The Weekend Wrap
Justice Minister’s R500k VBS-linked loan; the anatomy of Eskom’s turnaround; and how scientists are developing tools to understand consciousness in babies and animals.
Justice Minister Thembi Simelane took a loan of more than half a million rand from a company that brokered unlawful investments of R349-million into VBS Mutual Bank by the Polokwane Municipality while she was mayor of the city in 2016.
By Pauli van Wyk (Daily Maverick) and Kyle Cowan (News24)
The revelation that Thembi Simelane appears to have received money from someone intimately involved with the VBS scandal is likely to lead to questions about the motives behind every decision she makes as justice minister. Once again, it raises the spectre that once again a justice minister in our country cannot be trusted. And, it may pose important tests for President Cyril Ramaphosa, his coalition partners, and both the EFF and MK.
By Stephen Grootes
Cape Town needs to keep a close watch on Barcelona and other popular destinations that are putting hard brakes on Airbnb, and then apply here what really works in creating more long-term rental stock.
By Mike Wills
Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, are proposing a new politics of decency and humanity, aligning not with any particular doctrine or ideology.
By Phillip van Niekerk
The new Eskom management has gone back to the basics, with a renewed focus on monitoring the performance of power stations, improving staff morale, and reinstating incentives for goals achieved.
By Ray Mahlaka
In my isiXhosa culture, mountains are important spiritual places, and when I walk in the forest I feel like I am walking with the spirits of the more-than-human world and my ancestors. In the shadow of the mountain, I feel safe. But the forest is also a site where conflicting views on conservation and natural resource use are rife.
By Lilitha Buti
After 15 years at the helm, and 40 years in publishing, Branko Brkic has decided to call it a day and hand South Africa’s premier editorship to his long-term deputy, Jillian Green.
By Daily Maverick
Dogs and infants may not be able to tell us what they’re thinking, but we are developing the tools that will help us find out.
By Henry Taylor
Jordaan makes her Paralympic debut on Thursday in boccia with her mom Sandre as her ramp operator, while Team SA also has Karabo Morapedi and his ramp operator Vincent Ramochela in action over the next few days.
By Gary Lemke in Paris
The cold snap in the Western Cape, particularly Cape Town, pushed my taste buds to crave something warm, comforting, and sweet. I was craving Malva Pudding, a Cape classic.
By Ray Mahlaka
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