Islam marks m
The 1 500 years of the legacy of Prophet Muhammad was launched on Wednesday 9 July at the Ghousia Manzil in Rylands Estate
The event marked the beginning of the year-long programme titled The Legacy Project 1500, under the theme “A message of mercy, environmental awareness and social justice”
A diverse programme of events for the year is planned that will feature a rich tapestry of local and international events A new dawn, “Embracing Islam with purpose and peace ” , reflects transformative experience of reverting to
Islam
The programme will honour the journey of discovering truth, finding inner peace and integrating into a new spiritual path with clarity, intention and tranquillity
Cultural and artistic celebrations with an exhibition of Islamic art and calligraphy, live and audio-visual presentations portraying the essential aspects of the life and legacy of the Prophet Muhammad, honouring the
timeless strength, wisdom and sacrifice of the women who nurtured the roots of Islam, a mass community exhibition on the Muslim world at a ,
Sheikh Zaid Fataar, Sheikh Ebrahim Gabriels, Moulana Abdul Khaliq Allie, convenor of the Legacy 1 500 Commission, and Sheikh Sad PHOTO: SUPPLIED
AVRIL FILLIES
Work with the tax man
If you’ve been doom-scrolling through news about Sars’ fancy new artificial intelligence (AI) tools hunting down tax dodgers, take a deep breath Sure, the South African taxman is getting smarter, but that doesn’t mean you need to panic
Here’s the thing: in a country where only 7,4 million people out of 64 million actually pay personal income tax (while 28 million rely on social grants), Sars is obviously feeling the pressure to collect every rand they can But instead of running for the hills, why not flip the script and make tax season work for you?
“Whether you have an accountant, a tax practitioner or file your own tax return, look out for the following points to legally reduce what you owe Sars, maximise refunds, and combat tax debt in 2025,” says Roxanna Naidoo, Head of Global Strategy at Latita Africa
STOPPANICKING,START PLANNING
“It’s true that Sars is increasing scrutiny and ramping up tax collection measures, ” admits Naidoo, who’s been seeing more clients getting those dreaded final demand letters and verification requests lately “But don’t panic Tax season is an annual opportunity to assess your finances – a tool for getting your tax affairs in order ” Her advice? “Go have a look at what you owe Sars; you may be surprised that Sars actually owes you money ”
GETYOURDIGITALHOUSEINORDER
First things first – update your details on Sars’ eFiling system We’re talking email address, phone number, banking details – the works Get this wrong and you’ll be hit with penalties faster than you can say “auto-assessment”
Plus, having accurate details unlocks Sars’ newer tools like the
express filing feature, which basically pre-fills your tax return using data from your employer, bank, and medical aid It’s like having a personal assistant, except it’s free and works for the government
DON’TTRUST,ALWAYSVERIFY
Here’s where things get interesting That shiny auto-assessment might look tempting to just click and submit, but Naidoo has a warning: “Don’t simply accept your auto-assessment without verifying it ”
Why? Because Sars’ AI might miss the nuances of your financial life – like rental income, your side-hustle selling succulents on Facebook Marketplace, or other income streams Even if the mistake isn’t technically your fault, guess who’s liable for penalties later?
