Tabla de contenidos para 2025-05-18 en Sunday Tribune

South African Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, will be hoping that the third time’s a charm this coming week as he is set to deliver his Budget Speech once again, this time, without the Value Added Tax (VAT) increase. Parliament will gather and South Africans will tune in for a third time this month in relation to the country’s Budget that will be tabled on Wednesday this week, after the minister’s first attempt was thwarted as he included a hefty 2% VAT increase. Godongwana then presented his March 2025 Budget, where the VAT increase was dialled down to 1%, with 0.5% coming into effect this year and the other half in 2026. The decision was once again met with much discontent from the public and opposition political parties, with the DA,…

Hollywood's reputation for extravagant parties and hidden lives is well-known, but the federal trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has uniquely seized public interest. At the centre of the allegations are the so-called “freak off” parties, sex-fuelled events that prosecutors say were much more than private gatherings. As the 55-year-old hip-hop producer faces charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, the term “freak off” has gone from underground slang to a trending search term across social media and news platforms. But what exactly is a “freak off”, and why does it matter? A federal indictment filed in September 2024 and obtained by E! News, detailed in court during May 12 opening statements, alleges that Sean Combs organised and directed days-long,…

All eyes were on Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura as she took the witness stand on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan. The R&B singer, now 38 and heavily pregnant with baby number three with husband Alex Fine, recounted the turbulent and tumultuous decade she spent in a relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs, the high-profile music mogul now facing serious allegations of sex trafficking. During her emotional testimony, Ventura detailed years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse, painting a portrait of a relationship marked by manipulation and control. On day one on the stand, Ventura testified that Combs had a hand in nearly every aspect of her life, from her finances to her music career, and even her personal choices. Her accusations included…

Trade not Afrikaner refugees high on SA president’s agenda While the emigration of a group of Afrikaners to the US under the guise of escaping genocide is likely to feature, it will not be the primary focus when President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with his counterpart President Donald Trump this week. Ramaphosa was mostly prepared to engage Trump on economic and trade issues, but was aware that the issue of his government taking the Israeli administration to the International Court of Justice might come up strongly during the discussions at the White House. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the president did not see the Afrikaner refugee matter as important, as it “does not define US-South Africa relations.” The president and several ministers will travel to Washington, D C, from tomorrow…

LIONS Goliath and Coralie lived more than a decade in a cramped, bare circus cage on the back of a truck, touring France. Now, thanks to new regulations aimed at ending the use of wild animals in circuses, the doting pair of lions are on their way to the land of their ancestors at Animal Defenders International’s Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa, with the freedom to roam, run, play, and snooze under African skies. Goliath and Coralie will be on a flight to South Africa on Tuesday, May 20 Animal Defenders International (ADI) has been urgently raising the funds to relocate the animals and cover the costs of their lifetime care when, Qatar Airways Cargo this week offered to fly the lions to their new life for free. The…

Childline KZN welcomes sentencing of mother Director of Childline in KwaZulu-Natal, Adeshni Naicker, welcomed the sentencing of a KwaZulu-Natal mother who murdered her 3-year-old daughter in May 2022. This week, the Durban High Court sentenced a 35-year-old woman to 20 years’ direct imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to the assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and murder of her daughter. Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, the regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority said the accused stated in court that she met a woman on social media who offered to foster the deceased for her, and she agreed. Ramkisson-Kara said that the deceased had stayed with the foster mother for three years. During this time, the accused married the father of her youngest child. The man, who resides in the UK,…

Pietermaritzburg was infested with drugs fuelled by the inadequate prosecutions in courts and a backlog in the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). The SAPS’s acting station commander Thulani Masikane, in KwaZulu-Natal’s capital city, made the remarks at the Msunduzi Municipality’s draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and budget for the 2025/26 financial year consultations held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall yesterday. Msunduzi Municipality Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla, called for residents, businesses and all stakeholders to submit inputs and have their say on service delivery, development programmes and projects in the municipality. Several residents in the meeting spoke about the drug issue in the city and communities. They said nothing was done to address the issue. In March this year, Ian Cameron, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, visited the lab…

Ian Wyles Auctioneers is featuring two industrial properties that will go under the hammer during their multi-property auction on May 28 at 11am at the Oyster Box Hotel, 2 Lighthouse Road, uMhlanga Rocks. The first is a prime industrial opportunity – 2 and 4 New Road, Canelands, Verulam. The two individual erven are situated within a dynamic industrial hub, strategically located approximately 8km south of King Shaka International Airport and offering good connectivity for logistics and distribution operations. The locality benefits from excellent transport links, including the R102 main arterial road and the M27, facilitating easy access to the N2 national freeway. This connectivity ensures swift routes to Durban’s port, the airport, and other commercial centres. The area’s industrial zoning supports a range of activities, including warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution.…

