SundayTimes April 05 2020 by SundayTimesZA

HEROES AT THE FRONTLINE

LOCKDOWN: THE MOVIES

How Claudia Mangwegape & Co are keeping us safe Page 4

MZANSI MAAK A PLAN Snorkelling masks for surgeons and other viral inventions Page 10

Actress Lesego Chabedi joins Covid-eo cast Page 12

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Nkosi sikelel’ iSA House-to-house screening begins as experts warn about false picture of crisis

BIG ST STORY

By GRAEME HOSKEN, LWANDILE BHENGU and QAANITAH HUNTER

● Brace yourselves, SA. Halfway through a 21-day lockdown, the country is fixated on daily new infection levels as it prepares for a possible Covid-19 spike that many fear could overwhelm the country’s health services. House-to-house screening and testing kicked off yesterday with a pilot programme involving more than 200 households in Umlazi, Durban, but health experts warned about SA’s slow start to testing and a shortage of key protective equipment. The warnings come after health minister Zweli Mkhize said this week that the lower levels of infections reported over the past several days could be the lull before the storm, and that hundreds of thousands of tests need to be conducted. Also this week, the government was finalising a plan to move thousands of people out of high-density areas, and health workers’ union Nehawu launched a court action against the health department to compel it to provide sufficient protective gear for health workers. This follows news that the US recorded about 1,300 new coronavirus deaths between Thursday and Friday — the highest single-day death toll reported by any country. With 1,505 infections and nine deaths, South Africans have been warned not to let down their guard, as the virus takes hold in overcrowded townships, where social distancing and lockdown regulations are difficult to enforce. In Umlazi Q section, KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu and a team of health officials were out in full force on a screening drive yesterday. Seven groups of screening teams and testers were sent to households to screen families. Simelane-Zulu said that the target was for each group to visit 30 homes by the end of the day. “Today we decided to bring out our screening teams and tracer teams in order to pilot the mass screening and understand what needs to be done. I must indicate that it is not everybody that is going to be tested. Everybody is going to be screened and the screening is going to determine who needs to be tested, ” she said. Simelane-Zulu said premier Sihle Zikalala would launch the province’s home screening and testing drive this week. A health department community screening and testing programme is set to be rolled out nationally, with the launch of mobile units fitted with specialised equipment used for TB testing. But Medical Research Council vaccinologist professor Shabir Madhi warned that this TB testing equipment is no “magic bullet” that will save SA from a Covid-19 crisis.

Linda-Gail Bekker

Community hostility adds to corona distress

Health workers arrive to disinfect Madala hostel in Alexandra, Johannesburg. This week SA will pass the halfway mark of its 21-day lockdown introduced in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Now, say experts, urgent attention must be given to mass testing to give the country a fighting chance of tackling the crisis. Picture: Alon Skuy

Madhi said the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) rather needed to explain why only 11 of its more than 230 labs are being used for Covid-19 testing and what it is doing to secure supplies to ramp up mass testing of 35,000 people a day. “I fear, because of testing kit and material shortages, SA will be on a similar or worse infection trajectory as Spain and Italy. “Urgent mass community testing is needed but cannot happen because SA is woefully incapacitated by a lack of test kits and materials, “which now take 10 days to import”. “For us to detect who is infected and isolate them and quarantine their contacts, at least 30,000 daily tests must be conducted. Government cannot properly implement its isolation and quarantine strategies without knowing who’s actually infected, which is critical to this fight.” He said the NHLS should have properly planned for Covid-19 infection testing when the National Institute for Communicable

Diseases (NICD) started surveillance of the virus in January. Madhi said even though the health department is scaling up testing, mass testing is only likely to happen in May, which “is too late as the country will be dealing with the worst part of the pandemic”. He suggested university laboratories be used to increase daily testing capacity. “These labs could easily do 5,000 daily tests collectively.” Professor Mosa Moshabela, dean of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Nursing and Public Health, said its labs were ready to assist. He said that with the virus now in townships it has moved into new populations and communities. “From modelling we believe that while only 1,505 people are known to be infected, the actual number is 4,000. It’s estimated that by May 6 there will be over 100,000 infections.” He said the evolution of the Covid-19

spread would change the dynamics of how cases are detected. “The moment it spreads to people who cannot access health care, the detection rate dramatically slows down.” The head of the NHLS, Dr Kamy Chetty, said it is not SA’s fault that new tests for Covid-19 have not been rolled out yet. She has set up a “war room situation” to negotiate with suppliers, fast-track the delivery of essential items and assist smaller suppliers in SA, to ramp up testing. “We order test kits and then it doesn’t come in. It gets postponed. The flight gets cancelled. It is a huge challenge. The other challenge is the fact that the whole world is competing for the same products. We are dealing with suppliers throughout the world. It is very difficult. The team sits here in a war room-style situation phoning suppliers. We have to find creative ways [to deal with the crises],” she said. “From an operational point of view, the

NHLS has had to work extremely fast to capacitate itself,” Chetty said. She said the fact that the NHLS is in a stable financial situation, moving from a R1.4bn deficit in 2017 to a R1.8bn excess in 2020, made it easier to respond to crises. Mkhize said that of 50,219 tests conducted, the NHLS has done about 6,000, with private laboratories conducting the rest. The government is pinning much of its hopes on a TB testing machine, which can be used to detect Covid-19. Mohammed Majam, Wits University’s health consortium’s Ezintsha division medical technologies head, said SA is better geared than most countries to test for Covid19 because of the country’s HIV/TB problems. “SA has about 2,000 GeneXpert machines, used for TB testing, which can be used for Covid-19 testing. While the current To Page 2 ➜

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The stigma that attached itself to HIV/Aids patients is back, but this time the targets are people with Covid-19. Families in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal told the Sunday Times this week that they had faced hostility after their relatives tested positive for the coronavirus that causes the disease. In Khayelitsha, rumours spread that a 25-year-old mother who was the first confirmed person with the virus in Cape Town’s largest township had been paid “to spread the virus”. Infectious disease experts said stigmatising the coronavirus and Covid19 could fuel its spread because people would try to conceal their condition. “Stigma drives people underground, affects their mental wellbeing and makes our efforts to reach, test and treat everyone so much harder,” said LindaGail Bekker, head of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town. Page 10

INSIDE Economy reels under new blows Business Times

TROOP SLIP ‘Sub-standard sanitisers, masks for soldiers’ Page 8

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

News Covid 19: Evacuations

Sunday Times

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● Several provinces have begun identifying densely populated areas for the relocation of tens of thousands of residents from their homes in a bid to slow the spread of Covid19. But as the coronavirus that causes the disease begins to surface in townships — with infections in Alexandra, KwaMashu, Khayelitsha and Umlazi — two experts have warned against the government’s plan, which was announced last month by minister of human settlements, water & sanitation Lindiwe Sisulu. The plan to decrease the head count in 29 critically overcrowded informal settlements across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Eastern Cape is at an “advanced stage”, the department said this week. The elderly, disabled and shack dwellers will likely be the first to be evacuated and housed in emergency accommodation, the department has said. The national department was hesitant to give much detail due to the “sensitivity” of the relocations, but the affected provinces confirmed details of the plan. Western Cape human settlements MEC Tertius Simmers said settlements in Dunoon and Philippi in Cape Town would be the first port of call. In KwaZulu-Natal, the settlements in focus are Kennedy Road and Amaoti in Durban. “The focus would be on freeing up some space by removing existing units, be they shacks or standing houses. It is estimated that a quarter of residents in each settlement may need to relocate,” said KwaZulu-Natal human settlements spokesperson Mbulelo Baloyi.

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talk, but no details from the government. In Alexandra, Johannesburg, with a population of 700,000, grandmother Nancy Myaka’s home has been a refuge for her daughter and grandchildren during lockdown. “If it would help people then I wouldn’t mind relocating for a little while. But Alex is full of desperate people and I may just come back to an empty house,” said Myaka. The prospect is also fraught for Jacqueline Makongolo, who has lived in her Alexandra home for more than two decades. “I have six children and kitty who live with me. We are complying with the lockdown, but I can’t move and leave the cat behind,” she said. Michael Setloboko lives in a room at the back of a dwelling close to the Alex police station. He survives on donations and piece jobs. “Lockdown is so depressing, but I wouldn’t relocate even for a short while. I can’t leave my stuff behind, I have worked very hard for the things I have,” he said.

In the Western Cape, Nyanga community policing forum chair Martin Makazi said there is confusion about the message the government is sending out. Professor Sandra Liebenberg, chair of human rights law at Stellenbosch University, said emergency legislation gives ministers sweeping powers, but warned they must consider critical aspects of forced relocations. “What guarantees will be in place to enable communities to return to their homes after the pandemic threat has subsided?” Loren Landau of the African Centre for Migration and Society said those targeted are likely to be the poor, politically marginalised, linguistic minorities, or groups that local authorities or residents have long wanted to remove. He said township spatial planning has been ignored for decades, and now people will pay the price. — Additional reporting by Sthembile Cele

Correction

● In “Lockdown dos and don’ts” (March 29) we quoted a family lawyer saying the lockdown would not replace court-ordered visitation rights. In fact, the regulations say that every person is confined to his or her residence, unless strictly for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential good or service, collecting a social grant, or seeking emergency, life-saving or chronic medical attention. Lindiwe Zulu, the minister of social development, said last Saturday that: “The child shall remain in custody of the parent with whom the child was with when the lockdown was effected. “The parent who is not with the child during the lockdown, in order to maintain a personal relationship with the child, may communicate on a regular basis with the child.” We regret the error.

ACCURACY If you spot mistakes in our stories, please point them out to us so that we can fix them. Phone (011) 280 3253 or e-mail readers@sundaytimes.co.za

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An elderly, unidentified woman covers her face with a makeshift mask as people queue to collect social grants and shop during the 21day nationwide lockdown in Khayelitsha township near Cape Town. Picture: Reuters

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Covid-19 township screening piloted

Eastern Cape spokesperson Masiza Mazizi said the provincial department has identified 21 settlements for evacuation. Plans include moving 2,000 people from the settlement of Duncan Village in East London, home to as many as 100,000 people. In Gauteng, spokesperson Castro Ngobese said the Housing Development Agency is finalising the procurement process for temporary shelters. The Sunday Times has learnt that areas affected in Gauteng will include Stjwetla in Sandton and Mooiplaats in Pretoria. Human settlements national directorgeneral Neville Chainee said there is no time frame for when families will be asked to move. “The relocation of households is dependent on a number of factors and these include susceptibility to the danger of a virulent spread of Covid-19, makeup of households and consent of households to be relocated,” he said. “There is no set figure to the number of households to be relocated.” Human settlements ministry spokesperson McIntosh Polela said that though the relocation is urgent, it requires a sensitive approach, “Historically, our communities have resisted being moved. As such, we are careful that they be consulted and assured that they are going to be moved not far from the current place of their residence.” Sisulu last week announced that 17 land parcels have been identified for the “de-densification” project. Departmental spokesperson Xolani Xundu said this week the department is reluctant to provide too much information on the land parcels so as to avoid land occupation before the sites are ready to be lived on. Of the 17 land parcels, about four are owned by private companies and individuals and the rest by municipalities. Xundu would not say how much the department was planning to spend on purchasing the land. People in the affected areas who spoke to the Sunday Times this week were either unaware of the plans or said they had heard

By JEFF WICKS and ALEX PATRICK

Lotto Plus 1

Provinces brace for ‘thinning’ of settlements High-density areas in four provinces eyed for Covid relocations

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Covid-19 tests take 48 hours, the GeneXpert can reduce this to 45 minutes. “But, the big issue now is obtaining the testing materials to conduct the tests. Hopefully they will arrive in the next few weeks.” Two weeks ago the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the global use of GeneXperts to test for Covid-19. Madhi stressed that the slowing in positive results was not because the Covid-19 war is being won, but because of test shortages, movement restrictions stopping people from getting tested and the obsolete requirements of who can be tested. “Until now only people who had travelled to high-risk countries and their contacts got tested. Now there are only local transmissions.” NHLS spokesperson Mzi Gcukumane said of its more than 233 laboratories, 11 are being used to conduct Covid-19 tests, and 28 of its 67 new mobile units are to be fitted with the GeneXpert machines to conduct widespread community testing. The NHLS has 325 GeneXpert machines in 176 laboratories. In addition, “laboratories have been equipped with brand new equipment for Covid-19 … the NHLS initially could do 5,000 tests in 24 hours and with the addition of other instruments, we will be able to process approximately 15,000 tests in 24 hours.” He was unable to say how many daily tests were currently being done. He admitted there are challenges around limited supplies. “SA has to compete for these global supplies. Flights have also been cancelled, which has delayed stock coming into the country.” He said when the GeneXpert test kit was approved by US’s FDA two weeks ago, SA immediately placed orders. “Test kits will be arriving next week. We are assured SA is a priority.” Gcukumane said each district and metro will receive a mobile unit. “Thus far, seven vehicles have been deployed across the country, with five distributed over the weekend and 12 to be distributed on Monday.” ● Meanwhile, a senior government insider told the Sunday Times this week that government had created software that will help healthcare workers trace vulnerable citizens in all 4,000 wards across the country. Using a vulnerability map, created with the assistance of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and the University of Pretoria, government officials will be able to pick which areas are under greatest threat from the virus. Using a realtime map, the technology looks at the density of the area and how far the houses are from each other. It is also able to show the nearest hospitals to the affected areas, and the capacity of the facilities. The system shows that six of the top 10 most vulnerable wards are in Gauteng. The source said the idea was to close the vulnerable area as soon as an infection has been picked up, and then conduct widespread testing. This is in addition to the use of cellphone technology to track people who tested positive and those who have been in contact with them. The cellphone technology, which is usually used to solve criminal cases, is able to trace where the infected person has been and who was at least two metres from them at a particular area. This technology works even when cellphones are switched off. “We are able to go to everyone you have met. If you visit someone we are able to say he was within two metres from you,” the insider said. The CSIR said it had been commissioned by the health department to work on the app, and therefore could not comment.

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We miss a high-five. A handshake. A walk. A run even. We miss the sounds of bustling streets and full schools at break time. Miss watching the sunset. Not hesitating to open a door. Ride in a bus. Sit next to a friend. Or give someone a hug when they need it. And the reason we’re missing all these little things? Well, that’s caused by a little thing too. So small, we can’t even see it. But in order to get back to all our favourite things, there’s just one little thing we need to do. Stay home and stay safe, South Africa.

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Page 3 - 5 April 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times

News Covid-19: Survival guide

Heroes at the frontline of the Covid-19 war They leave families behind to track the carriers and help curb spread of virus By MPUMZI ZUZILE, ALEX PATRICK, JEFF WICKS and QAANITAH HUNTER

● Finding unco-operative Covid-19 patients who refuse to say who they have been in contact with is the job of Ndileka Mpande and her colleague Nontyatyambo Yoba. The women are among the coronavirus heroes helping to curb the spread of the virus. Mpande is the department of health’s team leader in the Buffalo City metro. She and her team found the first patient to have Covid-19 in the Eastern Cape and are now seeking others who came into contact with the province’s 21 patients. But sometimes patients and their doctors won’t co-operate. “People just get irritated when we ask questions. Some even drop our phone calls or just give us the wrong details. Those who were tested by private doctors are the worst to track. We just rely on their doctor’s co-operation,” she said. Mpande and Yoba spent the week tracing a man who tested positive for Covid-19 at a private clinic on Monday but refused to be contacted. Until they eventually tracked him down on Friday, all they knew was that he was with his family “around East London”. The man told them he didn’t want to cooperate because he was afraid of the stigma, and feared he would be forced into quarantine in hospital like a woman in the province with the virus who refused to isolate herself. Though it is not illegal to fail to co-operate with tracers, the department can go to court to force patients into quarantine. Mpande said her family were “not very concerned” that she would contract the virus, because of her protective gear, but her husband and son had moved to the family’s village home near Alice. “They understand that my job comes with some risks,” she said. George Mamabolo of the South African Red Cross Society helped to trace the contacts of 285 people who attended a church service in Bloemfontein where many were infected. “There were people who took public transport, farmers who came into contact with farm staff … It’s a huge task,” he said. Claudia Mangwegape, a Red Cross Free State branch manager, said they tested near-

Ndileka Mpande traced a carrier. Picture: Michael Pinyana

Nontyatyambo Yoba found a patient. Picture: Michael Pinyana

Matt Watermeyer joined up. Picture: Alaister Russell

Former medic Chavonne Ray. Picture: Esa Alexander

ly 3,000 people from three Bloemfontein churches that held services attended by those suspected to have had the virus. “Our volunteers are our heroes. They are working for the good of their communities for free,” she said. Mangwegape gets home to her mother, her young daughters and disabled brother at 10pm each day. She is afraid of bringing the virus home. “I got a card from my daughter which made me very emotional. It said: ‘Mom, thank you for being the best mom and thank you for saving the world’,” she said. Former Cape Town medic Chavonne Ray, 37, responded to the call for paramedics, doctors and nurses. She has put on her old uniform and has taken up shifts with the False Bay Volunteer Emergency Medical Services. “We’re going to need every medic we have when this gets worse,” she said. “You will need the hands to handle the workload, whether it is with the wave of corona patients or with the normal sick people who are not going to disappear,” said Ray. “No-one should be neglected in this pandemic. I couldn’t sit idly by and watch people suffer when I know I could help.” Ray said her husband, a police officer, was already involved in the fight against the virus. “We have even set up a decontamination station at home with an outside shower,” she said. Former Johannesburg flight paramedic Matt Watermeyer has volunteered with the city’s emergency services. “If this virus takes hold like we fear it will, I won’t be able to live with myself knowing I have these skills and did nothing while people died,” he said. Watermeyer, 35, gave up his paramedic job three years ago but is now ready for action. “Whether it’s training on intubation or ventilation, or being on the frontlines actually treating patients, I’m ready,” he said. Dr Kamy Chetty, CEO of the National Health Laboratory Service, which is rolling out mass testing for the disease, doesn’t place herself among the growing army of Covid-19 heroes. Instead, she believes the 8,000 or more people working for the laboratory service are the real unsung heroes. The service conducts tests, co-ordinates results and runs two hotlines for doctors and the public. “There is a whole team of people working long hours, who are dedicated and are very committed,” she said, adding that many have had little sleep. “It has to be done. We cannot allow the epidemic to drag on. The curve has to be flattened,” she said.

HELP THOSE ON THE FRONTLINE These are some of the urgent requests that have come through: • Theatre scrubs • Masks • Equipment

Homecoming rituals of the lockdown “I am very concerned I bring the virus home. My family leaves a gown outside for me every night. I get out the car and put all my clothes in a packet and then shower in the outside bathroom. It takes about an hour before I can go in the house. The family is used to the routine, they haven’t forgotten the robe yet. So far none of my neighbours has seen me naked.” — Claudia Mangwegape, South African Red Cross Free State branch manager

A-Listers with Craig Jacobs jacobsc@sundaytimes.co.za

Keeping the flame burning

● Guess which newlyweds toasted the first weekend of the lockdown with a candlelit picnic on their living room floor? And can you name the former playboy who is as adept with a mop and broom as he is with whipping up culinary delights for his family and mother-in-law? Those are two of the titbits I picked up this week as I snooped around the self-isolation habits of some of the land’s A-List lovedup couples. Yes, I know we do have more pressing matters to ventilate in a world turned upside down by a brutal virus, but with Isidingo and Top Billing canned, who doesn’t want to hear about a little home-grown romance? First up, the couple whose nuptials broke Newlyweds Somizi viewership records when they were aired on Mhlongo and Mohale streaming service Showmax earlier this Motaung.Picture: Masi Losi year. It turns out that, off camera, showbiz couple Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung are still keeping the romantic flames alight. “I decided to organise an indoor picnic on Saturday,” explains flamboyant Idols judge Somizi. “I put blankets on the floor, and that’s where we had dinner with candles lit all around.” Somizi’s gig as a Metro FM presenter is deemed an essential service so he’s been able to leave the nest every day, leaving Mohale to his own devices. And it seems that the Wits student cum entrepreneur has been spending a lot of his time glued to the teachings of spiritual leader Dr Dharius Daniels. “He watches him almost the entire day, and I’ve found myself joining him [when I am home]. Now I understand where he gets his motivation from,” says Somgaga. Unlike “Somhale”, recently married couple Dineo Langa (née Moeketsi) and her rapper husband Solo have not been apart — and they’ve been putting the time to good use honing their new joint venture. The actress says “patience, goofiness and food are the key elements to surviving lockdown as a couple”. Subscribing to the dictum that the couple that plays together Sue and JP Duminy. Picture: Instagram/@sueduminy stays together are Nicky van der Walt former South and Lee-Anne African cricketer Liebenberg. Picture: JP Duminy and ter Gia with her home-schooling. fined couple time, I had to ask these celeb John Liebenberg his wife Sue. “I glanced at some of it and ran duos how they handle the niggles that inThe couple, who have two daughters and away; she is much braver than I am,” he ad- variably crop up. will have been married nine years in June, mits. “We write stuff down to each other, and are exercising and showing off their TikTok The self-confessed romantic says that, 10 exchange notes. That way, we make sure dance moves together during self-isolation. years down the line, the glam couple who that, no matter what happens, peace is reThey’re also tackling a 1,000-piece jigsaw own the Dr Swiss range of CBD oils are stored,” says Somizi. puzzle. “more in love now than ever”. “You need to be able to understand the “Sue gets very frustrated, wanting to get it Date nights, after sending “Granny and sort of partner you have, and what they like done ASAP, whereas I find it more relaxing,” the kids to bed”, are the order of the day. doing, to create a happy home,” says Mohale. says the left-handed batsman. “This may be our second honeymoon, For the Duminys, it is all about showing On to that former polo-playing man about with our kids,” he says. each other respect. town, Nicky van der Walt, who, since midMeanwhile, Lee-Anne revealed the secret “We find ourselves in a highly stressful March, has self-isolated with his wife Lee- skill practised by her dark-haired beau. environment, so people are going to react Anne Liebenberg, their two daughters and “He’s incredibly handy with a mop and differently. Lee-Anne’s mom (at Nicky’s insistence!). broom!” she gushes. “Let’s respect each other’s views, and the Nicky says he’s found a new respect for Mind you, with reports that Chinese di- way we each process this in our different his wife’s discipline in helping elder daugh- vorce rates skyrocketed after all that con- ways,” says JP.

An antidote from a comic with shrink holism and drug addiction. She has been working with Bushkin for more than a year ● Lockdown has left South Africans feeling and credits the psychologist with helping to anxious, uncertain and isolated. So comedi- pull her out of some dark spaces. an Nina Hastie is offering free online sessions Hastie told the Sunday Times her own exwith her and psychologist Hanan periences had helped her understand Bushkin to help people deal with the uncertainty and struggle many mental illness and calm fears may be going through at the moabout the spread of Covid-19. ment. The sessions, held on “I lost everything. I started Hastie’s Instagram Live platagain from nothing. I had to form daily, have attracted a figure a way out of it and the global audience since their only way I could do that was launch last week, with the acto plan and take it one step at a tress speaking of her own strugtime. That’s more valuable gles with anxiety and depression. now than ever because a lot of Nina Hastie Hastie is best known for her Picture: Gallo Images South Africans are going to satirical news shows such as Late lose everything.” Nite News and The Bantu Hour, Beyond the sessions, and as a presenter of the popular SABC3 en- Hastie is working on a podcast with fellow tertainment show Trending SA. comedian Nik Rabinowitz called Otherwise She has been a victim of sexual assault on You Well?, a comedic approach to wellbeing three occasions and has overcome alco- that she hopes to launch in the next few By KYLE ZEEMAN

smilefoundation.co.za | 082 994 7655

Unity is the key to overcoming this pandemic.

weeks. The two are in talks with a radio broadcaster. Bushkin, a practising psychologist for 16 years and owner of A Really Good Therapist Centre at the Anxiety and Trauma Clinic in Sandton, Johannesburg, said the biggest concern many had during the lockdown was in dealing with the unknown. “We can’t predict when this will end or what will happen, or how the world will look when this is over. My biggest advice to people is to control what you can and let go of what you can’t. Find or create elements you can control and focus on that.” Several well-known South Africans have also spoken out about mental illness. Actress Makgotso Monyemokathoe — known as Kamogelo Tsotetsi on Isidingo — said: “You need to watch and listen to things that will uplift and encourage you. Things that will get you in the right frame of mind, because once your mind is defeated, you’re defeated. Look after your mind.”

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Monday to Friday: 9:00 - 17:00 | Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 9:00 - 15:00 Page 5 - 5 April 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

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Page 7 - 5 April 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

News Politics

R641m for deployment President Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as the commander-in-chief of the defence force, has deployed 2,820 soldiers to all provinces to enforce the lockdown. The deployment began on March 26 and is due to end on June 26. This will cost the taxpayer R641m

‘Unsafe’ gear for soldiers Army’s substandard equipment ‘slipped between cracks’ By THABO MOKONE

● Soldiers helping to enforce the lockdown have been put at risk by sanitisers and face masks that don’t meet safety standards. Sources in the defence force and the department of defence said the poor quality of such equipment had led to anxiety among the soldiers, whose health was at risk. They said about R10m had been spent on equipping the army with protective gear, which included hand sanitisers and masks. They said much of the equipment, particularly the sanitisers and masks, had failed safety tests at the Protechnik Laboratories, which is part of Armscor. The tests found the hand sanitisers, procured under the watch of the defence force’s chief of logistics, Lt-Gen Jabulani Mbuli, were either alcohol-free or contained only 40% alcohol. This is below the minimum safety requirements of the World Health Organisation and the National Institute of Com-

municable Diseases which have strictly stated that safe hand sanitisers should contain a minimum of 60% alcohol. The Sunday Times has seen the laboratory test results, which were done by Protechnik on March 30. Three days earlier soldiers had been issued with the substandard equipment. The sources and insiders said Mbuli and defence force chief Gen Solly Shoke had acted against the advice of the Military Health Services. They said when the results of the tests were known, the two generals allegedly refused to recall the sanitisers and masks. “The small bottles with 40% alcohol have been issued to the soldiers [who are] in the frontline irrespective of the objections from the [health services]. Gen Mbuli refused to recall the substandard sanitisers,” said one of the insiders. “The dust masks were issued to the soldiers while they were [being] tested by Protechnik and the masks failed. These are the masks that the soldiers are wearing in the frontline. Millions have been spent already and more substandard masks and sanitisers are to be delivered to the defence force.” The insider said that the health services had “stood their ground” that the masks and sanitisers were not up to standard. “And this has caused a big fight.”

Sources said that late on Friday, the defence force chiefs, following questions from the Sunday Times, hurriedly removed the stored sanitisers and masks from one of the depots in Pretoria. The equipment was then moved to an undisclosed location. Joy Peter, a spokesperson for defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, yesterday referred questions to Siphiwe Dlamini, a spokesperson for the defence force. Dlamini said the minister did not get involved in operational matters. Dlamini yesterday confirmed that the Protechnik Laboratories had run tests on the safety equipment and material meant to protect the soldiers. But he said only “a few slipped between the cracks”. “All the protective gear that is used for our

It’s ludicrous and unfortunate Siphiwe Dlamini Defence force spokesperson on the claims

deployed soldiers is tested by Protechnik, a subsidiary of Armscor, the agency of the department of defence, to verify the conformity or efficacy of the required standard. “However, there have been a few which slipped between the cracks, which were found not to be according to the required standards, and these have been urgently recalled,” said Dlamini. He did not to respond to allegations that R10m had been spent on sanitisers and masks. He said it was “ludicrous” and “unfortunate” to suggest that Shoke and Mbuli had refused to take advice from the health services. “The opposite is the truth. The urgency has been to make sure that our members receive all protective gear needed when they are in the field.” Dlamini said that the lives of soldiers had not been put at risk. The defence force “would like to allay any anxiety or fears to our deployed members about the safety measures put in place. It would be highly irresponsible of the military health to play with the lives of our gallant soldiers who have laid their lives for the protection of our fellow South Africans by giving them substandard protective gear,” Dlamini said.

Soldiers on patrol yesterday in Johannesburg. Claims have surfaced that the troops have been supplied with ineffective and substandard anti-viral gear. Picture: Alon Skuy

Scopa warns on corona looting By ANDISIWE MAKINANA

● Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) has warned government officials that it will go after those caught looting public funds during the emergency procurement of goods and services to curb the spread of Covid-19. IFP MP and Scopa chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa said this week the public finance watchdog will scrutinise every government financial transaction related to Covid-19 expenditure and enforcing the national lockdown as soon as parliament reconvenes. Hlengwa said that while deviations and diversions from competitive bidding processes are allowed during a state of national disaster, stipulations of the Public Finance

Management Act and National Treasury regulations still have to be followed in procuring coronavirus-related services and goods. The government is spending billions of rands urgently as it tackles the national crisis sparked by the spread of the virus. Hlengwa said Scopa will have to work with other parliamentary portfolio committees to ensure all government departments are held accountable for spending. “Obviously as Scopa we will focus on the big expenditure line items and expect portfolio committees to do the rest. We will leave no stone unturned and I hope that serves as a warning to all those that have an appetite for corruption that we are going to focus on this,” he said. Parliament is currently on shutdown but

MPs, who are categorised as essential service workers, are on standby to travel to Cape Town should an urgent sitting be called. DA interim leader John Steenhuisen has called on speaker Thandi Modise to institute a special ad hoc committee on Covid-19. Modise is yet to announce her decision on Steenhuisen’s proposal. At the same time, DA health spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube wants the health portfolio committee to hold regular virtual oversight meetings with health minister Zweli Mkhize and his senior officials. Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the institution has the capacity to hold virtual oversight committee meetings but warned this could distract ministers from dealing with the national crisis.

Taxi bosses to go it alone after no joy with Mbalula By S'THEMBILE CELE

● The taxi industry has moved to set up its own emergency fund to cushion its members against the economic effects of the national lockdown. This follows a deadlock in meetings over funding relief with transport minister Fikile Mbalula. Sources in the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said this week that at least R3.5bn is needed to ensure the survival of their industry as the lockdown ravages the economy. Taxi industry insiders who attended a meeting with Mbalula and the Black Business Council this week said they have resolved to establish an independently managed fund which is due to be announced this week, with details on how it would operate. Stakeholders in the industry that runs SA’s biggest, although informal, commuter transport system say they have struggled to find common ground with Mbalula and have accused him of being unwilling to hear any of their proposals. Santaco has been at loggerheads with Mbalula over how the taxi industry should operate during the lockdown and measures to recoup revenue lost during the lockdown. Sources said proposals Santaco made to the government this week during meetings with Mbalula were rejected out of hand. This was confirmed by the organisation’s chief strategic manager, Bafana Magagula. “In the meeting they [Mbalula and officials from his department] dismissed it, saying government has no money. They did not even listen to us,” Magagula said. “We are saying that buses and trains will be getting subsidised whilst sitting at home, why can that money not be redirected for this month and pay those who are moving essential workers? On the petrol levy we were saying because the petrol price was going down by R2 no-one will benefit from that because people are mainly at home with their cars. They could leave the price unchanged or give the consumer 50% relief and use the rest to fund our relief.” In terms of the proposed R3.5bn fund, drivers staying at home would be paid R250 a week and those driving taxis during the restricted hours of the lockdown would be paid R350 instead of the R900 they usually earn per week. Santaco also wants the private sector to contribute to the fund. “We want government to be the first to contribute but private sector must come to the party as well. They survive on workers who come to work using taxis, they must make sure the industry does not collapse.”

Magagula said Santaco was not impressed with Mbalula’s directive, which was rescinded hours after it was announced, that taxis could operate at full passenger capacity during the lockdown. “We may be uneducated as taxi drivers but how do you maintain social distance at 100%? They said it would be 100% plus masks. We said ‘how do you give thousands of people masks every day, bearing in mind that they do not last forever; it is a massive undertaking. You talk as if you can supply this thing tomorrow when you failed to supply sanitisers in the first two weeks. “The minister is playing games with people’s lives. We got the sense from meeting him that he is too excited. Maybe he can go back to sport and play there.” Leaders of the National Taxi Alliance — who appeared alongside Mbalula when he

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula, left, and Bafana Magagula, chief strategic manager of Santaco.

The minister is playing games with people’s lives Bafana Magagula Santaco chief strategic manager

made the announcement that taxis can operate at full capacity — said they were not aware of the Santaco fund but would support it. “It would be a welcome reprieve because all of us in the industry are operating at bare minimum. We don’t want to practise petty politics,” spokesperson Theo Malele said. On supporting Mbalula’s decision, Malele said that they thought the decision had been reached after consultation. Santaco also met Mosebenzi Zwane, the chair of parliament’s transport portfolio committee, to raise its problems. Zwane said he was not able to comment publicly on the matter.

Now hear this …

Let’s be the silver lining

To ease the lockdown blues, Gallo Record Company has released a series of five-song playlists featuring some of the leading local music label’s top artists, including The Parlotones and Idols SA winner Luyolo Yiba. Playlist titles include Don’t Touch Your Face — Just Move Your Feet and Mom’s Not Available Right Now — Go Bug Your Dad. The playlists are available on Gallo’s website and on its Facebook and Twitter pages, and can be played through any streaming service.

● As SA approaches the halfway mark in the compulsory 21-day national lockdown, the Sunday Times is boosting its efforts to lift everyone’s spirits. Arena Holdings, owner of the Sunday Times, has launched the United, Apart! campaign for South Africans to encourage and inspire each other during this time. We are urging everyone to tell us stories of how they are surviving, whether working from home, studying or engaging in any other activity. The company will share your stories with the rest of the country on social media. There are prizes for the best video of the day, and at the end we will choose the best video/story. We hope to document each step of this journey and ultimately come up with

a documentary on how South Africans overcame Covid-19. Each weekday, a selection of our favourite submissions will be chosen to feature as a daily snapshot of lockdown life, using the hashtags #UnitedApartSA and #LoveChange on social media channels. The best submission daily wins a R700 prize, with the overall winner pocketing a prize valued at R5,000. All the content received will then be compiled into the documentary. Submit video clips, images, voice notes, or anything else that captures the essence of this extraordinary moment via WhatsApp +27 (0)63-521-8618 or e-mail UnitedApartSA@arena.africa

Page 9 - 5 April 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times

News Covid-19: Stigma

F1 team in a different kind of race The Mercedes Formula One team worked with engineers and clinicians at University College London to develop a breathing aid that can be quickly mass-produced. The “continuous positive airway pressure” device was reverse-engineered from an existing machine and so far it has halved the need for ventilators in hospitals in Italy and China. It is hoped that Mercedes and other F1 teams could produce as many as 1,000 a day once clinical trials are complete

First came the infection, then the hate Health experts denounce growing Covid-19 stigma By SIPOKAZI FOKAZI and PHILANI NOMBEMBE

● In the battle to defeat Covid-19, a young Khayelitsha mother and her family have an unwelcome secondary fight on their hands — against the stigma growing around people infected with the virus. After the 25-year-old tested positive eight days ago, becoming the first coronavirus victim in Cape Town’s largest township, her landlady asked her to leave. Then a flood of hateful social media posts and voice notes began circulating. The mother of one had been treated like “someone with leprosy”, said a family spokesperson. “After she informed the landlady about the outcome of her test, a depart-

ment of health vehicle came to pick them up on Sunday. Neighbours stood outside watching. It was a spectacle. The landlady showed uneasiness. She wanted her out of her premises.” Rumours that the young mother had been paid “to spread the virus” proliferated after she and her child were taken into isolation. “It is worse than the stigma that was attached to HIV/Aids,” said the family spokesperson. “I am praying for her safety as there is so much anger out there.” Infectious disease experts called for calm and compassion this week, arguing that stigmatising Covid-19 could fuel the spread of the virus because victims would do their best to conceal their condition. Linda-Gail Bekker, head of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the University of Cape Town, warned that excluding people based on their illness could harm treatment programmes, as it did with HIV/Aids. “Stigma drives people underground, affects their mental wellbeing and makes our efforts to reach, test and treat everyone so much harder,” said Bekker. “This is an airborne disease like colds and flu. We don’t

The first resident of Khayelitsha township to test positive had to leave her home due to community hostility. Picture: Esa Alexander

blame people who have these diseases, we normally feel sorry for them.” Treatment Action Campaign chair Sibongile Tshabalala said there was an impression that Covid-19 only affects people who

have travelled outside the country. “I see the ignorance every day in the township,” she said. Conspiracy theories that Covid-19 was created in China “because China wants to

tion runs unchecked.” She said overwhelming information flows via social media and word of mouth, compounded by high volumes of fake news and inaccuracies, could add to this tense mood. “It is crucial that the blaming of patients who bear no fault at all be clearly and strongly denounced, and that a culture of compassion is encouraged instead.” While HIV stigma was driven mainly by the slow government response in SA, Snyman said the response to Covid-19 had been extraordinarily swift. “We hope that this will help massively to mitigate Covid-19 stigma.” It’s a painful issue for a KwaZulu-Natal woman who buried her sister, a teacher from Isipingo, at a family homestead on Friday. Despite five relatives testing negative for Covid-19, they were being shunned, said the woman. “Where we stay, even where we work, people are scared because it is a new virus and people don’t understand it, people are afraid of us. “Because of the way people reacted to this we feel that we have been isolated even by our community.” — Additional reporting by Zimasa Matiwane

Brains tackle virus with pop-up ICUs, 3D-printed shields

Soweto suburbs worlds apart

tures and these are what are available, and the only way out, we will use it.” On a smaller scale, frontline medics are ● From a sprawling pop-up hospital and a turning to snorkelling masks and 3D-printed fully equipped intensive-care unit (ICU) in a face shields. box, to converted snorkelling masks, 3DClint Voigt, owner of an online sporting printed face shields and self-sanitising sur- goods store, said doctors, paramedics, police faces, inventive South Africans are pulling and friends had approached him for out all the stops in the Covid-19 fight. snorkelling masks amid a shortage of perChina built a 1,000-bed hospisonal protective equipment. tal in 10 days, and Durban brothAn Umhlanga doctor who ers Matthew and Gary Bower say bought 30 is converting them and they can do the same — albeit on a adding air filters for his staff. “I In Numbers smaller scale. have also had a donation of 100 The event infrastructure spemasks which were not suitable cialists said it would take them for diving due to a design flaw but just 12 days to erect a 7,500m² can be modified,” said the doctor, temporary hospital with 350 isowho did not want to be named. lation units. “These masks are not for nor“We have all our planning in mal use … but are especially for place to provide temporary hosprocedures such as intubating or pital or medical facilities to cater suctioning a patient when huge Size options for large numbers of patients amounts of virus are shed and the available for a when and if the need arises,” said doctors and nurses are up close.” container Matthew Bower. A full-face snorkelling mask isolation unit. He and his team at Extreme adapted by Orca Industries’ DunIt can be Events have already designed the can Pattenden, aerospace design12m x 2.4m or structure. “We would lay out a er Robert Miller and Dr Adrian 6m x 2.4m flooring system … and on top of Wentzel is being registered after that erect our A-frame marquee safety testing at the University of tents. Inside that we will have Cape Town and the New Somerspecially designed isolation units, set Hospital in Cape Town. which have been developed at Dr Anthony Allwood, an Days to our warehouse.” anaesthetist and intensive care assemble a Another medical facility than practitioner in the Western Cape, hospital to can be assembled quickly is the said frontline doctors had been accommodate Iculate, an ICU designed by EOH concerned for weeks about how 350 people in Group subsidiary Dihlase. to protect themselves. “What we isolation units “It is effectively a mobile medare observing from around the ical ward that complies to interworld is that full hazmat protecnational isolation ward and ICU standards,” tive gear seems to be giving better protection said EOH CEO Stephen van Coller. in ICUs around the world.” “It can be transported by truck like a norIn the absence of such equipment in SA, mal container … It is designed as a simple medics are opting for 3D-printed face ‘plug and play’ solution to get an isolated shields. The 3D Printing Store in Centurion medical ward up and running in no time.” made 5,000 this week, and CEO Paul Cronje The government has not ruled out the said the 3D-printing community throughout possibility of using these types of solutions the country had come on board. should the need arise. Just before the coronavirus crisis hit, Wits Health minister Zweli Mkhize told the University mechanical engineering PhD stuSunday Times: “Anything where we can get dent Michael Lucas scooped an international more space, we will use it when the need award for his self-sanitising surface coating arises. If there is need for temporary struc- for hospitals. By SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER, NIVASHNI NAIR and TANYA FARBER

By BELINDA PHETO

● You could hear a pin drop on the streets of the affluent Phase 3 in Soweto’s Diepkloof Extension this week as residents stayed holed up comfortably behind their walls. Barely a kilometre away, in Diepkloof’s Zone 6, the situation was very different. Sizakele Vilakazi, 57, who shares a modest home with her four daughters and 10 grandchildren, said that with no yard to play in, the kids end up playing in the streets with other children who also have no other form of entertainment at home. “They like playing soccer and, as you can see, there is no space in my yard.” Back in Phase 3, resident Gladys Mathonsi, 53, said she was worried that some people were disregarding the lockdown rules. “The infections were coming at an alarming rate and I’m glad government came with the lockdown at this time,” she said. Mathonsi, an official in the international relations department, said she had to be stern with her sons, aged 18 and 20. “They still wanted to carry on with their lives as usual; they wanted to hang out with their friends on the streets and I told them that would not happen. I even had to show them pictures of caskets with dead bodies from Italy and told them that our government doesn’t want us to get to that level. “They don’t have a reason to be out on the streets, they have everything they need right here at home. There’s food, internet, DStv and just about anything they need to keep them busy.” Mathonsi said she had set daily tasks for herself. “So far it’s going well. I’m meeting all my targets.” Mathonsi’s daughter, Katekani, 29, a lawyer, said she had also not left her home since the lockdown. She dedicates between an hour and two hours every day to teaching her daughter, Letlhogonolo, 5, and her niece, Musa Mashamba, 9, so they don’t fall behind with their schoolwork. She says once the lockdown is lifted, the first thing she’ll do is visit the park with her daughter.

take over the world economy” were not helping. “There were similar stories about HIV. We need to put in the same energy that we put into HIV. It won’t be a one-day thing, but we need to continuously talk about it.” Vuyiseka Dubula-Majola, director of the Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management at Stellenbosch University, said SA “cannot afford another wave of stigma”. She added: “One of the biggest reasons people stop or refuse to take antiretroviral treatment is stigma. Sadly, Covid-19 will most likely affect more people who have TB and HIV, including those who are not on treatment or do not know their status. “Covid-19 stigma will result in setbacks in the work that we have done to combat HIV/TB stigma.” Leigh-Ann Snyman, patient-support manager with Doctors Without Borders, called for compassion instead of shaming for those infected with Covid-19. “There certainly is a risk of people infected with Covid-19 being stigmatised, not only in their communities but in health-care facilities. Stigma is often found where fear exists. Stigma also thrives where misinforma-

Shoppers wait in line at a supermarket in Soweto. Picture: Marco Longari/AFP

David Phokoje, 73, says he doesn’t want to leave home in case he misses a virus test.

But in Zone 6 not even the rain kept people indoors. The streets were busy, with children playing, cars and taxis driving by and people hanging out on street corners. Nicholas Sibiya, 48, chose to stay indoors even though life is not comfortable in the one-roomed shack he is renting in a backyard. Sibiya is self-employed and the lockdown is hurting his pocket, but he is not prepared to break the law. “I bought groceries last week before the lockdown and I’ve not set my foot out of this yard since,” he told the Sunday Times.

Sthembiso Mhlungu and Sifiso Radebe say staying indoors ‘would drive us crazy’.

I bought groceries last week and I’ve not set my foot out of this yard since Nicholas Sibiya, 48 Self-employed Zone 6 resident

The lockdown has hurt self-employed Nicholas Sibiya in the pocket.

David Phokoje, 73, said he only went to the shop to buy bread. “I heard on the radio that government will be sending doctors to our homes to test us for this virus. I don’t know when they will come but I want to be home when they come.” Sifiso Radebe, 21, and Sthembiso Mhlungu, 22, said staying indoors “would drive us crazy”. Radebe transports children to school. “They are not saying anything about the reopening date and this is a concern for me because already some parents didn’t pay us because schools closed earlier.”

NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE, APART This is an unprecedented moment in South Africa’s history. Lockdown is in full effect, businesses have been temporarily closed, and we’re all adjusting to this new normal for as long as it may take. But what does life in lockdown look like? Well, that’s up to you. Show us how you’re getting through, and what lockdown means to you, by submitting video clips, images, voice notes, or anything else that captures the essence of this extraordinary event, to:

UNITED A P A R T

+27 (63) 521-8618

UNITEDAPARTSA@ARENA.AFRICA

Each day, we will choose our favourite submissions to be featured as a daily snapshot of lockdown life and share them to our social channels under #UnitedApartSA and #LoveChange, and one submission per day will receive a prize worth R700. Then, when all this is over, our favourite submission will receive a prize valued at R5,000, and we will use all the content we have collected to create a documentary, so the world can see our story.

#LoveChange #UnitedApartSA

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

‘Work or no pay’ threat upsets Cosatu CCI, an international call centre based in Umhlanga, provoked the ire of trade union federation Cosatu and the KwaZulu-Natal department of economic development, tourism & environmental affairs for allegedly forcing its employees to work during the national lockdown and threatening to cut the pay of those who refuse.