(Spoiler: it’s you )
“Check everything carefully,” Naidoo emphasises “If you ’ re unhappy with the auto-assessment, click on ‘request amendment’ and submit the corrections via eFiling ”
TURNSARSINTOREFUNDMACHINE
Yes, you need to declare every income stream – even that cryptocurrency windfall or your overseas earnings that were already taxed abroad But here’s the kicker: after declaring everything, you can start claiming back through deductions, exemptions, and credits
NAIDOO’SHITLISTINCLUDES:
. Medical expenses
. Retirement annuity contributions
. Charitable donations (with those precious 18A certificates) . Home office and travel expenses
. Tax-free savings accounts
. Capital gains tax benefits
THE PAPER TRAIL CULD SAVE YOU
Remember that shoebox of receipts gathering dust? Time to become best friends with it “It doesn’t matter how and where you file these, as long as you keep them for five years, ” says Naidoo “Sars often requests back-dated documentation, so make sure you have the paperwork to prove your filing was compliant ” Pro tip: go digital Scan everything, back it up, and thank yourself later when Sars comes knocking with questions about your 2022 filing
When you actually owe money
If you do end up owing Sars money, don’t sell your kidney to pay them immediately “Taxpayers have legal recourse to avoid sinking further into debt,” Naidoo points out
YOUROPTIONSINCLUDE:
. Negotiating to reduce the amount owed
. Deferring payments to ease cash flow
. Submitting a suspension of payment if you think Sars got it wrong
. Mediation to settle disputes without breaking the bank
THEBOTTOMLINE
“If you ’ re smart about it, you can still turn this tax season from a compliance burden into financial opportunity,” says Naidoo
So while everyone else is complaining about Sars’ new AI overlords, you could be the one laughing all the way to the bank –or at least not crying all the way to the poor house
The choice is yours: stress about tax season or strategise through it We know which one sounds (and is) better
DHAextendingofficehourstoassistlearners
To help learners apply for or collect their identity documents the Department of Home Affairs is extending its operating hours to 18:00
This special extension runs until Monday 21 July To ease pressure on its clients
Home Affairs has also introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows
The department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins
Dr Leon Schreiber, Home Affairs Minister, said: “I would like to encourage all clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home
Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience ” . Clients have an option to book an application or collection appointments before visiting offices,using the Branch Appointment Booking Systemon the https://services.dha. gov za/#/authenticate/identity
“Dearly beloved We are gathered here today to get through this thing called life ” These ominous words from the late great artist Prince have eerily become prophetic for capturing the anxiety, confusion and uncertainty of our society we face today Even though these lyrics were birthed in the 80s, some of the same socio-economic issues that plagued the previous generations have either multiplied or remain largely ignored by our government and municipalities, who are so quick to applaud their own projects on social media and advertise the idea that they’re “making a difference” with creating jobs and
helping the poor in these impoverished communities
The great irony that haunts our 30-year old democracy is the fact that our bleeding economy keeps spilling over despite how many times our president shuffles his cabinet or launches projects that promise to solve load shedding, corruption and create more jobs
With raging wars in Ukraine and Gaza compounded with the fact that President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a 30% tax on South African exports, our pockets face another pinch with the current rising price of goods and petrol
In SA, crime, gender-based violence, homelessness and unemployment still haunt our youth who now have to adapt their career choices in the wake of Artificial Intelligence (Al) Al’s sudden popularity has become inescapable with many
companies now capitalising in its efficiency to streamline and propel their advertising in the hopes of maximising their profits by smothering the market
However, now more than ever our education departments, teachers and tertiary institutions have to swiftly find ways to incorporate this technology into their curriculums for fear of being overtaken by other countries making great strides in training the new generation with Al’s benefits
However, what should remain an essential factor amidst our rush to understand and incorporate Al in our careers to help society, is our critical thinking, which is more crucial than ever in the fast-paced times we live in Today’s students have easier access and methods to plagiarise in their work and essays which are meant to express their unique opinions on important
issues This also makes the work of lecturers and tutors even harder when it comes to marking and identifying patterns of fraud with Chat GPT improving and updating weekly
