The development of small business in South Africa is extremely important as small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of economic development in emerging markets such as India, South Africa, Kenya and Colombia, where these enterprises contribute up to 40% of national gross domestic product.

SMEs in these nations developed at different speeds during recent years, with countries such as Brazil joining economic powerhouses like the UK and America in topping the list of countries with the largest new business growth.

“These inspiring examples are key learning opportunities for South African small businesses,” says Mark Paper, chief operation officer at Business Partners Limited.

ALSO READ: State of small businesses in South Africa shows how important they are to the country

The three-pronged approach to sector development

Paper uses the success of India’s IT industry as an example of how strategic positioning and long-term planning can reap huge dividends for the country and its people.

During the early 1990s, India experienced a ‘brain drain’ in its fledgling IT industry, with local talent emigrating to other markets.

This loss of key talent served as a prompt for key decision-makers to boost investment into building new capacities. For India, an intervention at school-level education was identified as a possible solution.

Therefore, government poured resources into encouraging young children to pursue careers in IT and technology-related fields.

Today, India is a global technology hub, producing between 600 000 and 800 000 tertiary IT graduates per year, according to Bombay-listed software and services giant, Zensar Technologies.

“India’s success in this arena cannot be attributed to the state acting alone but rather to the collaborative efforts of multiple stakeholders in civil society, education, training and development, career development and the corporate realm.”

He says true impact for small business development requires the cooperation and collaboration of the golden tripartite: the public sector, the private sector and the South African public.

“Our country is well-positioned to follow India’s lead, albeit in the broader context of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), but more investment needs to flow in from multiple directions.”

State-led interventions to encourage education-driven initiatives are important, he says, but points out that the private sector must employ these graduates at scale.

“This also needs the backing of civil society, which plays a crucial role as the parents and caregivers of young talent in promoting STEM education and equipping young people with the tools they need to succeed in these areas.”

ALSO READ: Energy crisis a ‘thorn in the side’ of small business

Policies targeted at achieving specific, measurable goals

Paper says one of the cornerstones of Brazil’s success as a country with a thriving SME sector is the measurability of its policies.

According to a report published by leading South African researcher and journalist, Stephen Timm in recent years, Brazil’s planning ministry focused on fostering a more enabling environment for entrepreneurship.

These efforts were backed by strong policy reforms, such as mandated, governmental ‘set-asides’ or large portions of the state’s procurement bill that are allocated for small firms. Under articles 42 to 49 of Lei Geral, all governmental tenders of up to US $80 000 (about R260 000) in value must be granted to SMEs.

“However, the process of these policy changes and their implementation are measured closely. Policymakers are held to account according to measurable targets on the number of loans offered to SMEs on an annual basis, the number of small businesses registered as taxpayers and supported in fulfilling their obligations and the number of SMEs supporting key industries such as export and manufacturing.”

Paper says this approach is conducive to creating an environment where policymakers can be held to account for the implementation of their policies – one in which “we do what we say we are going to do and we remain open to exploring what we can do better”.

ALSO READ: 2023 promises plenty of challenges and opportunities for small businesses

Leveraging financial technology

You cannot consider small business development without touching on solutions to its greatest challenge. Research conducted by Business Partners Limited for its quarterly SME Confidence Index indicated that access to finance is one of the biggest and most prevalent hurdles to success in South Africa.

Mexico provides a key learning opportunity of how non-bank financial institutions and fintech startups can work together to fill this gap and provide SMEs with greater access to funding, Paper says.

Mexican financial leasing firm and direct SME lender Mega is leading the charge in the financial sector by offering finance to the ‘unbanked’ and under-served constituent of SMEs that are not regarded as part of the formal sector.

Paper says Mega and its non-bank counterparts in Mexico hold another invaluable lesson for South Africans.

“Our local entrepreneurship base is alive with talent and our entrepreneurs are hungry for innovation. In fintech, we find a viable solution to how we can leapfrog other emerging markets and harness our drive to succeed by advocating for greater financial inclusion.”

Providing more non-traditional financing solutions for SMMEs, particularly on a micro scale should not be seen as a goal in isolation, he says.

“Fintech innovators should rather frame their efforts within the broader imperative of sustainability, a crucial part of which involves social justice and equality. This is what investors, corporate decision-makers and the government want to see more of.”

The updated Toyota Fortuner is a classic example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.

Watch the updated Toyota Fortuner

Seven years into its life cycle, Toyota has refreshed South Africa’s favourite medium SUV for the second time by virtue of subtle yet distinctive tweaks of which most are exterior styling enhancements.

The refreshed seven-seater Toyota Fortuner sports a sharper and more aggressive image through black trapezoidal foglamp housings in the front bumper and L-shaped reflector inserts in the rear bumper.

The black front upper mesh grille has been made flatter while the inflated lower aperture now sits on a grey contrast skidplate.

