---
title: "First Thing: Wednesday, 23 January 2019"
description: "“One of the greatest advantages of the totalitarian elites of the Twenties and Thirties was to turn any statement of fact into a question of motive.” Hannah Arendt"
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "John Stupart"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/johnstupart/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-01-23-first-thing-wednesday-23-january-2019/"
published: "2019-01-23T10:49:44"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 846
---

# First Thing: Wednesday, 23 January 2019

> “One of the greatest advantages of the totalitarian elites of the Twenties and Thirties was to turn any statement of fact into a question of motive.”
 
 Hannah Arendt

By John Stupart · Published 23 January 2019, 12:49 SAST

## Content

| \| \\| \\\| [Click here for the web version of this email](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-e-nhkdujt-l-jk/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![FIRST THING With John Stupart](https://i6.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/logo.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i1.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/Jess-SCHAgrizziDayFive-1600x8091.051811.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| Story of the Day \\\| \\\| [Bosasa Inc: More songs about bribes, cooked tenders and major cover-ups](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-o/) \\\| \\\| By Jessica Bezuidenhout \\\| \\\| Three former Correctional Services Commissioners and a Chief Financial Officer are among a gang of diligent Bosasa lieutenants alleged to have taken cash and favours to bend the rules for the facilities management company. Linda Mti, Zach Modise, Khulekani Sithole and Patrick Gillingham, the Zondo Commission heard, were intermittently on the take over more than 10 years. \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i2.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/Mi-Plan_Ad_400x250-01.210309.gif) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| [**Mi-Plan**](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-n/) - The Best Global Fund Over 1,2,3,4...5 YEARS \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [McBride to go after Cele over contract](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-p/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| IPID head Robert McBride has revealed his challenge of Police Minister Bheki Cele's decision not to renew his contract. Hired on a five-year basis, McBride has been instrumental in several significant investigations into police corruption. With McBride gone, many SAPS bigwigs would [**issue a sigh**](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-x/) of collective relief. \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Ouattara seeks a third term](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-m/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| The Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has revealed his intention to run for a third five-year term. While this is technically illegal, Ouattara argued that a 2016 constitution allowed him the ability to renew his term in office. Considering that Laurent Gbagbo was forced out at the literal barrel of a gun because of electoral fraud, Ouattara is taking a risky gamble on his perceived popularity. \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Supreme Court backs Trump transgender military ban](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-c/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| The United States Supreme Court has voted 5-4 to ban certain transgender groups from serving or continuing to serve in the military. A Donald Trump-induced ban cited "tremendous" costs associated with allowing transgender Americans to serve, despite a 2016 Pentagon study utterly refuting this. All four liberal Supreme Court judges voted against the motion. \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Bieber's boxing startup seeks VC](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-q/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| Rumble Fitness, a boxing-styled fitness class used by Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, is seeking serious venture capital, $200 million to be precise. The expensive classes have become a hit among celebrities, with Rumble clearly looking to export its A-list popularity. With Bieber's manager pushing for the VC funding as well, you just might see a Rumble Fitness near a Sandton banking HQ soon. \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i3.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/Mi-Plan_Ad_400x250-02.210347.gif) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| [**Mi-Plan**](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-f/) - South Africa's No.1 Global Multi-Asset Flexible Fund \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| Picture of the Day \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY \\\| \\\| Chinese workers make red lanterns at a private lantern factory ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, in Tuntou village, Hebei province, China, 18 January 2019. \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i4.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/h_549211472.191639.jpg) \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Daily Maverick – Hopeful since 2009](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-z/)![Hoping](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/stephen-colbert/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| After the last ten years, it’s easy to be cynical in South Africa. Especially when it comes to politics. But cynicism doesn’t build a better society; it doesn’t hold power to account and it doesn’t expect better from our leaders. Daily Maverick believes in hope and we hope for a better South Africa. And while hope isn't a strategy - supporting truly independent media is. [**Join Maverick Insider**](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-v/) and be part of something positive. \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i5.