Immigration, asylum and refugee status have become controversial global issues and affect the politics of many countries. US President Trump’s decision to grant refugee status to Afrikaners is unique and makes a general political statement about South Africa. In only one other country this issue has emerged. At three different points in time, South African families applied for refugee status in Canada. The first one was granted in 2009 but revoked in 2014, the second one was in 2010, when their asylum application was denied but refugee status later granted, and in 2016 when their refugee status was also denied. The grounds on which refugee status is claimed are in all cases the same – the physical security situation is regarded as a threat to their lives, and it is…

Crystal Palace stunned Manchester City yesterday to win the FA Cup for the first time as Eberechi Eze sealed a 1-0 victory that piled on the misery for Pep Guardiola’s troubled side. Eze’s early strike rocked City before Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saved Omar Marmoush’s penalty late in the first half of a dramatic final at Wembley. While Eze’s clinical finish was the culmination of his remarkable rise from rejection by Arsenal, Fulham and Millwall as a youngster, it was Henderson who emerged as Palace’s hero with a series of superb saves. City will protest that Henderson should have been sent off for a first-half handball outside his penalty area. But Henderson made the most of that controversial moment to ensure Palace clinched the first major trophy in their 120-year…

It is a disaster. That is how John Dobson, the Stormers’ director of rugby, labelled the red card Damian Willemse received in Friday’s victory over Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship (URC) in Cape Town. While the home side won 34-24 after a try in the final 10 minutes of the duel, they paid a heavy price, with Willemse now on a path to missing the quarter-finals after his head-high tackle in the build-up to a try. Willemse and winger Leolin Zas tackled a Cardiff player, with the fullback coming in as the secondary defender. However, he was upright and made contact with the head of the ball-carrier, leaving the referee no choice but to issue a red card. His fate will now be in the hands of a disciplinary…

Chelsea ensured that qualification for the Champions League remains in their own hands as Marc Cucurella’s winner beat Manchester United 1-0 to climb to fourth in the Premier League. United are gearing up for next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham but ran the Blues close as Ruben Amorim named a stronger line-up than expected. However, the Red Devils ultimately slipped to an 18th league defeat of the season and remain 16th in the table. Chelsea and Aston Villa, who beat Spurs 2-0 in Friday night’s other Premier League match, both leapfrog Manchester City into the top five. City have a game in hand at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday as they faced Crystal Palace in yesterday’s FA Cup final. But Chelsea will be assured of a return to Europe’s…

South Africa’s national under-20 team will face Morocco in the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final at the Cairo International Stadium today at 8pm, with the chance to lift the trophy for the first time. This will be the second meeting between the two nations in a final after Morocco edged South Africa 1-0 in 1997. That remains the only U20 Afcon title Morocco have ever won, while Amajita have yet to lift the crown – making this an opportunity 28 years in the making. The road to the final has been challenging after losing their opening match of the tournament, but the response has been gutsy under the guidance of head coach Raymond Mdaka. His young squad reached the decider after edging out fierce rivals Nigeria 1-0 in…

Reality cooking competition contestant Kershnie Govender will be taking traditional dishes, especially from her Indian roots, and giving them a fresh, flavorful twist to impress the judges. Govender, from Port Shepstone on KZN’s South Coast, is among the 10 contestants on The Taste Master SA on SABC2. The cooking competition reality show returned on Tuesday for a sixth season. Renowned chef and TV personality Zola Nene returns as a judge. With her culinary expertise, she will mentor the contestants through a series of cooking challenges. Joining Nene in each episode are a rotating panel of guest judges, including her mother, Bongekile Nene, chef Anwar Abdullatief, as well as Daniel Blignaut and Nathan Clarke. Govender, who runs a catering business, said she entered to challenge herself and grow beyond her comfort…