Headlights on 2.8-litre models feature a new “waterfall” LED line guide signature, while 2.4-litre variants have adopted the LED headlamps from the previous 2.8-litre models.

At the rear, the familiar chrome strip connecting the taillights has made way for piano black treatment, while all models will ride on the same new two-tone 18-inch wheels.

ALSO READ: Toyota Hilux and Fortuner rule the pre-owned market

Bi-tone paintwork

Platinum Pearl White paintwork is now standard across the range, with 2.8-litre models offered in bi-tone colour option. This sees the pairing of a black roof, plus spoiler, garnish, outer mirror housings and shark fin antenna with the Platinum Pearl White exterior.

A leather interior is standard across the Toyota Fortuner range, with 2.8-litre variants offered in new dual-tone colour palette which is made up of black and maroon.

All 2.8-litre models also feature revised instrument clusters, USB points for rear passengers and dual-zone climate control. In addition, VX gets panoramic view monitor with selectable view and 11-speaker JBL sound system.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Hilux GR-S gives Ranger and Isuzu a bloody nose

The powertrains have been kept unchanged. The 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel GD-6 variants produce 110 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. The 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbodiesel mill is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

A rear differential lock is standard across the Toyota Fortuner range, with all 4×4 models equipped with low-range transfer cases for enhanced off-road ability.

ALSO READ: WATCH: New Toyota Fortuner shows face ahead of Mzansi launch

Safe as a house

Standard safety features include smart entry system, ABS with EBD, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill-assist control and trailer sway control.

Reserved for 2.8-litre models are the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driving assistance technologies, which in includes lane keeping system with land departure alert, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and a brake-synchronised pre-crash system.

2.8 4×4 variants are also equipped with downhill assist control.

The updated Toyota Fortuner sold standard with a the three-year/100 000 km warranty and a nine-services/90 000km service plan.

Toyota Fortuner Pricing

• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB – R653 500
• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 RB AT – R677 500
• Fortuner 2.4 GD-6 4×4 AT – R709 800
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 RB AT – R794 600
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 AT – R873 500
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX AT – R837 800
• Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 VX 4×4 AT – R897 000

ALSO READ: Toyota teases new Tacoma again with cheeky swipe at patent leaks

Watch more videos from The Citizen Motoring

The Stormers, Sharks and Bulls are all primed and ready for their huge Champions Cup knockout clashes against Harlequins, Munster and Toulouse respectively on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday the Stormers welcome Harlequins to the Cape Town Stadium (kick-off 4pm), while the Sharks host Munster at Kings Park (kick-off 1:30pm), with the Bulls then in action against Toulouse in France on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 4pm).

ALSO READ: ‘A big ask but an incredible occasion’ – Jake White on Toulouse match

South Africa’s top franchise the Stormers will be eager to put in a big performance in their last 16 clash as they look to reach the quarterfinal stage of the Champions Cup at the first time of asking.

In their inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) season they came up trumps, and in their first Champions Cup campaign they will be keen to progress as far as possible to back that up.

Coach John Dobson is however wary of the threat posed by Harlequins, who play a similar kind of game to them and have a number of internationals in their set-up.

“If they get quick ball and click in our conditions, they can put us under real pressure defensively. I just hope they don’t click,” explained Dobson.

“I saw them put 40 points on Exeter a couple of weeks ago. I think they deserve enormous credit for the type of rugby they play. To play rugby like this in English conditions the way they do, it’s amazing.

“It is a high-risk game and some days it doesn’t happen for them. But to play this style in south-west London, it’s great for rugby.

“Harlequins are a good team, they have two international props. There’s the English axis at halfback with (centre) Andre Esterhuizen who was the Players’ Player of the Season in the Premiership last season. So there are a couple of reasons to keep the expectations in check.”

Tricky Challenge

For the Sharks they face a tricky challenge from fellow URC side Munster, who will know them well after two seasons in the competition.

The Sharks have been on a terrible run of form recently but they will hope that their returning Springboks, who struggled in their first match back against Scarlets last weekend, will be a lot sharper against the Irish giants.

The visitors have been in top URC form but head into the match off of a loss, and the Sharks will be considered slight favourites in home conditions and should be able to win if their Bok stars fire.

The Bulls face the biggest challenge of the weekend as they take on French giants Toulouse in their home conditions.

The Bulls have been in poor form of late and come up against a side in top form, who are currently topping the French Top 14 log, and it would take a mammoth performance and upset for the SA side to come away from France with a win.

The Catholic Church took a fresh step on Thursday in acknowledging abuse endured by indigenous peoples with the Vatican formally rejecting 15th century papal edicts that empowered Europeans to colonise non-Christian lands.

During a trip to Canada last July, Pope Francis faced repeated calls to rescind the so-called Doctrine of Discovery, which was used to justify abuses against indigenous peoples, mostly in the Americas, who were viewed as inferior.