News Covid-19: Lockdown blues

Clashes between cops and shops Retailers go to court and China steps in to help its nationals By SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER, ZIMASA MATIWANE and TANIA BROUGHTON

● As the Covid-19 crisis deepens, some lockdown offenders are fighting back against authorities who have clamped down on them for allegedly flouting regulations of the Disaster Management Act. Durban business owners, including supermarket retailers and butchers, say that charges against them border on discrimination, are a violation of their human rights and amount to grandstanding. The owners of Oxford Family Supermarkets in Durban, with stores on the Bluff and in Hillcrest, have threatened to sue the police if its officers continue to obstruct them from operating around the clock. Police allege the businesses do not ensure social distancing. Co-owners Brett Latimer and Paul Beltramo instructed attorney Jacques Botha to issue a letter to the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, Lt-Gen Khombinkosi Jula, and the Durban metro police commissioner, Steve Middleton, on Thursday after one of their stores was shut down and a manager arrested the day before. Latimer told the Sunday Times the manager was charged with contravening regula-

In Numbers

160,000

The number of customers Oxford Family Supermarkets recorded at its stores in March

R20,000

Bail granted to Ming Lai

All about publicity and scare tactics, not about justice Paul Jorgensen Advocate for a Durban store manager

tions of the Disaster Management Act 2020. “We have been unfairly targeted. I’m not sure why,” he said. Botha demanded “immediate corrective action” by the police officers and that the officers be “properly” informed about the applicable legislation.

“In the event that the conduct complained of does not cease with immediate effect, our client will have no option but to approach the high court for necessary relief,” he said. Meanwhile, the Chinese consulate in Durban said it was concerned about two incidents involving Chinese nationals. A Chinese businessman, Ming Lai, was arrested this week after he allegedly locked up 14 employees and forced them to make protective face masks. Lai has said he was arrested and treated inhumanely when he was only trying to help SA stop the spread of Covid-19. In the second incident, a multidisciplinary team closed the Xinhua Distribution Centre in central Durban on Wednesday after allegations that the Chinese nationals who operated stores in the building had tested positive for Covid-19. In a statement, the Chinese consul-general in Durban, Fei Mingxing, asked for the rights of Chinese citizens and legal processes to be guaranteed. Another business that has taken legal advice is Star Meat Market. This was after criminal charges had been withdrawn against its manager, Denver Naidoo, following a confrontation with KwaZulu-Natal economic development MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, which was broadcast on social media. Naidoo was arrested and charged with contravening the Consumer Protection Act. A prosecutor subsequently declined to place the matter on the court roll because of a lack of evidence. Naidoo’s attorney, Shamla Pather, described the incident as a “complete abuse of

COVID-19 cases in SA Stats at April 3 2020

5 0 5

Confirmed cases

Deaths

Weekly case breakdown Week 1 Mar 1-7

Week 2

Mar 8-14

Week 3 Mar 15-21

Week 4

Mar 22-28

Week 5

Mar 29-Apr 3

2 + 36 3 8 cases 202 2 4 0 +cases + 947 1 1 8 7 cases 5 0 5

4 5

Confirmed cases, breakdown by province MPUMALANGA

LIMPOPO

+ 318 cases

+ 3 cases

By LWANDILE BHENGU

GAUTENG

+ 3 cases

6 7 2

NORTHERN CAPE FREE STATE

+ 2 cases

+ 139 cases

8 4 + 16 cases

EASTERN CAPE WESTERN CAPE

2 1

3 7 4

+ 11 cases

+ 103 cases

KWAZULU-NATAL

2 1

+ 59 cases UNALLOCATED

9 4

Graphic: Nolo Moima Source: News Reports/Department of Health

the legal system”. Paul Jorgensen, an advocate whom Pather instructed to act on behalf of Naidoo, said: “I do appreciate they are trying to do good, but what happened was all about publicity and scare tactics and not about justice.” Dube-Ncube said the department had been inundated with calls from people complaining about a sudden increase in prices at various retailers, including pharmacies and butcheries. “The department’s consumer protection services has received more than 2,000 complaints, most relating to price hiking,” she

A degree of dismay for many graduates

+ 5 cases

NORTH WEST

Recoveries

Sunday Times

said. “There are workers who have complained about a lack of social distance, unhygienic conditions and lack of sanitisers.” Responding to the concerns raised by affected business owners, the national police spokesperson, Brig Vish Naidoo, said these had been “noted”. “However, our security forces are guided by the Disaster Management Act when executing their duties during this lockdown period. “I am unfortunately not privy to the merits of every case that is happening around the country,” he said.

UBUNTU IS WHAT WE NEED NOW The benevolent gaze of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, perennial champion of ‘ubuntu’, looks out from a mural in central Cape Town this week as pedestrians walk past in face masks. Health minister Zweli Mkhize visited the city to assess plans for mass testing for Covid-19. Picture: Esa Alexander

● Zolani Zuma donned his suit and graduation gown, but instead of strutting across the stage at the University of Cape Town, he walked across his living room where his father conferred a BCom in accounting on him. Zuma, like many students globally, decided to have an at-home graduation after tertiary institutions across the world cancelled or indefinitely postponed their graduation ceremonies due to the Covid-19 pandemic. “I felt a bit sad about it. I was looking forward to the ceremony because I worked towards it for three years so it was incredibly disappointing,” he said. “Graduation is a huge milestone in the academic journey. It’s a culmination of the years you worked in university, and even before that in high school, when you tried to achieve good marks so you could apply to do the degree that you want. When you get that degree, it’s a really big achievement and graduation is a chance to celebrate that.” Zuma had already bought his suit and graduation gown, and his parents, who live in KwaZulu-Natal, had already booked tickets and accommodation for the event last month. Zolani Zuma But he and his parents instead held a ceremony at home to commemorate his achievement. “What I did instead, at home, I dressed up in my MARCH graduation attire, and The day that then my dad just put Kovisha the cap on me like the Ganess, who university’s rector obtained would have. Then we a BSc in took pictures. Afteractuarial wards, we had a cake science, would and takeout.” have had her On Wednesday the graduation University of the ceremony at Western Cape beWits came the first instituUniversity tion in SA to hold a virtual graduation. Chancellor Thabo Makgoba conducted the ceremony, calling out graduates’ names and conferring degrees during a 30-minute live session streamed on YouTube. All other universities have either suspended or cancelled graduations, conferring all degrees, diplomas and certificates in absentia. Wits University graduate Kovisha Ganess, who obtained a BSc in actuarial science, saw the lighter side. She took to Instagram to mark her cancelled graduation day, sharing a picture of herself in a nightgown and a hat and holding a piece of paper. “Today was supposed to be my graduation, so I put on a gown, a cap and held some paper in my hand. You know, for the culture. See you soon Great Hall. Stay safe,” she wrote. Ganess told the Sunday Times she wanted to do something to share the news of her graduation with friends and family. “I was excited about the ceremony because anyone going to university goes through a lot emotionally and mentally,” she said. “It is something you look forward to because as much as you get your results from the year before, and you know you passed and you’ve technically graduated, having the ceremony kind of finalises and cements everything.”

The beat goes on, classic that is Shelters fear for abuse victims By BELINDA PHETO

● No lockdown will lock down the music. This is what the Brooklyn Theatre in Pretoria has decided and it’s taking performances onto another stage. “Music has to continue in tough times like today. Hope needs to be given to people,” said Jean-Pierre Verster, one of the theatre’s directors. On Monday the theatre launched a virtual Lockdown Classical Music competition. Entrants could sing, play guitar, piano, bassoon or flute — any instrument and classical composition of their choice. It is even setting the stage for families who want to combine their talents. By Wednesday, the first 15 entries had been received. Most of them were from Johannesburg and Soweto, but Verster said they expected more by today.

“One of the entrants plays a wonderful French horn and another plays the harp. This is what makes classical music so wonderful, because there is such an array of musical instruments,” he said. A panel will decide on the best performances entered during the week, and then it will be shown every Sunday at 5pm on YouTube and Facebook for the public to vote for the best one.

We hope this will be another way to make people cope

There is no age restriction and entrants can use their cellphones to record their performance. “We want people to use whatever they have at their disposal. They are welcome to be creative and use apps to assist, seeing that we are in isolation. Quality backtracks can also serve as accompaniment,” Verster said. When the lockdown is lifted and South Africans are free to mingle again, the theatre plans to host a live celebration performance of all the winning entries. Verster said the competition, which carries some prize money and encourages the public to contribute, was in part to help musicians because they were among the performers affected by the lockdown. “We hope this will be another way to make people cope in this extraordinary situation we find ourselves in as a country,” he said.

By GRAEME HOSKEN

● The Covid-19 lockdown has seen a dramatic drop in the number of abused women and children seeking shelter, sparking fears among activists that thousands of victims are unable to reach help. Bernadine Bachar, director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children in the Western Cape, said the organisation recently opened four Covid-19 shelters to house abuse victims during the lockdown. She said that in January they had 42 new admissions, and 20 in February, adding: “Since the lockdown we have only had 11. Somewhere there is a gap in the system which the vulnerable are falling through and are unable to reach places of safety.” She said they were bracing themselves for a surge in abused people once the lockdown was lifted.

“We know it is coming. Countries such as France and China, which went into stringent lockdowns like ours, have reported a 30% increase in domestic violence.” Jeanette Sera of People Opposing Women Abuse said they usually received 30 cases a month, but this had dropped dramatically. “In the first four days of the lockdown we only had eight cases, of which only one was for assistance for urgent accommodation, for

Somewhere there is a gap in the system

a woman from Cosmos City in Gauteng,” she said. Miranda Friedman, director of Women and Men Against Child Abuse, which assists 1,800 Gauteng children annually, said that with schools closed an important abuse reporting line had been shut down. “Teachers are often the ones who inform us of the abuse. We are worried because the closure of schools doesn’t mean the abuse is now not happening. “Children are at grave risk of being trapped with their abusers. We expect we will only know the true extent of the abuse once the lockdown is lifted,” she said, adding that 95% of the cases they dealt with related to sexual abuse. Police minister Bheki Cele announced on Thursday that police had received more than 87,000 gender-based complaints since the lockdown started.

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

News Covid-19: The movie

It’s a home run More than 12,000 South Africans are running a marathon without leaving their yards. The Mzansi Lockdown Marathon, organised by Russell Nugent and Warren King, is a virtual event that is open to anyone who can run 42km in 21 days. King said the pair decided to make the race “informal, easy, fun and inclusive”. He added: “The rules are simple. Run, walk or crawl 2km a day, record your mileage, and submit your total log at the end of the challenge. We will accept all forms of records, from fancy GPS trackers to apps like Strava to steps on Fitbit devices or Apple watches, to handwritten logs, to literally a note from your mother. — Nivashni Nair

Lockdown larks that took off Some creative ways to amuse ourselves go, so to speak, viral By BOBBY JORDAN

● For most people the coronavirus lockdown feels like a bad movie. For South African film director Tim Greene it actually is a movie — complete with a cast of South African actors living in different parts of the world such as Australia, Abu Dhabi, Wales and Belgium. Greene’s project has turned into an entire cinemascope of movies involving 10 homebound directors and writers, all shot without crew and using whatever equipment is at hand. Stung into action by compulsory confinement, Greene issued an online call for actors to star in his homemade production Cabin Fever. “I decided to write a script for actor friends to self-tape while locked down at home,” said Greene, who lives in the Cape

Town coastal village of Kalk Bay. He received so many replies to his initial call to action that he had to put out another call for more directors and writers to join in. To date there are 12 movies in production involving 120 actors spread across the world in what has become known as the Lockdown Movie Project. “In my movie alone, I have characters in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Australia, Abu Dhabi, Wales and Belgium.” His actors film themselves at home and upload their material; Greene downloads it and edits in the evening. Other directors are following suit. “There are no rules. People are free to do whatever they want. Most are meditations on this moment of [the] coronavirus, but one is a comedy written and directed by Casey B Dolan.” Greene says he has no idea what will become of the finished product. “I think the most important thing is that we are trying to stay connected, stay creative and stay sane.” The same goes for Cape Town birdwatcher Howard Langley, who has turned his hobby into an online challenge — a friendly competition to see who can photograph the most bird species on or from their property.

Below: Bonko Khoza and Lesego Chabedi

Tim Greene

Jessica Pietersen Scott

Angela Lieveaux

Tem Muler

Skye Russel

Film director Tim Greene’s idea of South African actors in lockdown filming themselves at home for a movie has gained worldwide support. Picture: © Supplied

So far he is on 27, thanks to a telephoto lens. “That’s not a bad total for a suburban garden in Clovelly,” said Langley, who has intrigued his neighbours with his antics. “I’m a bit reluctant to stand on my roof because I think my neighbours will really get

upset,” he said, adding that his birding challenge had started off as more of a lockdown joke than a serious endeavour. “I put it up on my Facebook as tongue-in-cheek, but people started taking it seriously.” Even his children started photographing

birds using their cellphones. “It is quite easy to see a bird, but getting a photo of it is a totally different story. There are ladders all over my property,” Langley said. Lockdown has also seen some extraordinary physical feats — everything from a balcony marathon to simulated sailing in the bathroom (involving the shower curtain). Not to be outdone, fitness fanatic Paul Reeves is riding 109km — the length of the Cape Town Cycle Tour — every day on a road bike clipped into an indoor trainer device, a feat that is all the more remarkable considering Reeves still has a day job as a sales manager. His aim is to raise funds for Cape Town’s Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. Reeves said the biggest challenge of cycling in your lounge is mental toughness: “You are not going anywhere, there’s nothing to look at, no views, no wind, no hills to climb, no southeaster into your face. It is incredibly mentally demanding.” He believes Covid-19 will engender a greater appreciation of lifestyle choices: “It is an incredibly tough time but we will get through it stronger and healthier, and people will start focusing on the fact that health is the most important part of our lives.”

Faiths pitch in to feed the needy

InNumbers

THE NUMBER of sites that house homeless people in Durban

By LWANDILE BHENGU

● Siyabonga Khumalo says he and thousands of other homeless people in Durban would not have survived the first week of the national lockdown had it not been for the simple meals of soup, sandwiches, biryani and juices handed out by dozens of faithbased organisations that have come together and pledged to feed the city’s homeless for the 21 days. “A body bag would have surely come out of here by now if it wasn’t for these honest people feeding us because I do not think our municipality would have been able to do this,” said Khumalo. “These are honest people; they feed us and we are alive because of them.” His sentiment was echoed by dozens in the queue alongside him. On Thursday, the Sunday Times rode along with Christian nongovernmental organisation Siphila Ngomusa, which has been providing porridge every morning. Later, volunteers delivered packed lunches to Albert Park. The lunches were sponsored by Durban businessman Ashok Sewnarain. At Moses Mabhida People’s Park about 300 people lined up to fill their bellies with a bowl of biryani provided by members of the Muslim community. “We are not an organisation and we don’t want any recognition. This is the need of the hour and this pandemic has touched our land now. We know for a fact that the homeless and the poor are at major risk of not having food, because of the lockdown. And therefore we decided to get together to do this,” said Bilal Adamjee. “It’s not about a specific creed or religion. Our Prophet taught us, ‘How can the belly of a man be full and his neighbour’s belly is empty?’ This is a principle we have adopted and we are here now to rally together to support these homeless. We are feeding for many years so we know their plight … this has just intensified now because of the Covid-19 virus and the lockdown.” Linda Morrison, deputy chair of the

THE NUMBER of meals a day given to the homeless

This is the need of the hour … this pandemic has touched our land Bilal Adamjee Volunteer

If it’s lunchtime it must be food from the Muslim community as people from four faiths in Durban work to feed homeless people. Picture: Sandile Ndlovu

eThekwini task team on homelessness, said that food for about 2,100 people was being provided by the various groups. “We’ve had an incredible response from the NGO and faith sector and we actually can claim this as a completely faith uniting programme because breakfast is served by Christians, lunch by Hindus and dinner is

being served by Muslims. On the support side we have the Jewish community supplying support to our volunteers,” said Morrison. “They haven’t come to us within their religious groups; what we’ve realised is that we have had all the faiths combined and connected and working in unity. The aim is not

to promote anyone’s faith but to help and to serve,” she said. Morrison, who is in charge of food security across the city’s 13 sites, said it was estimated that feeding the homeless would have cost R30,000-R40,000 a day. Homeless people are given four meals a day, the content of which depends on what donors can supply.

“Initially, the municipality was going to pay a caterer to do one meal a day, but because we’ve had the overwhelming support of the Durban community we’ve kept those funds for other things like more blankets, toilets and showers, as well as an extra budget for nursing [staff] because all sites have nurses 24 hours a day,” said Morrison.

A noncompliant resident walks the dogs. Picture: Alon Skuy

Married and jailed on the same day By NIVASHNI NAIR

● Joggers, people braaiing and even newlyweds are among those being reported on for breaking the lockdown laws. A wedding in Nkandla in northern KwaZulu-Natal landed school principal Jabulani Zulu, 48, and his fiancée Nomthandazo Mkhize, 38, in trouble. The two were married and jailed on the same day, then released on R1,000 bail each. Neither could be reached for comment. Nkandla mayor Thami Ntuli said he was told a member of the public alerted police. Another told the Sunday Times he had reported his neighbours for jogging in groups, cycling and even holding braais on their sidewalks. He said reporting them to the police was the right thing to do. He had submitted photographs of his neighbours in the Midstream Estate in Midrand, near Johannesburg, to the homeowners’ association, local police and the local ward councillor. “We cannot have social ill discipline when people’s lives are at stake,” said the resident, who did not wish to be named. “South Africans appear to be taking the pandemic way too lightly without realising that we could have significant consequences to both life and our economy. “Both my wife and I have compromised immune systems, me more than her. My physician has warned that the probability of me dying, should I become infected, is quite high, so I have been in lockdown for 11 days already and my wife for eight days.” He said that as a businessman he would also be ruined financially if the lockdown was extended because the virus had not been contained as a result of people having no respect for the law. People living in the Midstream Estate have been informed about restrictions in the area, according to the estate forum’s chair, Jan Zeederberg. He said he’d cleared up confusion about whether open areas were an extension of residences. About 6,000 families live in the area of about 1,200ha. A Durban woman who was reported said she had been surprised that her movements were being watched. She had posted a video on Facebook of her feeding 10 homeless people in Chatsworth, south of Durban. “A day later, I received a call from a police officer informing me that I had violated the restrictions. I apologised and I accept that I was wrong, but I couldn’t just let those people go hungry,” she said. “The police told me that they will accompany me when I feed the poor families in the community daily and I even had charity organisations, with permits, invite me to work with them.”

Health co-operation augurs well for our future wellbeing By SIPOKAZI FOKAZI

● The unprecedented co-operation between the public and private health-care sectors during the Covid-19 emergency will have long-term benefits for the wellbeing of South Africans, experts said this week. Some suggested efforts to ensure the best use of hospital beds, intensive care units and isolation facilities may pave the way to “a more rational and integrated health-care system”, as envisaged by the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) system. Prof Ronelle Burger, of the economics department at Stellenbosch University, said: “I have been encouraged by the co-operation between the private and public sectors over the past two weeks. “It has been great to see how there is a free flow of new information and useful pa-

rameters across disciplines and also across the public and private sector. I think people are pulling together, and this could benefit our health system in the long run and also help improve the integration of the health system, addressing these deep divides.” Burger said the health system remained “deeply polarised” and the country had not seen much co-operation between the two sectors due to mistrust. The Covid-19 collaboration is “a good demonstration of the importance of working together and the necessity of it. It may lay the foundation for further co-operation by creating tighter relationships of trust across the private and public sector,” she said. Writing in the South African Medical Journal this week, Stellenbosch University health economist Lungiswa Nkonki and Wits University professor of public health Sharon

3,318 1,505 THE NUMBER

of intensive care beds in the public and private sectors

THE NUMBER

of Covid-19 cases in SA on Friday

Fonn said the Covid-19 crisis “has dramatically highlighted the need for a significantly more integrated health-care system”. They said the Competition Commission’s Covid-19 block exemption for the healthcare industry could build trust between the two sectors and “will ease us into a more rational and integrated” health-care system. “We would have a healthier country if we could demonstrate the same degree of intersectoral action and social mobilisation across the public/private divide in the form of meaningful social compacts. There are excellent lessons to be learnt here, and this opportunity should not be wasted.” Prof Leslie London, head of public health medicine at the University of Cape Town, said the Covid-19 crisis had shown that “there is no place for bargaining for better leverage” in the health sector.

One of the lessons was “the realisation in the population that they can expect and experience one co-ordinated health system where the needs of the population come first, and not the profits of the industry”. Private hospital group Netcare said this week its facilities would treat state Covid-19 patients on a cost-recovery basis. This followed the Competition Commission exemption which opened the way for private hospitals to collaborate with each other and the state to ensure optimal use of beds, intensive care units (ICUs) and isolation facilities. Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland said the company had spent R150m to enhance the readiness of its ICU and high-care facilities for Covid-19 cases, and had suspended nonessential elective surgery in preparation for treating public sector Covid-19 patients on a not-for-profit basis.

Mediclinic told the Sunday Times it had also terminated elective surgery to reduce pressure on its hospitals and minimise the risk to its health workers and patients amid the pandemic. “For the same reason, visiting hours have been withdrawn temporarily as an additional measure to reduce risk,” said Mediclinic spokesperson Caryn Ross. Psychiatrist Prof Renata Schoeman, head of the MBA health-care leadership programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, said it was encouraging to see the two health-care sectors working together. “Private doctors are also volunteering to man helplines, and to provide support services to their public sector colleagues. It’s been amazing to see this humanitarian solidarity for the benefit of the nation,” she said.

ST APRIL 5 2020

www.sundaytimes.co.za

Insight

Jacques Pauw

Lockdown tales from Riebeek-Kasteel Page 15

Good apples on top

Well, what do you know?

The strengths of SA’s Mkhize and NYC’s Cuomo Page 22

Part 2 of our trivia challenge Page 18

Panic brings out the worst in us. Instead, let’s spread courage and solidarity. We could begin now to create the best chapter in the human story, writes Ben Okri

Illustration: Keith Tamkei

A new hunger for life

here is a great difference between panic and awareness. With awareness there is responsibility, a respect for the scale of the problem, and a calm consciousness of what needs to be done. One can be aware of the coronavirus, aware of what needs to be done to minimise its spread — and we must do those things. But one should not make the situation worse with the negative imagination that is fear. For, like fire, imagination can create or it can destroy. It can make us act from our worst selves. That is what panic does. Panic is fear on steroids. With panic, sanity is lost. Ever since the virus entered our mental culture, it has become omnipresent. We have been engulfed in its world, in its fearsome power. Many friends I spoke to on the phone said that just from reading too much about it, there were times at night when they felt pains in their chests or a fleeting inability to breathe. A few moments later they felt better. After a checkup, they found nothing wrong with themselves. They had simply imagined intensely the symptoms they had read about and begun to experience them in their bodies. It occurred to me that there might be a dimension to the pandemic that could be called mental contagion. Is it possible to obsess about something till one becomes sick with it? People have made themselves ill with their own minds. If this can happen with individual obsession, what happens when a whole culture obsesses over something as potent to the imagination as

the current pandemic? Perhaps it is time to develop another mental contagion to counteract the force of the deadly one. Perhaps it is time to develop a contagion of courage, good health, and solidarity. Not enough has been said about the role of our mental condition in fighting the virus. Fear brings out the worst in us, it makes us panic buyers. But generosity of spirit makes us think of our common survival. This awakens in us creative ways of coping with the stresses resulting from the necessary measures to contain the spread of the virus. We are never more resourceful than when we act from courage. Not only will we survive this pandemic, but we will be judged by how we survived it, by what we become afterwards. We will either be transformed by what we did or damaged by how we failed to live up to our potential for goodness. We are making ourselves all the time, but never so much as when we are faced with an existential crisis. During World War 2, Britain was fortunate in having a leader who helped the nation prove itself greater than its adversity. Britain’s response to that moment defined its character. We are in one of those moments in history when we are given an unprecedented crisis in order that we may gift ourselves with an extraordinary response that can change our destiny as a species forever. We are at a fulcrum. Given the way we have managed life on this planet over the last 150 years, some sort of disaster was inevitable. We have overdrawn on the bank of our futures. We have exhausted the planet’s goodwill. There are those who speak of the current pandemic as nature pressing the reset button, nature speaking back at humanity for the unthinkable ways in which we have abused and depleted her. They see it as nature’s response to our arrogance.

We are deep in a new wasteland. We got here because only one kind of voice has been powerfully heard, the voice of financial success. Other voices, just as valuable, have not been heard enough

It is therefore an important moment for us to reexamine our conscience as a species. A moment to take stock. The questions raised by the pandemic should spill over into all the other issues through which future disasters might arise, issues of climate change, surveillance, civil rights, universal health care, justice and poverty. Humanity is transformed by those who took from tragedy the highest lessons. In Britain, after World War 2, one of the greatest alterations made was the creation of the welfare state, with the National Health Service as its jewel. The NHS has been under great strain these past 20 years. But it is now, during this pandemic, that we see the value of this ideal of universal health care, paid for by the citizens. A pandemic of selfishness has eroded some of the best things the world learned from two world wars. We are gradually forgetting the value of international cooperation. Values of the market have taken over from values of human solidarity. And even of human life. Our judgments have been skewed by the measures of the money rather than measures of the heart. This is another way of saying that we have lost our way. We are deep in a new wasteland. We got here because only one kind of voice has been powerfully heard, the voice of financial success. Other voices, just as valuable, have not been heard enough. What voices are these? They are the voices that speak for nature, for the poor, for justice: voices easily ridiculed. We have entered the age of catastrophes. They will be universal in effect because the problems of the world are now universal. The climate catastrophe will not choose one country over another. So much bitterness has divided us of late. Doctrines of division have nowhere to take us. There is no real destiny any more for small-minded dreams. The scale of

our challenges must alter the scale of our visionary response. The panic, driven by fear, ought to be replaced with a passion for a better life for the planet and its people. We will not acquire the calm we need to deal with this pandemic through a fear of death. What we need is a respect for death and a new hunger for life. We could begin now to create the best chapter in the human story. It could be said of us, in the future, that faced with a viral catastrophe we did something amazing. Imagine if the leaders of the world chose at this moment to put in place policies that could reverse climate change, bring health and education to all its people, and kill off the virus of poverty that has spread untold misery. This might sound fanciful. But history has always been made by those who guided us with vision at moments of our greatest crisis. All our myths point in two directions. We either go upwards, towards the true meaning of civilisation, or we head for an apocalypse. Tragic times call for extraordinary qualities. We are made for heroic realities. We have always known what to do. Our ancestors coded our choices for us in fables and legends. But we got deaf to what we needed to hear most. What we need to hear most is now speaking with the sinister voice of death. Perhaps we will begin to listen. The real tragedy would be if we come through this pandemic without changing for the better. It would be as if all those deaths, all that suffering, all the deaths to come, all the suffering to come, would mean nothing. ✼ Okri, a Nigerian novelist and poet, won the Booker prize for The Famished Road. This column first appeared in The Guardian

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Insight Books

Wizard hunt Harry Potter fans, you are not alone. At least two of the book lovers named on this page are finding the tales of the young master of magic a comforting escape in this time of lockdown. See if you can spot them!

In times of pestilence we have always turned to stories to get us through. A handful of acclaimed writers share the books they plan to crack during lockdown

Stay home, travel far and wide CHRISTA KULJIAN A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki: “It’s like a message in a bottle, cast out into the ocean of time and space. Totally personal and real. The opposite of a blog. It’s an antiblog, because it’s meant for only one special person.” Sitting at a café in Tokyo, Naoko (Nao for short) writes about her great-grandmother Jiko, who Nao describes as “totally unique and special, like the last Galapagos tortoise”. Nao puts her completed pages inside a Hello Kitty lunch box, inside layered plastic freezer bags, and sets the package out to sea. “I don’t think old Jiko will mind because, being a Buddhist, she really understands impermanence and that everything changes and nothing lasts forever.” After the 2011 tsunami, the manuscript survives its ocean crossing and washes up on the shores of British Columbia, where Ruth, a novelist with writer’s block, is taking her morning walk. Ruth has recently moved to this remote island in the middle of Desolation Sound, living in a sort of self-quarantine. A Tale for the Time Being weaves Ruth’s middle-age reflections and Nao’s teenage search for meaning. Their musings on time, quantum physics, literary theory, social media, Buddhist philosophy and pop culture made me smile. Ruth and Nao’s shared story plays out in the wake of a global disaster, but offers humour, whimsy and wisdom. — Kuljian, author of Sanctuary and Darwin’s Hunch, is a research associate at WiSER (the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research).

MICHELLE CONSTANT After reading a slew of novels and memoirs, including authors Shafinaaz Hassim and Rosanna Amaka, I moved on to nonfiction and am currently reading Bill Bryson’s The Body – A Guide for Occupants. Following his brilliant A Short History of Nearly Everything, his latest is keeping me transfixed. I thought it appropriate, given the lockdown and Covid-19 world that we have entered, to understand in layman’s terms exactly how my body functions. In particular I’ve been fascinated by Bryson’s description of a virus, which distils the danger and indiscriminate activity of the coronavirus. “Viruses are a little weird, not quite living but by no means dead,” he writes. Ostensibly he suggests that the virus is like a zombie — dead until it has access to living cells, at which point “they burst into animate existence, and reproduce furiously”. As I said — a zombie virus, dead until it is alive. It’s cold comfort, I know, but it makes for an informative and

entertaining read. Bryson’s approach of using popular metaphors and humorous anecdotes to explain complex scientific and biological processes reminds us of the extraordinary gift and universe that is our body. It reminds us, too, of our humanity in an inhospitable time. — Constant is the presenter of the SAfm weekend breakfast shows in her playtime. In her daytime she is a consultant for the creative and nonprofit sectors, a cultural commentator and facilitator.

JONNY STEINBERG One of the books I am reading is Erik Larson’s justpublished The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Blitz, an intensely personal portrait of leadership at a time of radical uncertainty; the parallels to now scarcely need pointing out. I have just finished Garth Greenwell’s new novel, Cleanness, which may well go down as one of the great modern literary explorations of sexual experience and its connection to love, violence and self-abnegation. It’s a stunningly good book, highly recommended. And I’m halfway through the historian Richard Reid’s Shallow Graves, his memoir of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war of 1998-2000. Reid was based in Eritrea during the war. It’s a hugely absorbing book and a reminder that many Africans have lived through upending times in living memory. — Steinberg is the author of the critically acclaimed Three-Letter Plague as well as Midlands and The Number, which both won the Sunday Times Alan Paton Award. His latest book is One Day in Bethlehem.

‘Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you’ — Anne in Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1908 ● Visit timesselect.co.za tomorrow for more book recommendations from leading authors and Sunday Times staff. Free access to Sunday Times subscribers

SALLY PARTRIDGE In times of uncertainty, I tend to reach for something soothing and familiar, something immersive to occupy my mind for a few hours. When I was a young woman about to leave the nest, Harry Potter brought me months of comfort. I would read those wellthumbed paperbacks again and again, defiant of my growing anxiety. When the Covid-19 outbreak began to reach worrying levels, I knew right away which author I wanted to read — Hilary Mantel. Knowing I wouldn’t be able to get a copy of The Mirror and the Light, I reached for the next best thing, Wolf Hall, the first in the series, where we are introduced to the doomed Thomas Cromwell. For me, Mantel represents the best of humanity, an artist at the very height of her craft, who singlehandedly gave historical fiction rockstar status. Mantel’s prose is exact and exquisite, each word as considered as a surgeon’s steady hands. It gives me hope that we can reach this level of perfection. And that brings me more comfort than anything. So, while the world outside becomes increasingly inconceivable, you will find me on the couch, lost in the cold and beautiful halls of Hampton Court, witnessing the drama and intrigue of the Tudors. — Partridge is an award-winning novelist and shortstory writer. Her sixth young adult novel, Sea Star Summer, will be published this month.

PAMELA POWER You’d think the lockdown would be the perfect time to read, especially for people like me who regard books as their greatest pleasure and escape. Crime fiction is my go-to genre, but since the pandemic exploded I’ve been struggling with it. I’m too haunted by images of people gasping for breath in ICUs around the world. Death is too close. But I also can’t NOT read, without books I’m lost, so I’ve been devouring “uplit” — fiction that uplifts. Some uplit books I’ve enjoyed: the Being series by Qarnita Loxton, The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley, Saturdays at Noon by Rachel Marks and Grown Ups by Marian Keyes. If you like your uplit with a touch of suspense, I recommend Shadow Flicker by Melissa A Volker and The First Time series by Joanne Macgregor. The one psychological thriller I have been able to read and have thoroughly enjoyed is the newly released Two Months by Gail Schimmel. Gail’s book was due to be launched at Love Books in Johannesburg, but now that we are in lockdown, the launch was moved online. If you’re around (and let’s be honest, why wouldn’t you be?) please join us this Wednesday at 1pm on Zoom. You can sign in here: bit.ly/TwoMonthsPP. Stay safe everyone and #StaytheFhome! — Power is an author, screenwriter, and blogger at Go-See-Do.

MOHALE MASHIGO The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives is a perfect lockdown read. Though the characters are not in lockdown, it certainly feels like it as they navigate life in a polygamous household. Baba Segi’s wives are the heart of this story, each with her own unique story. Lola Shoneyin does a spectacular job of exposing the interior lives of the women who are married to the uneducated, often boorish and sometimes entertaining Baba Segi. The first three wives have found interesting and shocking ways to survive marriage to their husband, but the fourth wife, Bolanle, is struggling to adjust. I won’t give too much away but this novel will have you gasping, giggling and crying. Another great lockdown book is Things We Lost in the Fire by Marianna Enríquez. This collection is pure escapism that will take you from your home straight into the gruesome and nightmarish lives of the characters in the book. I often watch horror movies to “get out of” my head, hence this selection. There must be more of us who want to read haunting and beautifully written stories that will stay with you long after lockdown. — Mashigo is the inaugural Philida Literary Award winner and a bestselling author whose debut novel, The Yearning, won the 2016 University of Johannesburg debut prize for South African writing in English. Her latest offering is Intruders, a collection of short stories.

JENNIFER PLATT I am grabbing all my cookbooks off the shelves, dreaming that I will be making some quite elaborate dishes in the next few weeks. Maybe. I have staked some easy thrillers and will try to read the Hilary Mantel trio. For pure escapism, to reduce anxietyridden moments, I will read through all my Anne of Green Gables and live in the early 1900s on Prince Edward Island in Canada. As Anne says: “Dear old world, you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.” Oh, and the Harry Potter series again to keep my mind occupied on magical things and distracted so I don’t hear my noisy neighbours. — Platt is the Sunday Times Books Editor.

SARAH LOTZ I wish I could offer up a list of happy escapist fiction, but the darker things get, the darker my reading has become, and like millions of others I’ve been revisiting my favourite apocalyptic narratives: Stephen King’s The Stand; John Brunner’s The Sheep Look Up, Frank Owen’s South, Emily St John Mandel’s Station Eleven and Max Brooks’s dual pandemic handbooks, World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide. There’s no clear answer as to why some of us flock to the fictional dark side in times of strife, especially as with each passing day, these novels tread a little too closely to what’s actually happening. Perhaps there’s something comforting in the fact that the world hasn’t (yet) become a dystopia run by psychotic cowboys (Trump excepted), or we haven’t yet gone full-on zombie apocalypse (except in your local supermarket). Perhaps in some way they act like crime fiction, a cathartic “safe” way to poke around in our darkest fears. Or perhaps they offer a twisted version of hope. Things may get very horrible indeed, but at least in the fictional world they end with some kind of satisfying resolution — unless there’s a sequel planned. — Lotz is a screenwriter and novelist whose books, The Three, Day Four, The White Road and Missing Person, are all international bestsellers.

SIPHIWO MAHALA Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which is triggered by the current outbreak. The Longest March by Fred Khumalo as a great historical novel. If You Keep Digging by Keletso Mopai — who is a writer after my own heart. Zulus of New York by Zakes Mda will keep you spellbound until the very last page, and The Man Who Founded the ANC by Bongani Ngqulunga is one of the very rare honest political biographies. — Mahala is a short-story writer, playwright and novelist whose books, African Delights and Red Apple Dreams, have been lauded.

MARK GEVISSER Two books I love, and will be going back to in this period of enforced stillness and reflection, contain the world in their pages: Virginia Woolf’s The Waves, and Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate — the former as seen through the internal monologues of six English characters over a lifetime, the latter through the experiences of one Russian family under Nazism and Stalinism. In such different ways, and in such different contexts, both affirm the kind of humanism we all need right now, as only novels can. There’s also Shoshana Zuboff’s The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, which I’m halfway through: a must-read for anyone concerned about how the data of our very souls is being mined and monetised. But maybe that’s too heavy after all the intense reading of the pandemic and its consequences. In which case: Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light. Almost 900 pages — perfect timing! — Gevisser is best known for the biography Thabo Mbeki: The Dream Deferred, which won the Sunday Times Alan Paton Prize in 2008, and his memoir, Lost and Found in Johannesburg. ✼ Compiled by books editor Jennifer Platt

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

Insight Lockdown And if I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat And if I shiver, please give me a blanket — Behind Blue Eyes, The Who

t is late Saturday afternoon, and on the Juliet balcony (named after the Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou version) of the Boudoir on Main Street, Riebeek-Kasteel wine fundi Anton lights a charcoal braai. On his left lurks the ragged Kasteelberg, on his right the grand old Royal Hotel. Anton is sitting on a treasure trove. Beneath him is his renowned Wine Kollective shop with the cream of the Sadie family, Mullineux, AA Badenhorst and Porseleinberg in his cellar. The Boudoir is usually a self-catering place but for now Anton is guarding his wine shop. The village’s restaurants and bars feel under siege since lockdown as desperadoes dig for booze. My establishment, Red Tin Roof, was burgled just before lockdown (the police didn’t bother to take fingerprints). An Italian restaurant was raided on day one. Anton chased away a drunkard gaining entry to an eatery behind the Boudoir. Like Anton, and armed with two dogs, I’m in lockdown at Red Tin Roof to look after it. Tonight, on day two, Anton cracks open a bottle of his own creation, a chenin-based Santa Cecilia. It’s not his first. He believes the next best thing to a bottle of Santa Cecilia is another bottle of Santa Cecilia. Riebeek on Saturdays is usually a grooving town (the question on visitors’ lips is why do people here drink so much?) but tonight it is deadly quiet, except for The Who blaring from the Juliet. The street in front of Anton is empty but for his brakkie Toulouse (100-plus in human years) stretched out on the warm black tar. As the last lick of the sun slips behind the mountain, Anton, like the rest of us, is contemplating his mortality. Are Italy, Spain and the US our future? Anton shares his anguish with every

other human in every other corner of the globe. Borders and language and skin colour and culture are for now irrelevant. We are united in our fright and fear; 8-billion mortals entwined in a simultaneous ballet of life and death. ***** The smell of a fragrant akhni (a biryani-like Cape Malay dish) permeates Faiza’s house in Riebeek-Kasteel’s “coloured” section, once known as Esterhof. Many residents call it the onderdorp — the town down there. Faiza is surrounded by children and cooks for all of them. What used to be her mother-in-law’s two-room RDP house has expanded over the years to house two families comfortably. Riebeek-Kasteel wasn’t always a divided village. In the mid-1960s, 60 families living in Oukloof in the “white” town were forcibly removed and dumped in Esterhof, half a kilometre out of town past Riebeek Cellars and on the other side of the railway line. Since then the community has grown to about 8,000 people — compared to probably no more than a thousand or two souls in the spacious main village — who are densely packed onto 30ha of land. Seeing that I am stuck at home, I send a WhatsApp message to fellow Kasteelers for insight into their to-dos during lockdown. One of the first responses is from Faiza, who has been living with HIV for 18 years and suffers from hypertension, but is otherwise “as strong as an ox”. She has never been busier. Says Faiza: “HIV did not get me down and neither will corona. I will fight it tooth and nail like I fought HIV.” Working for a community organisation, she monitors the lockdown, creates WhatsApp groups to send advice, maps out problem areas and assists those in need. She is also working on a food and medical delivery plan to alleviate poverty and illness. Many adults are at best seasonal workers. “There are many working behind the scenes in our little village to take care of the vulnerable. Authorities, organisations and individuals are all banding together to make

’Still life with wine bottle, cigarette and drunk gentleman’ by Aleksandra Issa. Saatchi Gallery

Our ballet of life and death By JACQUES PAUW

A village 80km northeast of Cape Town becomes a whole world during lockdown as its people hunker down and drink up this work,” she writes. There was a healthy police presence on social grant payout day but nothing since then, she says. The shebeens and clubs that usually keep residents awake until early morning have closed. Faiza says only about half the residents

adhere to lockdown because “you can’t keep the kids inside; they want to ride their bikes and the yards are too small”. Among those not staying home are a throng of neglected children who live in a derelict house on a farm bordering the village. Horror stories of abuse and hunger

surround the house. The kids are in rags, beg from visitors and restaurants and raid rubbish bags. I’ve seen them walking past Red Tin Roof virtually every day, towards the centre of town. But everyone is gone and the restaurants are closed. What does one do? Feed them and break the lockdown rules? ***** The WhatsApp group becomes a snapshot of life in a small village under lockdown. Says a resident: “I have 30 cigs and loads of wine.” Another: “I’ll trade cigs for wine. Come to me.” One more: “I still have a carton left but tonight sien my doos sy gat” (sorry, not translatable). Deli-owner Ainsa is outraged. A spider bit her during a cleanout and she rushed to the pharmacy in nearby Malmesbury. A woman queueing for respiratory medicine (I don’t think it was related to the virus) for her husband and child was R116 short when she got to the till. She returned in a state of panic to the medicine department. “Sorry madam, the price has just gone up.” Ainsa paid the difference for the distraught woman. But what about next month? There are, besides fear of the virus, two major concerns in town: residents’ 21-day booze stock will dissipate by day 12. There is a suggestion to get a local supplier to conceal wine under vegetables. Someone is devising a delivery system and a pick-up point. The other is more serious. RiebeekKasteel’s economy revolves around tourism. The Olive Festival in May, a major moneybooster, has been cancelled. The arts festival in late winter is also under threat. Jobs are going to be lost, doors will close, people are going to go hungry. We had to stop trading but we still have salaries, water and lights, rent and loans to pay. Says the local baker: “It’s not the Covid I fear. It’s the aftermath of small businesses.

Sunday Times

Those that are left. To pick up the pieces and rebuild the economy.” But like everywhere else, life goes on. Says a resident who is doing her own gardening: “Much as I like someone popping in from time to time, there is also a comfort in knowing nobody will see me in my ageinappropriate shorts circa 1998, which only just cover the body’s essential services and expose too much of the melting-candle legs.” Litton, a 60-something smartphoneless free spirit, sends a text message on his R699 Clicks special: “Luvley cool early dawn. Did push-ups. Chin-ups under steps. Sit-ups and now sit-down with a cup o tea. Lekka by die see. Three gymnogenes [African harrierhawks] circling overhead. Using this opportunity as an exercise to go without certain things and to stay put knowing I have a lot more to be thankful for than sum others.” Litton, by the way, is famous for shaking hands with Prince Harry at a Botswana safari lodge where he worked some years ago. As his Royal Highness was introduced to him, Litton let rip: “Howzit man! Nice to meet you!” He said afterwards he didn’t really know who Harry was. ***** Remember Italians singing from their balconies during their darkest hour in order to console, inspire and support their countrymen and -women? Says local artist Li: “Hi. Sunday 29th around 6pm, a couple of houses away, Bas was playing his sax … then Herman joined in playing his mouth organ and then drums from the Kirstein home … what an awesome sunset on the first Sunday of lockdown … all neighbours, Shawn and Solly, Li, Tracy, Keenan and Phil and Karin practising on any musical instrument they can find to join in the upcoming Sunday Sunset Lockdown session.” ✼ Pauw, with his wife Sam Rogers, is co-proprietor of Red Tin Roof in Riebeek-Kasteel, and author of The President's Keepers

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times

Insight World

60,115

The number of people around the world who have died from Covid-19, according to research by Johns Hopkins University. The countries with the highest mortality rates are Italy (14,681), Spain (11,744) and the US (7,122). All figures are from yesterday

The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases passed the 1-million mark this week, and more than 80 countries have approached the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance as economies spiral downwards. Sue de Groot compiled a look at what went down on other continents this week

The face masks attached to a statue in Wuhan, China — ground zero of the Covid-19 pandemic — are adverts for good hygiene, but cynics might see them as gags to prevent the spread of the truth about the virus in China. Picture: Getty Images

A week in the life of a world gone mad BRAZIL

GERMANY

President Jair “burn the trees” Bolsonaro made himself even less popular among Brazilian citizens when he contradicted Rio de Janeiro governor Wilson Witzel’s order banning people from beaches. “Ban people from going to the beach? My God!” said Bolsonaro. “Beaches are outdoors. There’s no problem going there at all.” Rio has 17-million inhabitants.

German virology professor Hendrik Streeck, who hails from one of the country’s most infected areas, earned the ire of other scientists by announcing — without supporting data from any extensive, peerreviewed study — that he did not believe Covid-19 was spread in shops and hairdressers.

CHINA

News agency Reuters has had its reporting licence revoked for three months after it reported the number of new coronavirus cases in the country was in the thousands, much higher than officially sanctioned figures. Reuters quoted three unnamed doctors along with anonymous health ministry and senior government officials as saying that thousands of people in Iraq had contracted Covid-19. The World Health Organisation has expressed concern that the infection numbers in several Middle Eastern countries may be under-reported.

Yesterday was declared a day of mourning in China, and all across the country at 10am a three-minute silence was observed in honour of those who have died due to Covid-19. In Wuhan, where 2,567 patients and medical workers are said to have died, traffic lights remained on red throughout the three minutes. On Friday, China’s infection rate officially stood at 81,639, but the CIA believes the figures are vastly understated. According to Beijing, containment measures have been largely effective although there are still outbreaks. The state broadcaster announced this week that mass testing has so far identified 1,030 people infected with Covid-19 who have not experienced the usual symptoms. These patients are being observed and there is the possibility that the data gathered may contribute to the search for a vaccine. Mount Everest, which would usually be swathed in climbing ropes in spring, is closed to all climbers this year except those from China, from where the mountain’s north face can be accessed. About 24 climbers will attempt the summit this month.