Veteran actor Boman Irani marked a proud milestone in his career as he made his debut at the Cannes Film Festival 2025. Representing Indian cinema on the global stage, the acclaimed actor described the moment as “an honour beyond words,” reflecting his deep pride and gratitude for the opportunity. Irani is gearing up for his first-ever appearance at the esteemed 78th Cannes Film Festival with Tanvi: The Great, directed by Anupam Kher. The film’s selection for Cannes marks a significant achievement in Irani’s celebrated career, which spans more than 20 years. Speaking about his Cannes debut, Irani said: “To be at Cannes, representing Indian cinema on such a prestigious global platform with a film as heartfelt as Tanvi: The Great, is an honour beyond words. “Playing Raza Saab, a musical…

As WE mark 2025 Africa Day under the African Union’s theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”, the conversation must evolve beyond apologies, acknow- ledgements and symbolism. Reparative justice demands capital – real, sustained and strategic financial commitment. Without it, justice risks becoming little more than rhetoric. The moral case is long established. Centuries of slavery, colonialism, and racial extraction built Western wealth while impoverishing the African continent. These were not passive injustices, but deliberate systems of economic dispossession. The legacies remain: weakened institutions, broken infrastructure and generational poverty. Reparations are not charity. They are overdue investments in rebuilding what was systematically plundered. The AU’s proposal to establish a Global Reparations Fund is a visionary step toward shifting the conversation from grievance to economic strategy. However,…

Once upon a time, the world of fashion was ruled by glamorous bags and statement shoes, but in a twist that has both surprised and delighted, the spotlight has shifted to a new and unlikely accessory: books. With A-listers like Timothée Chalamet, Dua Lipa, and Bella Hadid embracing the literary world, literature is staging a remarkable comeback, solidifying its place as the finest accessory of our time. These days, it seems that to be truly “in”, you need to be clutching a good read. The rise of celebrity book clubs, with powerhouses like Reese Witherspoon leading the charge alongside Lipa, has added to this burgeoning trend, rekindling a collective appreciation for the written word as something more than mere entertainment. It’s become a cultural phenomenon, likened to a new era…

NEVER in the history of democratic South Africa has so few caused so much pain to so many and with impunity. The preposterous saga of a minority of Afrikaners who this week flew to the US under the utterly false pretence of escaping persecution has pooh-poohed Mandela’s dream of a South Africa for all races regardless of history. My great comrade and fellow writer, Gillian Schutte, captured it all so well when she posted on X: “This is not the Great Trek of wagons and rifles. It is the soft trek of displaced entitlement. Just the silent movement of whiteness away from discomfort and toward reabsorption into a global order that still centres it.” Phew! President Cyril Ramaphosa has been at pains attempting to convince the President Donald Trump administration…

THE economic activities spurred by Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, from event infrastructure and logistics to accommodation, restaurants and local transport services, have significantly surpassed initial projections. The direct economic impact of Africa’s Travel Indaba on Durban’s GDP is estimated at R574 million, with direct spending totalling more than R232 million, highlighting the substantial economic benefits. Additionally, the event created over 2 000 jobs, particularly for the youth and local communities, with an anticipated household income contribution exceeding R140 million. Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, themed ‘Unlimited Africa’, hosted more than 9 967 attendees, marking an impressive 7.4% increase, compared to 9 280 delegates who attended in 2024. The event attracted 1 348 exhibitors and 1 037 buyers, with both exhibitor and international buyer numbers being the highest recorded in the past…

THE old Durban City Council used to recognise owners – both public and private – who restored and preserved buildings of historic and architectural importance. Each year from 1986 until about 2000 when it petered out, the council honoured those owners with a brass Conservation Award for bringing an ailing building back to life. Today, ironically, numerous buildings belonging to eThekwini are now ailing through neglect. In 1994, one of the 13 winners was the home of Nesan and Suren Pather at 69 Wills Road, near Warwick Triangle. Described as a “charming Union period house which has been lovingly preserved,” the Heritage Green and terracotta colour scheme has been chosen by Nesan Pather. The first owner of the house was probably Mr T Oxley, as assistant linesman with the Durban…

UKRAINE'S Head of State’s visit to South Africa heralded a move in the right direction for potential negotiations to maintain peace and security of its people and natural resources. Although the Ukrainian diplomatic visit did not matter much to Russia, the US did not seem pleased because it continued to increase tariffs against South Africa. Withdrawing USAID from South Africa, the American administration seemed oblivious and unsympathetic to the plight of HIV-afflicted patients and the subsequent domino effect. A few months before, South Africa sought to maintain peace and security in the Middle East when it brought an action at the International Court of Justice in support of Palestinians, asserting that apartheid is a crime against humanity, and that genocide, as is acknowledged by all modern nations today. Much has…