‘Not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church’

Campaigners drew a direct link between the doctrine and decades of 20th century abuse of the country’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit people at Catholic-run schools – described by Francis as “genocide”.

Rejection of the papal edicts “is immense,” said Canadian Senator Michele Audette, who is indigenous, adding that “for many of us, we have been asking for it for decades.”

ALSO READ: Vatican seeks to clarify Pope’s stance on Ukraine

On Thursday, two Vatican departments insisted that despite being based on papal bulls, the doctrine was “not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church”.

They stated that “the contents of these documents were manipulated for political purposes by competing colonial powers in order to justify immoral acts against indigenous peoples that were carried out, at times, without opposition from ecclesiastical authorities”.

One 1455 edict by Pope Nicholas V granted Portugal’s king the right to “invade, search out, capture, vanquish and subdue all Saracens and pagans”, according to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

“It is only just to recognise these errors, acknowledge the terrible effects of the assimilation policies and the pain experienced by indigenous peoples, and ask for pardon,” the Vatican said.

ALSO READ: Vatican defends ex-pope Benedict’s record on abuse cases

It concluded: “The Catholic Church therefore repudiates those concepts that fail to recognise the inherent human rights of indigenous peoples, including what has become known as the legal and political ‘doctrine of discovery’.”

Trauma

For nearly a century until the 1990s, Canada’s government sent some 150 000 indigenous children into Church-run residential schools, where they were cut off from their families, language and culture. The goal was to stamp out their indigenous identity.

On top of the trauma of separation, many children endured physical and sexual abuse, and thousands are believed to have died of disease, malnutrition or neglect.

ALSO READ: Europe rights court rejects child sex abuse case against Vatican

This “concerns all indigenous people of the world,” said Jean-Francois Roussel, professor at the University of Montreal’s Institute of Religious Studies.

“This is probably the last chapter in the era of words. Now action must follow,” he said, referring to financial compensation, support and cultural revitalisation projects that he said must be strengthened.

Government’s 7.5% salary increase offer is spitting in the faces of public sector workers, with the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) saying it’s far below the Consumer Price Index and the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) calling it a “mischievously misleading deal”.

Despite unions representing more than 53% of the public service’s over 1.2 million workers accepting the offer and claiming it as victory, labour analyst Mamokgethi Molopyane said 7.5% was nowhere near a victory compared to their list of demands.

ALSO READ: Nehawu won’t sign new public sector wage deal

“It’s not a win, but it’s an agreeable offer. There are many concessions that had to be made regarding some of the issues they raised,” Molopyane said.

“But because government has high expenditure, there was no way they would have received a higher offer than what is tabled.”

Govt’s offer misleading

Nehawu national spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi said government was effectively giving workers 2.8% in new money, which was worse than last year’s 3%.

“As a union, our mandate was to fight the 2022-23 dispute, which culminated in us embarking on a public service strike,” Nkolozi said.

“On 14 March, a settlement agreement was reached and the strike was suspended. The settlement agreement was that there would be an augmentation on the 3% that government had unilaterally implemented. But a few days later the government reneged on that agreement.”

ALSO READ: Health worker protest: Death toll climbs as court interdicts strike

Nkolozi said government was misleading workers with its offer, “due to the fact that government is taking the gratuity money that workers have been getting into the salary baseline, it’s not new money. The only new money is 2.8% . The offer is putting workers in a far worse position,” he added.

‘Government tabling 3% as a new offer’

Saftu national spokesperson Trevor Shaku said it was important for workers to understand the intricacies “to unmask the misleading presentation of this offer to the public servants”.

“In this wage offer for 2023/24, the government is tabling a 3% as a new offer. The 4.5% is merely a carry-over of the cash gratuity paid to workers since 2021,” he explained.

“The only difference now is that it is being translated from a non-pensionable cash-gratuity into a pensionable salary on the baseline.

ALSO READ: The end product of Nehawu strike is certainly not one they can be proud of

“In the past, we have argued that workers must reject the cash-gratuity primarily because it was stalling the wage increases for a multi-term period, and it was inflicting losses on the pensions of workers.”

The Public Servants Association’s Reuben Maleka said they have opted to participate in the wage negotiations to mitigate the risk of public servants not receiving an increase in the 2023/24-financial year.

“In addition, public servants could be further negatively impacted if the cash gratuity ended without another agreement in place,” he said.

– reitumetsem@citizen.co.za

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan was yesterday cleared “on the balance of probabilities” of using racist language before a match for county club Yorkshire in 2009.

The 2005 Ashes-winning captain was alleged to have used the term “you lot” when referring to a group of four players of South Asian ethnicity, including Pakistan-born Azeem Rafiq.

A Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) report said it was “not satisfied on the balance of probabilities” that Vaughan spoke the words he was alleged to have used. But it added that its findings “do not in any way undermine the wider assertions” made by Rafiq, who told lawmakers in November 2021 that English cricket was “institutionally racist”.