SOUTH KOREA Initially one of the hardest-hit countries after China, the swift action taken by its government, particularly in mass testing, has made South Korea a role model of how to contain the pandemic. Yesterday, the number of infections was 10,156 with 177 deaths, according to the Korea Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. This represents a significant slowdown to 100 or fewer new cases reported daily, but health minister Park Neung-hoo said public gatherings will remain on hold and isolation measures in place until the number drops below 50.

IRAQ

SPAIN The coronavirus has built a bridge between the Spanish government and separatists in Catalonia, who for many decades have been engaged in a campaign for greater autonomy. Tensions between Madrid and the regional capital, Barcelona, peaked in 2017 when the then leader of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont, said he intended to declare independence after a referendum that showed support for the move. The present regional leader of Catalonia, Quim Torra, also an ardent separatist, put aside politics this week when coronavirus cases in his region reached 21,804, with 2,093 deaths, according to Thursday’s figures. Torra has requested assistance from the Spanish army to deal with the epidemic, saying he’d be most grateful for any helping hand.

MEXICO With police deployed elsewhere to implement antivirus measures, gang lords have been free to take out the opposition. On Friday, the country’s health department said 60 people had died from Covid-19, out of 1,688 confirmed cases. By comparison, 2,585 murders were officially recorded in March, the highest number of monthly homicides since 1997. The Mexican brewer of Corona beer has suspended production.

INDIA

NEW ZEALAND

National transport networks are buckling under the flood of migrant workers trying to get back to their families after India announced lockdown measures. Millions of the country’s poorer citizens work far from home.

Health minister David Clark had to apologise to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after photographs of him mountain-biking in a park — strictly against lockdown regulations — were shared on social media.

FRANCE

In Central America, where most people live close to the poverty line in crowded conditions and rely on informal work to make a living, gender-based efforts have been made to balance the fight against coronavirus with the need to survive economically. Following the example set by Peru — where men can leave home on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and women on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (Sunday is a gender-neutral no-go zone) — Panamanian authorities decreed that men and women could leave home to work on alternate days. So far, nearly 500 people have been arrested for flouting the gender rule and more than 5,000 have

A shipment of several million face masks due to be flown to France from Shanghai was effectively hijacked by US buyers, who offered the seller three times the amount paid by the French and diverted the load to the US. Revolutionary minded denizens of France are not minded to stay at home when spring is in the air. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has ordered 160,000 gendarmes to keep any isolation-breakers in their place during what would usually be the country’s Easter break. “The virus is not on holiday,” said Philippe.

been detained for violating curfews.

SWEDEN While most European countries have adopted strict lockdown measures, Swedes continue to roam free despite much chastisement from international health organisations.

UNITED KINGDOM

PANAMA

Rio de Janeiro’s Ipanema Beach is not the best place to practise social distancing. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has opposed closing the city’s beaches. Picture: Getty Images

Confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK officially reached 38,168 on Friday, with 3,605 recorded deaths. Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned that tighter lockdown measures may be introduced as British residents have become lax. So far they can still walk their dogs while practising social distancing but this may soon change. Government advisers have recommended extending the quarantine period to the end of May. About 200 homeless people are unofficially using empty Heathrow airport as a place of refuge. Abandoned pets are among the few to derive some comfort from the epidemic: in London, 86 dogs and 69 cats were adopted from the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in just one week, twice the usual number,

and the Dogs Trust reported that adoptions have shot up by 25%. Lonely people wanting a four-legged quarantine companion have been warned, however, that a pet is for life, not just for lockdown.

UNITED STATES According to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis, almost 50-million Americans stand to lose their jobs by the end of June, which will take the US unemployment rate to 30%. President Donald Trump has spun around on his unicycle and now advocates the lockdown he previously railed against, ordering 75% of US citizens to stay at home. On Friday he recommended that citizens wear protective face masks, though he was quick to state he would not do likewise, because it wouldn’t be seemly to disguise his features while receiving “presidents, prime ministers, dictators, kings and queens” in the Oval Office. Trump has been tested twice for coronavirus. Both tests were negative. Meanwhile, Anthony Fauci, the infectious-diseases expert commanding US medical forces in the battle against Covid-19, has been assigned extra security personnel after receiving death threats from anonymous sources protesting against the economic pinch occasioned by lockdown measures. Infection rates in the US were estimated at more than 150,000 this week and scientists predict that a quarter of a million Americans will die as the virus continues to spread — four times that figure if the lockdown is lifted too early. A mobile phone data survey suggests that Democrats are taking the anti-virus measures a lot more seriously than their Trump-supporting Republican counterparts, and this is echoed in state administrations. New Orleans, Detroit and Chicago are catching up to New York City in infection numbers, but while New York state governor Andrew Cuomo and others have received universal praise for introducing drastic measures to slow down the epidemic while Trump was still in denial, governors elsewhere are less impressive. In Florida, which has more than its fair share of elderly residents, governor Ron DeSantis did a Bolsonaro by flatly refusing to close the state’s crowded beaches during spring break. By Friday he was still allowing many businesses to remain in operation. The number of infections in Florida topped 7,000 this week. The Walt Disney Co announced that it will begin retrenching nonessential staff on April 19. — Sources: AFP, Bloomberg, The Daily Beast, The Economist, The Guardian, Reuters, The Telegraph, The Washington Post

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

A dark dawn “We are in the morning of the outbreak at the moment. China is in the sunset.” Dr John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control, told Johns Hopkins Global Health NOW this week.

Insight Africa and the virus

Sunday Times

Some African states are in lockdown, others are slow to respond. All are short of health supplies, writes Claire Keeton

Volunteers distribute cleaning supplies and advice on protection against the coronavirus in a refugee camp in Mogadishu, Somalia, this week. Picture: Sadak Mohamed/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

‘Y

Grim scramble in Africa

ou can’t go to war with a knife, without the right equipment,” says Kenyan health executive Amit Thakker, referring to Africa’s shortage of supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic. In the seven days to Tuesday this week, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa more than doubled, from 1,998 to 5,287. In the same period deaths soared from 58 to 172. The 48 countries in Africa affected by Covid-19 will need an estimated 8-million masks, 1-million tests “right now”, 1-million KN95 respirators, 500,000 protective suits, about 5,000 ventilators … and the list goes on, says Thakker, chair of the Africa Healthcare Federation. Forewarned by the devastation in other regions, African health ministers responded early to Covid-19, meeting on February 22 to strategise against their common enemy, a virus that is slow to show its teeth. And until the threat is pressing and real, the need for social distancing to stay safe may be less compelling than the imperative to make money to survive. About one in three Africans live on less than $2 (about R35) a day, and many need to trade at markets to survive. Religious leaders still call on their congregants to gather to pray. Tanzanian President John Magufuli won’t close churches and has reportedly said that “corona is the devil and it cannot survive in the body of Jesus”. But if the virus fills African morgues to overflowing, it will be too late to contain it in highdensity settlements, where clean water and sanitation are often scarce and isolation virtually impossible. “My neighbourhood, even our house, has not had running water for more than a year now. Not a single

Year of the mask When more than 20-million Nigerians entered a two-week lockdown in the capital Abuja and Lagos, Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest city, on Monday this week, face masks had — like all over the world — become part of everyday attire for many. As people headed to their homes, the temperatures of both pedestrians and drivers were checked for symptoms of Covid-19, and supplies of water, food and other necessities were handed out. Pictures: AFP

drop,” says Zimbabwean photographer Tafadwa Tarumbwa, from Chitungwiza, 30km south of Harare. “Some people are still gathering water at boreholes and wells. In the streets I’ve seen people carrying buckets of water,” he says. After Zimbabwe declared a 21-day lockdown, “Chi Town”, as it is colloquially known, looked deserted. “I have not seen kids running around the streets,” Tarumbwa says. “I don’t know how long the large families here can keep themselves indoors.” Political, religious and community leaders are crucial to raise awareness — as they did with Ebola — that Covid-19 is a real danger, says John Nkengasong, director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

A devastating fight “We are at war with this virus and it will be a devastating fight,” he says, warning of the strain it will place on economies and on resources for programmes against other killer diseases, such as malaria. Nearly 70% of the world’s 38-million HIV/Aids infections are in Africa and about a third also have TB infections, which commonly result in lung damage. Two of Africa’s key sources of income — tourism and the export of raw commodities — have been disrupted by the pandemic. Only three years old, the Africa CDC, under the banner of the African Union, has stepped up to lead the continent-wide response to Covid-19, which ranges from scientific interventions to a rumourtracking system to counter misinformation. Garlic, lemon and ginger do not, for example, cure Covid-19, though Ethiopian church leaders — in pronouncements that stirred memories of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang — said they did, causing a spike

Covid-19 numbers New African cases March 24-31: 3,465 in one week, up from 1,988 the previous Tuesday Total cases April 3: 7,933 Recovered cases: 702 Deaths: 334 Sources: Africa CDC and Johns Hopkins University

in market prices for the items. (SA’s former health minister recommended garlic, lemon and olive oil as a cure for HIV/Aids.) “It is very important that we have an evidencebased approach, that countries have a scientific advisory group informing the decisions of leaders,” says Thakker. Before Rwanda had a single confirmed case, President Paul Kagame had put up portable handwashing stations at Kigali’s central bus station and posted a video of himself washing his hands. On Wednesday the director-general of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said it was critical for African countries to be “well equipped to detect, test, isolate and treat cases, and identify contacts”, even though patient numbers were still relatively low. “It is encouraging this is occurring in many countries, despite limited resources,” he said, urging debt relief for Africa and calling for social welfare to protect the most vulnerable citizens. Thakker, who is executive chair of Africa Health Business, a health management consultancy based in Nairobi, said private-public health partnerships were mobilising in Kenya to combat the pandemic. Health professionals in Kenya have provided free training to hotel staff in preparing 82 facilities for quarantine and about 1,200 people are working in a Covid-19 call centre. Raising funds is also key; the estimated price tag for supplies needed is $120m said Thakker. The African Covid-19 Response Fund kitty has about $12.5m to date. “The fund really has support from the heads of state. [President] Cyril Ramaphosa is leading this movement,” says Thakker. “We need an African

solution for the African continent.” Global support of the kind that helped combat Ebola in West and Central Africa is unlikely to be repeated because every region is facing its own Covid-19 challenge. Chinese billionaire Jack Ma’s foundations, in response to an appeal from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, is providing health supplies for countries in Africa. Ethiopian Airlines has already delivered most of the gear, including diagnostic tests, masks and protective suits. The continent’s capacity to test for Covid-19 has ramped up over the past two months. At first only SA and Senegal had the capability, but now more than 40 countries do.

No copy-paste solution The lessons the continent can learn from other regions hard hit by Covid-19 are important but they cannot be a “copy-paste solution”, says Thakker. “Political leaders must spread facts and not fear. We need to have clear communications, daily updates and a road map to prepare people to avoid social chaos.” One of the possible advantages Africa has is the predominantly youthful makeup of its population, given that the virus appears to be most deadly against the elderly. In Africa, about 3% of the population is over 65, while in Europe the proportion is nearly 20%. For Tarumbwa, one of the notable effects of lockdown in Chi Town is that the dancehall songs and “young ghetto music” favoured by the youth no longer dominate the airwaves. “Now early in the mornings I’ve started to hear ‘grown-up’ music in the air. The TV remotes and radio dials are now in the hands of the parents,” he says.

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Insight Quiz

LITERATURE

B. Boomslang C. Python D. Puff adder 116. What is South Africa’s largest antelope? 117. Which of these South African animals is known to use the Milky Way for navigation? A. Fruit bats B. The civet C. Dung beetle D. Honey badger 118. Of what are leopard, hinged, geometric and angulate all types? A. Frogs B. Seals C. Tortoises D. Snakes 119. What is the former name of the African penguin? 120. What is SA’s national tree?

66. Arthur Conan Doyle invented which literary detective, arguably the most famous of them all? 67. According to the story set in the 13th century, from which city did a pied piper abduct all the city’s children? 68. Name the author and 2002 Alan Paton Award winner who wrote the books The Heart of Redness and The Whale Caller. 69. Which Frenchman wrote The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Les Misérables? 70. Which Botswana writer wrote the novels When Rain Clouds Gather and A Question of Power?

FINE ART 71. Name the French museum that is home to the Mona Lisa. 72. In which US city would you find the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, Whitney Museum and the MoMA? 73. In which country was Salvador Dali born? 74. With which art movement would you associate the painters Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Paul Cezanne? 75. In which city would you find the statue of Christ the Redeemer? 76. Guernica, which portrays a city bombed during the Spanish Civil War, was created by which artist? 77. Which family were the patrons of Michelangelo? 78. Name the South African artist known for his charcoal and pastel drawings as well as his collaboration with the Handspring Puppet Company in creating animated films usually containing political messages. 79. Coptic art is associated with a group of Christians during the 5th-8th centuries AD living in which country? 80. Name the influential 20th-century American artist from New Mexico who was famous for her images of gigantic flowers, cityscapes and desert scenes.

FOOD AND DRINK 81. What is the primary ingredient of the dish called risotto? 82. What is typically served with tripe to make a traditional Xhosa dish? 83. Cristal and Bollinger are types of what? 84. What Italian dessert, which literally means “pull-meup”, is made with mascarpone cheese? 85. What “P” is another name for the African bird’s eye chili? 86. Which spice is obtained from crocuses? 87. What is generally added to eggs to make eggs Florentine? 88. What is the main alcohol ingredient in a piña colada? 89. Which liqueur is sometimes known as the green fairy? 90. What “P” is a drink comprising five ingredients, the name of which comes from the Sanskrit for “five”?

CLASSICAL MUSIC 91. How many strings does a standard violin have? 92. Who composed the opera The Magic Flute? A. Beethoven B. Mozart C. Bach D. Verdi 93. Who wrote the ballet Swan Lake? 94. With which instrument would you associate Yo-Yo Ma? A. Flute B. Violin C. Clarinet D. Cello 95. What “H” is the composer of the oratorio Messiah that features the famous Hallelujah Chorus? 96. In what part of the orchestra would you find the timpani? A. Woodwind B. Strings C. Percussion D. Brass 97. Name the composer of The Unfinished Symphony. A. Verdi B. Liszt C. Schubert D. Brahms 98. What is the name of Prokofiev’s symphonic fairytale? 99. In which city would you find the Bolshoi Theatre, home of the Bolshoi Ballet? 100. What nationality was Antonin Dvorák? A. Croatian B. Czech C. Russian D. Hungarian

RELIGION 101. Who is the main prophet in Islam? 102. Diwali (the festival of lights) is synonymous with which religion? 103. Rosh Hashanah begins a new year for the people of which religion? 104. As a duty, and one of the Five Pillars of Islam, every able-bodied Muslim is expected to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life. What is this pilgrimage called? 105. Name the period of merrymaking before Lent on the Christian calendar that literally means “goodbye meat”. 106. With which religious movement would you associate the magazine The Watchtower? 107. In which country did more than 900 people commit mass suicide under instruction from the cult leader Jim Jones? A. Guyana B. Haiti C. Liberia D. Costa Rica 108. Name the two sons of Abraham, one of whom is considered the father of the Jewish people and the other the patriarch of Islam. 109. In Christianity, by what name is the Sunday immediately before Easter known? A. Pentecost B. Palm Sunday C. Whitsunday D. Ascension Day 110. In the Christian Bible, which of the 12 apostles was also known as Didymus?

WACKY WORDS

QUESTION: Name the French museum that is home to the ‘Mona Lisa’ (inset). Pictures: Getty Images and Wikipedia

Here is the second half of the bumper brain-teaser compiled by Tom Maydon, AKA Trivia Tom from our weekly quiz in the Sunday Times Careers section. We hope your family had fun with the first part last week. Keep sane and keep your brain sharp during the lockdown.

Lockdown leisure time

MIXED BAG QUESTION: Diwali (the festival of lights) is celebrated by which religion?

QUESTION: Which spice is obtained from crocuses?

QUESTION: With which instrument would you associate Yo-Yo Ma? A. Flute B. Violin C. Clarinet D. Cello

131. What is the official currency of Japan? 132. In chess, how many pieces are involved in castling? 133. The musical stage show Riverdance is based on traditional dancing from which country? 134. Of whom do the British burn an effigy in November each year? 135. Peter Parker is the alter ego of which superhero? 136. What colour is the precious stone tanzanite? A. Blue B. Green C. Red D. Yellow 137. In traditional fashion, what is the furry pocket worn in front of a kilt in Scotland? 138. A philatelist is interested in collecting what? 139. With which constellation would you associate the twins? 140. Cats supposedly descended from those kept by Ernest Hemingway in Florida, US, are known for having what physical anomaly?

Was it a breeze . . . or not? Here are the answers 66. Sherlock Holmes 67. Hamelin 68. Zakes Mda 69. Victor Hugo 70. Bessie Head 71. The Louvre 72. New York 73. Spain 74. Impressionism 75. Rio de Janeiro 76. Picasso 77. Medici 78. William Kentridge 79. Egypt 80. Georgia O’Keeffe 81. Rice 82. Samp 83. Champagne 84. Tiramisu 85. Peri-peri 86. Saffron 87. Spinach 88. Rum 89. Absinthe 90. Punch 91. Four 92. B) Mozart 93. Tchaikovsky 94. D) Cello 95. Handel 96. C) Percussion 97. C) Franz Schubert 98. Peter and the Wolf 99. Moscow 100. B) Czech 101. Mohammed 102. Hinduism 103. Judaism 104. Hajj 105. Carnival 106. Jehovah’s Witnesses 107. A) Guyana 108. Isaac (Yitzhak) and Ishmael 109. B) Palm Sunday 110. Thomas 111. Buffalo 112. Impala 113. Wildebeest 114. Grey go-away bird 115. D) Puff adder 116. Eland 117. C) Dung beetle 118. C) Tortoises 119. Jackass penguin 120. Yellowwood 121. A) Hindi 122. Zombie 123. B) Honcho 124. Glitch 125. Assassins (origin: from hashish) 126. B) Nicotine (guillotine is named after a French physician; quinine is from the Quechua language for “bark”; tangerine is named after Tangier in Morocco) 127. C) Algebra 128. Bankrupt 129. Sinister 130. Kief (from Arabic “kayf”) 131. Yen 132. Two 133. Ireland 134. Guy Fawkes 135. Spider-Man 136. A) Blue 137. Sporran 138. Stamps 139. Gemini 140. Six or more toes on one foot.

SA WILDLIFE 111. The African Big Five comprises the lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and which other animal? 112. What antelope is known as rooibok in Afrikaans? 113. Which South African mammal is also known as the gnu? 114. What is the current name for the bird formerly known as the grey loerie? 115. Which of these snakes is responsible for more fatalities than any other in Africa? A. Black mamba

121. The words “pyjama”, “shampoo” and “thug” all originate from what language? A. Hindi B. Latin C. Swahili D. Hebrew 122. What word comes from the Kongo language for “fetish” and in English is defined as a mindless, animated corpse with a love of human flesh? 123. What Japanese word meaning “team boss” is used in English to mean “assertive leader”? A. Guru B. Honcho C. Dude D. Bigwig 124. What word meaning “slippery area” in Yiddish is used in English to mean “a defect or malfunction in a machine or plan”? 125. The name for what notorious occupation is thought to be derived from an Islamic sect who drugged themselves before committing murders? 126. What eponym (a word derived from someone’s name) comes from the name of a former French ambassador to Portugal? A. Guillotine B. Nicotine C. Quinine D. Tangerine 127. The name of which branch of mathematics comes from the Arabic word for “restoring the balance”? A. Combinatorics B. Calculus C. Algebra D. Arithmetic 128. What word takes its name from the old practice that required moneylenders, if they became insolvent, to have their moneylending bench broken? 129. What word, originally from Latin, comes from an archaic notion that left-handed people were thought to be evil? 130. Which South African slang word meaning “great” or “pleasant” has its root in an Arabic word meaning “enjoyment” or “wellbeing”?

● Hope you enjoyed the quiz!

QUESTION: In which city would you find the Bolshoi Theatre, home of the Bolshoi Ballet? Picture: Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Stay safe and keep sane by keeping your mind occupied.

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

Insight Obituaries

Sunday Times

Classified Contact: Sunita 011 280 3147; e-mail sunitap@timesmedia.co.za

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EMPLOYMENT â&#x2014;? Gen Constand Viljoen, who has died on his farm near Ohrigstad at the age of 86, was a former chief of the South African Defence Force (SADF) who came frighteningly close to staging a coup against the FW de Klerk government in order to halt the peace process and prevent the 1994 democratic elections. He believed the ANC was still pursuing a revolutionary agenda and that De Klerk was caving in to their demands and had to be stopped. Blunt, determined and committed to an Afrikaner volkstaat, he was egged on by rightwingers who idolised him for his military exploits and shared his sense of anger and betrayal at their perceived marginalisation in the negotiations. At a huge meeting in Pretoria in January 1994 they shouted him down with chants of â&#x20AC;&#x153;we want warâ&#x20AC;? when he tried to tell them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what war is like.â&#x20AC;? Called the last of the Boer generals, he was highly regarded in the defence force for his professionalism and personal integrity. When he said he could raise 50,000 men from defence force units and the citizen force, few disbelieved him. A number of things happened to make him back down. Chief of the army Gen Georg Meiring told him to his face that if he started a coup, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to stop you.â&#x20AC;? Viljoen told him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You and I and our men can take this country in an afternoon.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yes,â&#x20AC;? replied Meiring, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but what do we do the morning after the coup?â&#x20AC;? In 1993 Meiring warned Nelson Mandela of the dire consequences if Viljoen tried to stop the elections. Mandela invited Viljoen to tea. Expecting a ruthless, hardline communist, Viljoen was bowled over by the legendary Mandela charm, his knowledge of Afrikaner history and sensitivity to the fears of whites. Speaking Afrikaans, Mandela put it to him that he could go to war, and that his people undoubtedly had more military skills than black South Africans. But if it came to a race war, black South Africans had the numbers and would have the support of the international community. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be no winners, he said. They met several times, and each time Viljoenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s liking, respect and trust grew. Mandela promised that his demand for a volkstaat would be taken seriously. Viljoen decided that Mandela was someone â&#x20AC;&#x153;with whom we could negotiate the future of the Afrikaner peopleâ&#x20AC;?. Another decisive event was in March 1994 when Viljoen mobilised 4,000 men to rush to the help of Bophuthatswana leader Lucas Mangope, who feared he was about to be overthrown by the ANC. But then, as he put it, â&#x20AC;&#x153;came the AWB gemors [mess]â&#x20AC;?. He ordered Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging leader Eugene Terreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Blanche to pull out of the looming fight, but his men went on a shooting spree in Mmabatho. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a damn disaster,â&#x20AC;? he said. He decided the political route was the only way to go, phoned Meiring and told him he was going to participate in the elections, formed the Freedom Front and registered. His decision to reject a coup led to him being ostracised by former supporters who now saw him as a traitor to the Afrikaner cause. In 2003 it came to light that Viljoen had been a target of the Boeremag paramilitary rightwing group, which considered him a traitor who had sold out the Afrikaner people. To placate the right wing he needed an agreement on a volkstaat. He began negotiations with the ANC, facilitated by his twin brother Braam, a theology professor at Unisa and his diametric opposite politically. One of the problems facing him was that none of its proponents could agree where the volkstaat should be. Another was that a 1993 poll showed that only one-fifth of Afrikaners supported a volkstaat strongly enough to consider moving there. Viljoen said he decided a full-blown coup wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been successful â&#x20AC;&#x153;because of the personality of Mandelaâ&#x20AC;?. Too many whites saw him as the only hope for peace. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And so a very large portion of the defence force would not have accepted a coup.â&#x20AC;? It would have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;brother against brother, and I said I cannot do thisâ&#x20AC;?. He said heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been prepared to wage a war and â&#x20AC;&#x153;sacrifice livesâ&#x20AC;? if he saw it as the only possibility, and had worked â&#x20AC;&#x153;flat outâ&#x20AC;? for nine

He told the TRC: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We certainly made a grave mistake when we allowed our political leaders to ignore the need for a timely settlementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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Gen Constand Viljoen takes the salute as South African troops withdraw from Angola. Picture: Wessel Oosthuizen/Gallo Images

Constand Viljoen: General who plotted a coup but was seduced by Mandela 1933-2020

Viljoen with Nelson Mandela in 1997. Picture: Robbie Tshabalala

Viljoen and Eugene Terreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Blanche at an Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging rally in Pretoria in 1993. Picture: Jon Hrusa

Cyril Ramaphosa, Leon Wessels and Viljoen discuss a finer point of the transition at the Codesa talks. Picture: Sunday Times

months preparing a military strategy. He said that failing an outright coup, his plan B was the â&#x20AC;&#x153;IRA optionâ&#x20AC;? for which his team had also done extensive planning. His Freedom Front won 2.2% of the vote in the 1994 elections and he went to parliament. Before the inaugural session began, Mandela crossed the floor to shake hands with him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He said, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I am very glad to see you here, general,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;? recounted Viljoen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I said nothing. I am a military man and he was my president. I shook his hand and stood to attention.â&#x20AC;? Viljoen was born on October 28 1933 in Standerton, Mpumalanga. He matriculated at Standerton High School in 1951, joined the SADF and obtained a degree in military science at the University of Pretoria in 1955. He became director of operations in 1974, as Angola transitioned to independence and the civil war there hotted up. He armed Jonas Savimbiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (Unita) and the National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) with missiles, landmines, armoured cars and rocket launchers to take on the ruling Marxist Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). He wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impressed with the military capabilities of Unita and the FNLA. It was clear to him that without the support of the SADF, the MPLA and its Cuban allies would soon control the whole of Angola. He played a key role in escalating SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s military involvement which culminated in Operation Savannah, SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top-secret invasion of Angola, which ended ignominiously in 1976 after the US withdrew its support with the SADF poised to take Luanda. Viljoen said the intention was never to take Luanda or put Savimbi in power, but to put pressure on the then Organisation of African Unity to install a government of national unity. In 1977 he became chief of the army and established a reputation as a swashbuckling leader who loved accompanying his men in crossborder operations inside Angola. In 1980 he took over from Magnus Malan as chief of the SADF. He repeatedly made it clear to the PW Botha government that there was no military solution to SAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems and that a political solution had to be found before SA was forced to negotiate from a position of â&#x20AC;&#x153;despairâ&#x20AC;? rather than strength. In a 1981 briefing to the cabinet he said a formula was needed â&#x20AC;&#x153;where all the people living in the country would feel involved and part of the countryâ&#x20AC;?. In a speech to the Broederbond he spoke about black South Africans who were serving in his army, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they can fight for SA then they can vote for SA.â&#x20AC;? In 1985 he retired from the SADF and went farming, which he always said was his first love. In 1993, accusing De Klerk of selling out the Afrikaners, he formed the Afrikaner Volksfront, a coalition of right-wing parties, organisations and movements demanding a volkstaat. In 1996 he told the Truth and Reconciliation Commission: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We certainly made a grave mistake when we allowed our political leaders to ignore the need for a timely settlement.â&#x20AC;? He said the refusal of the National Party government to address the demands of blacks â&#x20AC;&#x153;invitedâ&#x20AC;? the ANC to take up arms and forge an alliance with communists. He said he would not attempt â&#x20AC;&#x153;to rationalise what is generally called gross violation of human rights. They were wrong.â&#x20AC;? He is survived by his wife Christina and five children. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Chris Barron

Ignatius Jacobs: dedicated to liberation of SA 1963-2020 â&#x2014;? Ignatius Patrick Jacobs dedicated his life to the liberation of his people. He fought for freedom as a pupil at school, at university, as a youth and community activist, a communist, a soldier, and a representative of the people in the government. Inevitably, due to the firmness of his beliefs, energy in action, passion in robust debates and conviction in the liberation of his people, he was to lead in many structures of the liberation movement. He was a visionary who believed in the power of social capital and the need to always take the masses of the people of our country along, on every programme of our democratically elected government. He believed governance was of no significance if it was not accompanied by deliberate steps to build local capacity in every community so that the people could better interact with such programmes and maximise the benefits these brought. He always insisted that the movement, and the government it led, should have a structured presence in communities. He championed stakeholder management and the establishment of community-based structures, whose content was aligned with the

SEASONAL WORK AVAILABLE

Freedom Charter. Jacobs was a strategist extraordinaire, a communicator par excellence and a cadre of the movement who always saw things in terms of how they contributed to the bigger picture. He shied away from public galleries and would speak only when it was necessary, thereby throwing members into the deep end before giving guidance behind the scenes. He was a disciplinarian who never allowed members to publish statements about fraternal organisations and compatriots until they had informed those organisations and compatriots of their content, however harsh the facts might be. He did this to keep the centre holding. He also refused to launch concepts, opting for active programmes based on his conviction about sustainable programmes, saying that members should never set up the government for failure by raising peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expectations and then failing to deliver. When he thought matters were getting out of hand, he would say the moment had come to get into one big room, shut the door and tell each other the truth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the hard truth â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so that by the time they left the room there would be one line of march and a clear programme.

Working under his astute leadership, together with many activists, was an eye-opener to members and stretched their capabilities beyond self-knowledge. He would insist that members met journalists who had written false

He loved humanity and his people and for that he sacrificed himself, his talents and skills, and used them to fight for the liberation of SA

Ignatius Jacobs

stories about the government and its leadership, and tell the members how to fix the faultlines and build honest relationships. He was a bright spark and dedicated cadre. Each time party members went to visit Jacobs, they spoke about the political situation in the country and the world. When they asked him about his health, he would reply: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My wife and family will pray for me, and as a Marxist I believe in science, and my psychological

strength to be able to pull me through.â&#x20AC;? The prayers, science and his strength made him fight until it was not possible any longer. He was human, after all, and the cancer became too much for him to combat. He loved humanity and his people and for that he sacrificed himself, his talents and skills, and used them as tools to fight for the liberation of the people of SA. When freedom came, he further revealed those skills to the country for good use in developing the lives of the people. He looked forward to living, always talking about the future. He always had ideas to further contribute to human development. Even during his ailment he maintained a sense of humour, and his laughter was infectious. He made his mark on humanity and the people need to recognise, appreciate, praise and celebrate his contribution. He was no ordinary cadre, but a special one, and he was baptised in revolutionary fires. He was a human being with a great heart, who loved his wife, children and family. He will forever be remembered by those people whose lives he touched in his lifetime. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Tribute by Alfred Nhlapo and Lebelo Maloka

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April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times ESTABLISHED 1906

Opinion

With the country in lockdown, now for the clincher: mass testing

en days into the 21-day lockdown, 1,505 infections and seven confirmed deaths. This is how SA’s battle to contain the deadly novel coronavirus is shaping up, and we are yet to reach our peak. Our worst fears keep becoming reality. When Covid-19 was still confined to China and Europe, we prayed it would not reach our shores, but it did. We hoped the numbers would remain low, but they soon hit 100, then 500, and now a thousand and a half. We expressed relief that almost all confirmed cases were of people who had travelled abroad, until the first local infection was confirmed. At one point we crossed our fingers hoping for no Covid-19-related deaths, until the first fatality was reported. We held our breath in diminishing hope that townships and other mass areas would not be affected, until cases were confirmed in Alexandra and Khayelitsha. The government has received global praise for the urgent and comprehensive manner in which it reacted to the outbreak, including instituting the nationwide lockdown. “South Africa seems to have acted faster, more efficiently, and more ruthlessly than many other countries around the world. Heading the fight here against Covid-19, President Cyril Ramaphosa has emerged as a formidable leader — composed, compassionate, but seized by the urgency of the moment and wasting no time in imposing tough restrictive steps and galvanising crucial support from the private sector,” the BBC extolled in an online article this week. But this high praise could quickly turn into scorn if SA does not test enough people, the surest way of identifying actual infection rates and flattening the curve. This week, the government announced that it has begun to roll out an intensified testing operation in which thousands of health-care field workers will visit homes in urban and rural areas. It is aimed at the early detection and rapid isolation of those testing positive for the coronavirus. According to health minister Zweli Mkhize, the National Health Laboratory Service is ramping up its testing capabilities to facilitate up to 50,000 tests a day. Currently, the service has the capacity to test about 5,000 samples a day. We endorse these new efforts at mass testing, given that they have worked elsewhere. But as we report today, leading medical researchers are warning that the slow rise in SA’s Covid-19 infections could actually point to a dangerous catastrophe waiting to happen, with the country potentially on a worse infection trajectory than Spain and Italy. Professor Shabir Madhi, a vaccinology expert at the Medical Research Council, warns that lower infection rates are mostly due to the lockdown as people test less, and that infections within townships could explode within days if mass testing is not done immediately. Professor Mosa Moshabela, dean of public health and the Nursing School at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, cautions that lower infection rates are not due to the war on the virus being won but because testing requirements were only for those who travelled overseas, and those who were in contact with those who travelled overseas. We must heed warnings from these scientists and urge the public and private sector to ensure that as many people as possible are tested. We applaud Discovery Health and Vodacom for encouraging their customers to undergo risk screening. They have created a joint fund to pay doctors for 100,000 Covid-19 virtual consultations. Germany and South Korea are proof that testing and the early imposition of social distancing measures can have a remarkable impact. As confirmed cases in Germany passed 71,000, the death toll on Wednesday was 775, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. South Korea had 10,100 cases and 177 deaths. In contrast, Italy has reported almost 106,000 infections and more than 12,400 deaths, and Spain has more than 102,000 cases with over 9,000 deaths. We need to learn from Germany and South Korea and make mass testing the highest priority in the battle against the coronavirus.

There is proof that testing can have a remarkable impact

Getting our heads together to tackle lockdown abuse

here are many reasons someone would struggle to leave an abusive relationship, among them that the abusive partner could take revenge, including murder, or that their self-esteem has been destroyed by the relationship, or that their partner has isolated them from their family and friends. Covid-19 has just added another reason. They cannot leave home. As people grapple with the new pressure-cooker reality of living 24/7 in each other’s space, abused women and children (and some men) are trapped in the home with their abusers. One police officer told us women could not get out of the home to call for help. Activists say the number of abused women and children seeking shelter has dropped dramatically, leading to fears that victims are unable to reach help and expectations there will be a surge in demand once the lockdown is lifted. Given the casual disregard for the value of the lives and bodies of children at the best of times in SA, we know that the lifting of the lockdown will come too late for some. Police minister Bheki Cele said on Thursday that police had received more than 87,000 gender-based complaints since the lockdown began. The precarious financial situation of many is likely to get worse as the pandemic deepens, as will a growing fear as we see more people succumb to the disease. These factors are likely to lead to more stress. And more violence as some lash out at the people quite literally closest to them. Unicef has recommended that first responders be given tools to know how to handle disclosure of gender-based violence by victims. And to make sure people know what support mechanisms exist and how to reach them. To these recommendations we would add that now would be a good time to start a campaign to help all of us better manage our mental health. We should all learn to name our fears and recognise our triggers. We should learn techniques to practise resilience in the face of hardship. Abusers need to be part of this process because they usually hold financial, physical and psychological power — and even the power or life and death — over their victims. For some of us, these interventions could help us get through the lockdown without too much collateral damage to our relationships. For others, it could mean getting through it alive.

Sunday Times

LOOKING BACK FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 50 YEARS AGO

Apollo 13 is on the way to the moon piloted by an untested substitute astronaut who has had only hours of rehearsal with his crew mates for critical docking manoeuvres in lunar orbit. America’s third moon landing mission in nine months was launched on schedule into overcast skies at 9.13pm (SA time) while West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, Vice-President Spiro Agnew, John Wayne and 12,000 other invited guests and tens of thousands of “bird watchers” cheered. As the 35-storey-tall Saturn 5 rocket left Pad 39A, Mission Control told the crew: “Good luck. Head for the hills.” — April 12 1970 FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES 25 YEARS AGO

As dusk falls on the ragged skyline of the Winnie Mandela squatter camp near Tembisa, armed bands of young men take to the streets. Residents greet them with a smile or a small gift of food. They, in turn, politely ask anyone about after 8pm the nature of their business and where they live. And they listen for the whistle blast that will signal a resident in trouble. This week residents declared an 8pm to 5am curfew on themselves in an attempt to curb a crime wave terrorising the camp, and set up self-defence units to enforce it. The “state of emergency” was declared last Sunday when angry residents said they’d had enough of the death and destruction criminals brought to the camp. The camp, of more than 10,000 people, was established two years ago. — April 9 1995

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Middle-class solutions miss the reality for our students The pandemic has resulted in a worldwide lockdown with various restrictions applied. At all educational levels we are required to remote teach. Having said that, we should also be mindful that all the plans for remote teaching on digital platforms require data. The worldwide lockdown has affected many people financially. It is therefore not inconceivable that our students will also be affected financially. We are a developing country, so we have high levels of poverty in our country; parents and guardians rely on informal sources of employment, some have no employment during this time and most of our students are completely dependent on the flawed National Student Financial Aid Scheme. When our students and learners are at our educational institutions, they have access to free Wi-Fi on our campuses, and mostly, too, in the accredited accommodations. On any given day they can also access free Wi-Fi from hotspots around towns and cities. The #FeesMustFall shutdown of 2015/2016 led to many universities adopting digital platforms as alternative spaces for learning and teaching. At that time, students were still in their residences and there was freedom of movement to access free Wi-Fi. Our students and learners are at home, and with restrictions placed on movement and the resultant closure of spaces that offer free Wi-Fi (restaurants, coffee shops) they will not have access to free Wi-Fi.

We need to be cognisant that in any educational institution and even within one academic department, there is unevenness in resources that our students can access. This should affect how we manage what we teach. We need to be mindful of who our students are. We should have a dual system in place, and this may require us to revisit our learning and teaching and assessment. It is reprehensible to only have upper middleclass solutions in a country such as ours. The dual system would consist of all the excellent online solutions that technology offers. Our carefully laid plans may become undone. There are calls to save the academic year. If technology proves to be unreliable, may I suggest that when we return to our classes, we adopt a second, more old-fashioned approach as well? Alethea de Villiers, associate professor, head of department: music and performing arts, Nelson Mandela University (this letter has been shortened — Ed)

Your nation needs you to stay home A ruthless predator is stalking us, an elusive foe, a professional killer that has no respect for human life. It lurks in crowded places, waiting for the opportunity to unleash its fangs on the unsuspecting. It kills the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak. Our only defence is to stay at home. By venturing into crowded places we are inviting death into our lives. We owe it

to our children, our grandchildren and the next generation to not become victims of this faceless, insidious grim reaper. Our nation is in immense peril. Safeguard your family and your nation by remaining indoors; our homes are our safest havens. Exercise clinical hygiene by washing our hands regularly, maintaining a safe distance from others and leave the safety zone of our homes only if it is absolutely vital. With courage, fortitude and respect for the rules and regulations as promulgated by our government, we will defeat and banish Covid-19 from our shores. Our prayers and strict adherence to the law will enable us to emerge victorious. Stay at home, it is your solemn duty to protect our nation during this undeclared war against an encroaching biological enemy.

solidarity, cohesion and co-operation to find novel but safe ways to ensure that human support is continued. Given the likely longer-term nature of the pandemic and the incoming winter flu season, I humbly request my fellow South Africans to voluntarily donate to bona fide relief agencies and registered disaster management funds to help combat the disease and suffering. This is an unprecedented time, at least in recent history, and definitely at this global level. One of the greatest challenges of Covid19 is managing the gap between haves and have-nots. According to my religious beliefs, in order to obtain the mercy of the Almighty during plagues such as Covid-19, increasing help and aid to the less privileged and seeking forgiveness improve the situation.

Farouk Araie, Benoni

Mohamed Saeed, Pietermaritzburg

Donate, self-isolate and repent

Capitalism will have the last laugh

The Covid- 19 virus is moving at a pace the world did not expect a few weeks ago. As the lockdown begins to bite and affect South Africans, where social and physical distancing is commanded we must all do our part to ensure the lives and wellbeing of everyone around us, including the most vulnerable human beings of our population. Vulnerable elderly people and people with chronic ailments have been told to be extra cautious and self-isolate, which will reduce their exposure. To this end, it will be essential to pay attention to human connection in virtual

Your Insight section of March 29 urges us to relish humour during the lockdown. You certainly contributed by publishing the piece by Floyd Shivambu. What unadulterated nonsense! But it gave us all a good laugh. Capitalism will rebuild world economies after this crisis; it is a great opportunity for all nations, including SA. John Lavender, George Write to PO Box 1742, Saxonwold 2132; SMS 33662; e-mail: tellus@sundaytimes.co.za; Fax: 011 280 5150 All mail should be accompanied by a street address and daytime telephone number. The Editor reserves the right to cut letters

Stay locked down — and let us ask for help

ust 10 days into the coronavirus lockdown and there are already other constitute one. experts out there on social media telling us “it isn’t working”. No Not much gets us off the hook, unfortunately. The University of surprise about the negativity. Putting an unequal society into Chicago’s Initiative on Global Markets invited a large panel of respected lockdown was bound to show up the inequalities rather than economists to respond to a list of statements, one of which was: suppress them. Poor people living centimetres away from each other can’t “Abandoning severe lockdowns at a time when the likelihood of a isolate like the rich with walk-in fridges in their kitchens. resurgence in infections remains high will lead to greater total economic So the poor have been behaving badly, queueing close up for entry to damage than sustaining the lockdowns to eliminate the resurgence risk.” shops and bundling into taxis to get to work, where they have it. In some No-one disagreed. places shops have been broken into and looted. An early end to the lockdown here haunts health minister Zweli Mkhize. With just 12 more sleeps to go, however, we have to ask ourselves Most testing in SA has been done by private laboratories for private whether three weeks is enough. I don’t think it is. Either the government, patients. “This means we don’t yet have a true picture of the size of the through this lockdown, is able to locate and isolate all citizens infected with problem,” he said last week. “… the release of a lockdown may have a huge the coronavirus, or not. And if it isn’t, then how can it possibly justify lifting rebound effect of releasing every constraint that made the infection slow PET E R the lockdown? down and we may have a runaway train with no way to apply brakes”. B RUCE On the other hand, for how long can a fragile economy such as ours No-one knows what is going on. Least of all the Chinese, who continue close down without it causing irreparable damage? Fraser Nelson, the to lie about the way the virus developed. Even paragons of rectitude like the editor of The Spectator, says the Swedes are carrying on as usual. “There is, still, no British are being found out. Having stopped dithering over how to respond, Boris lockdown there,” he wrote last week. “Shopping centres remain open, as are most Johnson’s government finally went into lockdown when a pillar of the establishment, schools and firms. Many work from home, many don’t — all are at liberty to choose. When Imperial College London, produced a paper in mid-March predicting more than 500,000 I called a friend in Stockholm to ask about the Swedish experiment, he was on his way to deaths in the UK, a number arrived at using 13-year-old software! a book launch.” President Cyril Ramaphosa is going to have to find a way to both save lives and the The Swedes think the rest of Europe is experimenting (with lockdowns), not them. economy. We must not be shy of approaching the International Monetary Fund for soft “Swedes,” writes Nelson, “tend to have more of a sense of the economy as the engine of loans to help. There’s already a queue. the welfare state: damage one, and you damage the other.” Would another 10 days of lockdown help? And are even experienced doctors able to And that’s the excruciating dilemma facing us. How much (more) damage can our produce accurate numbers of people who die of Covid-19 or merely with it because they economy take before it is simply incapable of funding the state and, particularly, welfare were already compromised upon admission. payments? Do we extend the lockdown because clearly not enough testing and isolating My wife and I just got tested. About 15 people at a wedding party we went to are now will have been done? Or do we lift it and live with what we have in the hope we can get positive. We were negative and I almost regret it. It means we can still, unless we are some economic activity going again? hideously careful, get infected. Perhaps there’s a middle way. We partly lift it. People are allowed to move around but At the end, I’m afraid, we will probably be left with nature, or herd immunity, where not between provinces, not without masks (that debate, surely, is done) and always alone so many people have it and survive that the virus cannot advance. I can’t see any way unless they require assistance. No gatherings, and two people within three metres of each around it. COMMENT THIS: WRITE TELLUS@SUNDAYTIMES.CO.ZA OR AT 33971 COMMENT ONON THIS: WRITE TOTO TELLUS@SUNDAYTIMES.CO.ZA ORSMS SMSUS US AT 33971WWW.SUNDAYTIMES.CO.ZA WWW.SUNDAYTIMES.CO.ZA

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

Sunday Times

WISDOM FROM THE AG ES No-one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite NELSON MANDELA, 1918-2013, president of SA from 1994 to 1999

Confusion rules as ministers amend lockdown rules on a whim or a threat

gaggle of ministers this week took a turn at the podium uppermost in people’s minds, is another matter altogether. and inadvertently sought to unravel what seems like a The relaxation of these restrictions at a time when people are nascent consensus on the measures taken to deal with beginning to bed down to the new regime is wrong and shortCovid-19. The amendments they made to the regulations sighted. Apart from sowing confusion in the public mind, it gives are misguided, short-sighted and could possibly undermine the impression that the government either doesn’t know what it’s efforts taken thus far to avert a looming disaster. doing or lacks the guts to stand by the tough measures it has First to blink was Fikile Mbalula, the blathering minister of imposed. Of course these measures are painful and nobody likes transport, who caved in to all the demands presented to him by the them. But they are necessary. We are literally between a rock and a taxi industry. It would probably have been something of a miracle hard place. There’s no easier option. We have to bite the bullet. had Mbalula stood his ground. The original decision was that taxis The upshot of the relaxations is that people will come streaming would only operate for a few hours in the morning and evening to into the streets again, thus defeating the very purpose of the ferry workers in essential services. The hours were slightly lockdown. This is not the time to slacken or lose faith. It is time to BA RN EY increased after the industry threw its toys out of the cot. Now the redouble our resolve. If there’s any need to look again at the passenger load of each taxi has been increased from the original M T HOM BOT H I measures, that time surely should be at the end of the lockdown, in 50% to 70% — and to hell with social distancing. 11 days. Then the effect of the measures can be analysed and the The government always easily buckles in the face of a minor necessary adjustments made. threat, especially from anything as thuggish and menacing as the ubiquitous taxis. President Cyril Ramaphosa has created an outfit he grandly calls the national They’ve become a law unto themselves and the government always seems command council, chaired by himself, to take charge of the running of the reluctant or afraid to bring them to heel. For instance, it spent billions on the sooperation and communication to the public. But so far it’s not very clear whether called recapitalisation programme, which ultimately floundered because of fierce anybody is working at its direction. Ramaphosa himself, apart from a few cameo resistance from taxi owners. And then it exempted the taxi industry from moribund appearances, has done his usual disappearing act and left the field to his ministers. e-tolls for no reason other than that it knew the taxis, if included, would scupper it. And it seems some of them regard the crisis as their opportunity to “shine”. It’s They drive any way they like on the road without any regard to laws or the safety of some sort of egalitarian exercise: they all want — and are entitled to — a bite of the other road users, resulting in countless fatalities. Now, with SA facing an existential cherry. The result is the shambolic press conferences that have been visited on a crisis, instead of putting its foot down, the government capitulates to sectional public hungry for information. Do they all have to speak? Does Jackson Mthembu interests. Mbalula has never been a bright spark, and it was a surprise when he was have to religiously introduce every minister? recalled to the cabinet. He’s now removed all doubts as to his fecklessness. Because the ministers have to each speak to their portfolios, we end up with a If Mbalula seemed to be flying solo, that notion was soon put firmly to rest on lot of clutter, a lot of information all over the place. Some of it doesn’t even seem to Thursday evening. Given her unfortunate encounter at Nasrec two years ago, one hang together or make sense at all. Why is it more acceptable for someone to sell would have thought Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was well qualified to handle goods on the side of the road than for a lone jogger to go for a morning run? Why is disasters by now. But on Thursday the co-operative governance and traditional it OK for people to pile into a taxi but not so kosher for an elderly gent to walk his affairs minister proved not to be as agile or of nimble mind to manage the dog and stretch his doddering gait? The ban on the sale of tobacco products is lockdown. She walked to the podium and proceeded to announce a raft of incomprehensible. Cigarettes are a consumable and there are people addicted to amendments which have the effect of watering down the laws governing the the poison. curfew. Families and other hangers-on can now travel long distances and even To earn public trust, the regulations must be seen to be fair and reasonable. cross provincial borders to attend funerals of a loved one. Spaza shops can now Don’t be hard on smokers and joggers simply because they are a soft touch while remain open. So too can informal traders i.e. those selling all manner of edibles on going easy on a thuggish taxi industry. The government should not only hone its the side of the road. They are now back in business. Whether there will be enough message, it must also have credible messengers to relay it. To ram somebody like traffic to patronise these enterprises during the lockdown or whether it’s safe to Lindiwe Zulu down our throats is not only self-defeating, it is an insult to our grab a quick bite on the side of the road during the era of Covid-19, when hygiene is intelligence. Ramaphosa needs to get a grip on things.