AT the age of 38, many athletes are way past it. Not so Elroy Gelant, who is epitomising the saying ‘ageing like fine wine’ by producing performances that far belies his age. His recent run at the Hamburg Marathon catapulted him into national hero status, and ensured that his legacy will outlive him. Granted, records are there to be broken, and his 2:05:36 that improved Gert Thys’ long-standing mark from 1999 by 57 seconds will be bettered in time. The man himself is realistic enough to acknowledge that much. “I think there’s something more in the pocket, and not just for me individually. I think that we as South Africans have the ability to run faster and get to that 2:04 or 2:03 world standard,” Gelant told Independent Media. It…

World No 1 Jannik Sinner produced a sublime semi-final display as he fought back from a set down to beat American Tommy Paul 1-6 6-0 6-3 on Friday night to set up an Italian Open final showdown with Carlos Alcaraz today. Sinner ended a 47-year wait for an Italian to reach the men’s singles final in Rome after Adriano Panatta lost the title match to Bjorn Borg in 1978. Serving first, 11th seed Paul stunned the crowd and went up 5-0 in the first set against Sinner, who approached the clash on a career-best 25-match winning streak. But the Italian top seed, making his comeback this week after serving a three-month doping ban, kept his cool and orchestrated a stunning comeback in the second. He delivered a bagel, giving his…

SPIN-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy is one of the 15 players who have made the Proteas squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s next month. South Africa will face Australia for the first time in the Test end cycle, and will be up against a side that are currently ranked No 1 in the world in the ICC Test rankings. In an exclusive interview with Independent Media, Muthusamy reiterated their excitement about testing themselves against the world’s best team and players. “We always want to test ourselves against some of the best teams and players in the world. “It’s going to be an awesome test for each and every one of us,” Muthusamy said. “To be part of the Test squad is incredible, and to be part…

Bollywood actress Genelia Desh- mukh has shared her experience of working with Aamir Khan in the much- anticipated film Sitaare Zameen Par. Calling the collaboration “incredibly special,” she expressed her excitement about being part of a project that reunites her with meaningful cinema and a powerhouse performer like Khan. Speaking about the film, she said: “Collaborating with Aamir Khan Productions after all these years feels incredibly special. This role is unlike anything I’ve done before. It’s emotional, layered, and deeply human. I’m truly grateful for the love the trailer has received, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience the film.” In the film, Deshmukh takes on a brief yet impactful role as Khan’s love interest. The film also stars 10 debutant actors: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai,…

Sustainable travel, also called responsible or eco-friendly travel, is all about exploring the world in a way that’s kind to the planet and the people who live there. It’s about cutting down on things like pollution and overcrowding, and avoiding practices that harm local cultures. Instead, it focuses on helping local communities and making sure tourism has a positive impact. The big idea is to protect nature, celebrate local traditions, and support small businesses, so that travel stays awesome for us and for future generations. The tourism industry is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, especially through air travel. Also, popular destinations often face the consequences of over-tourism, where too many visitors put a strain on local infrastructure, nature and residents. Sustainable travel helps: Preserve natural habitats and biodiversity.…

When one thinks of a tropical paradise, often the images of the Maldives or the Caribbean spring to mind. However, Africa is home to numerous hidden gem islands waiting to be explored, each with its unique charm, stunning landscapes and rich cultures. These islands not only offer relaxation and beautiful beaches but also abundant opportunities for adventure and immersion into local traditions. For those looking to travel off the beaten path, here are some of Africa’s most enchanting islands, where your next exotic getaway awaits. An untouched jewel in the Gulf of Guinea: São Tomé and Príncipe Nestled off the western coast of Africa, São Tomé and Príncipe is an island nation comprised of two main islands and several smaller islets. The islands are celebrated for their untouched beauty, featuring…

Social media is abuzz with talk of The Royals on Netflix. Curious about the high praise, I decided to binge the eight-part series while recuperating from a severe flu. Echoing the allure of Bridgerton, this series delves into the captivating history of a royal family, revealing hidden love affairs, concealed family truths, and monetary difficulties. The plot, while simple and lacking significant depth, serves as a platform for the talented cast to inject considerable energy and dynamism into the narrative. Admittedly, I wasn’t bowled over after two episodes, but I put aside my misgivings and continued. And I’m glad I did. The series and the characters grow on you. Episode one plays out like the pages of a Mills & Boon novel: a dreamy guy, shirt open, showcasing his chiselled…