ALSO READ: Baseless allegations undermine consensus needed to confront genuine cases of racism

In its concluding remarks the CDC report said: “This is not a case which necessitated a conclusion from the panel that anyone has lied or acted out of malice.

“Far from it, the panel had to consider whether the case as presented to it by the ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board], in light of all the evidence, was sufficiently accurate and reliable, on the balance of probabilities, to rule out mistake. It was not.”

‘No place for racism’

Vaughan, who appeared at a CDC hearing earlier this month to answer the charges brought by the ECB, said: “It has been both difficult and upsetting to hear about the painful experiences which Azeem has described over the past three years.

“The outcome of these CDC proceedings must not be allowed to detract from the core message that there can be no place for racism in the game of cricket, or in society generally.”

ALSO READ: Piquet verdict a sign that racism ‘has no place’ – Hamilton

Yorkshire accepted in September 2021 that Rafiq, now 32, had been the victim of racial harassment and bullying during his time at the club. But they subsequently confirmed nobody would be disciplined, a decision that was greeted with widespread incredulity.

Pressure mounted on Yorkshire, who were briefly stripped of the right to host international matches at Headingley. The scandal sparked an exodus of senior boardroom figures and 16 members of the club’s coaching and backroom staff were dismissed.

Sanctions to be announced

Former off-spinner Rafiq, who had two spells at Yorkshire, told a British parliamentary committee in December 2022 that the abuse he and his family had faced had forced him to leave the country.

The CDC panel upheld charges against five other former players and coaches, including England Test stars Tim Bresnan and Matthew Hoggard, in relation to the use of racist and/or discriminatory language.

Yorkshire had previously admitted four charges, including a failure to address systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language at the club over a prolonged period. Sanctions will be announced at a later date.

NOW READ: Racism furore engulfs KZN’s top private schools

Ekurhuleni Democratic Alliance (DA) mayor Tania Campbell was on Thursday voted out for good. The motion of no confidence was the second levelled against the multiparty coalition this year, with Raymond Dhlamini booted as speaker in February. Campbell was voted out by 126 votes against 91.

The African Independent Congress (AIC), a splinter group from the ANC, had its sole councillor, Sivuyile Ngodwana, elected as the new mayor. He beat Campbell in the poll by 129 to 75 votes.

ALSO READ: AIC councillor Sivuyile Ngodwana elected new Ekurhuleni mayor

In accepting his new role, Ngodwana promised to rebuild trust between voters and the public representatives whom they voted for.

DA focused on service delivery

Campbell was also removed in October last year, only to be re-elected and given a second chance, which was wasted, said council insiders. The former mayor was often at the receiving end of criticism for lacking leadership qualities and making good on service delivery promises committed to before the 2021 municipal elections.

DA provincial chair Fred Nel said: “The multiparty coalition government, led by Campbell, in its efforts to turn the tide of decades of failure and neglect, prioritised throughout its time in office solutions to load shedding, services delivery and the eradication of corruption within the city.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni mayoral saga: ANC and EFF vie for power from DA’s ‘white arrogance’

“Under this government, 70km of roads were rehabilitated, over 500m2 of potholes were filled, and the pothole backlog of the city significantly reduced,” he said.

‘My way or the highway’

Residents and members of Campbell’s caucus may not agree with this statement.

DA insiders have often referred to the former mayor’s leadership style as “my way or the highway”, Recently, DA ward councillor Pieter Henning quit and cited poor service delivery to his ward, with his own party at the wheel. He was not the only public representative that backed out.

ALSO READ: DA’s Tania Campbell removed as Ekurhuleni mayor

Saturday Citizen has learnt of at least one other DA councillor who is on the verge of bolting – and allegedly he is not alone.

The DA-led coalition was often criticised for ignoring the plight of the less fortunate in Ekurhuleni – a status quo that the EFF told Saturday Citizen, will change under the city’s new leadership.

A red beret councillor said there were many people of all races who need to be helped – and that was what the party saw as a priority for the new alliance.

ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni speaker Raymond Dhlamini voted out through motion of no confidence

As in Johannesburg, it seems the strategy for the ANC-EFF alliance is not to pursue mayoral power. Instead, parties previously in opposition are seeking out mayoral committee member roles where responsibility, action and delivery can be made more tangible for voters. It’s with one eye firmly set on next year’s national elections.

– news@citizen.co.za

Here’s your morning news update: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way.

Daily news update: 01 April

Reeva Steenkamp’s killer Oscar Pistorius denied parole

Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius has been denied parole, a decade after he shot and killed his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

This after the parole board met on Friday to hear submissions from Pistorius and Steenkamp’s family.

The department of correctional services said on Friday afternoon that it had received the decision of the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB) on the parole consideration from Pistorius.