Q&A HOGARTH WRITE TO HOGARTH@SUNDAYTIMES.CO.ZA

Skiet en donner ends in snot en trane

Homeless people’s movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has accused eThekwini of demolishing its members’ homes in informal settlements near Durban. Chris Barron asked municipal spokesman MSAWAKHE MAYISELA …

Should you be demolishing homes during a lockdown? That’s not what we’re doing. The structures that were demolished were not occupied. They were being constructed by people taking advantage of the lockdown. In what sense? In the sense that the president issued a directive that everybody should be at home. We are of the opinion that considering the increase in the number of land invasions recently, they [Abahlali] are mobilising their members to say, go to this unoccupied land, you are not going to be evicted, there will be an outcry because the president has issued this directive. In view of the directive should you be evicting? These structures are not occupied.

The Left must save SA from surrendering autonomy to the IMF The Covid-19 crisis will strengthen Ramaphosa in several ways, but he will still need the Left to govern — and the Left must do all it can to oppose austerity

Do you have evidence of this? We’ve got evidence to the effect that those shacks were not occupied. You need to understand we have a responsibility to guard against people … breaking the law. Did you obtain court orders permitting you to demolish these homes? We don’t need a court order to demolish a shack that is not occupied by anybody.

By IMRAAN BUCCUS

● The Zuma years left us with a seriously weakened state and an entrenched economic crisis. Finding our way out of the profound mess left by his kleptocracy was never going to be easy. But now that our own national crisis has intersected with the global crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic, everything has changed. There is some merit to the argument that the crisis has simultaneously shown up the weaknesses in the ANC leadership and allowed President Cyril Ramaphosa and competent ministers like Zweli Mkhize and Ebrahim Patel to shine. The rest of the main figures aiming to restore the kleptocracy have almost disappeared from public life in recent weeks. And the incompetent ministers in Ramaphosa’s cabinet, the likes of Lindiwe Zulu, Fikile Mbalula, Bheki Cele, and Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, have all looked extraordinarily weak. It certainly is possible that this crisis will leave Ramaphosa with sufficient political capital to be able to decisively outmanoeuvre the kleptocrats and finally remove the incompetent from his cabinet. But he doesn’t only have to manage the divisions between the corrupt and the non-corrupt, and the competent and the incompetent. There is also an entrenched division within the ANC. The Covid-19 crisis has generated some issues of common cause around which the Left and the neoliberals in the ANC can unite. They all, for instance, support the scientific logic behind the lockdown. However, they do not and cannot agree on the way forward in terms of the economic crisis. The economic crisis was already severe. We have had no meaningful economic growth for years, massive unemployment and retrenchments escalating at a terrifying rate. Major private and state-owned companies like Edcon and South African Airways were facing collapse and some forms of demand for inclusion from below were threatening to destroy important industries and institutions. Armed gangs showing up at construction sites and demanding money were resulting in large projects being cancelled, and students demanding that universities meet their needs for welfare were putting important institutions at serious risk. Now that Covid-19 has hit, business failures and retrenchments are going to exceed our wildest fears. It’s almost certain that we will have to navigate our way through a deep and long recession. Ramaphosa’s backers in business, much of the media and important factions of academia and civil society will support a standard neoliberal response to the crisis in the form of austerity. Some commentators have been actively anticipating a bailout from the International Monetary Fund, on the grounds that IMF money always comes with conditions, and those

What about the photographs? These are pictures of people being mobilised to sit next to their shacks because they knew that the security company subcontracted by the city is coming to demolish. There’s no furniture there, no mattresses, no pots, there’s absolutely nothing. They’re taking advantage of the lockdown to quickly build … shacks and then once we are coming to demolish they mobilise people to be there.

Who told you the shacks were not occupied? Our guys, because they were there on the ground. The same guys demolishing them? Yes, of course.

In Buenos Aires in February, protesters demonstrate at the Congress Building against the IMF, officials of which were in town to renegotiate Argentina’s debt to the institution. Picture: Ricardo Ceppi/Getty Images

conditionalities essentially mean that a state that takes money from the IMF effectively gives up its autonomy over basic economic and policy questions. For some of these commentators it would be preferable to have our economic policy determined in Washington rather than in Pretoria. In some cases there is a racist undercurrent to this view. There is not a strong and organised neoliberal faction within the ANC. Ramaphosa might have neoliberal leanings, and his finance minister, Tito Mboweni, is strongly neoliberal. But Ramaphosa and Mboweni are not an organised faction. The political reality is that Ramaphosa can’t hold power or govern effectively without the support of the Left in the ANC, and the Left is well organised into solid factions in the form of the SACP and Cosatu. Mboweni has made it clear he is willing to explore an IMF bailout. This will be a line that the Left will not cross. For the Left, in SA and around the world, the IMF is a key weapon of contemporary imperialism that has been used to undo the national sovereignty achieved by the anti-colonial movements. In their view it subjects the national interests of countries across the global South to the interests of Western capital. Thabo Mbeki was widely criticised by factions of the Left for his GEAR and Nepad policies. His rejoinder was always that a pragmatic leftism should, as its first priority, avoid collapsing into a debt trap that would eventually result in the surrender of autonomy to the IMF. Mbeki will be harshly judged by history for his catastrophic Aids denialism and his appeasement of Robert Mugabe’s dictatorship, but any measured historian will have to give him credit for leaving our finances in such a healthy state. But, of course, Jacob Zuma had no regard for the

national interest, and contempt for the people of SA. The looting that was farcically misrepresented as “radical economic transformation” has not only meant that millions remain without work, and that budgets for health, housing and education have been cut. It has also meant that the national autonomy for which so many struggled might be surrendered to the IMF. This would be a political as well as an economic disaster. The Left will be correct to do all that it can to keep us from the clutches of the IMF, which will demand mass retrenchment of government workers and even more brutal cuts to social spending. The Covid-19 crisis will not give Ramaphosa the power to act against the Left. Before the crisis he was not able to govern without the support of Cosatu and the SACP. But as economic and social hardships worsen during the Covid-19 crisis, the Left will come under enormous pressure from its constituency to defend their interests. They will have no choice but to oppose austerity, and to fight tooth and nail against Mboweni’s overtures to the IMF. To ensure his political survival, Ramaphosa will have to make some sort of accommodation with the Left. To strengthen its own hand, the Left in the ANC will have to seek an alliance with the Left outside the ANC. Astute commentators will keep a close eye on these developments. Astute commentators will also understand that the balance of opinion among the commentariat is not the same thing as the balance of forces within the ANC. ✼ Buccus is senior research associate at ASRI, a research fellow in the School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and the academic director of a university study-abroad programme on political transformation

Isn’t it obvious they’re going to say the shacks they’re demolishing are not occupied? You should be asking who gave these people the authority to invade private land and build shacks there. At the end of the day we have a responsibility to guard against people breaking the law. But under no circumstances will we go and demolish a shack where people are living. Are you saying you’ve never done that? We have got 519 informal settlements where we have installed electricity and provided water. Why are we only going to target this one? If these guys have evidence we have broken the law, why haven’t they taken it to the police? They say they don’t investigate. The police work based on the evidence before them. If they don’t have evidence they’re not going to investigate. If we were not caring, why would we provide temporary shelter for people who are homeless? Are you concerned you may be accelerating the spread of the coronavirus? By doing what? Stopping people from locking down in every possible structure. For us to have a lockdown doesn’t mean people must break the law and build shacks on privately owned land.

hile the whole country was confused by the government’s chopping and changing of regulations governing the national lockdown, one ANC backbencher was reminding us why it’s important to keep some of these fatcat legislators locked up. Thabo Mmutle, a member of the defence portfolio committee, praised soldiers who skop, skiet and donner civilians or force them to do frog jumps when they catch them wandering the streets. He praised this violation of human rights, saying in a badly worded statement that the rogue military men were justified because the bill of rights has been suspended. The bill of rights is the section of the constitution that guarantees all of us the right to life, equality, human dignity and privacy and protects us from the likes of Mmutle. That such a constitutional illiterate even made it to parliament is perhaps a sign that we need tougher regulations on who becomes a public representative in future.

Stick that in your pipe

avid Maynier, the Cape Republic’s holder of the purse strings, is normally a cool-headed fellow. When he was a DA backbencher in parliament he used to amuse the house with his animated delivery of speeches, which had him go into a dance-like trance. On Wednesday, he appropriated for himself and the Cape Republic powers they don’t actually have when he announced that they would allow people to purchase cigarettes with their groceries, effectively overturning a national ban on the sale of cancer sticks. But his plan went up in smoke the next day when the top sheriff in the hat reminded him who holds the power. Someone should have told Maynier that cigarette smokers are not a voting bloc.

I had a stream in days gone by

ith the coronavirus keeping all of us at home, many careers are under threat, especially those of plastic celebrities and overrated DJs. To keep from starving, some DJs and musicians have been hosting online concerts and parties. It seems Desperate Alliance leader John “Judas” Steenhuisen has been taking notes. Fearing that by the time the outbreak is contained only Cupcake and the National Doctor will still be recognisable politicians, Judas started an online TV show — dubbed John Steenhuisen Coronacast. Great move! At least you have a career option when Gogo Helen throws you out of her party, unlike you-know-who.

Joining me, me, me in the studio

n one of the episodes posted on the DA Facebook page this week, Judas invited MP Michael Bagraim to be his guest. Poor Mike sat on the couch for almost eight minutes while Judas launched into a monologue like a typical TV presenter fascinated by the sound of his own voice. At some point Mike sank into the sofa, ready to go into a deep slumber — only to be rudely awoken up by his host’s heated debate with himself.

Flushed with success

fter days of communicating to the public in English about the Covid-19 pandemic, our cabinet ministers changed tack this week and resorted to indigenous languages in order to reach a wider audience with their daily media briefings. The resident MC of the covid briefings, Jackson Mthembu, tried to introduce his colleague in Zulu. “Olandelayo ungqongqoshe wezezindlu, amanzi and sanitation uLindiwe Sisulu [The next minister is the minister of human settlements, water & sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu],” said Mthembu. Her royal highness was quick to correct the programme director. “Minister Mthembu, sanitation in Zulu is ezangasese.” Hogarth is no isiZulu expert, but he has heard that indlu yangasese refers to a toilet. Will the minister accept the title of minister of toilets?

We now cross for the real news

ome of the daily briefings chaired by Mthembu have been a total waste of time. That is why Old Hog chuckled every time the national doctor held his own briefings at the same time as that of his cabinet colleagues. On Friday, while Mthembu was chairing another pointless presser in Pretoria, the National Doctor updated us on the Covid-19 numbers from Cape Town, obliging the Pretoria presser to pause until he was done. The good doctor truly understands power.

MAMPARA OF THE WEEK

Fikile Mbalula Bumpy ride

e refers to himself as “Razzmatazz” on social media. He loves snapping shots of himself in clownish outfits, including a gangster rap look which seems to be a particular favourite. He often shoots from the hip and spews a lot of hot air. The problem, however, is that the coronavirus, the 21-day lockdown and the regulations governing it are not a joke. As transport minister, Fikile Mbalula has to ensure that taxis, which ferry essential workers to their places of employment, stick to physical distancing rules. So what does Mamparalula do? He calls a press conference at a packed taxi rank. He gets bullied by taxi associations into agreeing that minibuses can carry 100% of their capacity, instead of 50% as earlier regulated. A few hours later, presumably after sense has been knocked into his head, he reverses that to 70% of capacity. Mr President, please put this flip-flop clown into lockdown.

April 5 2020 - SUNDAY TIMES

Sunday Times

Opinion

QUOTE OF THE WE E K “As we move towards the winter days the impact of viral infections, all sorts, is going to be heavy on all of us.” Health minister ZWELI MKHIZE, explaining how winter might affect the behaviour of Covid-19

This health crisis offers Ramaphosa and the country a Singapore moment to revitalise an ailing economy aila Odinga, the Kenyan opposition leader and former prime minister, tells a sad but eyeopening story that illustrates the significance of a visionary leadership, especially in times of

both countries have since become multiparty democracies with regular elections. The parallels end there. When it comes to economic development and improvements in crisis. people’s lives since the 1960s, the two countries are In 1968, Lee Kuan Yew, the prime minister of the then worlds apart. Singapore and many other countries in newly independent Singapore, sent a group of his Asia were propelled by the crisis they found countrymen to Jomo Kenyatta’s East African country for themselves in during the 1960s and 1970s to lessons on how to run a post-colonial society. Freed in introduce reforms that have turned them into 1963, some two years before Singapore gained its own economic powerhouses. In the process, they lifted a independence, Kenya was regarded as relatively more billion people out of poverty in a single generation. developed than the East Asian island nation. Our continent, on the other hand, as Odinga puts ST H EM B I SO When Kenya gained independence from Britain, its it, “largely wasted three decades in complacency and M SOM I GDP was $926.6m while Singapore’s was $917.2m. conflict”. Yet, 40 years later, as prime minister in a Kenyan We have been playing catch-up ever since, with coalition government, Odinga found himself leading a group of his the likes of Ethiopia and Rwanda, both shining examples of what cabinet colleagues on a study tour of Singapore. can be achieved under leaderships with clear visions of how to pull “That was the latest in many trips taken by the Kenyan their societies out of the poverty trap. Sadly, the economic reforms government to the island, about which no report was ever written, in these two countries, which have resulted in impressive growth, and where the participants kept everything to themselves,” Odinga have not always been matched by an equally important writes in the foreword of a recently published book, The Asian democratisation process. In Ethiopia’s case, however, under its Aspiration, Why and How Africa Should Emulate Asia. current prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, there are encouraging signs of “This, I am sure, is the depressing experience of many an African progressive political reforms. government official and politician,” Odinga laments. “Lots of Of course the continent, like the rest of the world, is now facing studies, followed by much less in the [way?] of action.” an uncertain future following the outbreak of Covid-19. Although we By the time Kenyatta’s son, Uhuru, became president in 2013, are not the hardest hit in terms of infections and deaths, we stand to Kenya’s GDP was only $55.24bn. Contrast this with the fact that in suffer heavy losses on an economic front. the same year that Lee’s son, Lee Hsien Loong, had become How the continent pulls through the crisis depends on the quality Singapore’s prime minister in 2004, the island state was managing a of leadership we have. $297.9bn economy. Here at home, President Cyril Ramaphosa and his executive have There are a number of striking similarities in the political been heaped with much praise for the way they have handled the histories of post-colonial Singapore and Kenya. Both started out as crisis, doing all that is possible to try to arrest the spread of the undemocratic one-party states run by powerful dynasties. These coronavirus, especially among the most vulnerable communities. dynasties continue to have strong influences in both countries, but In a country that had become so accustomed to a rudderless

Union Buildings and ministers whose only claim to public office seemed to be their familiarity with the roads that lead to KwaDakwadunuse in Nkandla and an alleged shebeen in the leafy suburbs of Saxonwold, it is no wonder there is so much excitement about Ramaphosa’s weekly briefings and the competent handling of the crisis by ministers such as Zweli Mkhize, Ebrahim Patel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. But we will need more than just arresting the rate of infections if we are to avert the threat of an economic meltdown posed by the global outbreak of Covid-19. The political leadership would have to be visionaries like Lee Kuan Yew and his team — sans their dictatorial tendencies. Odinga reminds us that it was a crisis prompted by a British withdrawal of its bases in Singapore that forced Lee and his colleagues “to think quickly out of the box” as they realised that their population was too small to rely on their internal market and needed to attract foreign investment to grow their export industries. Our economy has been in trouble for a while and the coronavirus outbreak has only plunged us deeper into crisis. Given our circumstances, it is important to note the words of one of Lee’s associates, SR Nathan, who became Singapore’s leader in mid-1999: “We had no money, no skills and no resources. But we had a group of leaders with a common purpose and a common vision.” Unlike Lee, Ramaphosa governs in a multiparty democracy with a vibrant civil society. But democracy is no hindrance to economic growth and development. In fact, as we saw in the first decade of our freedom, it can be a huge advantage if those in power are able to sell a common vision and purpose to the rest of society. While it has been great to see Ramaphosa leading the battle from the front against the spread of coronavirus, the real test of his leadership will be whether he is able to use the crisis to mobilise all sectors of our society to help build a faster-growing and more inclusive economy.

Our defence force must always be ready to protect, despite budget shortfalls But a dedicated disaster management arm would do an even better job By THABANG MAKWETLA

● Reported incidents of unlawful acts by members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) since its deployment in support of the police to deal with the coronavirus are regrettable. They have easily distracted from the overwhelmingly vital role played by the military in the fight against Covid-19 and the enormous value of this deployment to the country. The commander-in-chief, President Cyril Ramaphosa, ordered the troops to “go to our people and give them hope” because this is a grim moment indeed. Maybe I should also say that I am not referring to the creative ways some soldiers devised to remove from the streets delinquent residents who were wilfully undermining the lockdown regulations. The law-enforcement role of the SANDF alongside the police in the fight against the coronavirus pestilence is but one element of a much bigger and more elaborate campaign undertaken by the defence force in the recent period. In the broader scheme of things, I believe disaster management and the efficiency of government to respond to crisis moments will be spoken of in terms of before Covid-19 and postCovid-19 practices, not only in SA but the world over. Intrinsically linked to this will be a need for a re-look at the resourcing of SA’s defence function. The order to deploy could not have come at a more difficult moment for the defence force. The financial woes of the defence department are common knowledge. But that’s a subject for another day. Firstly, it will help to remind ourselves that the SANDF consists of four arms of service: the army (the landward force), the air force, the navy and the South African Military Health Service (SAMHS — the medical wing). In this emergency, all the arms of service of the defence force are, without exception, deployed or on standby.

Every arm of the South African National Defence Force is either deployed or on standby to assist in combating the spread of the coronavirus. Picture: Alaister Russell

Starting with the army: more than three battalions of troops are on the ground in all nine provinces, enforcing the regulations and ensuring the restriction of movement in communities. The army deployment has included the tightening of border security to limit cross-boundary movement. Over and above these activities, the army is also deploying its water purification and bottling system to alleviate water shortages. Defence intelligence is guiding these activities. The air force is deployed to expedite quickreaction force deployment and any air-freight emergencies in support of medical services. The navy has put on standby an offshore patrol vessel capability for humanitarian aid in Simon’s Town and Durban. It has also provided standby logistics support capability between our seaports. The SAMHS is providing operational medical support to the department of health in the form of different categories of health workers, as it has done in the management of the Polokwane

quarantine facility where the students from Wuhan, China, were placed under observation. It is responsible for the disinfection and decontamination of facilities and mobile platforms exposed to possible viral contamination and its ambulances are on standby. The defence logistics division is there to ensure that reserve medical supplies are maintained according to SAMHS norms, and to make available deployable camp infrastructure systems for any eventuality. The logistics division is responsible for preparing military units to be utilised as isolation and quarantine sites. The enormity of the resources deployed by the military, both personnel and material, in defence of “the life of the nation”, is unfortunately overshadowed by the sensational focus placed on the “skop, skiet en donder” indiscretions of a few troopers on the ground. As a people, we are blessed to inhabit a country that is not prone to natural disasters. SA, unlike

many around the world, does not lie along the Earth’s fault lines. Nor is it in a region prone to extreme climatic phenomena. However, we have witnessed an increased frequency of extreme climatic conditions, of cyclones in neighbouring countries, and tornados, veld fires and flooding in parts of our country that never experienced them before. Extreme drought conditions have hit a few unfamiliar places around the country. There is growing anxiety that this is likely to increase on account of the effects of global warming. In countries that are prone to national disasters, it is the norm that disaster management as a government function is anchored in their military establishments. Disaster management has dedicated arms of service with troops prepared over and above their military proficiency, equipped with systems and technologies relevant to disaster requirements. The collateral utilisation of the military to assist in battling disasters is convenient and makes a significant difference. However, performed as a side issue, disaster management will always be a task that the military comes into justifiably illprepared. A dedicated arm would contribute towards professional and efficient interventions. It is common knowledge that SA’s defence budget stands at a mere 0.93% of GDP, way below the global average of 2%, and of the Southern African Development Community region. These are not just statistics. The figures speak to the untenable state of affairs in our defence establishment as commented upon many a time by the minister of defence and members of the parliamentary portfolio committee on defence. This threat is a result of our sustained political programme over the past 25 years to prioritise the socio-economic upliftment of SA’s previously neglected black populace, correctly so. However, the grim economic forecast of what lies ahead tells us that there is never an ideal moment to take out guarantees for the protection of the millions of lives in our communities, which the state is responsible for. Today it is Covid-19, tomorrow is another ambush. But the lives of our citizens, as the constitution enjoins us, must be protected at all times, and the SANDF must at all times be fit for purpose.

More can be done to help the most vulnerable

emporarily providing direct income, food and medical hygiene support in the lockdown to the poor, unemployed, homeless and those in informal settlements is crucial to slowing down the rapid spread of the virus. One way to provide support is to give a cash grant to poor people to carry them over the lockdown or during WI L L IAM a follow-on lockdown. The GUM E DE grant could be distributed through the banks, SA Post Office or retail stores, in the way of social grants. It’s sad that for many poor South Africans the coronavirus may be just another affliction, joining hunger, violence and financial survival. The reality is also that the lockdown may be extended to decisively slow down the virus. It is important that the police and military enforce social distancing, ensure that people stay at home and that the message of clean hygiene is spread. However, enforcement on its own, in a country with high levels of poverty, homelessness, high-density settlements and high levels of informal businesses, is ineffective in combating the virus. SA is in danger of Covid-19 spreading rapidly because many people live in overcrowded, insanitary settlements, eke out their living in overcrowded, informal work settings, commute in overcrowded informal transport, and buy their basic food in unhygienic, overcrowded informal shops. SA may have among the most immune-compromised people per capita, whether because of HIV/Aids, TB or malnutrition. Health, water and sanitation services and infrastructure are in many cases non-existent or working poorly. Covid-19 does not discriminate. If it explodes in poor areas, the rich will also become infected. As a part of a new social pact to deal with Covid-19, the government, business and well-off individuals will have to contribute to provide cash, food and medical hygiene supplies, such as masks, to the poor. Large corporates, professional organisations and well-off individuals could contribute to such a dedicated temporary social grant. So far most of the financial support to alleviate the social, economic and infrastructure impacts is aimed at the formal economy — those who have formally registered businesses, jobs and assets. Yet the overwhelming majority are in informal businesses, jobs and homes. The financial support package by the government and the private sector will not reach them. As a case in point, about 5-million people lack access to water. This is doubled if shared communal taps, broken municipal water infrastructure and unreliable supply are included. About 10-million people have little access to proper sanitation. They use either shared communal facilities, bucket toilets or relieve themselves in the open. Washing hands, surfaces and products are crucial to combating the coronavirus. This means many do not have the basic tools to combat the virus. The government, the private sector and well-off individuals will have to provide water to poor people who are without it. Without it the poor cannot wash their hands or clean domestic surfaces. Large corporates, professional organisations and well-off individuals could also give basic cleaning products, food and water to the poor, even it means recovering some of that expense through tax breaks. The army could distribute water, food and medical supplies to impoverished communities. Just as some banks have offered mortgage-payment holidays, telecommunications companies could provide free minimum data for poor people to access basic information. Private sector telecommunications companies could send SMS and social media messages about symptoms, the location of Covid-19 testing areas, and how to seek help. The government, business and civil society can run SMS and social media-based hotlines where people can seek information, help and support during this crisis. Direct financial income, food and medical hygiene support are the crucial missing links in the national strategy.

Income, food and medical hygiene support are the crucial missing links

✼ Gumede is an associate professor, School of Governance, University ✼ Makwetla is deputy minister of defence & military

veterans

of the Witwatersrand, and author of ’Restless Nation: Making Sense of Troubled Times’ (Tafelberg)

Mkhize and Cuomo reap praise for being sober, responsive and measured leaders

here is an uncanny resemblance between the across as childish and inept in this global crisis. leadership styles of New York governor SA does not have a culture of approval ratings Andrew Cuomo and South African health compared to the US, but if anecdotes and sporadic minister Zweli Mkhize as they respond to the tweets are anything to go by, Mkhize’s approval Covid-19 pandemic. ratings are high. Their political dynamics are quite literally worlds His role in the government’s response to Covid-19 apart, but they have both become the public faces of has been lauded even by vehement critics of the seemingly efficient government responses to the government, and he has, as a result, become the face “invisible enemy”. of the government’s efforts. Cuomo is dealing with an epicentre in North Some have even touted him as a successor to America, while Mkhize is fighting in the epicentre of President Cyril Ramaphosa and whispers in political the pandemic in Africa. This is a pandemic that has circles have already begun. QAANI TAH claimed thousands of lives worldwide and infected But the two politicians have not always been public HUNT E R more than a million people. darlings, with New Yorkers historically having a loveNaturally, both Cuomo and Mkhize have seen a hate relationship with Cuomo, who has not always got surge in popularity and confidence in their leadership, things right. which is unprecedented. Even as deaths climbed and infection rates Mkhize too has had his fair share of scandal. He is known for his rocketed in New York, a poll this week found that Cuomo’s bullish character and has a reputation for being overly sensitive — to favourability rating has soared to 71% for the first time in seven the point of being litigious. He micromanages and is fussy about years. detail, and mistakes can send him into a tailspin. It was no surprise then that he was suggested as a viable Yet in this time of global uncertainty, these are the same presidential candidate to challenge Donald Trump, who has come characteristics that have projected him and Cuomo as the voices of

reason and decisiveness. The New York Times put it aptly, saying: “Andrew Cuomo is the control freak we need right now. In ordinary times, Mr Cuomo’s relentlessness and bullying drive New Yorkers crazy. In the age of the coronavirus, they soothe our battered nerves,” the column read. “Mr Cuomo holds news conferences filled with facts and (accurate) numbers almost every day. He explains systems and

It was no surprise then that he [Cuomo] was suggested as a viable presidential candidate to challenge Donald Trump challenges and decision-making with a command that Mr Trump lacks. He even models social distancing by having speakers stay six feet apart from one another.” Mkhize gets similar praise. He speaks with authority, maintains a no-nonsense approach and is well versed in his subject matter.

“Health minister Zweli Mkhize has likewise garnered nearuniversal praise for his no-nonsense, energetic performance, and his sober, deeply knowledgeable, daily briefings,” the BBC said of him this week. Those who are sceptical insist that a fish should not be celebrated for swimming, but the sentiment has been drowned out by those who believe that if Mkhize ran for president tomorrow he’d win. The confidence and optimism shown by people in both Cuomo and Mkhize reflect an important point about what people want in leaders. At a time when the whole world is desperate for leadership, the recipe is simple: leaders must have a firm grip on the problem, give hope and caution in equal measure, and have a demonstrable plan. The virus will dictate if Cuomo and Mkhize become the heroes we desperately pine for. But in the meantime, politicians will know that people want leaders who are decisive yet not arrogant, knowledgeable yet able to take advice, and most importantly, measured in their responses to a global pandemic. That is not asking much from leaders. ✼ Hunter is senior political correspondent

SUNDAY TIMES - April 5 2020

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

1915: Jess Willard wins the world heavyweight boxing crown when he knocks out Jack Johnson in the 26th round in Havana, Cuba. Johnson, the first black heavyweight titleholder, claimed years later he had taken a dive, using as proof a photograph of himself lying on the canvas being counted out while holding one arm up to shield his eyes from the sun. Johnson had turned 37 a few days before the bout.

1956: Danie Craven, former Springbok scrumhalf and coach, takes over as president of the SA Rugby Board. He remained at the helm of SA rugby, even after unification when the different racial organisations merged into the SA Rugby Football Union, until his death in early 1993. Craven was an influential figure in world rugby, but he was also controversial. In 1976, Craven insisted that a mixed rugby team could not wear the Springbok emblem

because it was reserved for whites, but he changed his tune and oversaw the selection of the first player of colour, Errol Tobias, just five years later. 1980: Hosea Tjale, a truck driver who had taken up running seriously just three years earlier, wins the 56km Two Oceans ultra-marathon, which attracts a record field of 1,500. Tjale clocked 3hrs 14min 30sec.

Sport General

The moment they went bananas in SA

We relive 11 of the most hilarious and rush-of-blood to the head incidents

Sunday Times

Unplugged by BBK

We have no choice but to lean on each other in these times

Captain chesa mpama ● Hell hath no fury like a soccer team skipper scorned. Daniel Mudau and Charles Motlohi had a heated argument, the former giving the latter not only fire and brimstone but five fingers for having refused to take a penalty. Mudau brought his Baby Jake Matlala skills to the fore with his fist having a hostile merger with Motlohi’s cheek. Motlohi’s leftjab retaliation failed to unify with Mudau’s face before late journalist David Kekana and others sprang into action to separate the teammates. With the spot-kick shootout in sudden death and Motlohi shivering, Michael Manzini, who had pulled a muscle, stepped up and failed to convert his attempt. Sundowns lost the BP Top 8 final to Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium. — Bareng-Batho Kortjaas

Gora Ebrahim loses his cool ● Former Rabali Blackpool centreback Gora Ebrahim regrets to this day the unbelievable act he performed on his coach Walter Rautmann in Thohoyandou 25 years ago. Ebrahim, now a headmaster, raced to kick Rautmann in the chest when he was being substituted in the first half. The now late Austrian-born mentor landed in hospital with fractured ribs. “I lost my cool when Walter replaced me and I kicked him. That for me signalled the end of my career,” said a remorseful Ebrahim in 2012. — Sazi Hadebe

The ever-grinding Gandaganda ● Thamsanqa Gabuza is known for many extraordinary antics on and off the field, but nothing was stranger than what the striker did when he substituted himself in Orlando Pirates’ league match against Black Leopards in Thohoyandou last season. The SuperSport United striker was apparently fed up with Bucs fans booing him at every turn for his misses before his cross was turned into a goal. Instead of celebrating the goal, Gabuza angrily threw his jersey into the stands and raced to the change-room. He later reappeared with a heavily strapped thigh, but the referee didn’t buy his story and promptly sent him off. — Sazi Hadebe

Fanatical supporter ● In an act of sheer idiocy, Pieter van Zyl vacated his seat and invaded the King’s Park pitch during a Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in Durban in 2002. He surged towards referee Dave McHugh to announce his displeasure at the Irishman’s performance. In the ensuing scuffle, McHugh fell to the ground and the beer-bellied Van Zyl was dragged away with the discharge of his bleeding nose on his two-sizes-too-small Springbok jersey clearly visible. McHugh suffered a shoulder dislocation, and Van Zyl was fined R3,000 and charged with assault to do grievous bodily harm and trespassing. — Liam Del Carme

Pitch invader halts play ● In the days when wood and nails were the dominant building materials at the Free State Stadium, Western Province took on the hosts in their last Currie Cup league match in 1991. They looked well en route to the final against

Springbok supporter Pieter van Zyl, left, is removed from the field after assaulting Irish referee David McHugh during the 2002 Springboks-All Blacks clash in Durban, while Daniel Mudau brought out his Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala skills to the fore with his fist having a hostile merger with Charles Motlohi’s cheek. Picture: Getty Images

Transvaal before a pitch invader, Brian Baenhoff, tackled a try-bound FC Smit. Western Province lost momentum and were forced into a play-off with the Blue Bulls; an appointment they lived to regret. Baenhoff was dubbed kaalholler in the Afrikaans press, while the Blue Bulls went on to win the Currie Cup final against Transvaal. — Liam Del Carme

Double ear-biting ● Long before Mike Tyson chomped at Evander Holyfield’s ears, SA witnessed its own ear-biting disgrace. And not just once, but twice — in separate fights on the same card in Durban in April 1969. Spider Kelly was the first casualty, when Mike Robinson bit his ear so hard blood spurted out. The referee allowed the fight to continue and Kelly won by stoppage a few rounds later. In the main bout, Herby Clarke was warned after biting SA champion Arnold Taylor on the shoulder in the fourth round and then biting him on the ear in the sixth, causing him to bleed. He was disqualified — David Isaacson

The dirtiest fight in SA history ● This also took place in Durban, when Gerrie Coetzee challenged Mike Schutte for the SA heavyweight crown in August 1976. It started with bizarre behaviour by referee Bob Mazzoni who, after Schutte was knocked down and lay glassy-eyed on the canvas, counted to eight on three occasions. Twice he stopped because Coetzee strayed too far from the neutral corner and then each time he restarted the count from one. In the second round, Schutte butted Coetzee, who retaliated in kind. They threw rabbit punches and illegal kidney blows from then on and finally the referee disqualified Schutte for kneeing Coetzee in the groin in the sixth. — David Isaacson

Natalie du Toit goes walkabout ● Paralympic swimming legend Natalie du Toit had to settle for second place in the 100m freestyle in London 2012, an event she’d won at the previous two showpieces. After receiving her silver medal on the podium and posing for photos with the other

two medallists, Du Toit tried to walk off the pool deck instead of doing the traditional lap of honour with Australian winner Ellie Cole and Spain’s Sarai Gascon Moreno. SA team officials had to tell Du Toit to turn around and rejoin her competitors walking around the pool. — David Isaacson

Gibbs drops the World Cup ● Herschelle Gibbs tried to be smart on Twitter recently, but a follower reminded him of his biggest sin; the dropped catch at Headingley in the Super Six game against Australia in the 1999 Cricket World Cup. Steve Waugh was on 56 and held Australia’s semifinal hopes. Waugh clipped Lance Klusener to Gibbs at short mid-wicket, who grassed the chance in the act of celebrating too early. Whether Waugh said Gibbs had dropped the Cricket World Cup remains debatable, but if Gibbs hadn’t dropped the catch, Australia would have been 152/4 in the 39th over chasing 272. Waugh catapulted Australia into the legendary Edgbaston semifinal that’s gone down in history as the second best Cricket World Cup match. — Khanyiso Tshwaku

Friendship, what friendship! ● India’s 1992/93 sojourn was dubbed as the “Friendship Tour”. In an ODI in Port Elizabeth, there was nothing friendly when Kapil Dev mankaded (non-striker’s end run-out) Peter Kirsten. Dev had warned Kirsten and when India's legendary allrounder appealed, Cyril Mitchley had no option but to give Kirsten out. — Khanyiso Tshwaku

Gilchrist's near gold-mark six ● Australia enjoyed toying with SA in the 2001/02 season. When they inflicted SA’s record innings and 360-run Test defeat at the Wanderers, Adam Gilchrist’s 213-ball unbeaten 204 was at the heart of the brutal humbling. The low blow was the six Gilchrist launched off Neil McKenzie in the 139th over. It was so huge that it zeroed in on a gold sign at the top of the eastern stand. If Gilchrist had hit the sign, he would have earned R1.4m. The ball narrowly went over it, but Australia passed 600 with that maximum. — Khanyiso Tshwaku

Olympic delay could help SA Notoane raring to test his U-23s push ‘golden curtain’ eastward against top sides in Olympics “We’ve got to carry on training quite firmly,” said Barrow. “We’ve created a virtual room ● With the 2020 Olympics delayed for a year, where all the athletes will log in every morning SA will have the chance to shift its golden and we will still train as a squad for as many of curtain that has descended the globe at 24.938 our sessions as possible ... Ergo sessions, weight degrees east for the past 68 years. sessions, yoga sessions.” That is the longitude on which Helsinki lies, Data from heart-rate pods worn by rowers is where SA’s first two women Olympic transmitted to coaches. Joan Harrison champions were crowned back in 1952. HighThe postponement also assists those lower jumper Esther Brand and then swimmer Joan Harrison down the pecking order, like SA’s amateur boxers. won the nation’s only gold medals that year, and no Their collapsed administration failed to hold proper South African has ascended to the top of a Games trials and get them to the African qualifying tournament. podium any further east of that. New interim president of the SA National Boxing SA has failed on three ventures to the east; four bronze Organisation (Sanabo), Siya Mkwalo, said the SA medals at Melbourne 1956; two silver and three bronze championships, set for early July, would be used for at Sydney 2000 and one silver at Beijing 2008. selection for a world qualifying tournament. No South African was likely to win gold in Tokyo if the There is speculation that dopers will juice up Games had kicked off as planned on July 25. Nobody had unfettered because there can be no testing during the been ranked No 1 in the world since 2017. lockdown, but SA Institute of Dope-Free Sport (Saids) Ahead of Rio 2016, Wayde van Niekerk and Caster CEO Khalid Galant warned it wouldn’t be so easy. Semenya were certainties; this time around there are “If they’re doping we will see it in their biological only maybes and hopefuls. The extra 12 months help. profiles, we’ll see the anomalies.” Already the rowers are using the lockdown to keep up Local administrators also have time to secure more the momentum of hard training. National coach Roger funding for SA’s Olympic stars. That is not negotiable, Barrow set up an online training room so the rowers can not if SA is to shift its golden curtain nearly 8,000km work out at the same time. eastwards into the Pacific next year. By DAVID ISAACSON

country and South Korea, but we had to withdraw because of the virus,” said Notoane ● SA under-23 coach David Notoane is itching of what would have been his team’s first to test his Olympic team against some of the preparatory games after qualifying. big guns that have already qualified for the Notoane surprised all and sundry in 2020 Olympics Games that were last week February when he produced a list of about 80 postponed for a year due to the outbreak of the players, saying they were all in contention to coronavirus. make a team of around 23 players he will take David Notoane “As soon as the coast is clear as far as this to Tokyo. virus is concerned, we must get into it with some of “There’s still maybe another 40 that I left out and these teams,” said Notoane this week as everyone people didn’t understand the logic. But if you look at the continued to battle the deadly disease that has derailed conditions that we now face, you’ll see that’s the vital many prestigious sporting events worldwide this year. exercise. This one year will give us an opportunity to test SA qualified alongside Egypt and Ivory Coast on the and assess these players because a lot of them won’t African continent in November, but Notoane also has the qualify for the next Olympics.” hosts Japan, France, Spain, Germany, Romania, New A relief for Notoane came from Fifa on Friday when Zealand, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Brazil, the world football governing body confirmed that among the other qualified teams to organise the critical players aged 24 will be allowed to play in next year’s friendly against. event as they’re not the ones who caused the Two teams from the Concacaf region are yet to postponement. “We all have dreams and I’m sure a lot of produce their representatives for the 16-team these players had dreams,” said the former Santos tournament. striker. “So why deny the dream. I’m sure the right “The indirect benefit of this postponement is the fact decision will be to allow these players to be eligible.” that we now have a year to prepare thoroughly, which Tebogo Mokoena, Siyabonga Ngezana, Tercious should make for an exciting competition. We were Malepe, Thabo Cele and Phakamani Mahlambi are some supposed to be in Japan last weekend to play that of Notoane’s star players who’ll be 24 next year. By SAZI HADEBE

● A Carl Niehaus wannabe was arrested in midweek for murder. Well, not murder-murder, but murder nonetheless. The story goes that this sorry excuse of a human being decided to hop into his automobile and drive it in the direction of town. During his joyride, the amateur murderer didn’t count upon chancing on a roadblock of law-enforcement authorities tasked with enforcing the lockdown regulations. The cops established that he was not an essential worker and therefore had no business being on the road. The bloody bugger dropped a clanger when questioned about why he was on the road when he should be at home. Our not-so-intelligent Einstein killed off his grandmother. The murder he wrote is a yarn that’s been told many a time to traffic officers by offenders of the road rules. Unlucky for him, the lawmen didn’t fall for his rambling, implausible tale. The truth had to out. The guy who may or may not have been adversely affected by social distancing blurted out the real reason he was on the road — he was on his way to Randburg to see his girlfriend. I guess self-isolation is harmful to hanky-panky. Perhaps he could have resorted to the armed struggle if he had developed a long-standing problem. But that’s a story for after 21 days. The day his grandmother dies a real death, she will spin in her grave knowing her grandson killed her off for some girl. This guy’s action migrated the conversation in my head to funerals during the state of a national lockdown due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic afflicting the country. Mabel Khumalo is a grandmother to the children of her retired soccer star son Doctor Khumalo. The wife of the late former Moroka

This pandemic is a game changer which has enforced new rules of engagement Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs stalwart Eliakim “Pro” Khumalo was laid to rest on Friday. Does this render Doctor, whose father died thanks to the dastardly deeds of hijackers, an orphan now that both his parents are gone? Not a chance. From the moment 16 Valve zoomed into the consciousness of the nation with his contribution in Bafana Bafana’s sole Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 1996, he ceased being a Khumalo child. He became a Khumalo son. The reality of our society is that we bury each other in our hundreds. But Covid-19 line of march dictates 50 people per funeral, reducing attendance to just some members of the family if you consider that most of us have extended families and clans that extend to hundreds. Like with many facets of our lives this pandemic is a game changer. It has enforced new rules of engagement. It has altered how we live, work (for those still lucky enough to hold on to a job), wed, bury. Even when it is over — God knows when — our world will never be the same. My trip to work includes a drive down a stretch of Beyers Naude. West Park cemetery is one of the landmarks of my journey. Normally, the solemn procession entering and snaking to the graveyard stretches into kilometres of cars and buses. Yesterday morning, I spotted a cortege which comprised of a convoy of no more than 30 cars approaching the burial ground gate manned by several officers of the law. I wondered what happens. What do you do? Who comes or stays away from the family? From the congregation? From the stokvel society? From colleagues at the office? Today is only day 10 of the lockdown. Be safe. Stay home. Take care. We have no choice but to lean on each other, ala Bill Withers. RIP crooner. Twitter:@bbkunplugged99

ST APRIL 5 2020

www.sundaytimes.co.za

Sport Golden opportunity SA’s chance to relive the Helsinki moment Page 23

BBK Unplugged We have no choice but to lean on each other in these times Page 23

Going bonkers We relive 11 of the most rush-of-blood to the head incidents on the local scene Page 23

PSL salaries safe for now Every Premier Soccer League club paid their players full salaries for the month of March. But league chair Irvin Khoza says that monthly grants not guaranteed

By SAZI HADEBE AND BARENG-BATHO KORTJAAS

Make or break for world rugby

hadebes@sundaytimes.co.za

● The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has not considered the issue of salary pay cuts for players yet. In the wake of the coronavirus crisis, major leagues around the world, including the Spanish La Liga and English Premier League, have been suspended. Premier League clubs are in talks with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) over a 30% player-pay deferral plan. Leading clubs such as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid have announced various salary cuts to deal with the effects of Covid-19. PSL chair Irvin Khoza told the Sunday Times yesterday that clubs had not taken measures that will see players’ salaries slashed during the suspension. “At the moment, we don’t want to cloud the space in these 21 days of lockdown. For now, it’s all about the messaging ... that adherence to the basic health issues. On April 21 we’ll have discussions with the president of Safa [Danny Jordaan] and all other issues will be discussed there.” Khoza said all PSL clubs paid their players full salaries at the end of March. However, he said the R2,5m monthly grants that each PSL team receives were not guaranteed.

By LIAM DEL CARME

On this Day Brittany Lincicome, centre, her caddie Tara Bateman, and her father Tom Lincicome jump into the lake next to the 18th green to celebrate winning the Kraft Nabisco LPGA tournament in Rancho Mirage, California on April 5 2009. Lincicome won the tournament again in 2015, defeating Stacy Lewis in a suddendeath playoff.