You’re eating clean, sticking to your workout routine, and doing everything “right”. Yet, somehow, that stubborn belly fat just won’t seem to budge. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many people, especially those juggling busy lifestyles, are unknowingly sabotaging their weight-loss goals not because of their diet or exercise habits, but because of stress. When life gets overwhelming, whether it’s work deadlines, family responsibilities, or financial pressures, your body activates its stress response. This response involves releasing a hormone called cortisol, also known as the “stress hormone.” Cortisol is essential for survival, helping your body manage short-term stress by increasing energy levels and regulating blood sugar. However, chronic stress causes cortisol levels to remain elevated over time, which can wreak havoc on your health. One of the most noticeable side…

UNITED States President Donald Trump and his followers often speak of “making America great again,” but for whom is this greatness intended? America has never been truly great for the descendants of enslaved Africans, whose forced labour helped build that nation’s wealth. Ironically, the biggest threat to America’s domestic peace comes not from foreign forces but from white supremacist organisations, many of which Trump appealed to during his 2016 campaign. His election was seen as a white working-class revolt. A Pew Research study found that two-thirds of white voters without college degrees supported Trump, the highest proportion since 1980. His slogan, “Make America Great Again”, resonates with older Americans, particularly older white voters, many of whom hold conservative values while also advocating for the preservation of public benefits. Yet, America…

As the countdown to the tabling of what is known as the “3.0 Budget” begins, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is under immense pressure to address a gaping R75-billion budget shortfall. This marks his third attempt at presenting a Budget in over two months, raising expectations and apprehensions alike. Economist Dawie Roodt said the minister would make sure that, this time, he had the DA’s support before he delivers the Budget on Wednesday. “It will be irresponsible for the Minister of Finance to go into Parliament without the DA’s support. You must get the buy-in of your most important coalition partner, and that of course, is the DA,” Roodt said. He said, with the VAT increases now scrapped, he did not expect the proposed additional food items to be zero-rated. However,…

THE international debate over the so-called “white genocide” narrative has reached a new and volatile phase with the announcement that President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House next week. This high-stakes diplomatic engagement comes on the heels of the US granting asylum to the first group of 49 white Afrikaners, a move that has sent shockwaves through both South African and global political circles. This persistent myth of “white genocide” in South Africa represents one of the most pernicious and deliberately manufactured falsehoods circulating in global digital spaces today. This malicious fabrication, which claims that white South Africans face systematic, racially-motivated extermination, has been repeatedly debunked by credible researchers, fact-checking organisations, and South Africa’s crime statistics. Yet despite overwhelming evidence exposing its falsity, the…

IN OCTOBER 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the two Houses of Parliament during the State of the Nation Address. In that meeting, he announced Operation Vulindlela with the view to boosting the country’s ailing economy and to addressing other pertinent issues. Five years down the line, the question arises: Has this programme achieved its intended goal? Put differently, is there anything to celebrate with this programme? Before answering these questions, it is important to understand what Operation Vulindlela entails. In a nutshell, this is a joint initiative between the Office of the President and National Treasury. It is overseen by David Masondo, the Deputy Minister of Finance, who reports directly to Ramaphosa. The programme’s primary objective is to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms to support South Africa’s economic recovery.…

RUSSIAN influence in the Sahel region has been on the rise since the coup wave of recent years. The junta leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger who seized power in 2021, 2022, and 2023 respectively, wasted little time in severing relations with their erstwhile coloniser, France, while embracing Russia. In 2022, Mali terminated the French-led Operation Barkhane, which saw about 2 400 French troops withdrawing from the country as the Assimi Goita-led military junta argued that the operation had not been effective in its 10-year battle against the Islamist insurgency. His counterparts, Ibrahim Traore in Burkina Faso and Abdourahamane Tchiani in Niger followed suit, kicking out French troops out of their countries in 2023 – citing their failure to stamp out jihadist insurgencies. Public rallies were organised in Niger…

Richards Bay ensured another season in the top-flight with a goalless draw in the KwaZulu-Natal derby against Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi yesterday. The Natal Rich Boyz reached the 30-point mark and remained in 11th place on the Premiership standings, but saved their status with one more game of the season to go. Abafana Bes’thende, on the other hand, took a huge knock towards their bid to ensure safety, with results in other matches going against them. Cape Town City’s 2-0 win over Polokwane City mean the Western Cape side moved to within a point of Arrows, who occupy 13th spot on the log. Richards Bay finally brought the curtain down on their home fixtures as they entertained the visit of fellow KZN outfit Arrows. Coach…