“The CSPB granted inmate Pistorius a further profile for August 2024. The reason provided is that the inmate did not complete the minimum detention period as ruled by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) – as per the clarification provided on 28 March 2023.”

Read more here

Mkhwebane: ‘I will appear, but I won’t say anything’

Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane‘s legal representative advocate Dali Mpofu says he has not received any instructions as far as Monday’s hearing is concerned.

This as the funding for Mkhwebane’s legal costs remains an issue.

During Friday’s parliamentary inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, Mpofu confirmed he had received a letter from the Public Protector South Africa confirming it will not be funding Mkhwebane’s legal costs going forward.

Read more here

Future of Clicks’ pharmacy manufacturing division uncertain after ConCourt ruling

Clicks may be forced to sell its pharmacy manufacturing leg or will need to shut it down after the Constitutional Court ruled against the retailer for contravening the Pharmacy Act.

Clicks was hauled to court by the Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA), which represents independently owned community pharmacies. It accused Clicks of having a conflict of interest because it both produces and sells medicine.

In a media statement, the association accused Clicks of simultaneously holding ownership or a beneficial interest in both a community pharmacy and a manufacturing pharmacy.

Read more here

ANC terminates membership of 8 Mangaung councillors who voted with DA

The African National Congress (ANC) in Mangaung, Free State, has terminated the membership of eight of its councillors who defied the party and voted to elect a Democratic Alliance (DA) speaker.

The announcement was made on Friday, by the ANC’s Mangaung regional executive committee (REC), during a press briefing.

ALSO READ: Mangaung ANC accuses caucus of being ‘counter-revolutionary’

DA councillor Maryke Davies was elected the new speaker of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality on Wednesday.

Read more here

Government announces new housing subsidies and RDP structural improvements

South Africans struggling with inferior living amenities while on the waiting list for housing were relieved to hear that government was implementing new housing subsidies and improvements to the RDP model aimed at addressing the challenges of human settlements in the country.

In a media briefing, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi acknowledged that the challenges facing human settlements in the country are immense, with many people still waiting for houses, while living in informal settlements without basic services.

Read more here

Bavuma leads Proteas to thumping ODI win over Netherlands

The Proteas powered their way to a thumping eight wicket win over the Netherlands in their ODI clash at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Friday night to take a big step towards automatic qualification for the ODI World Cup later this year.

The win sees them move up to ninth place on the World Cup Super League standings, with the top eight earning automatic qualification, meaning they still have to win the final ODI against the Netherlands on Sunday and hope other results go their way to secure their place.

Read more here

TikTok distances itself from Luh Twizzy trend

There is a prevailing belief that the Luh Twizzy trend originated on TikTok, however, the Chinese video platform has denied these claims. 

In a recent statement provided to The Citizen, TikTok said: “The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority at TikTok. While circulating reports claim that the Luh Twizzy challenge originated on TikTok, upon investigation, we can confirm we have not seen any evidence that suggests this may be the case”. 

Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has made an impassioned plea to South Africans, asking the nation to donate their braai coals to ailing parastatal Eskom.

He was visiting the Matla and Komati Power Stations when he made the request.

Earlier this week, Ramokgopa disclosed that Unit 1 of the Koeberg nuclear power station will only return to service 45 days after the latest deadline of 23 July. The new target date of 13 September is a full 90 days after the original date of 8 June, when the 180-day outage was supposed to end.

This means, a shortage of at least 900 MW during the peak winter period.

ALSO READ: Koeberg 1’s planned availability during winter is off the table

South African’s don’t braai as much in winter

Ramokgopa, while acknowledging citizens had already been through enough of load shedding-induced trauma, begged for the nations understanding as government once again “trespassed on South African’s resilience”.

“We estimate that one bag of coal, per family ought to reduce the load shedding stages at least until the middle of winter,” he said.

He discouraged citizens from donating briquettes charcoal because it is not suited for the industrial strength generators, saying briquettes might even cause additional breakdowns.

“During the winter months, we noticed that South Africans tend to braai less than they would in summer months, but if you must braai, we encourage the use of wood so that you will be able to make your donation to Eskom,” said Ramokgopa.

ALSO READ: Christmas braai menu: Braai broodjies, lamb chops, and peri peri chicken

Acting Eskom CEO Calib Cassim has welcomed the electricity minister’s intervention saying this type of political interference was much more productive than just enabling wide scale looting and forcing the parastatal to provide feeding troughs for officials “that need to eat”.

“Eskom would essentially be able to free up additional capital for renewables if the existing paying customer base can also subsidise part of the coal supply needed to keep the lights on their homes,” said Cassim.

Both men agreed that wood-fired braais tasted better anyway, and by making South Africans subsidise their own coal supply, it would enable government to send more coal at cheaper prices overseas.

*This story is not in anyway true or accurate and was sponsored by White Monopoly Capital and groups exposing ‘things mainstream media doesn’t want you know,’ as part of our April Fools’ coverage.