Saying this thing isn’t meant for me can’t be right Irvin Khoza PSL chairman

Picture: Reuters

“Well there’s no guarantee. Our revenues are affected by playing, the clubs’ revenue streams are linked to playing. If you’re not playing, it gives to other issues, but for now we’ve managed to pay players. We’re evaluating the situation as it moves on.” Khoza added it was important for the PSL to preach the same language the government is spreading about the importance of hygiene and social distancing because that links to when playing matches may resume in SA. “The debate for us is how to amplify the voice of the government in making sure that people stick to the basics of hygiene. That’s why I don’t want to have any discussions about the scenarios [on the future of the current season]. This is the moment to deal with the directive by the state president.

“So we must come on board, hence my take that ‘listen to understand and never listen to answer’.” Planning for what will happen in the coming months has proved to be a difficult task. “Planning counts for nothing because you’re planning for what when people are dead,” asked Khoza. “We must make it easy for the government to deal with the challenges. So let’s not try and interpret or excuse ourselves by saying ‘this thing [Covid-19] is not meant for me’. It can’t be right. For now, let’s just comply because we don’t know what we’re talking about.” Khoza said the second and third week of the lockdown will be the most challenging.

Talking heads PSL chair Irvin Khoza, left, says they are supporting the government’s message on the coronavirus while acting Safa CEO Gay Mokoena says the April 21 meeting with the PSL is key.

“What happens during that period will inform what we’ll discuss with Safa on April 21. “That discussion will inform what steps we take going forward. We’ve got some guidelines from Fifa and central to them is the health issue in consultation with the government.” The SA Players’ Union president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe confirmed all PSL clubs were paid their March salaries with the exception of Royal Eagles [in the National First Division], which has been battling financially since the start of the season. “I spoke with the league this week and they’ll come back to us after their meetings [April 21] on the future of the current season and all other issues pertaining to that,” said

Gaoshubelwe. “The only concerning issue is that of Eagles, where there are players who didn’t get their salaries. That’s the matter that we’re busy with. Other than that we’ve not received any complaints, but we’re engaging all the clubs to find out if there are issues.” Safa acting CEO Gay Mokoena echoed Khoza, saying they’ll meet with the PSL. Mokoena added that they had no idea whether Bafana Bafana’s next Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Ghana will go ahead on June 1. “We haven’t heard from either Caf or Fifa regarding the future of Afcon qualifiers, but we’ll talk about these issues after the lockdown.”

Sports industry workers face bleak times as lockdown begins to bite By DAVID ISAACSON

Golfers and professional caddies will also get assistance through a separate relief programme run by the Sunshine Tour

● Government’s R150m relief plan for sportspeople and artists will be a boon for some, but many more people working in SA’s broader sports industry face bleak times amid the lockdown. To be eligible to apply for financial assistance from the department of sports, arts and culture, one has to be an athlete who lost out on earning potential because a competition was cancelled. Their coaches and technical support staff can also apply. The most obvious contenders would be boxers contracted to fight in five tournaments that were postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Another potential problem could be the department’s stipulation that applicants must have their taxes in order, because some are not registered taxpayers. The department, announcing the fund this week, also stipulated athletes on the Operation Excellence programme run by the SA

Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) could apply. Acting Sascoc president Barry Hendricks said his organisation was working with national federations to get applications in ahead of tomorrow’s submission deadline. Golfers and professional caddies will also get assistance through a separate relief programme run by the Sunshine Tour. More than 160 golfers on the local men’s circuit and the top 25 on the women’s tour, as well as about 90 caddies, will get stipends for April and May, tour commissioner Selwyn Nathan said. The Sunshine Tour and the Women’s Professional Golf Association were stumping up the money themselves. “We’ve had some very smart people on our board, people who are good at governance and are in it for the love of the sport. We’ve saved money over the years,” said Nathan. “If it [lockdown or other restrictions preventing golf tournaments] goes on further we have the money to go for a few months.

If it goes on further, we have money to go for a few months Selwyn Nathan Sunshine Tour commissioner

Tennis SA (TSA) can also ride the storm for a while, says CEO Richard Glover. New measures include cost-cutting, he said, pointing out they had two scenarios of partial restarts, in June and in August. The SA Hockey Association (Saha) has also been hurt by the timing, with income from levies on player registrations not coming in at what normally would have been the start of the season. “If it lasts longer than a month we’re in big trouble,” Saha CEO Marissa Langeni said.

She said many school hockey coaches had no income during the lockdown. The same is true of coaches across tennis, golf and swimming, officials confirmed. These coaches are not eligible to apply for help from the government’s relief package. Swimming and tennis are among the federations helping athletes and coaches to apply for government’s relief fund. Athletics SA emailed its members on Friday asking them to submit applications by noon tomorrow. All applications must be sent by federations. Department director-general Vusumuzi Mkhize said the relief was “applicable to activities from March 15 to June. It is based on loss of income suffered during this time ... They need to declare if they are receiving income from other sources. If that is the case they do not qualify.” Glover believes there could be light at the end of the tunnel. “There will be new opportunities. We must try to take advantage of the millions of kids who want to get outside to play sport.”

● Covid-19 has rugby fighting for its survival. The warnings are stark. “Competitions are the last thing on World Rugby’s mind right now. Never mind Super Rugby, Currie Cup or Tests, rugby is now in survival mode. This is make or break,” one high-ranked insider told the Sunday Times. Bill Beaumont, World Rugby’s president, warned earlier that no stakeholder would be spared the wrath of Covid-19. USA Rugby has filed for bankruptcy, New Zealand is predicting a loss of R1.1bn, as is Rugby Australia, while England anticipate losses in the same ball park. SA Rugby too will suffer losses.

Sport is in limbo Although the possible resumption of Super Rugby is Sanzaar’s most immediate concern, a large chunk of their losses may stem from the cancellation of the July Tests. “We are well aware of the financial situation down south,” Beaumont told the Daily Mail. “The southern unions are looking at the July Tests and the northern unions are looking at the November Tests, but we are all in it together. There is no one who is going to make a lot of money during this time. Everyone is going to suffer.”

It’s going to be a different world we wake up to Steve Hansen Former All Blacks coach

While the sport is in limbo most of the big federations are engaged in urgent teleconferences to find their way out. It might, you’d think, be a good time to gaze into the crystal ball and predict how the game can mitigate future losses. As one of rugby’s, and in fact all of sport’s unique offerings, Super Rugby has long intrigued and fascinated. Played across three continents, in five countries (with some played in Singapore and the occasional one in Fiji and Samoa), the tournament is spread across 16 time zones.

Maintain their appetite It involves exhaustive travel that kicks sand in the face of player welfare while leaving a considerable carbon footprint. Moreover, in an age where pandemics may become a more regular occurrence the competition’s strength, which lies in its far-flung matchups, is also its weakness. In such a fragile climate it is difficult to see how the various stakeholders can maintain their appetite for an already tenuous tournament beyond 2025, when their broadcast deal expires. The current crisis is perhaps the ideal opportunity for rugby bosses not just to set back-to-play protocols but to chart a new course for the sport. That might have been easier 12 months ago before the majority of Six Nations combatants opted not to throw their weight behind the proposed Nations League — World Rugby’s attempt at synchronising the calendar while levelling the playing field.

It’s a great opportunity Instead, the Nations League was sacrificed at the altar of capitalist greed which firmly entrenched the status quo. Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen however believes this is the opportunity to formulate a global season that aligns the hemispheres. “It’s going to be a different world we wake up to once sport starts again and it is a great opportunity, if we take it — World Rugby — to create a global season, start again and get it right,” he was quoted as saying on stuff.co.nz. “We’ve got plenty of opportunity at the moment out of some adversity to rethink a few things and say ‘righto, let’s be bold here, let’s be strong here and do something different’.”

Newsmaker Economic threat needs unity as much as fight against virus, says Gloria Serobe

Spread your bets Safety nets for the adventurous investor Page 5

Page 3

Hilary Joffe Crisis exemptions an opportunity for better competition policy

Money Market crash a threat to many pensions Page 4

Page 2

Sunday Times

www.businesslive.co.za | APRIL 5 2020

Business Times

Fitch adds to Covid-19 pain As firms batten down, citing ‘force majeure’, agency turns screw with downgrade By HILARY JOFFE ● One week into the lockdown and SA has lost another round in the ratings war with Fitch downgrading SA’s rating on Friday afternoon to take it further into junk territory. The decision by Fitch follows a week after Moody’s became the last of the three big ratings agencies to junk SA. Fitch had already cut SA’s rating to one notch below investment grade last year and the latest downgrade takes it two notches down, in line with S&P Global Ratings. Fitch also kept a negative outlook on the rating, indicating that further downgrades could follow in the next 12 to 18 months. The ratings agency said the downgrade was the result of the lack of a clear path towards government debt stabilisation as well as the expected impact of the coronavirus shock on public finances and economic growth. But in a statement on Friday evening, finance minister Tito Mboweni said the government was addressing and minimising the impact of the virus and implementing measures to improve economic growth and set government finances on a sustainable trajectory. The rand broke through R19 to the dollar on the Fitch news, capping a bleak weak in which the currency breached R18/$ for the first time following the Moody’s decision, amid the turmoil in the global markets that continues as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on global economies becomes ever more severe. The downgrades will make it more costly for the government to borrow on the markets at a time when its borrowing requirements are expected to jump in an economy headed into deep recession, with tax revenues plummeting. The ratings agencies’ decisions came after a turbulent two weeks in which bond yields spiked and the government bond market almost froze as investors fled from risk, forcing the Reserve Bank to intervene to stabilise the market with liquidity measures. But as Covid-19 cases in SA continue to climb, it emerged yesterday that the country is in talks with the New Development Bank (NDB, also called the Brics bank) on a $1bn (R18.8bn) loan to provide the government with funds to combat the health emergency. This comes after the NDB on Thursday raised 5-billion renminbi (R13.4bn) on the Chinese and international bond markets, in the first renminbi-denominated coronavirus combating bond to be issued by a multilater-

al development bank in China. The NDB has already approved a $1bn loan to China and, as one of the five member countries, SA has an equal entitlement. A loan from the NDB would come at interest rates which would be as much as 200 basis points cheaper than SA’s government could get in international bond markets, because the NDB has an AA+ credit rating, compared to SA’s subinvestment-grade BB. NDB vice-president and CFO Leslie Maasdorp said: “The NDB is fully committed to supporting our member countries during this period of crisis to fight the spread of Covid-19 and stands ready to provide the necessary financing to this objective.” Financing from multilateral banks such as the NDB is likely to become necessary as SA’s budget deficit spikes on very weak tax collections, and bond market turmoil makes it more difficult and more costly for the government to borrow on the market. Mboweni said last weekend that SA would not be “ideological” about turning to the NDB, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank for funding for health-related expenditure. The Institute for International Finance this week said: “We believe it is time for SA to turn to multilaterals for support,” adding that an IMF programme could bring much-needed funding and help shore up investor confidence. In an alarming report on Thursday, the institute said the Covid-19 shock had resulted in a pronounced sudden stop in capital flows to emerging markets, with its daily tracking of nonresident portfolio flows pointing to a first-quarter emergingmarket outflow that was the largest yet, including at the worst points of the global financial crisis. And though SA’s bond markets briefly strengthened after last Friday’s Moody’s downgrade, sizeable capital outflow is expected from the bond market after the world government bond index is rebalanced at the end of April to exclude SA, which is rated subinvestment (junk) grade by all major ratings agencies. With economists slashing global growth forecasts on the likelihood of longer and more widespread lockdowns as the world works to combat the pandemic, South African economists have continued to revise down their numbers. RMB Morgan Stanley economist Andrea Masia this week estimated the South African economy will contract by 4.7% in 2020, but said in the “bear case” the contraction could be as deep as 5.9%. BNP Paribas senior economist Jeff Schultz expects the economy to contract by 4%. The severe fallout of Covid-19 for SA’s economy and its corporate sector is becoming ever more clear as a slew of companies say they can no longer predict their earnings for this year, with some declaring “force majeure”, saying they are unable to meet their commitments to lenders and suppliers due to forces beyond their control.

The severe fallout for SA’s economy and its corporate sector is becoming ever more clear

LOCKED DOWN AND LOCKED UP The streets of the Sandton CBD, the heart of SA’s economy, were desolate this week after JSE-listed businesses closed shop and sent staff home to work. Businesses throughout the country are still estimating the costs of the national lockdown, but widespread job losses and business failures are expected. Even at weekends this part of Johannesburg usually teems with people but it was eerily quiet as the Covid-19 lockdown reached its second week. Picture: Sebabatso Mosamo

Eskom CEO chastised by Treasury By ANDISIWE MAKINANA ● National Treasury has read the riot act to Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter, telling him to desist from “hand-picking” service providers for the power utility as such conduct is against government procurement laws. Treasury officials threw the rule book at De Ruyter in a letter sent to him on March 12 after he told parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) earlier last month that he had personally ordered Eskom to include four companies chosen by him in a pool of potential service providers. De Ruyter told MPs that he wanted the four unnamed companies to be included as Eskom service providers because they brought much-needed expertise and innovation to the struggling utility, especially in the maintenance of boiler tube ferrules. The issue was first raised by EFF MP

Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and other members of Scopa, who said the matter was of concern and vowed to seek a legal opinion on De Ruyter’s conduct. Now the Treasury’s chief director of supply chain management, Basani Duiker, has chastised De Ruyter, stating that his conduct was not consistent with the constitution and other public legal prescripts on the procurement of services. Duiker told De Ruyter that while supply chain management (SCM) stipulations allowed accounting officers or CEOs of parastatals to depart from competitive bidding processes where it was necessary to do so, they were prevented from doing so without approval from the Treasury. “National Treasury therefore would like to caution Eskom on utilising practices that are inconsistent with the provisions of national legislation and applicable prescripts.

“Hand-picking of service providers is in direct contravention of legislation and SCM prescripts as provided above, and therefore render expenditure incurred through these service providers irregular,” she added. IFP MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa, the chair of Scopa, said the standing committee was in

Hand-picking ... is in direct contravention of legislation Basani Duiker Treasury's chief director of supply chain management

full support of the Treasury’s letter to De Ruyter. Hlengwa also said that as far as Scopa was concerned, the companies hand-picked by De Ruyter were now automatically disqualified from conducting any future business with Eskom because “they already have an unfair bias” in comparison with other service providers and because due process was not followed. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha on Friday insisted the companies introduced by De Ruyter were not providing any service to Eskom and had merely been added to the pool of potential service providers. “There’s been no and there will be no contract or any kind of agreement that will be awarded to these companies without going through a competitive process set out in the law,” Mantshantsha said.

Business unusual as SA companies zoom in on brave new world By NICK WILSON ● With life in SA now resembling a dystopian fantasy, courtesy of Netflix’s Black Mirror series, companies are adjusting to the new normal — living on video applications like Zoom or Microsoft Teams as they try to keep the wheels of the economy turning. “Can we agree on the latest acronym — cylizm — ‘call you later, in Zoom meeting’,” quipped Elian Wiener, founder of Wealthwoke.com, on Facebook this week. Everyone is adjusting to a digital working life that hardly seemed possible just a month ago. Alexander Forbes, for example, says it became the first JSE-listed company in SA to “successfully hold a virtual shareholders meeting” on Tuesday after the governmentordered national lockdown. JSE CEO Leila Fourie says the bourse had enabled Alexander Forbes’ virtual meeting. She adds that most of the exchange’s 500

staff have been working from home, with only between three and five of them working at its office. “We started testing remote work three weeks before the lockdown. We were fully expecting it [the coronavirus pandemic and a shutdown] to evolve as it has,” says Fourie. “We engaged with the market quite early on in the cycle because the JSE is a very integrated and connected ecosystem and markets won’t function with the JSE operating as an island. “We are highly dependent on connectivity to our market, whether they are traders, the buy side, which is the pension fund and asset managers, market data vendors, and we were obviously very dependent on some of our key vendors as well as ensuring that the entire market has equal and consistent access to the market. “The obvious concern would be if, for example, a telco went down and wasn’t able to operate remotely — that would prohibit some

AHEAD OF THE CURVE JSE CEO Leila Fourie, right, says staff started testing remote work three weeks before the lockdown, while Discovery CEO Adrian Gore, left, says 80% of staff are working from home.

of our trading members from connecting, which could create an unequal and unfair market.” With this in mind, the JSE had held discussions with regulators and all market participants to ensure that “everybody had equally invoked their business continuity

plan and also to make sure that they were able to, as far as possible, work from home”. Fourie says it’s important to remember that “solitary confinement is considered an extreme form of punishment” and that a “mental-health pandemic” could follow if social distancing and the effects of the lockdown are not appropriately managed. And with the “changing work cultures, it is important to prioritise personal interaction through technology — and leadership and engagement become an important aspect of running a business in these times”. “I’ve been impressed by my leaders in the way they have stepped up to the plate in leading through difficult times,” Fourie says. “I’ve also been impressed by the resilience the staff have shown and their random acts of kindness through the crisis.” Discovery CEO Adrian Gore says 80% of the group’s up to 10,000 employees in SA are working from home. “We are an essential service, so all of our

businesses are functional and I’m proud about what the team has done there. “The organisation is fully functional. We’ve moved virtually everything online but every single function of the organisation is working. If you are a client of ours, you should see nothing different.” However, he also says the change to working from home has been “profound”. Commenting on the challenges working from home can bring, Gore says: “I think the barrier between home and work doesn’t exist and it makes you probably work longer hours. You’ve got to stick to a routine, making sure you connect with people, even if it is virtually. Staying physically active is crucial.” Trevor Adams, Nedbank’s chief risk officer, says 83%, or 17,500, of the bank’s campus staff are working at home. “We’ve got about 12,500 staff with VPN [virtual private network] devices and about 9,000 staff on 3G. We’ve ramped a lot of that

up and we were also able to negotiate with MTN and Vodacom [to get] quite an increase in bandwidth. We’ve managed to negotiate significant increases so your average user would get about 2 gigabytes and we’ve increased that to 10 gigabytes.” A Standard Bank spokesperson says just over 60% of its more than 29,000 workforce are operating from home. “A further 20% of employees are working from alternative locations within the group. This strategy enabled us to de-densify the work space to accommodate social distancing,” the spokesperson says. EOH Holdings CEO Stephen van Coller says the group does a lot of work remotely across SA and in other countries, “so scaling that up has not been that difficult”. “We also, as an exco, went a week early and just started working from home just to see what it would be like and just trying to make sure that everything works and to get yourself set up.”

April 5 2020 — BUSINESS TIMES

Sunday Times

Business Opinion & Bits

INSIDEview

by Hilary Joffe

Crisis exemptions an opportunity for better competition policy

here has been plenty of interaction between bankers and their regulators at the Reserve Bank and Treasury since the current crisis began, but a meeting this week was unusual — it was the first time the CEOs of SA’s big banks have sat as a group with the regulators to discuss measures to assist customers and maintain the stability of the system through the crisis. And it was possible because of the block exemption signed by trade & industry minister Ebrahim Patel to enable collaboration to manage the crisis and minimise its negative impact. Patel has signed similar “concerted conduct” exemptions for the hotel industry, retail property landlords and — most notably — in the health-care sector, to enable hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, doctors and health-care funders to work with each other and the public health sector to co-ordinate and allocate the resources critical to containing the pandemic. It’s a huge irony, and one can’t imagine Patel enjoyed the signing. A few large players dominate most of these sectors. Patel’s signature contribution as a minister has been his concerted effort to curb the power of dominant players and tackle the high level of concentration in the economy. But these are unprecedented times. The crisis will surely change the landscape in at least three areas, prompting fresh questions about competition and anti-trust policy. First is that it will further entrench the dominance of global tech giants such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple and Netflix, even as lockdowns across countries create new giants such as Zoom. The issue was already at the centre of anti-trust debates and action globally. It can only get more complicated for policymakers everywhere. Second is that the economic disaster caused by the need to shut down the economy will inevitably favour larger and stronger companies over smaller, weaker ones, driving even higher levels of economic concentration. There is a whole range of initiatives, private and public, to try to help small and medium enterprises survive the lockdown and its aftermath and cling on to the jobs and economic capacity that they provide. But many will not survive, especially if the shutdown is prolonged and the economy struggles to bounce back. Policymakers are rightly worrying about informal businesses and spaza shops, which are essential for poor people’s survival, but they need to worry too about the medium-size to larger businesses which provide dynamism and jobs — and can provide competition for the larger players. Coming out of the crisis, it’s going to be more important than ever for the government to get rid of the constraints that hobble entrepreneurial businesses — such as the regulatory red tape and the costly and inefficient services provided by dominant state-owned firms in ports, rail or energy. Those “concerted conduct” exemptions touch on the third change. This is an economy essentially on a war footing. In wartime, governments often have to turn to large businesses to act and produce in the national interest. Not that we should have rose-tinted glasses about our large firms, but at least SA has the benefit of large and strong private sector hospital groups, health-care funders, banks and telecommunications firms with which the government can work closely to manage the health crisis. It might have been much harder if key sectors were fragmented with many weak players. Patel is acting firmly to stamp out profiteering. And he clearly has worded the competition exemptions as narrowly as he can. But though the exemptions will end after the crisis, the relationships between the government and these businesses will be changed forever — hopefully for the better. Competition policy’s preoccupation with preventing the abuse of dominance by large firms shouldn’t go away. But the opportunity is there for the government to adopt a more nuanced approach which promotes competition and innovation, and creates an environment in which SA can generate a lot more of it — while also making the most of the strength and public spirit its large firms have shown.

It’s a huge irony, and one can’t imagine Patel enjoyed the signing

✼ Joffe is contributing editor

OUTSIDEview SA’s floating economic wreckage may sink under corona storm

WE’D RATHER YOU’D LATHER Rose Edhit Loukou fills bottles with a home-made liquid soap in her restaurant in the Palmeraie neighbourhood of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, this week amid the outbreak of Covid-19. Picture: Reuters/Thierry Gouegnon

Hits&Misses Free visits to a virtual doctor but banks get pessimistic diagnosis

HEALTH insurance provider Discovery and telecoms giant Vodacom have teamed up to offer free, virtual consultations with doctors to help diagnose and treat those with coronavirus symptoms. Costs will be paid by the two companies. Data used

during the consultation, if people use Vodacom’s network to do so, will also be free.

department is spearheading the R500m government assistance plan for small businesses.

SMALL business development minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni outlined a proposed package to support spaza shops during the lockdown, including assistance in network purchasing or bulk buying and seed capital. Her

SA recorded its biggest trade surplus in 14 months in February as exports to Europe surged. The trade balance swung to a surplus of R14.15bn from a revised deficit of R2.72bn in January, the South African Revenue Service said.

Readers’Views

by Kevin Davie

overage of the economic wreckage Covid-19 is causing in developed markets is everywhere. Harder to find is the damage it is doing to emerging economies. But the damage is deep. The crisis has led half of International Monetary Fund member countries to request assistance. IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva says developing economies need $2.5-trillion in funding, more than double the $1-trillion it has available. The Washingtonbased Institute of International Finance (IIF) says outflows of emerging-market securities topped $83bn in March, with equity outflows reaching $40bn. “All of this points to a sudden stop in emerging markets due to the combination of Covid-19 uncertainty, large oil price and financial shocks.” The IIF’s analysis highlights the countries most distressed by the fallout, unhappily saying that SA is one of the most stressed emerging economies, so much so that it needs to enter an IMF programme. “South Africa appears to not have sufficient policy room to address its challenges — now exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic — without multilateral support,” say IIF economists Ugras Ulku, Benjamin Hilgenstock and Elina Ribakova in a briefing note issued this week. “Economic contraction, higher borrowing costs, and the need for higher social spending are likely to add more to fiscal deficits, [making] it more difficult to keep government debt from rising further. An IMF programme could bring much-needed funding and help shore up investor confidence,” the IIF says. “It is time for South Africa to turn to multilaterals for support. The Covid-19-induced global recession, together with the economic effects of steps taken by the government to address the pandemic domestically, has made a challenging situation increasingly untenable.” It says persistently low growth and rising budgetary support for state-owned enterprises have led to deteriorating debt sustainability, putting SA in an already weak position prior to the Covid-19 shock. Economic contraction and higher debt funding costs will likely make SA’s debt position unsustainable, the IIF says. SA’s finances ahead of the corona outbreak were under great strain after years of corruption during the Zuma era and an inability by the Ramaphosa-led government in the past two years to implement reforms fast enough. Bailouts to poorly performing state enterprises, an unsustainable public sector wage bill and the glacial reform of the electricity sector are examples of what pushed us to the edge of the fiscal cliff. Covid-19 pushed us over. The rand traded at record lows above R18 to the dollar this week. The rand is the worst-performing emerging-market currency and we can expect further weakness in the short term, says TreasuryONE’s Andre Botha. The RSA 10-year bond, an indicator of the government’s borrowing cost, was trading at a yield of about 9% before the coronavirus. It jumped to above 12% when the Reserve Bank intervened by buying government bonds for the first time. After ratings agency Moody’s announced last weekend it had downgraded SA to junk, it was trading just below 11% on Thursday. The IIF said the Moody’s downgrade to sub-investment grade will lead to capital outflows and rising financing costs. George Glynos of ETM Analytics says the IIF economists’ analysis is “not surprising at all. This has been our thinking for a while now.” He says how much and what they ask for will depend on how long the lockdown drags on. Finance minister Tito Mboweni told the Sunday Times last week that SA may approach the IMF and World Bank about a facility that it can access for health purposes. If you think of the national carrier, SAA, it has for far too long traded unsustainably. The coronainduced economic crisis now means it is almost certain to be beyond resurrection. Its parent, the government — and by association, all of us — is now in the same position. The poor management of public finances made us vulnerable. Now we’ve caught a virus for which there’s no easy cure.

SA appears to not have sufficient policy room to address its challenges

✼ Davie is a lecturer in financial journalism at Wits University

WARNING

READERS ARE ADVISED TO CAREFULLY SCRUTINISE ADVERTISEMENTS OFFERING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Sunday Times cannot vouch for the claims made by advertisers

SA’S five largest banks were downgraded further into junk status by Fitch Ratings, which expects SA to be particularly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Standard Bank, Absa, Investec, FirstRand and Nedbank saw their ratings lowered to BB, two rungs below

Crucial Dates

MONDAY APRIL 6 Reserve Bank releases Monetary Policy Review TUESDAY APRIL 7 EOH Holdings interim results; Reserve Bank releases gold and foreign exchange reserves data WEDNESDAY APRIL 8 No events scheduled THURSDAY APRIL 9 PSG Konsult annual results FRIDAY APRIL 10 SA markets closed for public holiday (Good Friday) ●

Dates are provisional

Quote of the Week [This disease] is very real and poses a great danger. It affects the rich and the poor; the young and the old; black and white; and those who live in cities and rural areas. President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a televised address to the nation

Post-coronavirus SA will see recession of epic proportions The article “Covid-19: Worst still to come” (March 29) refers. Any economist who says our GDP is going to shrink by only a few percent is seriously in denial. With the lockdown, the economy is operating at 50% at best. Manufacturing: 0%. Mining: almost 0%. Tourism: 0%. Retail: maybe 40%. Government: 30%. The list goes on. And if and when we go back to business as usual, it will be slow, digging our way out of this one. When the lockdown is lifted, we will gradually recover, but thousands of businesses will have folded. We’re talking a recession of epic proportions here, with GDP down 25% for the year. Robert Breyer, on businessLIVE

Sadly, the government has no capacity to provide stimulus packages to companies, and we have a triple whammy now with the coronavirus, slow economic growth and the severe devaluation of the rand, which will see products and services rise beyond the

●InBrief

investment grade and one below SA’s BB+ rating. Moody’s Investors Service also downgraded the long-term local and foreign currency deposit ratings of the banks to Ba1 from Baa3, with a negative outlook. SENTIMENT in the manufacturing industry had the worst quarter in 11 years and is expected to deteriorate even

further. While Absa’s PMI, compiled by the BER, rose to 48.1 in March from 44.3 in February, the average for the quarter was 45.9, the worst since 2009. ESKOM told operators of some independent wind-power plants that it would not need their power at certain times due to lower demand amid the shutdown.

WRITE TO: PO BOX 1742, Saxonwold 2132. SMS: 33971 E-MAIL: letters@businesstimes.co.za.

affordability of most South Africans. More folks are going to be out of a job in 2020! JJ Lee, on businessLIVE

If any of the negative prophecies result in the replacement of the ANC by the IMF, that could be regarded as a counterbalancing positive. Bring it on! Geoff Smailes, on businessLIVE

We can thank ANC for downgrade The Moody’s downgrade is a fitting response to the ANC’s inability, unwillingness or both to implement the structural reforms that everyone knows have to happen for the economy to have any hope of recovering. This regime is irredeemably corrupt and incompetent, something that Moody’s has been forced to recognise after giving it umpteen benefits of the doubt. SA only has the ANC regime to blame for the status of junk. Antipoliticalcorrectness Antip, on businessLIVE

Moody’s did not speak in tongues. It

downgraded SA because of low economic growth. In other words, it looks at macroeconomic factors, not microeconomic factors. I am aware that there are those who think that, if we reduce public servants’ salaries and allowances, rating agencies will change their minds. This is false. The agencies will do so if we reduce public debt and expand our revenue base — not by increasing tax rates — and by adopting economic policies that encourage investment, not just foreign but also internal. If we can do these few things, which are important macroeconomic factors for growth, we will be on the right track towards recovery. Retrenching workers and reducing allowances will never result in a positive impact on the economy. This will, in fact, increase the number of people who are dependent on government social support programmes, reduce the number of taxpayers, which will shrink the tax base, and force rating agencies to downgrade SA to the next lowest investment rating possible. Michael Mara, on businessLIVE

short takes

Corona beer production suspended

Virus ‘will hit European banks hard’

The Mexican brewer of Corona beer said on Thursday it was suspending production because of the Covid-19 health emergency in the country. Grupo Modelo said the measure was in line with the Mexican government’s order to suspend all nonessential activities until April 30 to slow the spread of coronavirus. “We are in the process of lowering production at our plants to the bare minimum,” the company said.

European banks are likely to see à120bn (R2.3trillion) in potential profit disappear over the next three years as the coronavirus upends clients and economies, say Goldman Sachs analysts. They shredded their profit forecasts to 2023 by 27%, four times the à30bn hit to net income they predicted on March 10, and cut their recommendations on banks, including Natixis in Paris and Bawag Group in Vienna. — Bloomberg

Corona beer has been the subject of jokes and memes since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Grupo Modelo said it was ready to operate with 75% of its staff working remotely to guarantee the supply of beer, if the government agreed. Since the start of the virus crisis, Corona beer has been part of the

punchline of jokes and memes, and an online rumour said sales in the US had dropped by about 40%. But in February, Constellation Brands, which owns the Corona label, said sales had stayed strong in the US. — AFP

BUSINESS TIMES — April 5 2020

In Numbers

Business The Big Read

The contribution of fees and charges to banks’ revenue

Sunday Times

Three steps to bolster banks “We are much better off on average than we were before the global financial crisis and relative to the rest of the world,” says Prudential Authority CEO Kuben Naidoo, who regulates the soundness of SA’s banks and other financial services companies. That is partly because the regulatory requirements for South African banks were tighter before the crisis — and still are now, reflecting the high level of risk as well as the high levels of concentration in the banking By HILARY JOFFE sector. “The way we put our capital stack togeth● As SA entered its second day of lockdown er is slightly higher than in the rest of the on Saturday last week, the banking regulator world,” says Naidoo. released three proposals designed to free up He sees the stress for the banking sector banks’ balance sheets and enable them to as- coming in three waves. sist the rapidly growing numbers of disThe first came from the market turmoil tressed businesses and households. during the past few weeks that led to cusIt was a move that in many ways vindicat- tomers and investors rushing into cash and ed the aggressive steps banking regulators to liquidity drying up in the markets, partichave taken in the decade since the global fi- ularly the bond market, impacting on the nancial crisis to make banks stronger and banks’ liquidity coverage ratios. better able to withstand crises. The market risk seems to have stabilised, There have been cries of “over-regula- following Reserve Bank intervention last tion” as regulators globally and at home week. ratcheted up the requirements for The second wave of stress is in the banks to boost the capital and liqbanks’ non-interest revenue. SA’s uidity they hold to buffer them banks rely on fees and charges for against stress and disaster. Com40%-50% of their revenue. They pliance with the tougher reare already seeing falls in the quirements imposed sizeable volumes of ATM, and credit and costs on the banks and it came at debit card transactions. Figures some cost to the economy too: from BankservAfrica this week banks had to put aside more of showed that ATM and point-ofwhat they took in deposits to sale transactions in the first Fani Titi build these buffers, which three days of the lockdown — to meant they had less to lend. Sunday March 29 — were just 31% of But now, amid a health crisis the normal average for those that is expected to take a far three days in March. higher toll on businesses, “It seems economic activity households and economies than came to a standstill all over SA,” the financial crisis ever did, says Mike Schussler, chief those buffers are coming into economist at economists.co.za. their own. And SA’s banking Credit risk is the third wave sector is particularly well of stress. This is where cusSim Tshabalala placed. tomers in good standing don’t Over the past couple of weeks most of the earn any revenue in the shutdown and can’t big banks have announced plans to provide afford to make the interest and capital paypayment holidays or debt restructuring to in- ments on their bank loans, or indeed on dividuals and smaller businesses in distress, many of their other obligations to suppliers and all are looking at measures to help their and others. larger customers stay in business through The banks are naturally keen not to see the economic shutdown of the next few their good customers — individuals or busiweeks or months. nesses — go under because of the economic What SA’s banking regulator proposes is shutdown. The Reserve Bank and the govto let them dip into their own regulatory cap- ernment support that, as long as the banks’ ital and liquidity reserves to assist customers financial soundness is maintained. Hence in good standing, without penalising them the proposals the Reserve Bank announced for breaching regulatory requirements. last week on Saturday. The proposals are deAnd SA’s banking sector has the space to signed to lighten the regulatory load in the do that, for the moment. Total capital ade- short term precisely to enable the banks to quacy is 16.28%, up from 13% before the cri- help the economy through that credit stress. sis in 2008 and well above the global average Investec CEO Fani Titi emphasises, howof about 12%, or European banks’ 8%-10%. ever, that everyone must play their part and

Regulator will allow them to dip into reserves to help customers in distress

Banks are already seeing a fall in the volume of automated teller machine activity. Picture: Alaister Russell

that if banks and their regulators assist large customers in distress, those customers must in turn ensure that they assist those who depend on them for business and livelihoods, including their own employees.

“As banks, we will support our corporate clients, but we expect those clients to ensure their value chains will be supported,” says Titi. He says, too, that this is just phase one of

an unprecedented crisis. How far and how long banks will be able to support their customers will depend on how long the economic shutdown remains in place and how deep the damage to the economy will be. Bankers and the regulator have emphasised, too, that assistance applies only to customers in good standing and those who can be expected to be viable after the shutdown. More vulnerable people and businesses will require other support, from the government and other funders. The banks will reserve the right to decline applications for help and though their profits will be hit hard, they don’t plan to lend in ways that puts at risk their financial stability, or that of the banking system. Standard Bank CEO Sim Tshabalala told investors this week that in interactions with industry bodies and the government, the banks “are insisting on playing in our lane and not doing things that are outside what can reasonably be expected from a bank”.

Newsmaker

‘Together, we can beat these crises’ Economic threat needs unity as much as fight against virus By CHRIS BARRON ● In the dark days of the Zuma era Gloria Serobe said South Africans had “seen hell before and got themselves out”. Now, says Serobe, co-founder of women’s investment group Wiphold (Women Investment Portfolio Holdings), and chair of the Solidarity Fund established by President Cyril Ramaphosa to help fight the coronavirus, “we’ll do it again”. But people need to understand that the economic crisis the country is in also threatens them like the corona crisis, and must be addressed with the same unity of purpose and urgency. “Where we are now we don’t have space for meandering conversations. “There’s a ‘gemors’ [mess] out there. And when you’re in a state of gemors there’s no conversation about ideologies and things like that. There’s a hell of a lot of chaos.” Meanwhile, the Solidarity Fund she leads and which received R2bn in its first 10 days — “individuals and corporates are stepping up” — will focus on procuring protective equipment for health workers — “they’re our first line. Without them we have a problem” — and test kits, and addressing the critical

challenge of access to food security. Through Wiphold, Serobe has worked extensively with rural communities and knows better than most how desperately vulnerable they are. “When we talk about access to food security we have this lot in mind. “Here you have children who used to get food at school. Now the schools are closed and there’s no food. And households never bargained for a long period of them being at home. “Now they’re also unemployed at the same time. The mining houses are in trouble, so the breadwinner in village A is in trouble.” Tourism has stopped, and the rural hotels, guesthouses and restaurants that rural communities depended on for jobs have closed. “Very soon livestock owners are going to be fighting with their livestock for maize.”

It can’t be an ideology thing, it can’t be a razzmatazz thing, it’s not a PR game Gloria Serobe Chair of president’s Solidarity Fund

It’s hard to exaggerate the added impact of SA’s recent downgrade to junk on all of this, she says. But she’s been in that hole and knows there is a way out of it. “People don’t remember that the new government in 1994 took over a country that had junk status.” She was the finance director of Transnet at the time. Transnet was the biggest weight on the government’s balance sheet, like Eskom, back then a top performer, is today. “Transnet was the weakest link in the system and we had to fix it to relieve the government balance sheet.” By the time she left in 2001, Transnet had moved from being 85% geared to 50% geared. “When we did that the balance sheet of government changed. All sorts of things changed and after eight years, government was at an investment grading level.” There are lessons from that experience for the government today, she says. “Not everybody must be interested in politics. Some of us were such doers behind the scenes, doing the boring things, following the correct line. “The nice thing about a credit rating is that it has a line. You just have to follow that line. You know exactly why you are in trouble. “If you speak to the credit rating agency today, don’t tell them lies. Give them the plan. In six months’ time they’re going to see where you are.” SA can dig itself out of the mess just like it did then, but there needs to be a radical change of mindset.

Gloria Serobe says the government overcame the junk status it inherited in 1994. Picture: Adcorp Group

“There is a line of technocrats behind government that must just do what is required to get us out of where we are. “It can’t be an ideology thing, it can’t be a razzmatazz thing, it’s not a PR game. It’s just

about doing what you have to do. Focusing on fixing what is wrong.” At Transnet they broke their backs to make it work again. “But we had a clear line of instruction

The three new sets of measures from the regulator will free up an estimated R320bn in banks’ capital and seek, temporarily, to address the strains on capital and liquidity that the banks will face assuming they will have to assist distressed customers on a large scale. One measure amends the liquidity coverage ratio to allow banks to provide only 80% of the previous cover that was required to ensure banks had enough to meet any payouts they expect over the next 30 days. The other two proposals relate to banks’ capital requirements, allowing them to draw down on specific parts of their capital “stacks” if they need to, as well as giving them balance-sheet space to give payment holidays and restructure customers’ loans. It will give the banks the space they need to help their customers and the economy for now. If the depression carries on for longer and deeper, more radical measures may be needed.

from government.” They knew what they had to do, and by when. “We worked closely with National Treasury. We would sit with them and go into things with them in detail. When you’re in this situation the details are critical. You can’t be waffling, you can’t be talking generics. You have to actually talk real facts.” The management of state entities can’t have anything to do with politics, she says. “They require management who are not interested in politics. They just do what they are asked to do, which is strengthen your balance sheet, strengthen your income statement, make it work.” What they did then can be done again. Must be done again. “A credit rating which puts you into junk status affects everyone. And when that happens, you have to do the right thing.” But we didn’t before? The difference between then and now is the bond mandate, she says. “As long as all the credit rating agencies are not calling you junk, big institutional investors can still be here. “But once all of them are calling you a junk status country it means they don’t have a mandate to invest in your bonds and they are forced to get out. “A year ago they were not forced to get out. Now they are.” Suddenly the stakes are higher for everyone than they’ve ever been. It will be a massive game-changer, she believes. “The urgency we have shown in the coronavirus crisis is the urgency we must show in addressing the things that have put this country in the economic stress we’re in.” The response to the corona crisis has shown that when South Africans understand that the country is under threat, they will respond with everything they have. “Once people understand that we’re in an economic crisis which also, like the corona crisis, threatens the country, they will respond in the same way and support the president to take us out of our economic crisis. “If the economic crisis can be described in that way and be made simple enough for all South Africans to understand that we are in trouble, they will respond like lions. “This is what I am learning from this virus.”

Sunday Times APRIL 5 2020 money@arena.africa

Money

In Numbers

Market crash a threat to many pensions Devalued savings will not support high income levels By LAURA DU PREEZ â&#x2014;? Many South African pensioners drawing an income from investments in a living annuity will find themselves on a path to financial ruin after the severe selloffs on local and international markets as the coronavirus hit. In particular, younger retirees who started drawing an income of more than 4% of their savings may reach the maximum income drawdown sooner than expected unless they reduce their pensions as soon as possible, professionals in the pension industry say. The problem is so severe that annuity providers have asked the Association of Savings & Investments to lobby the Financial Sector Conduct Authority and the South African Revenue Service to allow retirees to reduce their incomes immediately rather than waiting for their policy anniversaries. Drawing at a higher level following a market downturn means you disinvest a larger portion of your savings and lock in losses because the money you draw does not have time to recover, says John Anderson, executive for investments, products and enablement at Alexander Forbes. Andrew Davison, head of advice at Old Mutual Corporate Consultants, says the average balanced fund â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a much-favoured investment for retirees â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is down between 15% to 25% this month. Marc Thomas, head of product development at Bridge Fund Managers, says the impact of recent market falls if you have a living annuity depends on your withdrawal rate,

your age, what you are invested in and whether your near-term income needs are ring-fenced in a cash â&#x20AC;&#x153;bucketâ&#x20AC;?. Thomas says retirees drawing a low 2.5% to 4% of their savings every year probably do not need to panic because their drawdowns will not have increased to dangerous levels. But people who were drawing 4% to 8% of their savings should check what their drawdown rates are now. An 8% drawdown on savings that have a medium to high equity exposure (between 60% and 75%) could now be a 12% drawdown and this level of income may not be sustainable, especially if you are a younger retiree who potentially needs to draw an income for another 20 to 25 years. However, if you are older, a higher drawdown may be of less concern â&#x20AC;&#x201D; if you are, for example, 80 and drawing 7%, you have less to worry about than the person who is 65 and drawing 7%, says Thomas.

Next anniversary Davison says the later you are in retirement, the lower the value of your investments exposed to the market and hence the lower the impact of a market slump. Anderson says people who retired five years ago have had poor returns on their local savings in multi-asset funds since then. They may have started drawing a pension equal to 6.5% of their savings, but they may already now be drawing more than 10% or 11% of their savings. Retirees who suffer poor returns in the early years of their retirement are most at risk of what is known as a sequence of return risk. But Anderson says retirees who retired 15 to 20 years ago and enjoyed good returns in the early years of their retirement â&#x20AC;&#x201D; post2003 and post-2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; may also be financially exposed. Anderson, Thomas and Davison all say

The amount a pensioner who started drawing 6.5% is now drawing from his or her savings invested in a high equity multi-asset fund owing to poor returns and market falls

The drawdown dilemma â&#x2014;? Many retirees choose an investment-linked living annuity to provide a pension, calculating their savings will support the pension they draw for the rest of their lives. When markets fall hard, a pension that started at the average rate of 6.5% of your savings and which you choose to increase each year to keep pace with inflation, can quickly escalate to a much higher percentage of your now-reduced savings. The most you can draw is 17.5% of your savings and on reaching that level many find their income declines in after-inflation terms. The alternative is a guaranteed annuity. You pay your savings to a life company in return for a pension that continues until you die. This gives you security of income but there is nothing to leave to your heirs when you die.

Many pensioners need to reduce their income now to offset the long-term effects of recent market troubles. Picture: 123RF.com

How quickly drawdown rates can escalate when returns are poor Drawdown rates at March 31 2020 Retirement Cash Conservative date Growth

Aggressive Growth

Mar 31 Mar 31 Mar 31 Mar 31

6.80% 11.09% 9.09% 8.07%

2005 2015 2017 2019

17.50% 8.66% 7.36% 6.77%

12.33% 10.33% 8.25% 7.55%

Sustainable life annuity rate - Male 15.0% 9.50% 8.70% 7.90%

Sustainable life annuity rate - Female 12.50% 7.50% 6.90% 6.30%

ASSUMPTIONS Age at retirement: 65 Initial drawdown rate:

6.5% Investment management and administration fees:

1.0% p.a. Inflation: as per CPI over relevant periods

This table shows how quickly retirees can end up drawing incomes from living annuities that are not sustainable. The table shows the level at which retirees who retired at different dates over the past 15 years will be drawing an income from their savings if they started at 6.5% of their savings at retirement and increased this by inflation each year. Pensioners in retirement for 15 years who invested only in cash would have reached the maximum drawdown level on a living annuity of 17.5% in May 2016 and would have been unable to increase their income with inflation since then. Pensioners who invested in low-equity investments or cautious strategies for the past 15 years would now be drawing a dangerously high 12.33% of their savings as an income. Retirees who retired five years ago drawing 6.5% and who have had poor returns from multi-asset funds since then are already drawing more than 10%. The sustainable life annuity rates show the percentage on capital these retirees would receive if they bought a guaranteed annuity now. Graphic: Nolo Moima Source: Alexander Forbes and Just

the best defence is to reduce the amount you withdraw. If that is not possible, do not increase your income on your next anniversary, says Thomas. Daniel Wessels, an independent financial adviser with Martin Eksteen Jordaan Wessels, previously tested different drawdown strategies in about 5,000 simulations and found that increasing your income annually but always keeping your drawdown below a certain percentage of your savings is most successful in securing future income.

