--- title: "While you were sleeping: 8th March 2017" description: "Robbers hit OR Tambo, cyclone Enawo ravages Madagascar, and Proteas kick into test gear." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "South Africa" author: "John Stupart" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-03-08-while-you-were-sleeping-8th-march-2017/" published: "2017-03-08T05:59:59" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 676 --- # While you were sleeping: 8th March 2017 > Robbers hit OR Tambo, cyclone Enawo ravages Madagascar, and Proteas kick into test gear. By John Stupart · Published 8 March 2017, 07:59 SAST ## Content **Wednesday, 8 March 2017** *“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”* **Robert Frost** ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/5D/C08/782/csimport/849x493q70Ranjeni-ZUma-Deplorables1.050458.jpg) STORY OF THE DAY [Zuma’s ‘Basket of Deplorables’: Making South Africa not so great again](http://subscriptions.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hiujbd-l-u/) By RANJENI MUNUSAMY Donald Trump has his “deplorables” and so does Jacob Zuma. While Trump’s troops might extend over millions of people, President Zuma has a select few villains who are essential to his wrecking ball machinery. Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini is a champion of the deplorables, and despite pushing the country to the brink on the social grants crisis, Zuma still has her back. Like Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Dudu Myeni, Brian Molefe, Faith Muthambi and Mosebenzi Zwane, Dlamini has high-level political protection and will be ready to yank out the “small-nyana skeletons” of her detractors in order to survive. [Thieves pillage OR Tambo cash cargo](http://subscriptions.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hiujbd-l-o/) A group of thieves masquerading as police managed to steal roughly R20-million from cash-laden cargo at OR Tambo Airport. Working overnight, the robbers told the security guard they were carrying out an investigation, thereby having the boom lifted for them. No other security check appeared to be beset upon the robbers. [Elgar century helps steady the South African ship](http://subscriptions.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hiujbd-l-b/) Morne Morkel is back in Test whites for the first time since January 2016, but he can keep his feet up for just a little while longer as South Africa are batting after winning the toss in the first Test against New Zealand in Dunedin. [Cyclone ravages Madagascar](http://subscriptions.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hiujbd-l-n/) Cyclone Enawo has killed at least three people in Madagascar. Making landfall in the north-east, the cyclone has displaced hundreds of Malagasy and beset locals with winds of up to 290 km/h. Enawo has since weakened but is still headed for the Eastern African coastline. [China steps into North Korea fracas](http://subscriptions.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-hiujbd-l-p/) China, North Korea's only significant ally, has called for North Korea to suspend all nuclear and missile activities in exchange for a halt to American and South Korean military exercises. The message is unlikely to be heeded by either side, but indicates a stark diplomatic departure away from general indifference to Dear Leader's shenanigans. — IN NUMBERS 3,300 The number of British postmen attacked by dogs in a 12-month period. FACTS OF THE DAY Today is **International Women's Day**. **Whale stress levels**dropped dramatically after 9/11 due to reduced ocean-borne shipping. This was measured by analysing said whales' droppings. 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