A merican President Harry S. Truman was fond of the phrase: “If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen”… referring to the fact that politics is a tough place and not for the faint-hearted or thin-skinned.

That’s something the current Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, John Steenhuisen, should think about, given his aversion for talking to anyone who disagrees with him – like journalists, for instance.

ALSO READ: Steenhuisen vs Phalatse: DA race crucial for all opposition

He also has blocked many on social media, indicating one of the thinnest political skins currently in the SA game. His rival, Mpho Phalatse, is not much better, ducking and diving as the DA headed into its watershed congress this weekend.

That state of affairs is a great pity because, much as we have criticised the DA – and vigorously – in the past, we realise that, at this critical juncture in our history, it has a vital role to play in building a serious bloc in opposition to the ANC.

And frankly, that is all they will be… their stated aims of ousting the ANC in the 2024 elections are divorced from reality. That reality, whether the DA spin doctors like it or not, is that it does not have enough support among nonwhite voters and is seen as a party in danger of veering to the right.

ALSO READ: Mpho Phalatse on why she thinks she has what it takes to lead the DA

That image of it is not helped by its seeming courting of SA’s version of Trump supporters – ranging from anti-vaxxers to homophobes with all shades in between.

Whether Phalatse is the person who can convince black voters that the DA is their future, remains to be seen. She is polished and she is ambitious, but she probably scares the DA’s traditional conservative white support base, much as former leader Mmusi Maimane did. Whoever is chosen to lead the DA needs to be ready to prove that it is a party for the future.

ALSO READ: Mpho Phalatse’s mission for DA top seat looks impossible

It’s easy to dismiss as irrelevant and “too little, too late” the decision by the Catholic Church this week to formally reject 15th-century papal edicts that empowered Europeans to colonise non-Christian lands.

The edicts were predicated on the belief that indigenous peoples were inferior – effectively the value system which enabled mainly Europeans, not just Catholics, to conquer and acquire foreign lands and impose their beliefs there.

ALSO READ: Calls for King Charles III to ‘step up and make amends’ for colonialism

Colonialism was, of course, much more than the imposition of a set of values, it was a system designed to exploit the lands and resources of people who were not technologically powerful enough to resist modern weaponry.

The Vatican’s acknowledgement of the wrongs of the past is important because it urges people to confront their own moral compass, especially those who seek to excuse colonialism by insisting that it “wasn’t all bad” and that those who carried it out were merely “people of their times”.

That is an important step in encouraging open discussion about the past and an important part of the process of healing and reconciliation.

ALSO READ: SCA upholds Zille’s appeal against Mkhwebane’s report on colonialism tweets

Without honest acknowledgement of the sins of the fathers, the generations which followed will forever carry that psychic burden – like it or not – in their souls.

South Africa is in danger of becoming a failed state. That’s a prediction aired so often in the past few years that it is becoming stale.

What’s different now, however, is that it’s a refrain increasingly heard from within one of the most conservative and cautious segments of society, the corporate sector. It’s a significant development.

Business is innately cautious. That’s a reality seared upon the collective consciousness of South African business during the apartheid years, that you cross government only at your peril.

In 1994, there was a changing of the guard but not in the rules of engagement. A back-scratching accommodation had to be found. Corporate SA laid out its honey pots and the ANC elite feasted like kings.

ALSO READ: 2023 Budget: SMEs need fundamental, large-scale interventions

Although corporate interests were lavishly rewarded by these newly greased empowerment palms, there was an implicit warning: don’t rock the boat. Or as the sage Buddha of Nkandla was fond of warning: “It’s very cold outside the ANC.”

Now, suddenly, there is a faint ripple of corporate panic that echoes their 1985 response to President PW Botha’s failure to honour his promise “to cross the Rubicon” and dismantle apartheid.

Similarly, there is today frustration, anger and despair that Ramaphosa’s promised new dawn has been shown to be a conjuring trick.

This week, Steve Phiri, the chief executive of Royal Bafokeng Platinum, told an industry conference SA was nearing the precipice of failed state status because of the government’s inability to ensure access to critical services.

His comments echoed those of Ralph Mupita, CEO of MTN a fortnight ago, that we are in danger of being “a failed nation-state”.

ALSO READ: State of small businesses in South Africa shows how important they are to the country

Recently, Prof Bonang Mohale, the chair of Bidvest Group and Business Unity SA, went further: “We are not a failing state but a failed state.”

Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala has said that while the bank estimated as low a complete power grid collapse, such a meltdown would unleash “Armageddon”.

Iain Williamson, CEO of Old Mutual, has warned that the failure to remedy load shedding will lead to crop failure, higher food prices and shortages of certain foods.

Nedbank CEO Mike Brown earlier this month warned of increasing business paralysis because of the infrastructural failures of the state. Business worries, too, about growing political risk.