Not all bad news But pension professionals say it is not all bad news as bond yields are high, which means guaranteed or life annuities are offering higher income streams than before. Anderson says guaranteed annuity rates have increased 22% since the beginning of the year and can give most pensioners, including many with high drawdown rates, a similar but sustainable income. Wessels agrees that guaranteed annuities are currently attractive for retirees who are drawing rates above 6% or 7% of their capital. Switching to a guaranteed or life annuity means you do not have to worry how long the bear market lasts, he says. Anderson has presented extensive research to the Actuarial Society of SA showing

the benefits of using a combination of living annuities and guaranteed annuities. Surveys show South African retirees want to secure their income, but they choose living annuities in the hope that unspent savings will create a legacy for their children. Actuarial studies show they often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realise how they risk their future income â&#x20AC;&#x201D; potentially costing their children money. Andersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research shows that blending living and life annuities optimises your goal to secure your basic income and allows you to invest some money more aggressively in a living annuity for a legacy. Bridge Fund Managers advises its living annuitants to park what they plan to draw as income in the near term in a lower-risk income-earning â&#x20AC;&#x153;bucketâ&#x20AC;?, topped up from the income the rest of their investments earn. Thomas says living annuitants who are invested in other managersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; multi-asset funds could also attempt to â&#x20AC;&#x153;bucketâ&#x20AC;? their near-term income needs by switching out of their lowest-risk fund into cash enough to provide a secure income for the next two years. This will protect oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income from further losses in the markets and increase oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investment risk in the remainder of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s portfolio slightly, which should hopefully benefit one when markets recover again, he says.

Life After Lockdown Ä&#x2020; #LifeAfterLockdown â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne â&#x20AC;&#x201D; bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.â&#x20AC;? - Karen Blixen

Ä&#x2020;

BUSINESS TIMES — April 5 2020

In Numbers

45,626

Business News

The number of registered agents in SA, according to the Estate Agency Affairs Board

Sunday Times

Weak Sars offers hand to lamed firms By HILARY JOFFE ● As many as 75,000 small and mediumsize companies and 4-million workers could be helped by the package of tax measures the Treasury announced last Sunday to cushion the impact of the crisis over the next four months. The package, which will cost an estimated R15bn in lost government revenue, is very modest compared to the billions of dollars of “helicopter money” that many governments are pumping into their economies. It includes a R500-a-month tax subsidy for workers earning less than R6,500 a month, and PAYE and provisional tax payment holidays for small firms with annual turnovers of less than R50m. “The advantage is these measures are super-quick and no approvals are needed,” said Treasury chief director for tax policy Chris Axelson. “We want to tide people over during this

period; the whole point is to keep that productive capacity in the economy.” Though the measures will give employers an incentive to sustain jobs and will put cash into companies over the next four months, they will not go far if the lockdown is prolonged and the economy sustains deep damage. SA’s ultra-cautious approach reflects the strain the government’s coffers were already under before the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown. That strain was evident again this week when the South African Revenue Service (Sars) published its usual April 1 fiscal yearend numbers, which showed that the shortfall in government revenue for the 2019/2020 fiscal year has turned out even larger than projected just five weeks ago. In his February budget, finance minister Tito Mboweni projected a R63.3bn shortfall; this week’s Sars numbers show the outcome was R66.3bn, which suggests the fiscal

The tax gap reflects aggressive tax planning bordering on evasion … and outright criminal activities Edward Kieswetter Sars commissioner

deficit will be higher than the projected 6.8% of GDP. And with economists now projecting a deep recession, it’s clear that there is no way that Sars can meet even its modest target of 4.9% revenue growth for the current, 2020/2021 fiscal year. The only question is how huge the shortfall will prove to be. Sars commissioner Edward Kieswetter said this week that the Moody’s downgrade and Covid-19 will have a profound impact on the economy — companies already struggling to grow will struggle to retain jobs and to even stay open — and revenue could decline, placing strain on the country’s fiscal framework. But he made it clear that the tax authority will persist with its efforts to improve compliance and ensure that taxpayers pay what they owe. Initial estimates suggest that the tax gap — the gap between what ought to be paid and is actually being paid — is more than R100bn.

That reflects general noncompliance as well as “aggressive tax planning bordering on evasion” and outright criminal activities such as VAT fraud and not paying over employees’ PAYE to Sars, Kieswetter said. Sars is working with the Davis tax committee to see how to close the gap. The Sars year-end numbers show corporate income tax was already hard hit by a slowing economy in March, coming in R4.6bn lower than February’s estimate, which had already been revised sharply down on much weaker than expected economic growth.

In effect an interest-free loan Corporate income tax collections for the year are essentially flat at 0.1% growth, with most sectors showing declines and only a few — notably mining and catering and accommodation — recording healthy increases. The new measures announced on Sunday will allow companies with turnovers of up to

R50m to defer paying up to 80% of their PAYE to Sars over six months, giving them in effect an interest-free loan, said the Treasury’s Axelson. They will also be able to defer payment of part of their provisional taxes. “The aim was to get cash into the hands of companies as quickly as possible,” he said. The R500-a-month job subsidy is an extension — to all employees earning less than R6,500 — of the existing youth employment incentive, which currently reaches about 1-million to 1.5-million young people in their first jobs and costs the government about R4bn a year. The new package — which will last from April 1 to July 31 — will cost the government an estimated R10bn, said Axelson. Employers will get the advantage, via the PAYE system, from the first payroll on May 7. Kieswetter said Sars is working to ensure its systems will be ready for the new measures.

How to invest for safety outside the stock markets There is opportunity for the adventurous — but beware pitfalls By NICK WILSON ● The destruction of value on global stock markets in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic underlines the obvious — investors shouldn’t place all their eggs in one basket. While it is uncertain what the world will look like in the coming months as countries shut down to curb the infection rate of Covid-19, stock markets have crashed before and recovered and it is likely this will happen again. Investors can consider a host of alternatives to provide them with a safety net. This could include holding cash in hard currencies such as the US dollar or an offshore property in Europe. It could even extend to more adventurous investments such as fine art, vintage cars and luxury watches. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hold equities. It just means spread your risk. One thing stock markets — although down 20% to 30% on average around the world at the moment — do offer is liquidity. It’s easy to get in and out of investments on any bourse. Piet Viljoen, a director of Counterpoint Asset Management, says investors have to “ignore the noise” when it comes to investing in the stock market, especially at times of panic selling. “If you buy the equity of good companies, they will look after you over time,” he says. Alternatives such as fine art, watches or vintage cars can offer attractive returns but beware of the pitfalls in these markets too. “Art can be a good investment as there are always parts of the art market that are increasing in value. But art is more a passion than an investment,” says Viljoen, who is an art collector himself. He warns that over long periods, art val-

ues increase in line with inflation and that the holding costs, in terms of storage and maintenance, can be expensive. You also cannot sell a painting in a matter of days. “Another thing to bear in mind is if you are looking to buy and sell, the bid/offer spread is very, very wide. There are often big mark-ups by dealers.” Classic car broker Brian Noik says prospective vintage car buyers must do their research. Holding costs, storage, insurance and mechanical expenses have to be taken into account. Noik says there are also nuances that newbies might not understand. For instance, in the Porsche market, hardtops are preferred by collectors to convertibles, whereas the opposite holds true when it comes to Ferraris. Just because it is old and rare doesn’t necessarily make a car more valuable than a more common make. Noik says a 1928 DeSoto is a “very rare car”, fetching R220,000 to R250,000, but the more common 1928 Ford Model A would sell for almost double that because there is a strong spare parts market, as well as an active club, associated with it. Lourens Reichert, a senior partner at Holborn Asset Management, says the investment world as a whole has “become very, very strange and people don’t know where to look for their investments any more”. Even before the pandemic, the domestic investment market wasn’t growing because

The investment world has become very, very strange and people don’t know where to look any more

the economy hadn’t been expanding. This means SA’s local pension funds and units trusts have been subject to little or no growth locally. The local stock market, after adjusting for inflation, has not delivered any real growth in the past five years. While this may change in the future, depending on their risk profile, investors would have been better served investing their money in other assets. Holding cash in rands wouldn’t have been a good idea either because of the high tax on any interest earned on it, says Reichert. But if an investor had moved a portion of his or her investment into dollars over the past five years they would have made real returns just by holding them in this currency. “If you had a balanced portfolio abroad, over the last five years you would have made 10% a year in dollars.” Reichert says vintage cars can also be strong investments, citing the example of one of his clients in Cape Town, who is a collector of vintage Porsches and has bought 28 of them over the past 10 years. “She bought her cars for a total of R10m over the last 10 years. Today that collection is probably worth R40m. That is a 400% return,” he says. Watches, which are also priced mainly in dollars, would have delivered much more than the local stock market over the past year, up to a 20% return in some cases. “Take a Rolex, for example; by its very name it is a very sought-after brand. Certain Rolex models will trade higher on a secondary market than they were priced at the shop to begin with.” Reichert says a Rolex Submariner bought in SA for R100,000 a year ago, would fetch R120,000 today, based on the exchange rate alone. Offshore property — especially in countries such as Ireland, Portugal, the UK and Germany, where nonresidents can borrow capital and aren’t taxed more than locals — also offers opportunity. The Berlin property market, for example, has been growing in euros at 11% per annum over five years.

Buying property in places such as historic Nikolaiviertel, in Berlin, Germany, can also be a good investment. Picture: 123RF.com

Vintage cars, such as this 1928 Model A Ford, can be a good investment but there are nuances to the market that newcomers need to learn. Picture: PhotoQuest/Getty Images

A vintage Rolex Submariner watch can gain in value over time. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images

Deeds office closure hits estate agents ‘Zoom-bombing’ a danger to meetings By NICK WILSON ● SA’s estate agency industry, already under the cosh thanks to a sputtering economy, is now experiencing a cash squeeze as the closure of the deeds office and local municipalities during the lockdown means many agents cannot receive commissions for finalised sales. Samuel Seeff, chair of Seeff Properties, says this has created a “major problem for the industry as a whole” and that the Real Estate Business Owners Association (Rebosa), of which he is a director, is urgently working with the Law Society of SA to try to get the deeds office opened “as an essential service”. Seeff says transfer duties provide a very necessary income to the South African Revenue Service. According to the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB), there are 45,626 registered agents in the country. Not only must all property transactions be processed through the deeds office before estate agents can be paid their commissions, but municipalities have to issue a certificate showing all the rates on the property are up to date before it can be transferred. “There’s no doubt it will damage the industry. Estate agents already have potential cash-flow problems as a result of a few weeks’ lockdown and this will just exacer-

bate those problems,” says Seeff. “The ramifications are serious. The industry is largely made up of small and medium enterprises who are either acting as independent traders or franchisees under an umbrella brand. Many of the smaller ones just do not have the financial wherewithal to be able to ride out this period.” Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty, says though it is true that estate agents won’t receive commissions for recently completed deals because of the closure of the deeds office, they usually have a “pipeline” of sales stretching back some months to ensure there is cash flow.

Help from abroad But she says if an agent doesn’t have a healthy pipeline, “the reality is it’s going to put a major strain on cash”. Geffen says her firm is fortunate to have a partnership with an international “big brother” in Sotheby’s International Realty, which could offer advice on how to cope because it already has first-hand experience in Europe of the impact of the coronavirus. Andrew Golding, CEO of Pam Golding Properties, says the group remains in constant contact with clients, albeit remotely via electronic means and phone calls. “Naturally, although transactions under way can still be at least partially processed online, the fact is the market is currently, and

understandably, more or less in limbo until the lockdown is lifted and transactions can be processed via the deeds office.” He says the closure of the deeds office has effectively terminated cash flow and that until property transfers can take place, real estate agents and agencies cannot generate any revenue. Herschel Jawitz, CEO of Jawitz Properties, says the lockdown means reduced operating costs for estate agents, but they have fixed expenses such as rent and salaries that have to be paid. “With no registrations and therefore no commissions coming through in an extended lockdown period, it will place estate agencies in a difficult position.” He says estate agencies are already dealing with a market that has been sluggish over the past 18 months, with “sales volumes down and nominal property price growth barely keeping up with inflation”. EAAB CEO Mamodupi Mohlala says the organisation is “cognisant of the financial pressure that many estate agents will be subjected to due to the loss of income during the lockdown”. Mohlala says that because of this, the regulator has extended by two months the payment deadline for continuing professional development, which requires agents to complete mandatory training programmes over a three-year cycle.

● During this pandemic, many are connecting with Zoom’s videoconferencing app — including, on occasion, unwanted visitors. Online trolls have been sneaking into web meetings and disrupting them with profanities and pornography. Cybersecurity researchers fear this could be a precursor to more harmful attacks. “Much of our current reality is uncharted territory, and this growing dependence on Zoom at home is just another one,” said Mark Ostrowski, regional head of engineering for Check Point Software Technologies. “As soon as a platform’s attack surface gets big enough, you can only expect that they’ll become more interesting to attackers. That’s what’s happened to Zoom.” Zoom said it took security concerns “extremely seriously” and was working to address them. A Zoom representative said in an e-mail that the company had sought to educate users about protecting meetings. Zoom also apologised for “the confusion we have caused by incorrectly suggesting that Zoom meetings were capable of using end-to-end encryption”. Though the company strives to use encryption in as many scenarios as possible, “we recognise that there is a discrepancy between the commonly accepted definition of end-to-end encryption and how we were using it”. But there’s good news. Users don’t have to follow Elon Musk, whose SpaceX has banned

the use of Zoom Video Communications amid privacy concerns. There are a few simple steps to host secure video meetings, according to security experts. For instance, ensure your meeting is password-protected, and don’t share meeting IDs and passwords on social media, where criminal hackers may grab them.

A rare winner? Experts also recommend that meeting or classroom organisers take a roll call and kick out unwanted visitors. Zoom’s shares have more than doubled this year as investors bet that the teleconferencing company would be one of the rare winners from the pandemic. The company reached about 200-million daily meeting participants in March, according to its blog. But it has also drawn increased scrutiny from cybersecurity and computer privacy experts. The most recent incident came this week when Patrick Wardle, principal security researcher at Jamf, which manages software for the Apple platform, published a blog about two new flaws in Zoom. He said that if already infected with malware, the Mac OS desktop version could enable attackers to gain high-level privileges and hijack the webcam and microphone. Zoom said it subsequently issued fixes for the problems. Zoom appears to have been designed with

security as an “afterthought”, Wardle said Zoom said: “We did not design the product with the foresight that, in a matter of weeks, every person in the world would suddenly be working, studying and socialising from home.” It promised to improve. This week the FBI warned about “zoombombing”, urging users not to make classes or meetings public. A Zoom user is suing the company, claiming its services were illegally disclosing personal information. The company collects information when users install or open the Zoom application and shares it, without proper notice, to third parties including Facebook, according to the US federal lawsuit. Yet, according to the complaint, Zoom’s privacy policy doesn’t explain to users that its app contains code that discloses information to others. Zoom acknowledged that it shares data with Facebook. Concerns over Zoom’s security practices are not new. Last year, a researcher, Jonathan Leitschuh, found that the desktop version of Zoom for Macs installed a web server that allowed hackers to access webcams. Apple plugged that security hole in July. Holding Zoom’s “feet to the fire” around security and privacy problems amid the app’s new popularity would create incentives for the company to adapt its system, said Leitschuh. — Bloomberg

ACI Money Market A1 Benguela Equity ACI A1 Excelsia Equity ACI A1 MSM Property ACI A1

Alexander Forbes Investments Unit Trusts AF Aggressive Passive A1 AF Balanced FoF A AF Conservative Passive A1 AF Enhanced Income A AF Equity FoF A AF Global Equity Feeder A AF Global Fixed Income Feeder A AF Income A AF Inflation Linked Bond A AF Performer Managed A AF Property Equity A AF Pure Fixed Interest A AF Real Return Focus A AF Stable FoF A AF Strategic Global Balanced Feeder A AF Superior Yield A AF US Dollar Feeder A

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0.9829 3.674 0.9587 1.0173 5.0097 5.8097 3.8956 0.9936 1.1907 1.4492 1.8134 0.9736 1.6752 1.3193 1.767 1.0023 3.0185

0.52 1.88 0.53 0.96 1.66 1.41 1.71 1.15 1.17 1.43 1.5 1.16 1.25 1.68 1.45 0.62 0.34

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2.026303 -0.891224 3.352794 7.916968 -5.188872 10.882348 12.693983 7.76082 -0.509012 -0.237426 -21.194563 4.297958 -0.969942 2.12761 10.655599 8.159557 12.757467

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1.5 0.7 1.42 0.29 1.18 0.57 1.26 1.56 1.75 1.8 1.55

-13.059642 -8.734798 -22.178552 2.439677 -3.631388 -28.87132 -7.988159 -12.228429 -2.526397 4.298409 14.152601

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-0.943245 6.203913 -5.603525 8.034389 2.110817 -9.062543 2.762726 -0.518402 5.881865 5.058707 3.081234

2.985287 6.302241 -0.692124 7.605047 4.841987 -3.088827 5.663913 -9.645953 8.788276 6.200092

Allan Gray Unit Trust Management Allan Gray Balanced A Allan Gray Bond A Allan Gray Equity A Allan Gray Money Market A Allan Gray Optimal A Allan Gray SA Equity A Allan Gray Stable A Allan Gray Tax-Free Balanced A Allan Gray-Orbis Global Equity Feeder A Allan Gray-Orbis Global FoF A Allan Gray-Orbis Global Optimal FoF A

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92.2627 10.0499 301.9389 1 23.0032 254.6103 32.8887 9.9287 67.3631 41.5851 21.1209

Aluwani Capital Partners Aluwani Top 25 R

02/04

9.4556

1.18

-17.376999

-17.259685

-1.615756

-0.998977

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

1.0334 0.9299 0.9121 0.958 1.0054 1.2953 1.0141 1.5159 1.179 0.9079 0.4383 1.3361

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------3.549167 ---0.011036 -6.307626

0.9187 0.9092

1.39 0.72

-6.635934 -11.48423

-2.958867 -9.972181

2.549154 --

---

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6.906152 -2.910348 17.795143

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Anchor Capital Anchor BCI Africa Flexible Income A Anchor BCI Bond A Anchor BCI Diversified Growth A Anchor BCI Diversified Moderate A Anchor BCI Diversified Stable A Anchor BCI Equity A Anchor BCI Flexible Income A Anchor BCI Global Equity Feeder A Anchor BCI Global Tech A Anchor BCI Managed A Anchor BCI Property A Anchor BCI Worldwide Flexible A

Argon Asset Management Argon BCI Absolute Return A Argon BCI Bond A

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Ashburton Management Company Ashburton Balanced A Ashburton Bond A Ashburton Defensive A Ashburton Diversified Income A Ashburton Equity B1 Ashburton Gbl Leaders ZAR Equity FF A Ashburton Global Flexible A1 Ashburton GOVI Tkr A Ashburton Growth A Ashburton Money Market B1 Ashburton Multi Manager Bond B1 Ashburton Multi Manager Equity B1 Ashburton Multi Manager Income B1 Ashburton Multi Manager Property B1 Ashburton Multi Manager Prud Flexible B1 Ashburton Property A Ashburton SA Income B1 Ashburton Stable A Ashburton Stable Income A Ashburton Targeted Return B4 FNB Growth FoF B1 FNB Income FoF B1 FNB Moderate FoF B1 FNB Stable FoF B1

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 03/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

1.1036 0.9238 1.2425 0.9602 5.3768 1.2065 2.6614 0.8801 2.1253 1 9.2883 14.29 11.1483 9.0331 14.9691 0.3634 0.9897 1.0278 0.9604 1.0219 0.884 0.976 0.9105 0.9594

BlueAlpha Investment Management BlueAlpha BCI All Seasons A BlueAlpha BCI Balanced C BlueAlpha BCI Equity A BlueAlpha BCI Global Equity A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

4.565 0.8703 1.3267 2.3231

Boutique Collective Investments 36ONE BCI Equity A 36ONE BCI Flexible Opportunity A 36ONE BCI SA Equity C1 4D BCI Aggressive Flexible FoF A 4D BCI Cautious FoF A 4D BCI Flexible A 4D BCI Moderate FoF A ADB BCI Balanced FoF A ADB BCI Flexible Prudential FoF A All Weather BCI Equity B2 Amity BCI Equity Income A Amity BCI Flexible Growth FoF A Amity BCI Global Diversified FoF A Amity BCI Managed Select A Amity BCI Prudent FoF A Amity BCI Steady Growth A API BCI Managed FoF A API BCI Stable FoF A API BCI Worldwide Opportunities FoF A AS Forum BCI Aggressive FoF A AS Forum BCI Cautious FoF A AS Forum BCI Moderate FoF A Aureus Nobilis BCI Cautious A Aureus Nobilis BCI Managed A Aureus Nobilis BCI Worldwide Flex FoF A Baroque BCI Moderato FoF A BCI ACPI Global Balanced Feeder A BCI Best Blend Balanced C BCI Best Blend Cautious C BCI Best Blend Flexible Income C BCI Best Blend Global Equity A BCI Best Blend Global Property A BCI Best Blend Specialist Equity C BCI Best Blend Worldwide Flexible A BCI Credo Global Equity Feeder A BCI Fairtree Global Income Plus Feeder A BCI Flexible A BCI Income Plus C BCI Money Market A BCI Multikor Moderate FoF A BCI Prudential FoF 3B1 BCI Shariah Equity C BCI Stable FoF 3B1 BCI Value B BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF 3B1 BCI Worldwide Flexible Style C BCIsmith Equity Feeder A BIP BCI Moderate Worldwide Flexible C BIP BCI Worldwide Flexible E Bovest BCI Conservative FoF A Bovest BCI Managed FoF A Bovest BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Brenthurst BCI Balanced FoF A Brenthurst BCI Cautious FoF A Brenthurst BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Cadiz BCI Enhanced Income C Caleo BCI Active Income A Caleo BCI Balanced FoF A Caleo BCI Equity A Caleo BCI Moderate FoF A Capita BCI Balanced A Capita BCI Cautious A Capita BCI Real Income A Capstone BCI Balanced A Cartesian BCI Money Market A Centaur BCI Balanced A Centaur BCI Flexible A Colourfield BCI Equity B Colourfield BCI Income 2 A Consilium BCI Worldwide Flexible A CS BCI Aggressive Prudential FoF A CS BCI Flexible FoF B CS BCI Prudential FoF B CS BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Delta 4 BCI Income A Destiny BCI Multi Asset FoF A Destiny BCI Prudential FoF A Dinamika BCI Conservative FoF A Dinamika BCI Worldwide Flexible A Dotport BCI Cautious FoF A Dotport BCI Equity B Dotport BCI Flexible FoF A Dotport BCI Income A Dotport BCI Prudential FoF A Edge BCI Balanced A Edge BCI Cautious A Edge BCI Managed Aggressive A FAL BCI Balanced A Foster BCI Moderate FoF A Foundation BCI Equity A Harvard House BCI Equity A Harvard House BCI Flexible Income A Harvard House BCI Property A Imali BCI Passive Balanced A Innovation BCI Balanced FoF A Innovation BCI Worldwide Equity A Instit BCI Enhanced Yield A Instit BCI Flexible A Instit BCI Global Equity A Instit BCI Managed A Instit BCI Managed FoF A Instit BCI Stable FoF A Instit BCI Worldwide Equity A Instit BCI Worldwide Flexible A Instit BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF B Instit BCI Worldwide Mod Aggr Flexible A Integral BCI Equity A Intellivest BCI Income A Investec Spec Inv BCI Enhanced Income A Investec Spec Inv BCI Protected Equity A Investec W & Inv BCI Active Inc FoF A JMBusha BCI RRPortf A Kanaan BCI Balanced FoF A Lunar BCI Worldwide Flexible A Maitland BCI Flexible FoF A Median BCI Balanced FoF A Median BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Millenium BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF B Montrose BCI Cautious FoF A Montrose BCI Flexible FoF A Montrose BCI Moderate FoF A Naviga BCI Worldwide Flexible A N-e-FG BCI Equity A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 03/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 03/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

5.3633 5.8956 1.0251 1.4928 1.2928 1.1191 1.4578 1.7575 1.742 6.8467 0.7394 1.7396 1.2608 0.8174 1.4594 0.9281 0.8596 0.9276 1.1015 2.0644 1.5537 1.9337 0.9142 0.8286 1.1946 1.7943 1.3817 0.9316 1.0302 1.0476 2.7131 1.2337 0.8998 3.1551 0.8967 1.0921 6.9312 1.0488 1 0.9205 1.7796 0.8521 1.4624 0.9868 1.4682 0.927 1.2937 0.9215 0.9677 1.0202 0.997 1.1812 0.963 0.9906 1.2194 1.013 0.9947 0.8147 0.7131 1.5071 0.9338 0.9937 0.9783 0.8402 1 1.268 5.8724 0.8429 0.8256 2.0007 1.6356 1.937 1.7155 1.2086 0.9823 41.9212 30.9412 1.6045 1.0873 1.4178 0.7799 2.5783 1.0061 2.1981 0.8642 0.917 0.8286 0.8739 1.5662 0.7079 1.7549 1.114 0.4988 0.9322 1.0628 1.1523 1.0011 0.7308 1.4115 0.9196 1.0043 1.0615 1.1328 0.8087 1.2579 1.1361 0.7914 0.9628 1.0007 0.9163 0.9825 1.171 1.8775 1.1974 1.5476 0.8699 0.8943 0.9868 1.6718 2.6571 1.9293 1.2352 1.3933

Bridge Balanced A Bridge Diversified Preference Share A Bridge Equity Income Growth A Bridge Global Managed Growth Feeder A Bridge Global Property Income Feeder A Bridge Hi Income A Bridge Managed Growth A Bridge Stable Growth A Cadiz Absolute Yield A Cadiz Balanced A Cadiz Equity A Cadiz Money Market A Cadiz Stable A Cadiz Worldwide Flexible A

0.6152 5.3913 1.5724

1.15 1.44 1.54

--3.490682 -46.919428

-1.934203 -48.297501

-9.055676 -22.391235

-7.251862 -12.3743

1.6021 2.2125 1.0669

1.76 1.88 1.88

-3.944295 -0.997451 -9.489814

0.768181 2.338426 -6.257224

4.230384 4.755958 1.041685

4.413195 -1.622847

1.5 1.45 1.41 1.09 1.02 1.16 2.22 2.05 1.54 2.13 2.48 1.92 1.74 1.74 2.08 2 1.66 1.69 1.72 1.45 1.26 1.31 1.75 1.24 1.07 0.95 0.96 0.89 1.18 1.17 1.22 1.68 1.55 1.27 1.44 1.64 1.5 1.33 1.43 1.56 1.77 1.53 1.23 0.88 1.27 0.94 1.6 1.53 1.36 1.38 1.63 1.69 1.67 1.46 1.52 1.44 1.55 1.61 1.52 1.64

1.387379 -8.328363 -13.306954 -8.157704 -14.900383 -12.169193 -12.167557 -6.286537 -23.943277 -9.847681 1.475528 -8.319213 -19.401368 9.179397 -16.185764 -13.240778 -12.571472 -3.014103 -9.568767 -15.253567 -8.160242 -22.501531 0.147786 -11.756895 -5.322638 -10.53846 -3.013878 -7.331823 -14.678535 -6.392584 -16.535042 -5.540028 -2.067725 11.408123 -10.231033 -11.766985 -16.223512 11.33575 -4.426965 -4.751548 -9.689194 -5.328123 -7.451767 -10.416158 -7.626988 -5.879152 -12.062085 -12.601483 -6.876353 -11.137246 -14.216728 -6.679899 7.694963 -12.781377 -15.847105 -7.60027 -6.834451 -12.046203 -10.673444 -3.43821

6.163755 -4.039589 -9.817607 -5.867865 -13.73117 -10.507179 -9.579215 -2.640121 -22.031016 -6.826147 6.00284 -4.189851 -15.010448 16.480687 -12.264781 -9.232057 -9.069813 0.811072 -6.777445 -12.792923 -4.491545 -19.470544 9.373794 -8.302616 -2.365611 -7.394818 2.565981 -3.651322 -10.34777 -2.057549 --3.493364 0.55062 22.157584 -5.85169 -9.244925 -12.493196 16.996794 0.158171 -0.67007 -7.079677 -2.193152 -3.926541 -6.284113 -4.378247 -1.158667 -5.785163 -10.237802 -3.233738 -8.351145 -11.972501 -3.01728 16.76175 -8.835722 -12.293001 -3.353246 -3.140685 -9.676743 -6.741599 2.603889

5.173259 2.181363 -0.140118 2.037845 -0.539727 0.439009 -0.979966 2.505657 -5.835607 0.592958 7.20224 1.451451 -2.95512 9.337451 -2.848841 -1.0102 -0.141273 3.549861 1.038817 ---------1.053983 4.149053 ------0.310071 -11.214677 -2.885692 0.36997 2.712771 -2.64021 -4.642918 --0.392259 3.014082 0.610524 -2.371235 1.852 11.368097 0.31728 -1.526702 2.777173 -----

4.119522 1.804338 ----0.914559 3.994345 -3.334014 2.265283 7.211951 3.322069 -1.837576 --0.233916 1.272811 ------------0.293066 4.298427 -----1.047019 -9.480447 -3.886405 ---4.053685 -5.815107 -0.822365 4.004676 1.892844 -----------

-22.043839

-21.973515

-3.416791

-2.399742

Catalyst Fund Managers Catalyst Flexible Property Presc A Catalyst Global RE Presc Feeder B Catalyst SA Property Equity Presc A

02/04 02/04 02/04

Celtis Financial Services Celtis BCI Conservative FoF A Celtis BCI Flexible FoF A Celtis BCI Managed FoF A

02/04 02/04 02/04

Ci Collective Investments Prop 1st Fusion Ci Guarded A 1st Fusion Ci Temperate A 1st Fusion Diversified Growth A Affinity Ci Cautious A Affinity Ci Growth A Affinity Ci Moderate A Analytics Ci Balanced FoF A Analytics Ci Cautious FoF A Analytics Ci Managed Equity A Analytics Ci Moderate FoF A Analytics Ci Worldwide Flexible FoF A APS Ci Cautious A APS Ci Equity A1 APS Ci Global Flexible Feeder B APS Ci Managed Growth A APS Ci Moderate A AssetMix Ci Balanced FoF A AssetMix Ci Conservative FoF A AssetMix Ci Moderate FoF A Celerity Ci Balanced B Celerity Ci Conservative B Celerity Ci Growth B Celerity Ci Int. Growth FoF B Celerity Ci Moderate B Chrome Ci Defensive A Chrome Ci Growth A Chrome Ci Maximum Return A Chrome Ci Moderate A Dynasty Ci Wealth Accumulator A2 Dynasty Ci Wealth Preserver A2 Fussell Ci Worldwide Flexible A Investhouse Ci Balanced A Investhouse Ci Cautious A Investhouse Ci Growth A Kruger Ci Balanced A Kruger Ci Balanced FoF A Kruger Ci Equity A Kruger Ci Int. Flexible Feeder A Kruger Ci Prudential A Kruger Ci Prudential FoF A Moore Stephens Ci Balanced FoF A Moore Stephens Ci Stable FoF A NFB Ci Defensive FoF A NFB Ci Managed A NFB Ci Managed Growth FoF A NFB Ci Stable A NFB Ci Worldwide Flexible A PFPS Ci Balanced FoF A PFPS Ci Cautious FoF A PFPS Ci Moderate FoF A Quattro Ci Growth FoF A Quattro Ci Moderate FoF A Quattro Ci Worldwide Flexible FoF A Roxburgh Ci Balanced FoF A Roxburgh Ci Balanced Plus FoF A Roxburgh Ci Conservative FoF A Synergy Ci Conservative FoF A Synergy Ci Growth FoF A Synergy Ci Moderate FoF A Synergy Ci Worldwide Flexible FoF A

1.0805 1.021 0.9716 0.9457 0.8988 0.9229 5.9814 2.2764 4.9628 3.7283 8.1682 14.5358 14.5585 1.2674 18.042 16.721 0.9622 1.0167 0.9897 0.9176 0.9572 0.8636 1.2083 0.9558 0.9326 0.912 1.0704 0.9251 16.5968 14.9086 0.8705 0.9725 0.9862 1.3841 0.9628 18.4895 21.9853 25.7075 1.0042 18.6044 0.9496 0.9853 0.956 15.9127 0.9912 14.4798 17.7692 0.9683 1.0121 0.9808 0.9362 1.0284 1.5643 0.9388 0.9014 0.9838 0.9578 0.9239 0.9466 1.0617

R A

8.011706 0.093911 -1.49631 7.672772 4.147187 -2.495836

R A

8.612605 -2.718591 -5.144897 8.041934 3.003745 -5.45683

R C m

7.360222 -14.890066 -21.934737 7.765075 -2.912565 -20.863177

Y DR

1.690607 -16.125455 -23.281517 2.47175 -5.882512 -21.339523

A ES

0.96 1.52 1.56 0.3 1.27 1.7

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

NAV R U

1.0547 1.7071 1.8803 1 1.0813 1.6494

Cadiz Collective Investments

DA E

Laurium Capital

-3.913654 3.534267 -6.011688 --0.161702 3.588763 -6.356361 -3.114938

-7.001515 -0.921036 -10.383026 9.438459 -2.954716 1.659437 -11.894638 -7.960824

-2.603095 7.224687 2.84819 2.521109 2.174879 1.709526 0.804892 0.454009 0.127208 ----

R A

-20.460354 -17.50705 -27.529557 11.682934 -17.920448 -2.71991 -28.915876 -21.636536

2.071053 1.460617 7.511783 2.549323 1.91948 1.162772 0.463586 -0.834129 -1.414653 -1.854303 -1.710589 -0.734784

R A

-19.283773 -25.771503 -26.363454 1.998007 -20.361366 -4.600786 -26.248519 -19.989854

-4.997155 -8.209956 7.142036 -4.051702 -5.159433 -6.032968 -7.916092 -10.529851 -11.386957 -12.230954 -12.628295 -11.822418 -6.898084

R C m

1.83 0.94 1.2 1.41 1.75 1.1 1.16 1.16

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

-9.593827 -11.601951 2.285778 -7.818559 -9.058555 -9.55084 -11.235893 -13.830083 -14.858831 -15.867496 -15.759703 -15.023564 -7.957252

Y DR

1.1792 0.6461 0.8352 27.6537 3.1118 9.0042 0.8635 13.619

Bridge Fund Managers

1.92 1.64 0.58 1.86 1.88 1.9 1.96 1.96 1.95 1.95 2.04 2.11 2.18

A ES

0.9952 1.3929 1 1.64 1.6354 1.6412 1.6045 1.5589 1.4686 1.4756 0.9381 0.9197 0.9769

NAV R U

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

DA E

Discovery Mod Dynamic Asset Opt FoF A Discovery Moderate Balanced A Discovery Money Market A Discovery Target Retirement 2015 A Discovery Target Retirement 2020 A Discovery Target Retirement 2025 A Discovery Target Retirement 2030 A Discovery Target Retirement 2035 A Discovery Target Retirement 2040 A Discovery Target Retirement 2045 A Discovery Target Retirement 2050 A Discovery Target Retirement 2055 A Discovery Worldwide Best Ideas A

-2.019637 3.001209 --4.523542 4.0826 2.280058 --0.466378 4.611754 ----4.766798 6.094227 10.2456 ------2.201094 10.364307 ----------2.494397 -0.595578 --12.842668 ---1.147671 3.008758 ---5.062296 --2.866027 -0.531761 1.761871 --9.90838 -----0.481316 1.975607 4.534577 -3.39622 -0.350745 0.849472 4.303805 -1.572467 ----3.230499 3.68318 -0.037184 3.590699 --2.671691 6.060242 -14.697225 12.255182 0.151267 2.372355 --8.086215 -0.739615 -----8.730026 ---3.540273 6.476391 0.35271 -0.067894 1.442928 10.385425 2.217871 2.802891 0.629687 3.481554 4.562907 -0.12798 -----1.288676 -4.74073 --0.953808 0.714649 ---11.310675 ------

-4.85233 1.540933 --4.65079 4.173982 1.805434 -2.733383 --0.590971 3.86408 12.232236 0.179508 3.240316 -1.805554 4.593573 5.734568 11.192658 0.226476 4.419892 -1.139473 5.010212 -3.956391 9.962211 -6.948775 -17.630048 8.301916 0.083764 3.458571 1.585016 4.336336 7.768094 -6.385928 -4.345904 -23.899165 -23.459384 2.150009 -1.493942 2.481691 0.258379 2.133205 ---8.119522 9.119684 11.603365 2.116153 -2.188011 1.723352 0.88832 -12.602769 2.648013 6.60889 --5.3991 1.164761 4.328211 -0.609045 2.43588 -2.733055 -1.032632 4.784824 -1.978361 9.17118 --5.813372 3.788393 3.609818 -1.320614 3.202877 --4.391106 5.391574 -24.333121 16.136965 -2.102266 0.360226 -3.536824 9.068456 7.962329 6.805462 -1.264713 1.872621 --7.545186 -17.350536 -0.877487 2.224275 6.151994 4.539038 6.391531 -1.000077 -3.834741 -1.4743 9.096367 1.464783 2.049999 -0.73 4.059604 3.249965 -1.025341 2.413434 -1.175538 ---2.447085 -7.692115 -6.244396 2.021665 0.670594 -2.126842 11.668273 -19.657985 0.844898 4.648776 -1.13779 2.977527 --

R A

-17.38681 -4.948166 6.67885 17.180303 5.046241 4.77487 -6.448803 -20.121339 5.381799 -11.951153 -1.702602 24.884271 -9.355662 -2.607423 -14.134932 3.988674 5.903439 16.042424 -9.925838 0.445346 -0.359456 -6.042463 -4.410521 -21.379396 5.602571 -3.015229 -39.673499 2.692534 -11.441235 -3.137533 -7.780971 -2.84278 6.382567 -19.89257 -16.443052 -48.870318 -44.503657 -2.435553 -10.584413 -0.930333 -7.250227 -2.505548 ---21.220973 13.789659 23.095198 -3.152185 -11.92208 -5.280303 -7.029339 -7.265354 22.021141 -4.21427 3.704132 -10.724287 --2.735464 -4.504273 0.802733 -10.567498 -0.144508 -8.583662 -7.238013 0.073145 -10.921662 4.610022 15.327283 -5.456708 -1.868683 -5.157369 -13.404953 -7.708792 --17.472968 2.461742 -52.626129 15.099364 -14.246821 -8.391285 -18.089609 10.265124 15.719399 4.369952 -11.924813 -8.140653 -11.959279 -5.381438 2.76802 -40.718176 -10.011172 -3.863645 5.005949 8.008225 3.366374 -10.472403 -14.409804 -7.706427 15.532476 -6.202042 -3.159688 -10.835075 2.370642 0.052675 -6.616055 -0.74601 -9.54109 ---11.344392 -22.567453 -26.10608 2.627176 -2.196902 -4.106928 -9.154292 15.869175 -38.875522 -11.854639 -2.607877 -15.358442 -7.008081 --

-20.78714 -8.587246 1.84665 9.528287 -0.565627 -0.653622 -10.200501 -19.252933 -0.710028 -15.21172 -6.234834 20.864956 -12.670472 -6.451505 -16.701493 -1.609666 0.020348 5.230241 -13.279173 -4.013496 -4.676754 -11.367408 -8.827215 -26.119688 -1.933949 --2.88886 -40.172747 -3.417556 -12.93855 -6.50565 -10.624414 -6.709323 -0.572011 -21.445969 -18.258556 -44.002602 -44.660319 -5.123729 -13.141301 -5.156631 -10.592138 -7.075328 -0.939121 2.145815 -21.374549 5.635329 12.082818 -6.744839 -14.385247 -7.143671 -11.328527 -13.512693 13.948888 -8.717042 -1.832414 -13.443366 -10.58792 -3.0605 -8.028361 -4.008214 -14.27269 -4.561315 -10.437272 -9.809068 -5.995739 -12.298048 -2.981147 5.084892 -2.242551 0.92665 -7.464527 -9.113378 -16.927081 -14.182075 -24.669938 -14.342194 -3.302678 -51.701448 7.674664 -15.431454 -10.564352 -19.342123 1.454261 8.44907 -1.394976 -12.889915 -11.145876 -14.683099 -8.998559 -4.149174 -40.932691 -11.913933 -6.997706 0.414499 -0.00476 -2.798178 -14.225588 -13.982698 -6.285569 11.852762 -9.938794 -6.327518 -13.971415 -3.064231 -4.683174 -11.313119 -6.899919 -9.528117 -11.644995 -2.0598 -17.442172 -21.716762 -25.410355 -2.342939 -7.691155 -6.81285 -13.136632 8.508853 -38.59463 -16.304928 -7.762096 -19.731066 -11.790132 -25.728713

R A

-----

1.64 2.02 0.97 1.68 1.87 2.19 1.64 1.61 1.08 1.7 1.65 1.82 1.18 1.09 1.02 2.56 2.13 1.87 1.47 1.55 2.77 1.71 0.99 0.83 0.93 0 1.04 1.16 1.4 1.75 1.62 1.73 1.74 1.03 1.83 1.88 1.52 1.23 1.83 1.81 2.08 2.16 2.15 1.24 2.45 1.64 1.46 2.06 1.85 1.89 2.19 1.85 1.98 1.66 1.84 1.45 1.36 1.44 1.68 1.96 1.85 2.35 1.85 1.92 1.93 1.21 1.9 0.77 1.86 0.77 1.79 1.46 0.89 1.28 1.31 0.83 1.29 0.93 0.5 2.13 2.02 1.68 1.44 1.87 2.45 1.1 2.02 2.22 1.68 1.65 1.26 1.29 2.12 2.07 2.64 1.71 1.61 1.6 1.91 1.81 2.02 1.74 1.62 1.76 2.04 1.92 2.27 1.84 2.12 0 1.06 1.48 1.19 0.6 1.24 0.91 1.44 1.64 0.71 0.92 1.21 1.14 1.36 1.16 0.27

R C m

8.632313 --13.023888 --

1.5787 1.7678 1.1176 1.3025 1.724 1.5105 1.086 0.8701 0.9911 1.0424 1.1358 1.3219 0.9498 0.9858 0.8527 2.7754 1.7819 4.987 0.926 0.9791 1.1088 0.9672 0.9424 0.8845 1.7697 1.1018 1.0259 0.5 1.0865 0.9173 0.9736 0.9404 1.055 1.3187 1.5021 1.2915 0.3409 0.9534 1.0052 0.9194 1.1293 2.7989 2.1427 0.9902 1.9993 2.7537 1.2626 1.4508 1.0337 0.9549 1.1804 0.9127 0.9728 2.8804 0.9945 0.9964 0.8872 0.9783 0.8786 2.268 1.5174 0.9304 0.9843 0.9351 0.9521 1.1647 2.8751 0.9695 1.2069 0.964 1.0244 1.7164 1.0388 1.8853 0.9746 0.8184 3.2541 1.0129 1.049 4.8824 3.2162 1.4169 1.548 1.2976 3.4592 1.2228 2.769 1.0334 0.8856 0.9319 0.9782 9.6688 0.934 0.9643 1.2355 2.1013 1.1416 1.4834 1.4016 1.2596 2.4583 1.6823 1.5246 1.7005 1.4053 1.0997 1.7231 1.1442 1.1116 0.8942 0.9898 6.3133 0.7952 0.6745 0.992 1.5447 1.2062 0.7291 1.2931 0.4198 0.9198 0.9659 0.8945 0.9505 0.7574

Y DR

7.657135 -23.735985 -30.626775 -50.112297

1 0.6946 0.6124 0.3147

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

A ES

2.417332 -21.995244 -31.996469 -48.90638

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

NAV R U

0.35 1.08 1.34 1.27

Africa Collective Investments

DA E

2.586677 1.404191 1.72147 5.783954 ------6.517273 7.445464 6.696231 --0.680229 7.197927 2.007602 5.840135 ---1.053111 ----3.322398 0.89299 -8.997808 -1.904591 --3.007909 -------

2.011772 9.138599 0.19789 5.348541 -8.444392 7.125115 10.205854 10.891391 12.044584 1.893357 7.409143 8.079092 8.145992 -3.461351 7.601161 0.167598 5.044707 0.250537 -2.115598 -1.608958 ----2.262037 -0.759016 -19.98294 -0.167013 -5.805189 -4.621759 3.949577 -5.050507 -22.384891 --5.275657

-3.782776 -1.127876 -10.003065 -3.845413 -5.063344 7.731532 3.595275 11.695743 18.257054 12.840435 -9.603005 5.482051 6.315085 6.939164 -16.98143 7.258565 -6.56185 -1.351651 -6.943735 -10.406518 -2.448597 -9.990255 6.220186 -6.864026 -10.81776 -2.890075 -2.085909 -15.611555 -39.254566 -46.844322 -8.386707 -23.430904 -19.980123 0.606225 -20.400325 -43.064695 6.53222 -16.455177 2.501469

R A

-6.640284 -0.009919 -11.812018 -9.541127 -9.906948 1.110068 -2.094172 1.070432 12.549454 4.162546 -16.285382 -0.824763 -0.768394 -0.671366 -17.771291 2.283746 -9.358168 -5.504416 -11.505707 -14.6 -7.501595 -12.745168 1.179818 -11.28668 -14.882338 -7.757608 -6.061735 -20.645067 -40.692849 -46.379799 -11.575077 -24.581135 -22.432673 -4.622735 -19.718256 -42.545734 -0.225236 -17.701748 0.716099

R A

1.8 2.82 1.46 0.58 0.23 0.59 0.68 0.75 1.8 2.52 1.97 0.63 1.44 0.61 2.04 0.58 1.73 1 1.34 1.29 1.27 1.83 0.73 0.79 0.82 0.48 1.61 1.15 1.72 0.23 1.59 0.95 1.76 1.12 0.9 0.94 0.75 0.23 1.14