Even today when you ’ re doom-scrolling you can discover an amazing animation of a podcast showcasing zoo animals discussing their weekend plans and using South African swear words until you realise this content was Al generated This content has become absurdly popular which begs the question, are we starting to use entertainment to numb ourselves to death and become dopamine addicted sheep? Today more than ever, we need critical thinkers, artists, politicians and readers who will lead our country, so that we may thrive and harness the power of Al for our communities in the age of shrinking attention spans
KEANAN HARMSE
Partnershipbrings servicescloser
AVRILFILLIES
Residents of Silvertown and Bridgetown had the opportunity to attend the Healthy Futures South Africa (HFSA) programme at the Athlone Civic Centre on Wednesday 25 June
The Mastercard Foundation has partnered with the University of Cape Town (UCT) through the Africa Health Collaborative (AHC) to discuss how to strengthen primary healthcare systems
The AHC is made up of nine higher education institutions and the Mastercard Foundation It is an eight-year initiative not only to strengthen primary healthcare systems but also to expand youth employment in Africa’s health sector
“At UCT, the initiative operates in three areas of the Western Cape, namely Klipfontein, Garden Route and Saldanha Bay At HFSA we envision a healthy, inclusive and equitable South Africa where youth, especially women, are empowered to lead in transforming primary health care and health-related employment through innovation, community engagement and sustainable systems change,” says Sibahle Maunye, communications manager at UCT
Guns seized in Heideveld
Sterling work by the Manenberg crime prevention unit and two members of Operation Shenela led to the arrest of a 27-year-old male on Tuesday 8 July for possession of two 9mm pistols and ammunition
“The unit and the officers were deployed within the hotspot area of Heideveld due to the gang violence within the volatile part of the Manenberg Policing Precinct They focused on combatting gang violence and their illegal activities,” says Capt Ian Bennett, spokesperson for Manenberg Police Station
As the police officers patrolled the Heideveld station area they noticed a suspicious person close to the railway footbridge When the male saw the officers he started to run, wanting to cross the bridge into the Gugulethu Policing Precinct
“The police officers caught up with the male who seemed to be holding something on both sides of his hips As they got to him he lifted his arms and released what he was holding The
two objects fell to the ground and the officers confiscated two 9mm pistols with ammunition and serial numbers still intact,” says Bennett
The male was arrested and the firearms will be sent for ballistic testing
. Anyone with information about illegal firearms and ammunition can contact Manenberg police on 021 699 9400 or crime stop on 08600 10111.
TWO SEMI-AUTO 9MM PISTOLS WITH AMMUNITION AND SERIAL NUMBERS STILL INTACT
More firearms found in the Athlone area PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Library becomes safe green room
TM g g g y before the handover on Saturday 26 July
Work is progressing on Turfhall Road, between the M5 interchange and the intersection of Castor and Benona Roads, in preparation for future transport infrastructure.
Join us at upcoming public information meetings for an update on the progress. There will also be an opportunity for questions and answers.
Date: Wednesday 16 July 2025
Venue: Virtual Microsoft Teams Meeting (https://teams.live.com)
Meeting ID – 373 863 448 306 8
Passcode - Zy7du7UL
Time: 17:00 – 18:30
Visit www.myciti.org.za/phase2a for
The old library before the Alumni converted it into the Green Room PHOTOS SUPPLIED
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Teams gear-up for finals
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n the semi-final 2-0 n Spurs and Anpenalties against the ions Ubuntu by 4-3 n, the chair of Newe organising team r the professional the tournament was
presented
He said his boys are looking forward to competing again next year and hope to progress beyond the semi-finals This is the club’s third year, but the exposure gave the players an extra boost
“They are definitely coming back stronger next year, ” said Newman
The finals at the Athlone Stadium will start at 10:00 with the main final between Antaliaspor and Cape Town Spurs at 19:00
“The public can look forward to a whole day of soccer and with Cape Town Spurs contesting the final, a repeat of last year against a new
opponent, in which we can expect fireworks,” said Rodriguez “We are going to have a great day of football and show where football started in the Western Cape, Athlone Stadium, the home of football I am looking forward to seeing a lot of new football stars from the Western Cape being born and emerging at the finals The great football stars of the future will be in action, so I am inviting all football lovers to come and support the finals ” Entry fee is R50 and tickets are available at the Mitchells Plain LFA office or from Rodriques on 071 197 0185 for all ticket enquiries