Remgro CEO Jannie Durand said last week that the government’s close alignment with Russia posed a clear risk to trade relations and export revenue.

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Similarly, presenting his group’s annual results, First Rand CEO Alan Pullinger said the government’s cosy relationship with Russia posed a “catastrophic risk”.

While there are good reasons for corporate South Africa’s disillusionment, there is a harshness in tone to many of these comments that is remarkable given how obsequious towards government the corporate sector was previously.

In Rapport, Gerhard Papenfus, executive head of the employer organisation Neasa, argues that the ANC and big business were in cahoots for years. Consequently – and frustratingly – telling the truth and calling things as they were, was simply not tolerated.

“The talking is only starting now,” said Papenfus. “Now that things are completely broken.”

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The disaffection also has the air of the spurned lover about it.

Economist Thabi Leoka gets to the nitty-gritty in that same article. Corporate SA and the ANC, said Leoka, since 1994 had a cosily symbiotic relationship.

“But now sentiments have soured and the business sector is saying: ‘This is not the agreement we had.’” In other words, the honeymoon is over.

Okay, life is just weird nowadays. My bedside lamp is zzz-ing and apparently me who giggles over little green men is getting a visit, if I read the signs right. Or I can just condemn you all to the eternal darkness (my light just buzzed out) because you just didn’t get me smoking my socks.

Not for me to say my critics who so eloquently removed my tinfoil hat are spaced out. Not for me to say you missed the point about my take on the wonderful universe; not for me to say I’ll never giggle at the little green men after my reptilian eyes episode (but that’s another second of my life I’ll never have back).

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Not for me to even say I know my death date (yes, what am I smoking?) Remember my psychic friend who tells me my clock is ticking?

Turns out I don’t have a death date – if I change my course with the Grim Reaper. He tells me yesterday, years too late, to simply put this out to the universe: “Mr Right, call me; I’m waiting.”

A man is apparently what I need to live fully and fulfilled. And not just any man. The right man. “Do it now, Carine. On Facebook. Not once, however long you need.”

ALSO READ: Death’s sting is in your heart

I did, three times, because sensitive soul me believes in psychics. Gmph. I instantly got Arthur with his dirty raincoat and wooden crocs flashing me all the way across the faraway seas from Holland.

Married, of course. As is the next… and the next… Maybe it would help if I change my profile pic to me riding the flying pig rather than a cleavage, but so they streamed in for me to cross off. Fussy, fussy me.

I virtually have men throwing themselves at me, right? But my mind goes blank and my heart keeps its algorithm. Because deep down, I know: I’ve already met my Mr Right. We both just have to recognise…

And that is a game I don’t know if I can play: him being too old and too wise; me being too careful. But if it means I live? I think I’d rather die. Let’s just say: So in walks Mr Right. I left…

ALSO READ: It takes two to tango…

Plans to build wind farms next to a South African national park have riled wildlife activists who worry the turbines will ruin the landscape and impact elephants.

More than 200 turbines are slated to be erected in the vicinity of the Addo Elephant National Park, in the country’s south, after the Environment Ministry dismissed a legal bid to block the project last year.

‘Catastrophic’

The decision has upset tour operators and environmental campaigners, including William Fowlds, a wildlife vet who runs a lodge in the area and complains the farms risk degrading “the wild experience of going on a safari”. 

“It’s catastrophic,” he told AFP. 

“No one is saying we are against wind farms, but if you place them in an area of high environmental value and high eco-tourism value, you are actually damaging the local environment and the people that live there.”

ALSO READ: Addo Elephant Park: Home to the world’s most ‘chilled’ elephants

With solar, wind is seen as key to efforts by Africa’s most industrialised economy to wean itself off coal — which is currently burnt to generate about 80 percent of the country’s electricity. 

The environment ministry said authorisation to build the wind farms was given upon the completion of an environmental impact assessment. 

But critics of the plan are not convinced.

Some have raised concerns that noise from the turbines might disturb the about 600 elephants living in the park, who communicate via low frequency infrasounds.

“Wind turbines produce a lot of noise,” said Anglea Stoeger-Horwath, an animal behaviour specialist at the University of Vienna told AFP.

“There’s a real risk that it might impact their way of communication,…(and) might stress them”.

Nature guide and wildlife photographer, Jeni Smithies, said in turn the animals might get “frustrated” and “aggressive”, adding tourists coming to the area will also have their view spoiled.

ALSO READ: Elephant population growth unsustainable for size of Addo National Park

In rejecting the appeal last year, the ministry wrote that the visual impact of the project would be limited, given there already are other turbines nearby.

Campaigners opposing the project said this week they were considering further legal action.

Wind farm operating

French firm EDF, which is among the companies involved in the project, already runs a 60 megawatt wind farm some 11 kilometres from Addo park, which lies just one hour drive from Gqeberha, formerly Port Elizabeth.