R C m

1.5495 0.9864 3.9033 1.0817 0.896 0.9993 1.0531 1.4953 1.0658 1.2637 4.8812 1.0693 1.6923 0.9771 1.3765 1 1.5581 1.2082 0.9768 0.9394 1.0148 1.6058 1.0262 0.9432 0.9151 0.9453 1.4907 6.4262 1.5402 0.448 2.8159 0.8462 4.5958 0.8925 0.6847 0.3377 1.0153 0.8001 1.0037

Y DR

Absa Absolute A Absa Africa Equity Feeder A Absa Balanced R Absa Bond A Absa Bond Index A Absa Core Income A Absa Flexible Income A1 Absa Global Core Equity Feeder A Absa Global Multi Asset Feeder A Absa Global Property Feeder A Absa Global Value Feeder R Absa Income Enhancer R Absa Inflation Beater A Absa Inflation Linked Income A Absa Managed A Absa Money Market A Absa Multi Managed Accu FoF A Absa Multi Managed Bond A Absa Multi Managed Core Accu C Absa Multi Managed Core Growth C Absa Multi Managed Core Preserver C Absa Multi Managed Growth FoF A Absa Multi Managed Income C Absa Multi Managed Passive Accu B Absa Multi Managed Passive Growth B Absa Multi Managed Passive Preserver A Absa Multi Managed Preserver FoF A Absa Prime Equity A Absa Property Equity A Absa Property Index A Absa Prudential FoF A Absa SA Core Equity A Absa Select Equity A Absa Smart Alpha Defensive A Absa Smart Alpha Equity A Absa Smart Alpha Property A Absa Tactical Income A Absa Top 40 Index A Absa Wealth Preserver Plus A

A ES

Absa Fund Managers

N-e-FG BCI Flexible A N-e-FG BCI Income Provider A Nest Egg BCI Worldwide Equity A Nest Egg BCI Worldwide Flexible A Olympiad BCI Managed FoF A Olympiad BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Optimum BCI Balanced A Optimum BCI Equity A Optimum BCI Income A Optimum BCI Managed Growth A Optimum BCI Stable A Optimum BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A PBi BCI Balanced FoF A PBi BCI Conservative FoF A PBI BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Platinum BCI Balanced FoF A Platinum BCI Income Provider FoF A Platinum BCI Worldwide Flexible A Point3 BCI Balanced FoF A Point3 BCI Conservative FoF A Point3 BCI Global Flexible FoF A Point3 BCI Mod Worldwide Flexible FoF A PortfolioMetrix BCI Bond FoF A PortfolioMetrix BCI Equity FoF B1 PortfolioMetrix BCI Gbl Equity FoF B1 PortfolioMetrix BCI Global Bond FoF A PortfolioMetrix BCI Income FoF A PortfolioMetrix BCI SA Property A PortMetx BCI Global Property FoF A PrivClnt BCI Hi Equity B PrivClnt BCI Low Equity B PrivClnt BCI Medium Equity B PrivClnt BCI Worldwide Flexible B Providence BCI Worldwide Diversified B PWBCI Balanced A PWBCI Conservative A PWBCI Flexible Property Income A PWBCI Property A PWS BCI Cautious FoF A PWS BCI Moderate FoF A PWS BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Quantum BCI Balanced FoF A Quantum BCI Capital Plus FoF A Quantum BCI Income C Quantum BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A RCI BCI Flexible A RCI BCI Flexible Growth L RCI BCI Worldwide Flexible A Rebalance BCI Inflation Plus 3 A Rebalance BCI Inflation Plus 5 A Rebalance BCI Inflation Plus 7 A Red Oak BCI Balanced A Red Oak BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Reitway BCI Global Property Feeder A Rowan Capital BCI Balanced FoF A Rowan Capital BCI Income FoF A RSA BCI Balanced A RSA BCI Cautious C Rudiarius BCI Africa Equity C S BRO BCI Balanced FoF A S BRO BCI Defensive FoF A S BRO BCI Managed FoF A SA Asset Management BCI Cautious A SA Asset Management BCI Managed A SA Asset Management BCI Moderate A Sasfin BCI Balanced A Sasfin BCI Equity A Sasfin BCI Flexible Income A Sasfin BCI Global Equity Feeder A Sasfin BCI Hi Yield A Sasfin BCI Optimal Income A Sasfin BCI Prudential A1 Sasfin BCI Stable A Select BCI Balanced A Select BCI Cautious A Select BCI Enhanced Equity A Select BCI Equity A Select BCI Fixed Income A Select BCI Property A Select BCI Worldwide Flexible A Select Manager BCI Balanced FoF A Select Manager BCI Cautious FoF A Select Manager BCI Equity C Select Manager BCI Global Equity FoF A Select Manager BCI Global Moderate FoF A Select Manager BCI Income FoF C Select Manager BCI Moderate FoF A Select Manager BCI Worldwide Flex FoF A Sequoia BCI Managed Growth FoF A Sequoia BCI Stable FoF A Sesfikile BCI Global Property A1 Sesfikile BCI Property A1 Signature BCI Balanced FoF A Signature BCI Stable FoF A Signature BCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A Simplisiti BCI Flexible FoF A Simplisiti BCI Income Plus FoF A Simplisiti BCI Managed Protector FoF A Skyblue BCI Cumulus Moderate FoF A Skyblue BCI Kimberlite Cautious FoF A Skyblue BCI Solar Flexible FoF A Southern Charter BCI Balanced FoF A Southern Charter BCI Defensive FoF A Southern Charter BCI Growth FoF A Southern Charter BCI Worldwide Flex FoF A Stewart BCI Absolute Return Blend FoF A Stewart BCI Macro Equity FoF A Stonewood BCI Global Equity Feeder A Stonewood BCI Worldwide Flexible B Tant BCI Balanced A Tant BCI Strategic Income A Visio BCI Actinio A Visio BCI Gen Equity A Visio BCI SA Equity B8 Visio BCI UnConst Fixed Interest A Warwick BCI Balanced B Warwick BCI Balanced FoF C Warwick BCI Equity B Warwick BCI Int. FoF C Warwick BCI Property B Wealth Associates BCI Balanced FoF A Wealth Associates BCI Cautious FoF A Wealth Associates BCI Flex Growth FoF A Wealth Associates BCI Moderate FoF A X-Chequer BCI Equity A

-----

NAV R U

-----

DA E

2.739313 -10.204035 -1.175915 -8.612359

-1.107432 -14.03346 -4.759023 -11.769185

R A

R C m

0.51 0.63 0.61 0.62

R A

Y DR

ER A ES

98.425 88.2414 95.5016 88.8962

DA E

NAV R U

m G

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

10X Index Fund Managers 10X Defensive Index A 10X Hi Equity Index A 10X Low Equity Index A 10X Medium Equity Index A

April 5 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BUSINESS TIMES

UNIT TRUSTS

Sunday Times

Oas s C escen Managemen Company San am Co ec ve nves men s

DSFIN Services Optimum BCI Property A

02/04

0.471

1.4

-45.31411

-45.786694

-21.796684

-13.495818

0.8872 0.9559 1.8485 1.1603 1.1326 1.2892 1.2869 1 0.726 0.7102 0.9129

0.88 1.64 2.12 1.53 0.89 1.76 0.77 0.25 1.71 0.6 1.67

-10.865538 -15.57679 -30.468619 -11.131515 -0.618234 -4.02511 2.469563 2.453596 -32.939176 -31.47501 -9.647315

-5.72518 -8.697175 -23.168149 -8.070571 5.862212 1.912256 9.626547 7.367042 -27.718689 -31.367057 -4.836826

-1.72578 -3.442419 1.710571 8.981122 -10.030821 ---6.099427 --

---0.568401 1.886573 9.855876 -------

O d Mu ua Un T us Manage s

Fairtree Asset Management Fairtree ALBI Plus Presc A1 Fairtree Balanced Presc A1 Fairtree Equity Presc A1 Fairtree Flexible Balanced Presc A1 Fairtree Flexible Income Plus Presc A1 Fairtree Global RE Presc A1 Fairtree Global Smart Beta Presc A1 Fairtree Money Market Presc A1 Fairtree Select Equity Presc A1 Fairtree Smart Beta Presc A1 Fairtree WW Multi-Strat Flex Presc A1

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 01/04 01/04 02/04

Flagship Private Asset Management Flagship IP Flexible Value A1 Flagship IP Prudential Variable A Flagship IP Worldwide Flexible A Flagship IP Worldwide Flexible FoF A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

24.0559 2.0281 5.6901 8.3402

1.66 2.41 2.21 2.4

-35.359518 -8.178564 1.128568 8.661438

-39.855489 -3.119327 5.520733 10.346379

-17.613304 0.577675 4.53506 8.245909

-6.803608 -1.075276 3.024907 7.063622

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

51.273 11.3342 54.554 29.7911 17.7617 50.327

1.35 1.18 0.61 0.85 1.55 1.84

-7.366183 -5.656286 -21.85255 -0.533023 4.050919 17.305793

-3.28677 0.749285 -21.526525 6.657722 14.958739 26.513007

1.104706 4.161817 -9.63212 4.950535 10.480415 12.354986

1.988169 4.257657 -5.890177 5.597928 9.552139 10.730831

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

1.7769 1.0011 1.9258 1.0102 1.1146 2.0315

1.73 1.77 1.91 1.71 1.81 2.06

-9.307558 -11.922543 -14.959162 -1.292954 -5.11192 0.848887

-6.271422 -9.742703 -13.553581 4.339812 -1.269801 5.614764

1.055656 -0.936889 -3.083206 5.701616 3.409798 4.739748

1.965011 0.446255 0.289149 6.710136 3.61454 3.963461

1.81 0.58

-12.991823 2.32411

-3.888277 7.328814

2.327865 7.64437

-7.303341

0.31 0.62

2.368618 -0.26461

7.495122 6.304703

7.88638 8.299118

---

5.4929 1.0002 1

0.32 1.01 0.3

-16.635883 1.579712 2.460989

-17.393703 6.526979 7.478718

-1.202138 6.617172 7.778693

0.331617 6.396897 7.435811

1 15.316 40.7718 8.3149 11.6305 10.1563 1 7.9474 4.0805 9.4524 31.8982 10.4334 8.5983 11.0823 16.1542 11.8649 10.7785 13.3664

0.47 1.8 2.28 1.17 0.93 0.6 0.55 0.99 1.17 1.17 1.49 1.55 0.75 0.89 1.25 0.94 0.91 0.94

2.284155 -9.768587 0.499642 -18.378065 -6.201267 1.788583 2.371632 -19.292984 -46.7481 -20.355479 --3.248754 -13.683952 -10.535243 -21.417323 -11.021308 -4.783747 -10.09354

--5.758441 10.659423 -19.395193 -1.212196 7.881747 7.519292 -19.414707 -48.763762 -12.798153 -1.13348 -9.62286 -5.857862 -19.113681 -6.033134 0.66357 -4.543251

-1.542638 10.234476 -6.532401 8.267501 7.92489 -1.018594 -23.552604 0.747589 ---3.370972 -3.434568 3.940195 6.07478 3.995791

-2.130988 10.330205 -6.121838 8.07009 7.486429 --13.646646 3.055719 ---3.298286 -1.678449 2.391112 -3.628542

8.6969 10.2145 9.8421 28.0332 11.3301 23.9546 10.0154 24.2001 14.9877 9.9468 10.6051 11.6122 10.7049 22.7476 11.3042 1.464 0.9253 2.5436 3.4591 0.845 1.0038 0.9878 2.1796 9.362 2.179 10.116 10.5687 9.9902 12.7656 1 10.1736 9.9178 16.2478 8.8398 10.1167

1.92 1.54 1.17 1.66 1.06 1.5 1.55 1.44 1.3 0 1.19 1.31 1.16 1.66 0.84 2 2.71 2.79 1.52 1.11 0.73 1.46 2.68 0 2.05 1.17 1.12 1.22 1.88 1.06 3.93 0.81 0.64 2.09 1.88

-8.213977 13.364357 -1.720771 5.006237 -2.303056 -20.325593 -14.390572 -9.786761 -5.364705 --6.896881 -4.330674 -4.446735 9.59213 -4.9453 0.622844 3.397026 -11.097675 12.028372 -27.572922 1.823092 -8.965208 -2.91629 -7.410812 -4.585878 -8.776884 -4.656263 -11.52225 -1.796663 1.982263 -6.609384 -2.623364 -11.398353 -18.018734 -11.689227

-6.507853 14.407207 4.076476 10.476099 3.222906 -19.077914 -10.408336 -5.536098 -0.259641 --1.942268 1.321613 1.315323 19.376132 -1.573138 4.715431 -6.497663 -10.47492 16.617222 -29.507226 7.674206 -4.730132 -0.324171 --4.691445 -4.602972 0.313375 -7.569236 8.413985 6.242883 -2.436776 6.041656 -10.704032 -11.59717 -4.787773

-2.844359 6.292794 8.483887 6.343149 -4.68102 0.464186 1.266778 3.871842 -5.309943 7.441846 6.812329 15.572873 3.184299 5.17561 --2.193023 7.901134 -9.46711 7.953211 0.98333 2.166007 -0.211722 2.676589 4.618248 1.262369 7.938529 6.435446 --1.251139 -0.52474 -0.278638

---8.258646 6.913362 -2.437109 2.085387 2.856172 4.832011 ----13.980692 2.674901 4.940005 --0.974127 7.513978 -6.47655 7.908221 -2.30967 -1.438015 3.168304 4.885261 2.108752 8.480432 6.137862 --0.657504 -1.355591 -1.715936

2.9335 99.0294 3.8703

2.97 0 1.55

-2.586664 -1.317187 1.827774

5.819416 2.031703 13.095807

0.324929 -0.501726

-0.722001 --0.931637

Foord Unit Trusts Foord Balanced A Foord Conservative A Foord Equity A Foord Flexible FoF A Foord Global Equity Feeder A Foord Int. Feeder A

GCI Wealth GCI SCI Balanced FoF A GCI SCI Balanced Plus FoF A GCI SCI Flexible FoF A GCI SCI Income FoF A GCI SCI Stable FoF A GCI SCI Worldwide Flexible FoF A

Glacier Management Company Glacier Global Stock Feeder B3 Glacier Money Market A

02/04 03/04

13.2416 1

Granate Asset Management Granate SCI Money Market B Granate SCI Multi Income B

03/04 02/04

1 0.9955

Gryphon Collective Investments Gryphon All Share Tkr A Gryphon Dividend Income A Gryphon Money Market A

02/04 02/04 03/04

H4 Collective Investments Cannon Money Market H4 A Citadel Balanced H4 B1 Citadel Global Equity H4 FoF B Citadel SA 20/20 Equity H4 B1 Citadel SA Bond H4 B Citadel SA Income H4 B1 Citadel SA Money Market H4 B Citadel SA Multi Factor Equity H4 B1 Citadel SA Property H4 B1 Citadel SA Protected Equity H4 B1 Citadel Worldwide Equity H4 B Citadel Worldwide Flexible H4 B3 H4 CPI Plus 6% B1 H4 Diversified B1 H4 Focused Wealth A1 H4 Growth B1 H4 Stable B1 H4 Worldwide Equity B1

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

IP Management Company Engelberg IP Balanced A Engelberg IP Global Feeder A Engelberg IP Income A FG IP Int. Flexible FoF A FG IP Jupiter Income FoF A FG IP Mercury Equity FoF A FG IP Neptune Growth FoF A FG IP Saturn Flexible FoF A FG IP Venus Cautious FoF A Financial Fitness Divfd Income IP FoF A Financial Fitness IP Balanced FoF A Financial Fitness IP Flexible FoF A Financial Fitness IP Stable FoF A Global IP Opportunity B5 IP Active Beta A IP Diversified Income FoF A IP ESG Balanced B IP Flexible FoF A IP Foreign Flexible Feeder A1 IP Hi Conviction Equity A IP Interest Plus A IP Prudential Equity A IP Prudential FoF A IP Worldwide Active Beta A IP Worldwide Flexible FoF B2 Multi Asset IP Balanced B1 Multi Asset IP Balanced Defensive B1 Multi Asset IP Balanced Plus B1 Prosperity IP Worldwide Flexible FoF A Southchester IP Optimum Income A Thyme Wealth IP Global A Thyme Wealth IP Income Multi Asset A Triathlon IP D True North IP Enhanced Property A True North IP Flexible Equity A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 03/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

Pe sona T us n e na ona

PPS Managemen Company

P esc en Managemen Company P M

Itransact Fund Managers IFM Balanced Value FoF A IFM Income E IFM Technical A

02/04 02/04 02/04

Kagiso Collective Investments Kagiso Balanced A Kagiso Equity Alpha A Kagiso Islamic Balanced A Kagiso Islamic Equity A Kagiso Islamic Global Equity Feeder A Kagiso Islamic Hi Yield A Kagiso Protector A Kagiso Stable A Kagiso Top 40 Tkr R Laurium Equity Presc A1 Laurium Flexible Presc A1 Laurium Income Presc A1 Laurium Stable Presc A1

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

1.4578 6.029 1.4553 2.031 1.0804 0.9706 24.9665 1.3949 54.461

1.57 2.19 1.48 1.43 0 0 1.57 1.51 0.75

-21.361839 -30.658729 -14.530864 -22.273024 -4.869244 -3.047771 -18.586345 -15.456694 -16.437936

-13.730316 -21.984255 -10.194175 -18.920116 0.764783 1.608166 -11.328068 -8.134698 -15.377382

-0.45233 -4.107845 0.195277 -2.564583 --0.338877 1.881746 -0.166488

1.999016 -0.412748 2.397474 1.450898 --2.745338 4.203393 0.304731

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

0.8955 1.5169 1.0343 0.9219

1.72 1.19 0.86 1.22

-26.119722 -15.839325 -3.309339 -14.885286

-25.577482 -13.897825 2.915423 -10.131695

-5.715049 -1.127434 ---

-3.829635 1.191425 ---

Marriott Unit Trust Management Company Marriott Balanced FoF A Marriott Core Income A Marriott Dividend Growth R Marriott Essential Income C Marriott First World Equity Feeder A Marriott Hi Income FoF A Marriott Income R Marriott Int. Growth Feeder A Marriott Int. RE Feeder A Marriott Money Market A Marriott Property Equity R Marriott Property Income A Marriott Worldwide FoF A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

24.6734 1.0665 76.3286 0.7336 26.2433 9.462 1.0991 19.7628 4.7807 1 5.9969 4.8405 31.1718

2.13 1.16 1.17 0.88 1.38 1.21 0.83 1.93 1.36 0.32 1.18 1.17 2.35

-6.923457 -1.42648 -12.526463 -22.324748 7.975918 -1.001495 0.889434 6.651689 -11.040919 2.241589 -30.898101 -42.552213 2.000232

-3.947134 5.011782 -11.412372 -22.723956 15.619475 5.414682 7.007714 16.536031 -6.26561 7.139564 -30.162959 -43.821363 7.508815

1.829609 7.517603 -1.874802 -10.067504 7.500988 7.834354 10.687285 5.959149 7.656626 -8.302665 -16.493676 6.56471

2.876693 7.432015 -1.088806 -10.063566 7.205341 7.561958 10.675904 4.384587 7.233845 -3.504571 -9.331919 6.975253

02/04 02/04 02/04

0.8882 1.7305 0.4978

1.32 1.21 1.13

-7.800182 -27.032175 -44.75493

-4.864329 -30.516678 -47.338519

--9.934646 -22.667864

--5.152389 -14.1347

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

9.9118 31.1265 17.1829 17.5274 21.08 28.4881 30.0114

0.91 1.17 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.07 1.69

-1.63717 10.742014 -2.347691 -6.177692 -7.392094 -8.148768 -1.794193

6.573308 20.598631 -3.384348 -1.957504 -4.24428 -5.426119 10.752165

9.065032 16.266848 5.023438 4.09341 2.571667 3.431889 11.16739

8.923389 14.819004 4.781211 4.395757 3.05538 3.192326 9.503414

1.45 0.88 0.49 0.66 1.62 1.19 0.59 1.76

-22.097082 -10.621333 -25.747138 -23.439873 -9.546887 -1.69468 1.708461 -21.732283

-23.836491 -5.985488 -25.166166 -20.587025 -6.01785 4.135807 7.864222 -21.705758

-7.573057 4.374815 ---6.81206 8.180083 -4.963134

-4.465734 4.234493 ---6.840294 8.167905 -2.627425

Sanne Managemen Company

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Mazi Asset Management Mazi Asset Management Prime Africa Eq A Mazi Asset Management Prime Equity A Mazi Asset Management Prime Property A

MI-PLAN MI-PLAN IP Enhanced Income A1 MI-PLAN IP Global Macro B5 MI-PLAN IP Global Property Feeder B5 MI-PLAN IP Inflation Plus 3 B5 MI-PLAN IP Inflation Plus 5 B5 MI-PLAN IP Inflation Plus 7 B5 MI-PLAN IP Sarasin Equisar Feeder B5

Momentum Collective Investments FNB Momentum Growth A Momentum Bond A Momentum Capped SWIX Index A Momentum Core Equity A Momentum Defensive Growth A Momentum Diversified Income B1 Momentum Enhanced Yield A Momentum Equity A Momentum F

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

9.2424 1.3617 0.685 0.8042 0.8956 14.4925 0.8849 1.8808

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CoreShares Index Tracker Managers CoreShares MSCI ACWI FoF A CoreShares OUTmoderate Index O CoreShares Wealth Accu A

02/04 02/04 02/04

1.2217 0.8971 0.8221

0.53 0.36 0.46

0.692327 -15.384717 -15.347365

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1.6918 89.7178 12.5665 36.326 140.9906 35.8089 3.125 1.4617 112.2723 1.9432 2.9519 3.7016 158.4378 10.8918 65.6765 1 130.2629 24.0918 95.7883 0.842 48.418 14.6113 110.4159

1.58 1.61 0.87 1.6 1.05 1.47 1.4 1.51 2.09 0.99 1.46 1.49 1.16 0.52 1.22 0.29 1.43 1.43 1.23 1.37 1.21 0.99 0.87

-9.119112 -14.340854 -10.928293 -11.643317 -16.51006 -37.523401 17.835597 -1.787274 -10.942285 26.592833 -1.665614 7.883769 -9.063328 1.865713 -16.67198 2.438815 5.210323 -47.769233 -35.574796 -19.563645 -30.338267 -3.703191 -18.944444

-5.389481 -11.130366 -7.14512 -8.885772 -12.034908 -40.404942 24.710671 13.547736 -3.558313 28.306369 7.253345 18.894334 -7.667566 7.821874 -13.37432 7.67207 15.563963 -49.301758 -25.638274 -17.229676 -25.603358 2.261814 -15.98015

2.155701 -0.614892 4.008785 -0.725173 -1.619674 -12.86682 11.317125 8.543546 5.958573 11.893082 9.514248 9.549438 -4.43442 8.107731 -2.402632 7.991008 12.282109 -22.447789 2.733907 -5.570851 -11.864867 6.318601 -2.70637

3.596761 1.163299 5.095312 1.30009 0.548342 -8.9234 9.997496 -6.593326 9.783832 7.818107 9.218242 -0.616664 7.875776 0.975402 7.57846 10.959628 -13.054721 6.232002 --4.230737 7.057652 -0.114676

-12.48979 -13.897522 -8.149271 -4.687331 0.29 -15.744149 -47.06641 12.345502 -0.967043 -8.959005 -32.826808

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-1.465596 4.081995 -7.353075 -0.002681 -12.892748 8.751629 7.677776 -0.738802

Coronation Fund Managers Coronation Balanced Defensive A Coronation Balanced Plus A Coronation Bond R Coronation Capital Plus A Coronation Equity A Coronation Financial A Coronation Gbl Capital Plus [ZAR] FF A Coronation Gbl Equity Select [ZAR] FF A Coronation Gbl Opps Equity [ZAR] FF A Coronation Gbl Strat USD Inc [ZAR] FF A Coronation Global Emg Mkts Flex [ZAR] A Coronation Global Managed [ZAR] Feeder A Coronation Industrial P Coronation Jibar Plus A Coronation Market Plus A Coronation Money Market A Coronation Optimum Growth A Coronation Property Equity A Coronation Resources P Coronation SA Equity A Coronation Smaller Companies R Coronation Strategic Income A Coronation Top 20 A

02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 03/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04 02/04

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Business Times APRIL 5 2020 www.sundaytimes.co.za To contact Careers email harrism@bdfm.co.za

Careers

NO TOUCHING, NO ACTORS Advertisers confront life in isolation The Back Page

My Brilliant Career

How to …

Putting pictures to words and teaching others the art Sinéad Thorpe is an illustrator, graphic designer, artist and art teacher By MARGARET HARRIS Tell me about your work. I illustrate children’s books, and I would have to say this is what gives me the most amount of joy — getting to dream up characters and scenes. I work primarily in water colour when it comes to illustration, but I also work in a variety of mediums, including digital. I create art pieces for offices and homes — these are primarily charcoal pieces as this is one of my favourite mediums. I also work as a painter and ceramicist. My passion for painting is what has led me to wall murals, and my passion for charcoal is what led me to teaching.

Fellow artist and kundalini yoga instructor Chelsea Selvan and I offer art classes to adults which combine yoga, meditation and breath-work with art. Can anyone learn to draw and paint? I believe anyone can create art but we often get stuck in the idea that “we are not creative”. Yet I find you don’t have to be anything particular to create art — all you have to be is gentle with yourself and open. An artistic practice should be about you and your process — it doesn’t have to involve anyone else. So, if you can allow yourself a space where you can step away from judgment and what things “should” look like, you can create any art piece you wish. Does your fine art degree help you in your work? I definitely don’t think a fine art degree is a requirement for what I do. However, it has definitely helped shape my practice as well as made me think of the world in a way I never did before. I also completed a three-month course at

Work out, working from your home

Vega, which taught me how to use Adobe Suite, and that is how I got into graphic design. The combination of the art degree and the short course definitely helped me as an illustrator, as it allows me to offer people a full package — I can illustrate a book, design the front cover and put it all together, a “onestop shop”. If I could have studied anything else, it would have been something specialising in illustration as I believe it would have really aided my journey as an illustrator. What did you want to be when you were a child? I wanted to be an animal rescue volunteer, which is why animal rights issues are still very close to my heart. However, as a young child I was also always creating art — I found the world through art made the most amount of sense to me. What advice would you give someone keen to do what you do? I would say first be gentle with yourself as the creative world is difficult and uncertain,

Sinéad Thorpe found her art degree and a graphics course helped her as an illustrator.

and it is easy to feel like you aren’t good enough. Second, and I know this is difficult for a lot of people, you must come across as confident — even if you aren’t. Clients don’t want to hire someone who seems unsure as it makes them feel uneasy. They want you to

believe in your work and what you are offering them. If you allow yourself space for your own personal practice to grow, and you place yourself in the world loudly and with purpose, there is no reason you shouldn’t succeed.

TRADING PLACES ● Fintech software specialist e4 has appointed Fikile Sibiya chief information officer. Sibiya previously worked for Microsoft and Rand Merchant Bank. CEO Grant Phillips said: “e4 is in a significant growth and diversification phase. We are extremely pleased to welcome Fikile in what will be a vital role within the company. Strengthening our governance and internal organisational structures are key initiatives and we have no doubt that she will add tremendous value.”

● The Banking Association SA has appointed Bongiwe Kunene MD. She joins from Standard Bank, where she is personal and business banking group head for the public sector. Between 1994 and 1998, she was with the National Treasury, and she served as head of department in the Gauteng department of finance & economic affairs, in the presidency, and as World Bank executive director representing SA, Nigeria and Angola. Kunene has an MSc in development economics from the University of London.

Deputy Managing Directors x2 Cape Town The above exciting career opportunities exists within South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) on a five (5) year contract basis. Please visit www.sarao.ac.za to apply or send your CV to careers@ska.ac.za quoting in subject line the position you are applying for. Closing date for CV submissions is 12 April 2020 139334

www.ayandambanga.co.za

ERRATUM This erratum is in respect of an advertisement published in the Sunday Times on 22nd March 2020 and in the Daily Dispatch and The Herald on 23rd March 2020 for the following positions:

Manager: Contracts Manager: Asset Management Due to the national lockdown, the Municipality has resolved that the closure date for the above-mentioned vacancies be extended to 24th April 2020. Further details regarding the above mentioned vacancies may be obtained from the website: www.chrishanidm.gov.za. Enquiries may be directed to the Mr. T. Feni at 045 808 4620. Yours faithfully G. MASHIYI MUNICIPAL MANAGER SONDLO & KNOPP ADVERTISING

The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) brings together Government, Civil Society and the Private Sector to create a collective response to the scourges of HIV, TB and STIs in South Africa. The Council is chaired by the Deputy President of South Africa. The SANAC Trust is recruiting for the following positions:

Technical Lead HIV Prevention The purpose of the position is to provide technical leadership for the review, development, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based strategic documents related to the HIV prevention national response, in particular the National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs, the government sectors HIV / TB and STIs Prevention Strategies and the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Strategy. Also ensure that there is synergy and alignment of HIV strategic documents with other stakeholders (Government, Civil Society, Donors and Private Sector) related strategies. S/He will support development and promotion efforts for targeted, public health-focused, HIV prevention and service demand creation, information, education and communication (IEC) behaviour change communication products and activities, as well as participate in the review and evaluation of existing policies affecting the HIV prevention clinical cascade, including linkages to nonhealth sector activities as related to comprehensive community and OVC programming.

Technical Lead Key Populations The purpose of this position is to provide technical leadership and oversight for the coordination of the implementation of the Key Populations programmes as outlined in the National Strategic Plan HIV, STIs and TB. To provide technical expertise and guidance for the development and implementation of programmes within the National Strategic Plan Implementation Unit for Key Populations (KPs). To coordinate all Key Populations (KPs) activities with focus on Sex Workers (SW), Men who have sex with men (MSM), and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), Transgender, Prisoners, Migrant population and any other Key Population group as identified through the NSP. The Technical Lead will also support the Principal Investigator in playing the role of project manager of the SANAC Trust CDC-Grant which places a priority focus on key population programme coordination. Closing date: Close of Business, 17 April 2020. For full details of the positions with roles and responsibilities, go to SANAC website at www.sanac.org.za/vacancies. Applications and copies of certificates should be emailed to hr@sanac.org.za. Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email. SANAC reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter these advertised positions.

● Grey Africa has appointed Khanya Sijaji creative director at WPP’s agency for Distell, Team Liquid. He is a graphic designer-turned-creative director who has worked at M&C Saatchi, Leo Burnett and JWT. At Grey, where he officially took over the reins in early March, he will work with mega brands such as Hunter’s, Viceroy and Amarula. Sijaji is also the co-founder of Just Sunday magazine, a quarterly publication that documents the work of local artists, designers, photographers and restaurants.

● You are now adept at working from home — you use your dining-room table as a desk, attend Zoom meetings from the relative quiet of your bedroom and enjoy your lunch break at the kitchen counter. But what about your regular gym session? Taking a few breaks for a quick workout will make you more productive at work, wherever you are doing it, says personal fitness trainer Gavin Harris. “Happy body, happy brain,” he says. “Sitting for long periods can lead to mobility issues and pain, which is exactly where chronic conditions come from.” Harris has this advice for turning everyday items into training aids: ● Simple things around the house can be used for training — any stable item surrounded by some space, for example, a chair, can be used for pushing exercises, such as a variety of dips and push-ups; ● The kitchen counter, bath or even a wall can be used for a range of push-ups; ● Use a wall for different types of squats, both static and dynamic; ● A stick can be used in combination with two chairs for horizontal pull-ups; a door can also be used for pull-ups; and ● For a cardiovascular element you can do jumping jacks and their many cousins or run up and down the stairs in your home.

Ali Shahkarami

AGCS chief data officer

April 5 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; BUSINESS TIMES

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Sunday Times

Helani Guidone

The Twelve Apostles Hotel: Hotel Manager

Michael Nel

Red Carnation Hotels Southern Africa MD

Joshua Crowe

Juan Wolmarans

The Twelve Apostles food and beverage manager

The Twelve Apostles Hotel operations manager

Earn points and rewards with the

Nomusa Phungula

KwaZulu-Natal legislature speakerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office spokesperson

Technical Lead HIV Prevention

ERRATUM

... at www.nalibali.mobi and earn points! Take part in our monthly literacy challenges that will earn you these points. They can be turned into rewards like books, airtime and prizes. Join today and earn rewards while inspiring others! And its free! When to get your supplement:

NAL'IBALI SUPPLEMENTS Get your bilingual reading-for-enjoyment newspaper supplement in the Sowetan, Sunday Times Express, the Daily Dispatch and The Herald. For more information, past editions and language combinations, visit www.nalibali.org Brought to you in partnership with Arena Holdings, the 16-page supplement is packed with literacy activities, reading advice and reading club tips to help make reading and storytelling a part of childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s everyday lives. And its handy â&#x20AC;&#x153;cut-out-andkeepâ&#x20AC;? design, allows children to collect stories and develop mini libraries of their own.

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This erratum is in respect of an advertisement published in the Sunday Times on 22nd March 2020 and in the Daily Dispatch and The Herald on 23rd March 2020 for the following positions:

Manager: Contracts Manager: Asset Management Due to the national lockdown, the Municipality has resolved that the closure date for the above-mentioned vacancies be extended to 24th April 2020. Further details regarding the above mentioned vacancies may be obtained from the website: www.chrishanidm.gov.za. Enquiries may be directed to the Mr. T. Feni at 045Â 808 4620. Yours faithfully G. MASHIYI MUNICIPAL MANAGER

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Sebastian Berinato

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The purpose of the position is to provide technical leadership for the review, development, dissemination and implementation of evidence-based strategic documents related to the HIV prevention national response, in particular the National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs, the government sectors HIV / TB and STIs Prevention Strategies and the Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) Strategy. Also ensure that there is synergy and alignment of HIV strategic documents with other stakeholders (Government, Civil Society, Donors and Private Sector) related strategies. S/He will support development and promotion efforts for targeted, public health-focused, HIV prevention and service demand creation, information, education and communication (IEC) behaviour change communication products and activities, as well as participate in the review and evaluation of existing policies affecting the HIV prevention clinical cascade, including linkages to nonhealth sector activities as related to comprehensive community and OVC programming.

SONDLO & KNOPP ADVERTISING

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Applications and copies of certificates should be emailed to hr@sanac.org.za. Kindly indicate the name of the position on the subject line of the email. SANAC reserves the right at any time to withdraw or alter these advertised positions.

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INVITATION TO BID

URGENT NOTICE INVITATION FOR LISTING NUMBER: PIC001/20

EXTENSION OF CLOSING DATE IN RESPECT OF INVITATION FOR LISTING ON THE TURNAROUND AND VALUE ADD SERVICE PROVIDER PANEL The closing date for the abovementioned invitation for listing was set for the 24th April 2020 at 17h00pm as advertised in the City Press and Sunday Times Newspapers dated 22nd March 2020 and Business Day Newspaper dated 23rd March 2020. Due to the lockdown for 21 days announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which took effect on Thursday, 26th March 2020 midnight, the PIC thought it was prudent to adjust its timelines in respect of this invitation for listing to take cognisance of the current situation and to ensure that this process is fair, equitable, transparent and cost effective. Hence the PIC has taken a decision to extend the closing date to 15th May 2020 at 17h00pm and all requests for clarification should be sent to the following email address: turnaround@pic.gov.za not later than 13th May 2020 at 17h00pm. The PIC will endeavour to reply to any request for clarification within 24hrs from time of receipt. www.basadzi.co.za

BID DESCRIPTION: Internal Audit Services BID NO: CSA/03/2020/21 CSA is the national governing body for the sport of cricket in South Africa and administers all aspects of South African cricket, men and women, both in the professional and amateur spheres. PAYMENT, OBTAINING OF BID DOCUMENTS AND DEADLINE Bid documents can only be obtained on presentation of proof of payment to hlengiwem@cricket.co.za

2020645

â&#x20AC;˘ A non-refundable deposit is payable for the bid document: R 1,150.00 (incl VAT) One Thousand One Hundred and Fifty Rands. Payable through EFT on the following banking details: Bank: Standard Bank | Branch: 004305 | Account No: 001640267 Ref: CSA/03/2020/21 â&#x20AC;˘ Obtaining of Bid Documents: provide proof of payment to hlengiwem@cricket.co.za by 29 April 2020 at 12:00PM â&#x20AC;˘ Closing Date and Time for Questions: 29 April 2020 at 12:00 PM â&#x20AC;˘ Closing Date and Time for Bid Submissions: 11 May 2020 at 12:00 PM. The bids must be sent electronically to hlengiwem@cricket.co.za. NB: It is the responsibility of the bidder to ensure that all parts of the bid submission have been delivered by the closing date and time.

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CONTACT DETAILS â&#x20AC;˘ Technical Enquiries: Ms. Christelle Janse van Rensburg, Finance Manager; email: christelleb@cricket.co.za â&#x20AC;˘ Bid Documents Enquiries: Ms. Hlengiwe Madondo, SCM Manager, 087 135 1455, email: hlengiwem@cricket.co.za

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: MKI SYSTEMS INTEGRATION AND AUTOMATING BID NUMBER: MKI09/2020 CLOSING DATE: 28 APRIL 2020 AT 16:30

The Moses Kotane Institute is an entity of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government through the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), with a mandate to conduct world class research into training, skills development, and provincial strategic economic sections; and to strategically lead in innovation and maritime co-ordination and implementation activities to respond to the needs of the provincial economy. It also coordinates interaction between line functions or sector departments established or envisaged provincial government training institutions, tertiary institutions, and other external service providers. Proposals are hereby invited for suitably qualified, professional and experienced service providers for the supply of services, MKI Systems Integration and Automating. This should be conducted with these subtasks included: network infrastructure audit, design and deployment, in order to ensure adequate protection of MKI information assets and technologies; securely integrating MKIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and automating MKIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ICT services, processes, procedures and efficiency for its day-to-day operations. The Terms of Reference (TORs) are available on MKIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: www.moseskotaneinstitute.com. Proposals must be emailed to tenders@moseskotane.com by 28 April 2020, 16h30. Proposals received after the closing date will NOT be considered. MKI subscribes to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000, (Act No.5 of 2000). MKI reserves the right not to appoint.

BUSINESS TIMES â&#x20AC;&#x201D; April 5 2020

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 — BUSINESS TIMES

Pocahontas becomes Mrs Rolfe April 5 1614 – American Indian princess Pocahontas marries an English Jamestown colonist, tobacco planter John Rolfe, in Virginia. Born in 1586, her real name was Matoaka but she was also known as Amonute. However, she remains known by her nickname, Pocahontas – meaning “little wanton” (also interpreted as “playful one”). She was the daughter of Powhatan, the paramount chief of more than 30 Algonquian-speaking tribes in the Tsenacommacah, their homeland

Pocahontas board a ship to return to Virginia, but they sail only as far as Gravesend on the River Thames when she becomes gravely ill. She is taken ashore and dies soon after. Her funeral is held on March 21 1617 in the parish of St George’s Church, Gravesend, where a bronze statue of her, presented by a group from Virginia, has stood since 1958. Her story has inspired many art forms. The 1616 portrait engraving by Simon de Passe, right, was used in a 1907 commemorative postage stamp in the US.

where English settlers arrived in 1607 and established Jamestown, Virginia. Pocahontas was captured and held for ransom during hostilities in March 1613. While in captivity, she was encouraged to convert to Christianity and was baptised under the name Rebecca. The couple’s marriage brings a temporary peace between the settlers and Powhatan’s tribes. Their son, Thomas, is born on January 30 1615. In June 1616, they travel to England where she is entertained at various social gatherings. In March 1617, Rolfe and

Quick Crossword

Puzzles

Sunday Times

Cryptic Crossword ACROSS 1 French stick (8) 5 Long poem/story (4) 9 Command (5) 10 Large house (7) 11 Factor (7) 12 Loft (5) 13 Save (6) 15 Italian ice cream (6) 18 Sag (5) 20 Particulars (7) 22 Champagne and peach cocktail (7) 23 Extra (5) 24 Catch sight of (4) 25 Young hares (8)

DOWN 1 Capable of being decomposed (13) 2 Female deity (7) 3 Weird (5) 4 Salad fruit (6) 6 Crux (5) 7 Intuition, perception (13) 8 Dangerous (6) 14 Outstanding, owing (6) 16 Disturb (7) 17 Idolise (6) 19 Ship’s lowest deck (5) 21 Preference (5)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

BRAINTEST ANSWERS 1. Jazz 2. Jimi Hendrix 3. D) Angola 4. Kenya 5. Chicken (it’s a chicken’s feet and head) 6. C) Home 7. Whitney Houston 8. D) Mahershala Ali 9. A) “Boyz in the Hood” 10. B) Addis Ababa 11. Kenya 12. Malcolm Gladwell 13. D) Michelle Obama 14. B) Oskido 15. A) Astronomy (director of the Hayden planetarium and presenter of “Cosmos”) 16. Jesse Owens 17. C) “All in the Family” 18. Zulu (father of Goodwill Zwelithini) 19. M-Pesa 20. C) Sugar Ray Leonard

2-Speed Crossword CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS 1 Tradesman will complain and then go in (9) 6 Friend coming round for drink (3) 8 Bird biting head off dog (5) 9 Meet about close creative work (4, 3) 10 Worker embracing sick craftsman (8) 11 Save cracked container (4) 13 Worker’s drink (6) 14 Tim’s dizzy, encircled by baby bird (6) 17 Blocking part of the security device (4) 19 Lie dying, suffering and conceding defeat (8) 22 New rate drop withdrawn — it’s enough to make you weep (4, 3) 23 Black book in auction (5) 24 Animal you heard (3) 25 Message in New Testament (9) DOWN 1 Elite European crushed in squeeze (5) 2 Pull up in the back straight (7) 3 Look over ship’s make-up (8) 4 Sweet that’s mouldy, found in 60% of dentures (6) 5 Shrimp race on time (4) 6 Peruvian beast turns a shopping area over (5)

Bridge

Zia magic Opening lead — king of clubs. Today’s deal was reported by Roger Allen, a high school math teacher from Toronto. Allen had kibitzed Zia Mahmood at a match in the 1998 Vanderbilt Teams and felt it was his journalistic duty to make sure that what he saw reached “the light of day in the bridge press”. Zia is particularly noted for his ability to create a subterfuge that diverts an opponent from the winning line of play. Such was the case in this deal.

Codeword

7 Plain one admitted hospital case (7) 12 Blend fuel with Epsom salts, combining everything at the start (8) 13 Help for artist emanating from father’s correspondence, for the most part (7) 15 Protector going round the limb (7) 16 Fast that is unusual for a festival (6) 18 One lifts a bird (5) 20 Outstanding king’s to dine later (5) 21 Urges, say, on banks of Ganges (4) COFFEE TIME ACROSS 1 Chippy (9) 6 Circuit (3) 8 Large bird of prey (5) 9 Creation appreciated solely for its aesthetic qualities (4, 3) 10 Hatmaker (8) 11 Container for cut flowers (4) 13 Baggage handler (6) 14 Common-or-garden bird (6) 17 Canal feature (4) 19 Ceding (8) 22 Chemical employed in riot situations (4, 3) 23 Black, in heraldry (5) 24 Farm animal (3) 25 Announcement (9)

DOWN 1 1960s supergroup featuring Eric Clapton (5) 2 At a fixed frequency (7) 3 Cosmetic pencil (8) 4 Chewy caramel (6) 5 Smallest of a litter (4) 6 Alpaca-like animal (5) 7 Doctor’s client (7) 12 Form one mass (8) 13 Artist’s board (7) 15 Finger protector used when sewing (7) 16 Carnival (6) 18 Building-site hoist (5) 20 Fantastic! (5) 21 Chocolate Easter goodies (4)

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

Elimination Zia was East and remarkably remained silent during the auction, which ended with South in five diamonds. West led the club king, taken by declarer with the ace. South then led a heart to dummy’s ten and Zia’s ace. At this point most mortals would return their remaining club to partner’s ten, after which declarer would make the contract by eventually ruffing one of his good hearts in dummy in order to take the winning diamond finesse. But Zia foresaw this scenario and devised a plan to deflect declarer from the winning path. At trick three, instead of returning a club, he shifted to a low spade! The spade return convinced declarer that Zia had started with only one club, in which case the contract might be made without risking a diamond finesse. If Zia started with one club, there was an excellent chance he had four hearts, which in turn meant dummy’s remaining clubs could be discarded on high hearts. So, after ruffing the spade, South cashed the ace of diamonds and then played three more hearts, discarding dummy’s clubs. But Zia ruffed the fourth heart with the nine and cashed the king to set the contract. Declarer’s line of play would have succeeded had either opponent started with the singleton king of diamonds, the K-x of diamonds and three hearts, or the K-x-x of diamonds and four hearts. Whether he should have chosen this approach is open to question, but one thing is certain: If Zia hadn’t given him a little bit of rope by returning a spade at trick three, declarer would never have hanged himself. — Steve Becker

ACROSS 1 Mutual connection in gracious story (11) 9 Pose with ten performing old dance (3-4) 10 Advertisement featured by flier (6) 12 Drop shade with force (7) 13 Man bottling wine very early in the morning (7) 14 Approach career with it (3-2) 15 One pub joining another in welcoming a savage (9) 17 Area of expertise for bloke in East Midlands town (9) 20 Strong drink (5) 22 Enormous junk in attic (7) 24 One pulling a fast one, did you say? That’s very quick (7) 25 Boil half of eggs another way, please (6) 26 First language I rejected: Swahili finally embraced (7) 27 Engineer: worker needing time on platform (5-6)

est

HOW TO PLAY Each of the clues eliminates two words from the list of 37. Find the words that match the clues, cross them off the list and you’ll be left with one word. You can confirm the accuracy of your answer next week. (a) Air inside! (b) Two linked with house (c) Original treatment? (d) Two associated with pipe (e) Used by one in! (f) Two going with look (g) Charged wrongly! (h) Two make a hobby (i) Suggest gassy path (j) Two synonyms (k) Not orbiting land! (l) Two anagrams (m) A wild flower (n) Two suggesting short (o) Currently confining! (p) Two words with cream (q) Cold, utterly (r) Two with ink

1. Lie 2. Cut 3. Ice 4. Aid 5. Bat 6. Boat 7. Horn 8. Well 9. Pint 10. Zero 11. First 12. Sharp 13. Light 14. Dames 15. Music 16. Dirty 17. Trail 18. State 19. Fence

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

20. Trains 21. Vapour 22. Cuckoo 23. Public 24. Chamber 25. Cricket 26. Braille 27. Cleaner 28. Brigade 29. Potting 30. Liberal 31. Circuit 32. Electric 33. Absolute 34. Crackers 35. Satellite 36. Falsehood 37. Incisible

April 5 in History

The remaining word is “Diction”.