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/Insider.195747.gif) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| In Numbers \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| 2426 \\\| \\\| The number of days since Berlin's new airport postponement began. It is due to open in October 2020. \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| Facts of the Day \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| Today in 1879 the **Battle of Rourke's Drift** ends.**The panther is not a real animal.**It is a name used for any black furred feline big cat. \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| Featured Articles \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/merten-Explainer-Polticial-Parties-480x243.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\| [Political parties are voluntary organisations that set their own rules. Like it or leave it](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-s/) \\\| \\\| By Marianne Merten \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/ThammMcBrideend-480x260.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\| [McBride heads for a showdown with Cele over non-renewal of contract](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-g/) \\\| \\\| By Marianne Thamm \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/Greg-picday2-option-3-1-480x240.jpg) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\\| [PIC announces ‘blatant’ violations in R4.3-billion investment in Survé-controlled Ayo Technology](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-w/) \\\| \\\| By Greg Nicolson \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Witness testimony reflects on the gradual decline of the NPA](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-yd/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Nkateko Mabasa \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Africa brims with opportunity despite enduring risks](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-yh/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Peter Matlare \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Bosasa Inc: More songs about bribes, cooked tenders and major cover-ups](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-yk/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Jessica Bezuidenhout \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Superfreak pivot: When climate engineering came to South Africa](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-yu/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Kevin Bloom \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Peter Marais and the Freedom Front Plus: A match made in opportunists’ heaven](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jl/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Rebecca Davis \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Zoos need a radical rethink — a plea for Joburg’s Lammie the elephant](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jr/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| By Don Pinnock \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| Opinionistas \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Healing illegally: The journey of medical cannabis](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jy/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| A column by Jay Naidoo \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [ANC and Prasa’s corruption are leading to commuter deaths](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jj/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| A column by Phumzile Van Damme \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Gautrain: Political patronage profiteering is back with a vengeance](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jt/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| A column by Ivo Vegter \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Finally comes the Poet: A tribute to Mary Oliver](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-ji/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| A column by Alan Storey \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| \\\\| \\\\\| Weather \\\\\| \\\\\| --- \\\\\| \\\\\| BFN: min: 17° max: 37°, cloudy CPT: min: 15° max: 20°, cloudy DBN: min: 21° max: 28°, cloudy EL: min: 17° max: 26°, rainy JHB: min: 17° max: 25°, rainy MHK: min: 20° max: 36°, sunny NLP: min: 17° max: 34°, cloudy PE: min: 17° max: 23°, cloudy PMB:min: 18° max: 33°, cloudy \\\\\|\\\\\| Financial Data \\\\\| \\\\\| --- \\\\\| \\\\\| Oil=$61.06 Gold=$1,283.50 R/$=13.91 R/€=15.82 R/£=18.04 JSE All Share=54,078.37 DJIA=24,425.84 BTC$=3 582 \\\\\| \\\\| \\\\| --- \\\\| \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| ![Image](https://i6.createsend1.com/ei/d/7C/31A/81D/csimport/Mi-Plan_Ad_400x250-03.210434.gif) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| [**Mi-Plan**](https://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-l-nhkdujt-l-jh/) - South Africa's No.1 Global Fund Over 1,2,3,4...5 YEARS \\\| \\\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\\| \\\|  \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO A FRIEND](http://dailymaverick.forwardtomyfriend.com/d-l-2AD73FFF-nhkdujt-l-r) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\\| \\\\| ![Fb](https://i5.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/facebook.png) \\\\|  \\\\| ![Tweet](https://i8.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/twitter.png) \\\\|  \\\\| ![Link](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/link.png) \\\\|  \\\\| ![Yt](https://i9.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/youtube.png) \\\\| \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| --- \\\\| \\\| \\\| Copyright © 2018 Daily Maverick, All rights reserved. You are receiving this mail because you are awesome and on the Daily Maverick First Thing subscriber list. Interested in advertising with us? [Click here to sign the pact.](mailto:advertising@dailymaverick.co.za?subject=Advertising%20query%3A%20First%20Thing%20Mailers) \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\| \| \| --- \|\| \\| \\\| [Getting too many emails from us? Manage your preferences](https://dailymaverick.updatemyprofile.com/d-l-2AD73FFF-l-y)[Unsubscribe](http://email.touchbasepro.com/t/d-u-nhkdujt-l-j/) \\\| \\\| --- \\\| \\| \\| --- \\| \\| ![Image](https://i7.createsend1.com/ti/d/82/8D5/1D4/235616/images/spacer.gif) \\| \| \| --- \| |
| --- |