“(The farm) has been operational since 2015 and no complaints, issues or grievances have been communicated by members of the public,” EDF told AFP, adding it continued to monitor biodiversity on the site.

ALSO READ: Kicking off South African National Parks Week with the Addo elephants

The company dismissed additional concerns that turbulence created by the turbines may interfere with small anti-poaching patrol aircrafts, saying the national parks department “has not given any indication” that this might be an issue.

Other developers did not respond to AFP requests for comment.

Hundreds of Thai firefighters and soldiers battled a forest blaze less than 100 kilometres (60 miles) from Bangkok on Friday as the kingdom grapples with air pollution that has made nearly 2 million people ill this year.

The fire has affected at least 800,000 square metres (200 acres) of forest across three hills in Nakhon Nayok province, to the northeast of the Thai capital, with two districts declared emergency zones.

Thai people’s respiratory conditions

The blaze comes as Thailand grapples with a spike in pollution caused in part by agricultural burning that has seen the air in some northern cities rank among the dirtiest and most hazardous in the world this week.

Since the start of the year, more than 1.7 million people have needed hospital treatment for respiratory conditions caused by air pollution, according to the latest figures from the health ministry.

ALSO READ: Bangkok on alert as 70,000 homes flooded in Thailand

Wittaya Muntpun of the forestry department said efforts to tackle the blaze were being hampered by the difficult terrain.

“This is quite a difficult scenario since the mountain is filled with sharp rocks and cliffs,” he told AFP.

“The firefighters are trying to control the spread of the fire at the base of the mountain. They couldn’t go high up into the mountain since the terrain is full of cliffs.”

The fire is not threatening any major population centres but it is close to the edge of the Khao Yai National Park, the kingdom’s oldest national park and part of a UNESCO-listed forest complex stretching to the Cambodian border.

– Stubble burning –

Local community leader Pachsikarn Pouyeon said the fire allegedly started from a lightning strike in the forest, which has been parched at the end of the dry season.

Authorities had tried to trigger rain on Thursday by spraying chemicals in the air, but it had not succeeded, Pachshikarn said.

ALSO READ: Thailand makes green push with floating hydro-solar power project

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has dispatched his interior minister to coordinate operations on the ground, his office said in a statement.

“PM Prayut and minister of defence have closely monitored the wildfire situation in Nakon Nayok and ordered relevant organisations to help putting out the fire urgently,” government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said.

ALSO READ: Thailand shooting: Families mourn nursery victims ahead of king’s visit

Prayut, who faces a general election on May 14, on Thursday urged the top official from regional bloc ASEAN to help coordinate efforts to reduce cross-border pollution caused by agricultural burning.

Farmers across Southeast Asia burn off stubble in fields every year after harvest time, causing widespread air pollution.

Thailand’s north is particularly affected and this week the cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai topped monitoring firm IQAir’s worst air quality list — beating the likes of Delhi and Beijing. 

Ugandan troops operating as part of an East African regional military force entered the east DR Congo border town of Bunagana on Friday, an army officer and witnesses said. 

The soldiers are intended to supervise the gradual withdrawal of the M23 rebel group, which has conquered swathes of territory in eastern Congo since taking up arms again in late 2021.  

The Ugandan contingent of the East African Community (EAC) force entered Bunagana on Friday morning, according to the force commander, Kenyan General Jeff Nyagah. 

ALSO READ: M23 rebels raped dozens of women in east DR Congo – Amnesty

He explained to reporters on Friday that about 1,000 Ugandan soldiers had crossed into the town — which lies on the Ugandan border — as part of a contingent that is expected to eventually comprise 2,000 troops.

Troops not there to fight M23

A Bunagana resident also told AFP that Ugandan troops had entered the town, with vehicles and tanks. 

On Thursday evening, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stated that the troops are not due to fight the M23. 

ALSO READ: Fierce fighting close to DR Congo’s Goma

Rather, they will “occupy some of the positions that the M23 has handed over to the East African Force as a neutral force”, he said.

The seven-nation EAC decided last June to create a military force, with the aim of stabilising eastern Congo, which has been plagued by armed groups for decades.

The M23 first came to international prominence in 2012, when it captured the eastern Congolese city of Goma before being driven out. 

But the Tutsi-led group re-emerged from dormancy in late 2021, arguing that the government had ignored a promise to integrate its fighters into the army. 

ALSO READ: Diplomatic push sparks little hope for ending DR Congo insurgency

It went on to capture large chunks of North Kivu province and displace hundreds of thousands of people, and has come close to surrounding Goma. 

March 30 was supposed to mark the end of the withdrawal of “all armed groups”, according to a timetable adopted in mid-February by the EAC. The deadline was not respected.

Kenyan General Nyagah said that the M23 withdrawal would be “sequenced”. 

The Democratic Republic of Congo accuses its smaller neighbour Rwanda of backing the M23, which the United States, other Western countries and independent UN experts agree with, but Kigali denies.