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them, according to William Shakespeare. South Africa’s latest one-lap sensation, Leendert Koekemoer, falls into the latter category. And those marvelling at his achievements in helping South Africa to gold in the 4x400m at the Athletics World Relays in Guangzhou, China last weekend can scarcely believe that he is still only 17. But while their endorsement will mean a lot, there is one person who had a front-row seat to the young sprinter’s historic achievement, and has been added to a growing list of admirers. The plaudits were already assured for established 400m star Zakithe Nene, when he collected the baton from the teenager on the anchor leg and stormed to gold in a world lead 2:57.50, trimming…

Mikel Arteta is willing to break Arsenal’s transfer budget in a bid to land a star striker to spearhead their Premier League title challenge next season. Arteta’s side have now gone five years without a trophy as they approach the end of a frustrating campaign marred by injuries to key forwards Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. That trio, as well as influential midfielder Martin Odegaard, all missed substantial chunks of the season as Arsenal failed to keep pace with Premier League champions Liverpool before losing the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. A new striker is top of Arteta’s wish-list, with Havertz, who has not played for almost four months, still the club’s top scorer in the league with just nine goals. Arsenal are believed to have at…

The Bulls, with their scrum at the forefront, were way too strong for the Dragons yesterday as they surged to a comfortable 55-15 victory in their final round-robin United Rugby Championship (URC) match. In front of a sparse crowd at Loftus Versfeld, the Pretoria side entertained with their overall performance and produced a strong display up front, coupled with some nifty attacking in the backline to run their opponents to pieces. They scored nine tries and secured second place on the URC log with the win. The Bulls, commemorating the legacy of former player Cornal Hendricks, who passed away this week, played some brilliant rugby. Apart from the first 10 minutes after halftime, they made their visitors look like an ordinary side right through the duel. Those 10 minutes, where…

Rivanya Naidoo is a name that has recently begun to turn heads in the South African lifestyle and content creation scene. With a journey that began in July 2023, following her relocation from Durban to Johannesburg, Naidoo, 27, has transitioned from a career in finance to becoming a social media marketer and an engaging content creator. Her journey exemplifies passion, personal growth, and the beauty of embracing change. But what prompted this unexpected pivot? Naidoo’s inspiration was rooted in her newfound experiences in Johannesburg. Following a move with her now-husband, she began documenting their adventures – from hidden gems in the city to delightful culinary escapades. “To my surprise, people responded positively to my content,” she recalls. This encouragement catalysed her decision to delve deeper into the world of content…

Superstar Ajay Devgn launched the Hindi trailer of Karate Kid: Legends along with his son Yug in Mumbai this week. The father-son duo have come together for the first time to collaborate on an international film. While Ajay Devgn has lent his voice to the character of Mr Han (played by Jackie Chan), Yug has made his debut as the voice of Li Fong (played by Ben Wang). Their real-life bond adds emotional resonance to the film’s central theme, the relationship between a mentor and his protégé. Yug’s passion for the franchise, natural charisma and voice impact made him a fitting choice to carry forward the Karate Kid legacy for a new generation of Indian audiences. This also marks Ajay’s first-ever voice-over for an international film in his illustrious career,…

Zeenat Aman rediscovers love for cinema Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has opened up about how her latest project, Netflix’s The Royals, helped her reconnect with her passion for cinema. Reflecting on her journey back to the screen, she shared that the experience reminded her of the joy and purpose she once found in acting. Aman, who made a royal return as Maji, said: “When I read the script, I knew The Royals had heart. “But what’s truly special is how the audience has connected with it – especially the younger generation. It reminds me of why I fell in love with cinema in the first place.” Aman plays the role of Maji Sahiba – the regal matriarch of a royal family entangled in palace politics and contemporary scandals. The Royals,…

As South Africa celebrates Africa Month, the continent’s vast potential for growth and opportunity has come to the forefront, particularly in the realm of tourism. This sentiment was echoed by SA’s Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille, during her welcome address at the Africa Travel Indaba, which was held in Durban this week. De Lille underscored the significance of the event, noting that the strong attendance of delegates from across the continent signifies Africa’s readiness to lead, innovate and inspire within the global tourism landscape. According to a recent report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the African tourism sector witnessed a dramatic recovery in 2024, achieving a remarkable 96% recovery rate to levels observed in 2019. This resurgence has positioned Africa among the fastest-growing regional tourism destinations worldwide, an…