexander’s suspension. termine the team to accompany Richard Bay Michael Morton. All the above mentioned play- to the elite league. Nevertheless, Tuks can be ruthless when in- ers had careers in the DStv Premiership before. VENUS WILLIAMS TOOK PUB- form. Few, will ever forget the drama and tension LIC BUS TO F1 MIAMI GP! Long-time title pretenders Pretoria Univer- as they almost knocked more fancied Royal AM The capability they possess have helped their sity and Cape Town All Stars will participate in in the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals. youth to grasp quickly into professional environ- There were many stars at the F1 Miami GP 2022, the national play offs, by virtue of having finished ment. Veteran trainer Boebie Solomons is the which Max Verstappen on Red Bull won ahead second and third place in the GladAfrica league. Again, lack of steadiness and a bit of inex- master tactician behind the success of Igugu le- of the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sin- perience breezed in and allowed Royal AM to kapa. Since his arrival All Stars has played better tz. Among the stars LeBron James, Jamie Foxx, Pretoria University (Tuks ) were once title snatch the tie 3-2 after Tuks had led 2-0 for the football with determination, discipline and dedi- Tom Brady and Venus Williams. Venus, who also hopefuls but faded towards the end of the cam- better part of the proceedings. Despite of all these cation. Surely, the Cape side will approach the chatted with Lewis Hamilton and Tom Brady, paign. Though, they played high line attacking setbacks, AmaTuks boast a quality team that can play-offs with the view of adding another DStv would arrive at the Miami International Circuit football they still couldn’t win matches that they go all the way and win promotion to the DStv. Premiership side into their province. However, in a public bus. could have easily won on their day. In April they Igugu lekapa and AmaTuks will learn on Satur- dropped four crucial points after one all draws They also have two technical minds in day afternoon about the relegated team from the An insider allegedly said: “Venus was with against Cape Town All Stars (away) and with Tlisane Motaung (coach) and Sammy Troughton DStv Premieship who will join in the play-offs. three friends, she was really friendly and she said JDR Stars at home before arresting the slump (Technical Director) both capable of motivating One of TS Galaxy, Swallows FC or Baroka will hello to the other passengers.” Over the weekend, with a 1-0 victory against Venda Academy FC the team when the scales are tilted wayward. join Tuks and All Stars in the play-offs. Williams was also spotted celebrating at the Red at home. The Pretoria outfit raised hopes of their Cape Town All Stars also enter the fray for their Bull Guest House, an exclusive invitation-only efforts. Igugu lekapa (Pride of Cape Town) fin- All that will be determined by the results evening held at Miami Beach’s Faena, alongside ished third behind Rich Boyz and Tuks. from their Saturday matches. TS Galaxy travel to her sister Serena Williams, Christian Horner, Qeberha to face Chippa United, while Swallows Diplo, Lele Pons and Bad Bunny. FC play cross town rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium and Baroka travel to Chatsworth Sta- Interviewed by Sky Sport, Serena said about dium to face the not so safe Maritzburg United. the Miami GP: “We love having Lewis Hamilton and all the other drivers here in Miami for the All these matches will be played on Satuday first time!” Venus Williams, close to 42 years- with a 3PM Kick-off. PSL Playoff Tournament old, could be at her last season on the WTA Tour. : Cape Town All Stars vs Unirvesity of Pretoria Sunday 29 May 15:00. University of Pretoria vs TBD 04-June 15:00. University of Pretoria Vs Cape Town All Stars 08-June 15:00. TBD vs Uni- versity of Pretoria 15 June 15:00

MIRROR SPORTWEEKLY SA Insight to connect the dots... A LORCH OF HOTTO AIR DISASTER: ORLANDO PIRATES HAVE ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME FOR THE LOSS By Ali Mphaki seemed to be evading them with the first period of FAILED TO Orlando Pirates had the Confederations Cup in extra-time concluding with the North Africans still IGNITE: Orlando the palm of their hands, but went on to lose it in the lead. Pirates star due on the lottery of penalties when they could have wrapped it in the first half of normal time. Lorch’s persistence however paid off as he of Deon Hotto provided the equaliser by expertly guiding the ball and Thembinko- Played before a partisan crowd of Nigeria fans, into the net from right at the edge of the box into si Lorch did not even a casual observer could notice that the Bucs the far corner, effectively sending the game into a live up to expec- opposition, the Moroccan side RS Berkane, was on shootout. the day more of a proverbial low hanging (orange) tations when fruit, but it was not to be. The penalties were a dramatic affair, as their team lost Berkane did not err from the spot, while Jele, Ma- 5-4 on penalties It is indeed a miscarriage that Pirates did not basa, Monare and Ofori all converted their spot- emerge victorious, having been the better of the kicks, with Lorch the only player to be denied. on Friday two sides. This meant that the Moroccan outfit would And if blame has to be put somewhere, it is the prevail in the end, claiming their second Confed Bucs technical team that should be on the ropes. Cup title, while the Buccaneers were left to rue One gets the impression that they have all the in- missed opportunities as they lost their second final gredients to bake a winning team, but they just in the competition in the space of a decade. can’t get the mix right. The loss proved to be a third time unlucky for Star player Thembinkosi Lorch may have the Buccaneers in CAF finals after falling short in scored that fortuitous goal late in extra time re- the 2013 Champions League as well as the Confed sulting in the match being decided via the penalty Cup two years later. shootout, but his performance on the day, when so much was expected of him, was uninspiring. Quoted in the media after the game, Bucs co- coach Mandla Ncikaza bemoaned the fact that Pi- The same goes for Namibian winger Deon rates should have won in normal time. Hotto, who in all fairness should have scored at least one of the several gilt edged chances he had. “The story of our season is creating so many chances and dominating the match but you just do But what will forever be a riddle wrapped in what is more important, which is putting the ball in a conundrum is why was striker Kwame Peprah the back of the net,” he said. sacrificed when there were obvious candidates like Lorch and Hotto. Pirates will have to put this final defeat be- hind them as they have a DStv Premiership clash Keeping Hotto at the expense of Peprah was against Maritzburg United on Tuesday at Orlando like punishing the ineptitude of the former on the Stadium where they are playing catch-up. latter. God willing, Pirates may be back in the Con- With both teams goalless at full time, Pirates fed Cup next season should they win all their brought on Thabang Monare at the start of extra- three remaining matches with a reasonably higher time, and the midfielder had a far-from-ideal re- scoreline to can offset Cape Town City currently turn to action as he was penalised for a foul inside at position two on the log having played all their the box, resulting in a spot-kick for the Orange 30 matches. Boys, which was converted by Youssef El-Fahli to make it 1-0. But what is patently clear from their failed African safari is that going forwards it cannot be The Buccaneers toiled for the equaliser, and it business as usual. Otherwise, it is just a lot of hot air.