●

(a) 28-19 (b) 1-25 (c) 35-11 (d) 21-32 (e) 8-33 (f) 9-26 (g) 29-12 (h) 10-36 (i) 30-13 (j) 4-34 (k) 17-14 (l) 22-27 (m) 31-15 (n) 5-2 (o) 23-16 (p) 6-20 (q) 18-3 (r) 7-37

1242 — During the Battle on the Ice, Republic of Novgorod (mostly comprising modern-day Russia) troops, led by Prince Alexander Nevsky, repel an invasion attempt by the forces of the Livonian Order and the Bishopric of Dorpat, led by Bishop Hermann of Dorpat, on the frozen Lake Peipus. 1710 — The Statute of (Queen) Anne receives the royal assent, establishing the Copyright Law of the United Kingdom … the first in the world. 1827 — Joseph Lister, English surgeon and pioneer of using antiseptics during surgery, is born in London. 1900 — Archaeologist in Knossos, Crete, discover a large cache of clay tablets with hieroglyphic writings in a script they call Linear B. 1916 — Gregory Peck, actor (“To kill a Mockingbird”, “The Guns of Navarone”), is born in La Jolla, San Diego, California. 1917 — Robert Bloch, author (“Psycho”), is born in Chicago, US. 1920 — Arthur Hailey, novelist (“Hotel”, “Airport”), is born in Luton, England. 1938 — Colin Bland, South Rhodesian-South African cricketer who will go down in history as one of the greatest cover fielders, is born in Bulawayo. As a Rhodesian eligible to play Test cricket for SA, he makes his debut against New Zealand in Durban in December 1961. He accumulates 1,669 runs in 21 Tests at an average of 49.08. His Test career ends tragically at the Wanderers in Johannesburg against Australia on December 28 1966 when he crashes into a boundary fence while chasing the ball, badly damaging his left knee. 1958 — Johan Kriek, SA-US tennis player, is born in Pongola. He wins the Australian Open in 1981 as a South African and in 1982 as a US citizen. He is the founder, in 2005, of the Global Water Foundation, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to delivering clean water to the world’s neediest communities. 1976 — Reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes dies in Houston, Texas, at age 70. The business magnate, investor, record-setting aviator, engineer, film producer/director and philanthropist was one of the most financially successful individuals in the world. 1976 — Henrik Stenson, Swedish golfer (winner of The Open Championship at Royal Troon in 2016), is born in Gothenburg. 1988 — Quade Cooper, Australian rugby player (2008-2017: 70 Tests at flyhalf, 174 points), is born in Tokoroa, New Zealand. 2001 — Wang Zhizhi, 2.13m (7 feet) tall, makes his NBA debut for the Dallas Mavericks at age 23, becoming the first Chinese to play in the NBA.

Codeword has only one clue — the three letters that are printed in it. Where the same numbers appear on the grid, fill in the known letters, then work out the remainder. Dotted lines indicate hyphens or linked words. Find the words that appear in the blue, yellow and pink blocks. 1

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

1R, 2U, 3C, 4D, 5E, 6T, 7S, 8O, 9I, 10G, 11A, 12N, 13B, 14L, 15K, 16P, 17Y, 18M, 19H, 20V. Blue: PRESSURES Yellow: SINGLES Pink: APARTMENT

DOWN 2 Empire that’s been stuffed (7) 3 Pure nonsense, board trustworthy (9) 4 Greatly enjoy leading Formula One race, say? (3, 2) 5 Chunky rolls with cheese that’s fine and crisp (7) 6 Asian craft-making capital in central Wyoming (7) 7 Change medium, it getting hard for metalworker (11) 8 Hand back on pivot (6) 11 Suntan I worked on, agony briefly (2, 1, 8) 16 Drop journalist into protest (9) 18 A lot, by inference? I don’t think so (3, 1, 3) 19 Foil work, perhaps, putting up barriers (7) 20 Recognise monarch hunting (7) 21 Old hat in good shape for suit, say (6) 23 Best put paper under contract at first (5)

BRAINtest

1. What “J” is a music genre, originating in the US in the late 19th century, that has its origins in West African music, and American blues and ragtime? 2. He was a rock guitarist who had hits such as “Hey Joe” and “Purple Haze”. He died in 1970 at 27. Who was he? 3. Luanda is the capital of which African country? A) Rwanda, B) Mozambique, C) Zambia, D) Angola 4. The Kikuyu people are native to which African country? 5. In Southern Africa, the meat of which animal comprises the dish “walkie talkies”? 6. What is the meaning of the word “ikhaya” in Zulu or Xhosa? A) Wine, B) Gun, C) Home, D) Laughter 7. Which singer had number one hits with “I Will Always Love You”, “How will I Know” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)”? 8. Who won an Oscar in 2019 for best supporting actor in the film

Samurai Sudoku

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

by Trivia Tom

“Green Book”? A) Don Cheadle, B) Cuba Gooding jnr, C) Jamie Foxx, D) Mahershala Ali 9. For which film was director John Singleton nominated for an Oscar in 1991 at the age of 24? A) “Boyz in the Hood”, B) “Malcolm X”, C) “The Color Purple”, D) “Poetic Justice” 10. In which city was the Organisation of African Unity founded in 1963? A) Accra, B) Addis Ababa, C) Lusaka, D) Kampala 11. Daniel Arap Moi was premier of which African country? 12. Name the author of the social science bestsellers “Outliers”, “The Tipping Point” and the 2019 book “Talking to Strangers”. 13. “Becoming” is the bestselling autobiography of which US celebrity? A) Oprah Winfrey, B) Ru Paul, C) Beyoncé, D) Michelle Obama 14. The musician Oscar Bonginkosi Mdlongwa is better known by what stage name? A) Black Coffee, B) Oskido, C) DJ Maphoriso,

D) DJ S’bu 15. With which field of science would you associate Neil deGrasse Tyson? A) Astronomy, B) Chemistry, C) Climate science, D) Mathematics 16. Name the athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympics which Adolph Hitler refused to present to him. 17. The TV show “The Jeffersons” was a spin-off of which popular TV series? A) “Facts of Life”, B) “Three’s Company”, C) “All in the Family”, D) “Cheers” 18. Cyprian kaSolomon was the king of which group of African people? 19. What “M” is a mobile money transfer system conceived by Bernard Gesora Satia and launched in Kenya by Safaricom in 2007? 20. Which US boxer won 12 world title fights in five different weight classes? A) Sonny Liston, B) Floyd Mayweather, C) Sugar Ray Leonard, D) Muhammad Ali Answers on this page

Solution on Page 8

BUSINESS TIMES — April 5 2020

Markets LEGEND:

JSE INDICES

PE: Price earnings EY: Earnings yield; DY: Dividend yield; TD: 12 month dividend; CP: Closing Price in cents; Hi: 12 month high; Lo: 12 month low; Ch: Change on week V: Week’s volume in thousands

DIVIDEND YIELD (DY): The annual rolling dividend payments (excluding special dividends) divided by the closing price. 12 MONTH DIVIDEND (TD): The sum of all the dividends paid over the preceeding year, excluding special dividends. PE

EY DY

OIL & GAS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY -18.1

-5.5

RENERGEN

1139

1798

740

+85

OIL & GAS PRODUCERS -0.3 -318.9 44.0 1.2

2.3 80.6

1.1

43.5

EFORA ERIN MONTAUK OANDO

10 3000 4100 12

37 3000 6100 30

7 -2 3000 0 2010 +600 1 0

1724 0 98 58

EY DY

3.8 26.3 15.6 14.7 6.8 1.7 -1.1 -88.8 -1.5 -66.9 4.9 20.3 9.0 16.0 6.3 2.8 10.7 9.3 4.4 16.0 6.3 2.6 -0.9 -110.0 4.7 21.3 15.8 2.2 45.4 6.7 2.7 36.9 1.3

96.1 32.0

BASIC MATERIALS

30.5 3.1 6.4

15.8 12.0

7.9 4.7

3.3 3.3 32.7 14.4 15.7

570.0 80.0 590.0 75.0 590.0

AECI AFROX BEE-SASOL OMNIA SASOL SPANJAARD

600.0 55.5 11.0 16.0 30.0 4.0 1.5

9.6 4.7 1369.7 24.3 11.7 245.3 52.1

7259 11199 1700 2418 4490 28500 2226 6393 3970 48950 93 210

MONDIPLC SAPPI YORK

28429 1982 100

6401 1420 4490 1250 2077 93

+146 1366 -25 349 0 0 -74 931 +820 29648 0 0

ALPHAMIN ARCMITTAL HULAMIN INSIMBI KUMBA

220 88 94 72 30153

33528 23015 -1021 3660 7175 1720 -306 10344 231 93 +1 27

345 220 0 370 26 +35 472 90 -8 120 65 -4 52903 20525 +1778

0 2304 4615 151 1612

MINING 10.6 26.3 7.2 3.7 5.6 4.3 11.1 2.0 -4.3 16.5 -3.7 3.6

9.5 3.7 2760.0 3.8 0.5 165.0 13.9 5.5 1564.5 26.7 13.9 1400.0 17.7 6.9 2100.0 23.5 9.0 7.7 2203.2 50.7 -23.1 6.1 4.1 45.0 -27.1 27.8 13.4 1430.0

-4.4 -22.9 35.0 2.9 12.5 8.0 8.7 11.5 -0.2 -491.8 14.2 7.1 6.3 15.9 -1.3 -78.4 -3.2 -31.6 -1.2 -83.3

1.6 5.4

1.6

-16.1 19.8 -3.6 8.1 -4.2

-6.2 13.8 5.0 -27.6 12.3 1.0 -23.7

50.6 -9.8

2.0 -10.2

-57.4 -1.7 22.2 4.5 15.7 6.4 -1.1 -93.5 -8.3 -12.0 -6.6 -15.2 17.5 5.7

2.7 1.0

160.0 152.3

125.0 125.0

4.0

2.2

58.8 10.8

AMPLATS ANGGOLD ANGLO ARM ASSORE BAUBA BHP BUFFALO CHROMETCO DRDGOLD EASTPLATS EXXARO FIRESTONE FIRESTONE OPT GEMFIELDS GFIELDS GLENCORE HARMONY HWANGE IMPL CB22 IMPLATS JUBILEE KIBO KORE MC MINING MEDIAMOND MERAFE NORTHAM ORIONMIN PAN-AF RANGOLD RBP CONV RBPLAT RESGEN ROCKWELL SIBANYE-S SOUTH32 THARISA UNICORN UNION WESCOAL WESIZWE

74958 142379 1900 +3074 2466 34587 41496 16001 +774 12429 28557 42665 20413 -793 9564 10048 19327 8206 -120 3491 30457 40492 15517 +451 392 31 66 11 +8 2 28506 36900 19505 +1506 11002 75 85 75 0 0 10 15 2 0 21 1094 1263 239 -31 7547 160 850 58 0 0 10670 18345 7507 +868 8405 6 6 6 0 0 4 4 4 0 0 165 220 113 -2 1078 10122 12346 5083 +134 24372 2811 6265 2254 +136 10783 3985 6989 2225 -264 21650 51 51 51 0 0 1479600 3466000 1478000 0 0 7786 17750 4476 +227 28551 53 95 37 +2 2095 9 60 7 +1 157 16 68 14 0 85 195 1300 61 +47 57 11 11 11 0 0 29 144 24 -2 17231 6924 14996 4988 +184 8804 16 38 14 +1 421 229 275 150 +25 8658 141 290 115 -14 4 1100000 1460000 1050000 0 0 2499 6500 1450 +180 1805 65 137 62 0 5 40 40 40 0 0 2314 5155 1106 -89 69616 2054 3915 1637 +33 3495 1128 2175 905 -2 0 7 23 4 -6 125 4 4 4 0 0 119 170 99 -1 431 45 60 31 0 175

INDUSTRIALS

4.3

23.4

8.4

120.0

5.0 -11.8

4.0

98.0

20.0 -8.5

5.7 17.4 -1.4 -69.0 33.0 3.0 22.7 4.4 10.5 9.5 -3884.9 7.2 13.9 6.9 14.4

8.9

6.5

2.4

44.0

7.4 2.3

19.1 190.0

ACCENT AFRIMAT AVENG BASREAD BRIKOR CALGRO ESOR GROUP 5 KAYDAV MAZOR PPC RAUBEX SEPHAKU STEFSTOCK TRELLIDOR WBHO WEARNE

31 2450 2 4 9 300 3 89 73 10 149 1899 44 18 215 8401 3

22.2

8.2 0.2

-0.2 -478.8 -0.9 -112.9 7.1 14.1 12.6 -5.4 -18.6

25.0 0.2

513.0

ARB CAFCA CIL ELLIES REUNERT S.OCEAN

305 100 66 8 3882 22

56 3650 3 4 9 800 3 89 100 99 564 2550 200 220 462 14904 3

3 2101 1 4 9 80 3 89 46 10 74 1215 44 5 215 6350 3

0 7 +16 421 0 30067 0 0 0 0 0 23 0 0 0 0 +1 0 0 0 -16 41807 +144 1348 -11 881 -1 512 -65 0 +595 534 0 0

495 170 275 14 8199 93

290 100 16 4 3851 20

+15 0 -5 0 -341 -16

4 0 5778 1275 2646 178

GENERAL INDUSTRIALS 4.2 6.6 11.0 7.2 7.0 3.3 4.9 4.2 2.6 6.5

23.9 15.1 8.1 9.1 4.2 13.8 6.0 14.3 30.5 15.8 20.5 10.0 23.8 7.7 38.6 15.4 6.5

462.0 600.0 42.0 23.0 55.0 60.0 83.0

ARGENT BARWORLD BIDVEST BOWCALF ENXGROUP KAP M&R-HLD MPACT NAMPAK TRNPACO

435 5734 14169 700 700 150 630 780 170 1251

620 401 13969 5662 22617 12639 800 624 1300 621 750 115 1626 454 2623 111 1173 85 2080 1200

-40 -516 +469 +19 -230 -14 +120 -20 +70 -24

89 8952 6450 520 1001 11845 1328 1150 6481 0

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 2.1 2.8 4.4 -3.2 -21.5

48.6 36.3 22.5 -31.7 -4.7

7.0 7.1 3.9

45.0 50.0 26.0

BELL INVICTA MASTDRILL MINERESI PSV

640 700 660 3 23

22.2 12.4

4.5 8.1

3.6 2973.4 5.5 423.0

13.7 7.3 5.9 4.4 22.6 11.6 8.6 4.6 109.9 0.9 10.4 9.6 4.0 10.9 9.1 7.2 5.7 17.5 23.2 3.6 27.5 9.9 27.2 3.7 2.5 18.5 5.4 3.1 9.4 10.6 3.2 14.5 6.9 3.9 -0.3 -341.4

19.2 276.0 5.0 7.5

185.0 43.0

GRINDROD GRINSHIP IMPERIAL LABAT ONELOGIX SANTOVA SUPRGRP TEXTAINER TRENCOR VALUE

302 4749 2477 40 309 157 1285 14450 900 431

SUPPORT SERVICES

EY DY

267 -35 1400 -170 8 -1 200 +10 6200 -210 1610 -74 120 -1 410 +58 3860 -1252 111 -33 50 0 80 0

3425 42 599 52 396 3 2691 339 1 4589 0 1

4.2 18.2 25.6 7.3 3.3 5.7

24.0 15.4 1125.0 5.5 2.1 1875.0 3.9 0.7 1.6 13.6 8.0 298.0 30.4 16.5 1415.0 17.4 9.8 994.0

METAIR

1498

2575

1192

+98

4763

AB INBEV DISTELL

82461 151318 57267 +6261 7735 14490 6000 +212

957 605

410.0 900.0 25.0 427.0 22.0 33.0 25.0 48.2 45.0 755.0

1100 2850 1250 3 30

795 11462 6766 69 385 290 3742 16549 3324 700

A-V-I AH-VEST ASTRAL CROOKES LIBSTAR OCEANA PFB QUANTUM RCL RFG SEAHARVST TIGBRANDS TONGAAT

6909 28 19439 4299 600 5890 80 330 989 1580 1300 18787 209

9674 5939 -14 35 9 +1 22252 14500 +1133 5500 3376 -51 998 560 -44 8699 4148 +440 300 80 -28 414 300 +4 1539 810 +39 1800 606 +180 1500 1000 +120 27723 14381 +907 2400 200 -10

11673 38 851 3 3150 804 118 222 154 407 126 4144 3435

HOUSEHOLD GOODS & HOME CONSTRUCTION -0.3 -325.1

STEINHOFF N.V.

214

7238

5000

2250

-10

6 12545

1 7919

0 111 -50 17608

250 525 500 3 10

+70 -20 +149 0 0

10 86 1486 0 3

281 +2 3201 -1025 2299 -97 16 +1 188 +9 100 +37 1130 -5 9995 +624 700 +74 411 +11

7777 45 4644 401 9206 29 4180 442 4380 393

3.6

28.1 10.7

288.4

NUWORLD

2690

PERSONAL GOODS -15.4 27.3

-6.5 3.7

3.1

295.9

IMBALIE RICHEMONT

2 9610

TOBACCO 13.7

7.3

5.6 3790.6

BATS

67855

68756

49111 +9579

6722

HEALTH CARE HEALTH CARE EQUIPMENT & SERVICES -2.6 6.8 22.1 9.9 9.7

-37.8 14.7 10.3 4.5 4.7 10.1 2.5 10.3 6.9

34.0 93.0 147.1 111.0

ADVANCED AFRO-C LIFEHC MEDICLINIC NETCARE

32 330 1988 5794 1573

90 540 2889 8043 2480

14 233 1620 5157 1154

-4 408 +40 299 +218 27640 +132 6753 +173 26545

9.3 28.6

10.8 3.5

-12.9 7.3 -22.5 26.3 4.7

-7.7 13.8 -4.5 3.8 21.4

-51.1 90.0 -8.1

-2.0 1.1 -12.4

6.0 8.1

45.0 45.0 39.8

1.8

75.0 75.0

3.1

5.5

4.4

200.0

ADCOCK ASCENDIS ASPEN GO LIFE NUTRITION

4523 50 9787 25 1

6884 580 12525 45 2

3700 29 6407 25 1

0.6 -0.3 10.3 9.6 7.6 -0.2 9.0 53.4 -0.2 14.9 11.7 11.8 2.5 5.4 5.1 13.3 7.6 8.0 5.9

172.0 32.1 -307.5 9.7 7.8 10.4 4.4 13.2 -603.2 11.1 11.1 1.9 1.9 -421.3 6.7 1.5 8.6 8.5 39.9 9.2 18.5 9.6 19.5 10.3 7.5 6.3 13.2 3.2 12.4 17.0

9.5 9.6 -6.9 12.6 14.6 -36.8 59.2 33.7 8.7 7.4 9.8 4.2 9.2 10.7 1.7 10.3 4.0 25.7

10.5 5.8 10.4 10.8 -14.6 110.5 7.9 3.5 6.9 3.0 -2.7 1.7 4.1 3.0 1.1 11.5 4.5 13.5 4.0 10.2 4.9 23.6 4.7 10.9 7.5 9.3 4.8 59.8 9.7 24.9 3.7 3.9 2.5

+154 +1 +787 0 0

1364 8806 10188 2 3704

3.0

660.0

38.5 38.9 24.6 17.8 15.9

2.6 2.6 4.1 5.6 6.3

1.7 1.1 3.9 2.6 4.5

445.0 26.3 234.8 319.0 800.0

BIDCORP CHOPPIES CLICKS DIS-CHEM PICKNPAY SHOPRIT SPAR

21889 64 26300 2488 5938 12491 18125

35799 64 27467 2930 7412 18452 21622

8.0 93.2

12.5 1.1

2.2

7.6 13.2 6.6 4.0 24.8 15.2 12.1 8.3 1.4 6.4 15.6 5.9 10.3 9.8 4.0 5.8 17.1 5.3 4.3 23.0 14.0 -7.9 -12.6 5.1 2.6 38.1 9.1 10.1 9.9 6.5 6.8 14.7 4.2 10.3 9.7 2.1 -1.4 -70.6 21.8 4.6 14.6 5.7 4.6 9.4 8.9

6.9 17.7 11.5 21.6 14.7 10.6 3.8 11.3 6.9

15.0

855.0 176.0 10.2 166.0 42.0 123.5 249.0 140.0 250.0 736.2 3.8 20.9

785.0 384.0 56.6 187.5

ADVTECH AF & OVR AF&OVR 6%PP AFOVR-N CASHBIL CMH CURRO HOMCHOICE ITLTILE KAAP AGRI LEWIS MASSMART MOTUS MRPRICE NICTUS PEPKORH PL GROUP REX TRUE REX TRUE -NSTADIO TFG TRUWTHS VIVO WOOLIES

17103 +1389 10430 64 0 0 17162 +1196 7450 1982 -87 5792 4515 -217 8134 9501 +423 8713 14225 +315 4245

11.9

8.4

52.6

1.9

5.6

150.0 60.0 60.0 18.0 18.0

AME BLACKSTAR CAXTON CAXTON6%CPP E MEDIA E MEDIA-N MC GROUP

8.7 10.5 5.3 9.1 4.6 14.7

11.5 13.1 9.5 2.7 18.9 11.0 11.0 4.3 21.9 11.2 6.8 6.3

17.0 30.0 16.0

341.0 3.0 7.4

265.0 317.8 328.7 690.0 21.8

11.5 165.0 42.0 468.0 21.0 103.0 323.8 564.0 198.0 110.0 98.7 60.0 61.0

7.4 11.0

290.0 18.0 190.0 42.0 62.0 151.0

82.0

CITYLDG COMAIR FAMBRANDS HPLR PHUMELELA SPURCORP SUNINT TASTE THL TSOGO SUN

1485 2721 1000 3000 29533 2400 2850 4000 1550 4000 3897 9633 9498 22454 100 2009 29 2300 2150 364 19769 7910 2700 6151

592 2650 1000 2250 7000 1000 469 2701 910 1400 1520 2440 2300 9820 41 975 3 1800 1295 75 5600 2229 1100 2401

+3 1944 0 0 0 0 0 0 +349 211 -220 86 +82 3200 -599 0 -50 2939 +136 30 +2 448 +15 1366 -153 5572 +228 6296 0 0 -56 14857 +1 485 0 0 0 0 +20 2922 -32 10850 +20 15649 +50 65 -25 27226

2000 319 600 10200 320 320 8700

3800 450 850 19000 450 600 13849

2000 279 590 10101 234 210 7228

0 -5 -24 0 0 0 +236

0 2916 1272 0 0 0 8679

12598 495 9696 535 825 2880 6000 15 500 2428

1330 90 1950 289 110 1500 1407 1 102 206

-22 +51 +174 -5 -1 +15 -201 0 -7 -2

1214 1443 2093 140 61 598 3903 3708 727 5850

0 -49

11 11194

2105 149 2475 305 129 1615 1600 2 132 290

TELECOMMUNICATIONS FIXED LINE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 13.7 3.6

7.3 8.7 27.5 17.1

6.0 320.9

TELEMASTR TELKOM

69 1810

88 10004

16 1329

MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS -0.7 -145.7 8.0 12.6 4.2 10.5 9.6 11.2 12.4 8.1 6.7

18.8 550.0 780.0

BLUETEL HUGE MTN GROUP VODACOM

175 450 4725 11975

FINANCIALS BANKS

522 700 11445 13729

131.0 215.0 712.0 70.0 120.0 334.0

-171.4 -0.6 -0.6 -161.76837.0 1435.8 -10.0 -10.0 4.6 21.6 -0.6 -157.7 11.8 189.0

AND ARDENCAP BRIMST-N BRIMSTON GAIA NIVEUS RHBOPHELO SABVEST SABVEST-N STELLAR TREMATON ZARCLEAR

284 730 610 750 489 200 984 4280 2900 68 181 359

998 800 990 1097 650 1095 1100 5900 3900 85 310 440

1 226 341 625 365 180 899 3200 2600 55 180 311

+43 1 0 0 -15 12 -9 0 -6 3 0 0 -1 30 -5 0 +150 87 -2 28889 -44 57 -2 1552

AEEI AFDAWN AFORBES ANCHOR ARCINVEST BRAIT CORONAT DENEB ECSPONENT EFFICIENT ETHOSCAP GRANPRADE HCI INVLTD INVPLC JSE LONFIN LONG4LIFE METTLE NINETY 1L NINETY 1P NVEST PERGRIN PHOENIX PSG PSG KST PURPLE QUILTER REINET REMGRO RMBH RMIH SASFIN SYGNIA TRANSCAP TRUSTCO UPARTNERS VUNANI ZEDER

EY DY

CLIENTELE DISCOVERY LIB-HOLD MOMMET OMUTUAL SANLAM

1694 15585 12532 2278 2403 8474

4SIGHT ASTORIA HULISANI MTNZFUTHI YEBOYETHU

24 21 450 1000 1600

48 1410 1550 2200 2112

-0.4 -268.8 12.6 8.0

4.3

1110.0

CONDUIT SANTAM

50 26410

8.7 7.1 2.5 6.0

11.6 4.2 14.1 14.9 39.6 10.6 16.7 30.1

0.1 1104.6 11.6 8.6 13.8 14.8 6.7 3.8 -16.1 -6.2 3.9 5.5 18.3 15.7 9.3 10.7 12.3 5.0 20.0 3.6 6.3 15.8 24.7 4.0 4.0 4.2 23.7 5.7

152 390 2625 9070

-1 13321 0 0 +665 80392 +562 11611

25.0 171.4 26.2 202.3

186.2 138.3 24.6 159.1 953.2 15.3 57.9 55.0

ACSION ATLEAF BALWIN EPP FREEDOM FRONTIER GRITREAL GTCSA LIGHTCAP MAS NEPIROCK PUTPROP RAVEN SIRIUS TRADEH VISUAL

600 1150 247 671 7 13 1350 3600 678 955 7373 420 950 1401 969 4

911 5450 5541 1326 924 3850

12 21 263 82 1500

782 0 0 33 11

150 39 0 34499 22130 +1010

4 298

3.4 29.0 10.1 9.9 4.0 5.7 17.5 20.6 7.6 13.2 7.5 12.6 8.0 13.5 75.6 1.3 -0.2 -495.2 8.5 11.8 2.5 39.6 41.7 -1.0 -95.6 35.8 2.8 0.2 6.6 15.1 5.7 42.7 2.3 -1.2 -81.9 -5.2 -19.3

73.0 51.0 4.3 10.0

19.2 480.5 12.0

3.6 2.1 4.7

28.0 48.6 21.4

6.0 4.4

30.0 30.0

54.9 99.6 25.3 18.3 -14.8 13.1

-84.7 -1.2 0.9 3.8 26.4 20.1 14.4 6.9 7.2 0.6 174.9 100.6 6.6 15.1 16.3 4.3 10.9 9.1 5.0 7.2

23.2 25.0 9.2 8.7 11.0 9.4 19.9 21.5 13.9 15.5

7.5 2.4 14.4 4.6 2.5 17.4 8.3 16.3 3.8 7.8 17.7 15.4 4.7 9.8 -1.2

13.4 41.7 6.9 21.5 39.6 5.7 12.0 6.1 26.0 12.8 5.7 6.5 21.5 10.3 -81.6

21.9 13.4 7.4 5.2 26.8 12.9 164.4

6.4 5.4 3.3 9.2 12.4 6.5 20.0 19.6 2.5 2.6 13.7 4.6

15.6 18.5 30.2 10.8 8.1 15.4 5.0 5.1 40.5 39.0 7.3 22.0

38.3 16.6 33.1 11.7 7.6 15.4 5.8 9.2 25.3 40.2 9.3 28.9

19.9 16.1 7.1 23.2 21.2 7.1 25.2

39.8 86.0 111.5 111.5 32.1 407.2 36.1 28.2 110.2 110.2 152.6 144.7 86.5 22.3 152.9 152.9 218.3 207.7 82.1 99.6 359.3 83.9 78.3 144.4 60.4 42.7 109.7 200.9 190.1 29.6 29.6 97.3 535.4 38.0 48.0 120.0 89.3 122.9 110.3 35.2 72.4 65.1 184.2

ACCPROP ATTACQ AWAPROPA AWAPROPB CAPCO CAPREG CASTLEVIEW DELPROP DIPULA A DIPULA B EMIRA EQUITES EXEMPLAR FAIRVEST FORTRESSA FORTRESSB GROWPNT HAMMERSON HERIOT HOSP-B HYPROP IAPF INDLU INTUPLC INVPROP LIBERTY2D NEWPARK OASIS OCTODEC RDI REBOSIS REBOSISA REDEFINE RESILIENT SA CORP SAFARI SERE SPEARREIT STENPROP STOR-AGE TEX TOWER TRANSCEND VUKILE

40 471 850 162 3436 2023 500 28 675 125 611 1655 920 104 985 158 1097 1287 1150 430 1693 1186 310 90 658 450 575 2125 737 1435 18 40 216 3060 110 350 1571 578 2293 1190 139 169 700 580

398 1465 1060 595 5225 9900 500 282 1120 760 1498 2417 1000 220 2200 1260 2522 6464 1150 1100 7519 1639 699 1989 1650 774 600 2175 2100 3010 175 2049 1021 6999 365 545 2311 1040 2700 1598 469 620 700 2153

ADAPTIT ALTRON AYO CAPPREC COGNITION DATATEC EOH ETION ISA JASCO NASPERS-N PBT GROUP PROSUS SEBATA SILVERB TCS

168 694 121 -5 1831 2875 1390 +6 248 1500 92 0 57 83 51 +1 74 116 47 0 2540 3797 1755 -40 273 2660 213 -52 8 35 5 -1 46 209 31 0 18 49 8 0 254043 273592 184380 +3155 209 250 135 -1 122274 125000 86782 -301 129 700 125 -1 75 120 31 0 1 1 1 0

402 10190 11 6139 1 1604 5183 1780 57 3 4813 2 4098 84 1 0

600 975 128 434 7 2 900 2000 501 562 5204 350 780 912 765 2

0 -19 +12 +151 0 +5 +50 0 +48 +41 +198 +10 0 +122 -6 0

0 412 349 5337 0 1308 5 0 1307 3843 6052 0 0 12198 20 0

33 423 850 149 1801 1393 500 23 601 121 544 1294 850 102 800 156 950 1286 1000 205 1677 947 262 65 601 360 400 2050 510 955 17 22 139 3020 105 299 1252 475 1357 1004 120 161 580 580

+5 +40 0 -8 +3 -15 0 -1 -58 -18 +5 +55 0 +1 -3 -5 -67 -182 0 +120 -111 -16 -10 -5 +11 +30 0 0 -43 -60 0 -34 -24 -123 -8 +20 +154 -1 +362 +90 -2 -6 0 -86

12723 6567 39 3421 5247 40 0 2935 129 48 6074 5547 0 984 22832 19884 94254 5178 0 557 7131 2753 26 9367 6733 1211 0 0 664 899 1326 6 162832 9977 67961 28 134 211 255 2623 168 540 0 12065

ALARIS ALVIVA MUSTEK

172 504 649

289 1773 934

150 334 541

-17 +4 -61

220 272 163

1NVESTGGOVB 10943 10967 7400 +433 1NVESTGLD 29800 30080 17528 +1145 1NVESTGREIT 1650 2280 1400 -35 1NVESTMSCIWRLD 4558 4944 3778 +90 1NVESTPLD 39200 43021 12022 -977 1NVESTPLT 13335 14928 10000 +597 1NVESTRHO 135000 229598 35280 -32030 1NVESTSAGOVB 6475 7530 6040 +107 1NVESTSAPROP 2200 5119 2033 +23 1NVESTSP500 23460 25582 18101 +246 1NVESTSP5IT 920 984 637 +4 1NVESTSWX40 855 1164 722 +25 1NVESTTOP40 4128 5353 3030 +99 AMIBIG50 1135 1501 1102 +15 AMIREIT 2888 6900 2873 -144 ASHGLOBND 963 1000 678 +25 ASHGLOEQT 4936 5698 4086 +93 ASHINFBND 1933 2083 1652 +251 ASHMIDCAP 480 808 405 -31 ASHTOP40 4151 5576 3400 +113 COREGPROP 3733 4300 3001 +26 CORESP500 4750 5182 3943 +84 CSPROP 714 1507 642 +16 CTOP50 1799 2421 1472 +54 DCCUS2 207000 207000 138380 +23130 DCCUSD 205580 206170 134125 +8795 DIVTRX 1862 2790 1692 +63 FRB 3137600 3137600 1839000 +138100 GLODIV 1279 1450 1087 +17 MAPPS_GRO 1832 2294 1591 +73 MAPPS_PRO 3397 3910 3062 +211 NEWFEQMOM 2859 3812 2395 +94 NEWFNGOVI 6099 7400 5333 +96 NEWFNILBI 6575 7060 5473 +826 NEWFTRACI 2680 2705 2460 +7 NEWGOLD 28694 28731 16750 +1269 NEWPALL 40000 42564 17965 +435 NEWPLAT 13015 14772 9817 +304 NFDEFEQ 934 997 895 0 NFEVAL 602 1038 516 +25 NFEVOL 757 1103 644 +35 NFGROWTH 791 1149 791 -20 NFMODEQ 851 1017 843 +3 NFNAMB 1302 1428 1206 +50 PREFTRAX 685 1010 626 +37 S&PGIVISA 3115 4406 403 +178 SATRIX40 4140 5375 3358 +97 SATRIX500 4699 5197 3800 +43 SATRIXDIV 167 267 142 +8 SATRIXEMG 4240 4599 3500 +213 SATRIXFINI 930 1811 761 +47 SATRIXILB 559 601 479 +70 SATRIXINDI 6258 7299 5133 +156 SATRIXMMT 806 1126 680 +30 SATRIXNDQ 8063 8398 5630 +143 SATRIXPRO 690 1688 607 -10 SATRIXQUA 634 930 539 +28 SATRIXRAF 1064 1554 890 +49 SATRIXRES 3840 5189 2800 +88 SATRIXSWX 865 1180 714 +34 SATRIXWDM 4556 4998 3518 +72 SHARIAH40 249 350 130 +7 SMART 3256 4625 2700 +133 SYG4IRGE 2751 3200 2200 +31 SYGEUR050 5393 6342 4300 -28 SYGFTSE100 12738 15000 10144 +211 SYGMSCIJP 1390 1436 1129 -45 SYGMSCIUS 4397 4843 3650 +40 SYGMSCIWD 3384 3689 2755 +55 SYGPROP40 3831 4401 3245 -17 SYGSP500 4771 5194 3978 +82 SYGSWIX40 864 1177 715 +30 SYGTOP40 4166 5402 3400 +102

35 46 27 13 73 177 23 15 12 8 1845 106 69 1 0 115 110 1198 836 840 103 250 164 70 1 2 37 0 259 7 3 19 1371 2 98 6010 43 5471 1 42 2 12 33 219 676 17 2191 326 1407 105 677 143 49 123 299 281 33 103 93 133 521 33 6 253 208 14 454 339 3175 17 271 108 32

ADDITIONAL EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

11.2

0.1

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS 1.8 4.0 -6.8

SOFTWARE & COMPUTER SERVICES

-85 195 +583 9661 -171 1980 +57 18343 -63 111096 +424 32400

+2 0 0 +190 0

725 1860 396 2100 7 700 1950 3601 950 2381 13971 550 950 1836 1300 5

TECHNOLOGY HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT

53 290 22 +3 300 8 95 3 -8 48 385 647 280 -20 4618 360 445 317 0 162 311 600 192 -4 1593 311 2400 274 -40 19698 3072 5648 2436 +172 6785 155 250 101 0 1 3 29 2 0 849 490 525 350 +10 9 409 835 316 +19 847 262 380 212 0 12083 2876 12000 1999 +593 700 3308 6679 2575 +45 10574 3199 6725 2518 +15 9418 11050 14948 8500 +1101 1115 680 700 162 0 0 299 505 222 0 2039 100 207 68 -85 711 3504 5000 2010 +197 1862 3872 6000 2028 +179 1782 200 219 51 0 0 1595 2076 1435 +125 2186 38 84 30 0 1228 13556 27687 7900 +1383 2322 698 1079 431 +23 1147 34 43 23 -1 786 2508 3368 1999 +8 18228 29804 34800 22301 +2304 2878 12603 20215 10155 +810 9579 4799 8787 3957 +137 16249 2233 3609 1733 +154 8783 1980 3500 1900 -295 7 800 1100 710 +50 26 1250 2679 896 +42 9112 250 1050 179 +25 8 1940 1950 1150 0 0 200 280 103 +1 13 430 513 337 -10 4142

1000 7895 6190 1595 1034 5306

TECHNOLOGY

NONLIFE INSURANCE

TRAVEL & LEISURE 6.8 14.7 13.8 3.1 32.8 12.1 8.5 11.7 7.7 3.2 31.5 13.8 -1.4 -72.7 45.9 7.7 13.0 9.5 2.6 38.2 -0.1 -1155.0 12.5 8.0 2.0 49.6 27.7

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT & SERVICES

688 2720 1000 2800 12899 1160 737 2800 1050 2326 1800 2717 2727 11207 90 1004 5 1800 1794 140 6550 2510 1550 2683

MEDIA 3.7 26.8 7.5 -2.5 -40.7 6.3 15.9 10.0

NONEQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS

FOOD & DRUG RETAILERS 6.7

LIFE INSURANCE

CONSUMER SERVICES

14.9

7305 18272 6330 +975 44449 91096 149756 53986 +8278 2379 230 460 199 -15 64 3733 7179 3113 -16 88983 8261 28081 6730 +941 20616 10000 21022 8464 +401 25690

FINANCIAL SERVICES

PHARMACEUTICALS & BIOTECHNOLOGY 10.7 9.4 -0.8 -127.4 8.4 11.9 26.3 3.8 -100.0 -1.0

CP ABSA CAPITEC FINBOND FIRSTRAND NEDBANK STANBANK

EQUITY INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS

LEISURE GOODS

INDUSTRIAL TRANSPORTATION 3.9 25.6 6.4 -3.0 -33.8 4.0 24.7 11.1 -5.3 -18.9 9.2 10.9 1.9 3.4 29.5 6.3 3.9 25.7 9.3 10.7 -64.6 -1.5 20.4 5.2 19.3 10.0

GENERAL RETAILERS

ELECTRONIC & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 4.5

2500 2940 75 1000 13927 2396 314 1050 15000 495 199 180

BEVERAGES

CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS -1.8 -56.3 7.6 13.2 -0.4 -265.0

615 1930 10 250 6690 1950 249 647 4623 153 60 115

FOOD PRODUCERS

INDUSTRIAL METALS & MINING -7.6 -13.1 -0.3 -339.8 2.1 46.8 19.1 18.0 5.0 20.1 5.6 4.0 5.9 17.0 15.7 4678.0

AUTOMOBILES & PARTS

FORESTRY & PAPER 10.4 4.1 1.9

ADCORP CARTRACK CSG ELBGROUP HUDACO MARSHALL METROFILE MIXTEL NET1UEPS NOVUS PRIMESERV WORKFORCE

CONSUMER GOODS

CHEMICALS 6.3 8.4

Sunday Times

3.4 0.3 2.8 3.9 1.6 1.0 1.6 2.1 1.3 3.7 3.8

PREFERENCE SHARES 12.9 7065.2 570.0 462.0 1875.0 215.0

15.6

13.2

298.0 19.2 840.7 840.7 317.8 328.7 328.7 50.0 712.0

84.5 111.0 468.0

98.7 994.0 994.0 785.0

ABSABANK-P AECI 5.5%P BARWORLD6%P CAPITEC-P DSY B PREF ECSP C2 FIRSTRANDB-P GRINDROD PREF IBRPREF1 INVESTEC-P INVLTDPREF INVPREF INVPREFR IVT PREF LIBHOLD11 NAMPAK 6%P NAMPAK 6.5 NEDBANK-P NTC PREF PSGFIN PREF RAC PREFS REX TRUE6% SASFIN-P SHFINV-PREF STANBANK-P STANBANK6.5 TFG PREF ZPLP

54700 77700 47999 +5650 1500 1500 1275 0 101 123 101 0 9974 11000 9540 -76 6490 10101 6410 -710 9600 10000 9600 0 6249 9100 5100 +450 5860 8450 5520 -140 101404 101740 100271 +74 5400 9500 5000 0 5800 8475 4700 +650 8500 10500 8500 0 9000 9320 8600 0 5900 9300 5510 -400 106 108 101 0 126 126 120 0 131 131 121 0 640 1000 601 +21 6300 8900 6300 -1000 5900 9500 5900 -150 900 1800 835 -290 127 130 127 0 7000 8500 6700 0 4401 4401 4401 0 6650 9100 5500 +1050 69 308 68 0 122 126 122 0 7100 9000 6200 +300

75 0 0 0 61 0 271 35 1 403 746 0 0 2 0 0 0 2610 7 273 250 0 0 0 301 0 0 109

CODE

DESCRIPTION

ONE WEEK CHANGE

ONE WEEK CHANGE PERCENTAGE

ANNUAL CHANGE

J135 J135T J150 J150T J151 J151T J153 J153T J154 J154T J173 J173T J175 J175T J177 J177T J200 J200T J201 J201T J202 J202T J203 J203T J204 J204T J205 J205T J206 J206T J210 J210T J211 J211T J212 J212T J213 J213T J232 J232T J233 J233T J235 J235T J250 J250T J253 J253T J257 J257T J258 J258T J272 J272T

Chemicals Chemicals TR Gold Mining Gold Mining TR Coal Mining Coal Mining TR Platinum Mining Platinum Mining TR Other Mineral Extractors Other Mineral Extractors TR Forestry & Paper Forestry & Paper TR Industrial Metals& Mining Industrial Metals& Mining TR Mining Mining TR Top40 - (Tradeable) Top40 - (Tradeable) TR Mid Cap Mid Cap TR Small Cap Small Cap TR All Share All Share TR Fledgling Fledgling TR FTSE/JSE Large Cap FTSE/JSE Large Cap TR FTSE/JSE Large & Mid Cap FTSE/JSE Large & Mid Cap TR Resource 10 Resource 10 TR Industrial 25 Industrial 25 TR Financial 15 Financial 15 TR Financial & Industrial 30 Financial & Industrial 30 TR Alt-X Alt-X TR Alt-X 15 Alt-X 15 TR Construction & Materials Construction & Materials TR Fini and Indi Fini and Indi TR SA Listed Property SA Listed Property TR All Share Industrials All Share Industrials TR Resources Resources TR General Industrials General Industrials TR

2977.00 1043.04 3194.00 1586.78 15773.00 1740.78 37.00 1405.64 9377.00 5731.81 43652.00 2236.79 14657.00 12469.95 35213.00 3612.45 40875.00 6311.52 48925.00 11626.57 30581.00 11714.32 44606.00 6926.78 4170.00 7641.31 45971.00 51752.86 43820.00 49651.01 36969.00 2618.57 65126.00 13071.79 9147.00 5724.61 61443.00 10429.29 796.00 1066.19 302.00 381.10 11.00 2192.32 5933.00 10412.65 212.00 997.98 68757.00 13332.86 21064.00 2719.32 93.00 8.44

+387.33 +163.22 +41.56 -40.68 +1283.55 +189.30 +0.18 +30.46 +213.02 +247.38 -2003.55 +23.45 +804.98 +622.14 +728.17 +109.46 +1118.26 +255.81 +818.81 +516.19 +772.20 +450.25 +1192.37 +282.35 -35.95 +65.30 +1310.62 +2080.46 +1173.19 +2027.30 +660.29 +82.20 +1894.28 +447.58 +383.12 +463.07 +1946.62 +466.15 -10.62 -11.69 +5.78 +3.11 +0.34 +74.13 +181.62 +464.68 -2.75 +77.74 +1910.24 +440.47 +370.89 +85.93 +0.73 +0.20

+14.96 +18.55 +1.32 -2.50 +8.86 +12.20 +0.50 +2.22 +2.32 +4.51 -4.39 +1.06 +5.81 +5.25 +2.11 +3.12 +2.81 +4.22 +1.70 +4.65 +2.59 +4.00 +2.75 +4.25 -0.85 +0.86 +2.93 +4.19 +2.75 +4.26 +1.82 +3.24 +3.00 +3.55 +4.37 +8.80 +3.27 +4.68 -1.32 -1.08 +1.95 +0.82 +3.23 +3.50 +3.16 +4.67 -1.28 +8.45 +2.86 +3.42 +1.79 +3.26 +0.79 +2.43

-87.04 -86.62 +110.50 +104.34 -33.88 -24.43 +7.56 +10.97 -23.16 -16.47 -24.92 -17.87 -34.32 -25.87 -10.27 -4.94 -20.55 -16.89 -31.85 -27.16 -36.39 -32.85 -22.71 -18.96 -33.13 -28.86 -20.32 -16.78 -22.25 -18.50 -22.56 -17.78 -7.45 -5.23 -45.67 -40.83 -18.83 -15.62 -11.49 -8.50 +1.34 +2.95 -35.56 -34.50 -23.07 -19.68 -55.80 -47.28 -10.30 -8.04 -22.33 -17.64 -46.22 -43.41

Payable About 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 06/04/20 14/04/20 14/04/20

Previous Dividend 55.00 11.16 152.00 112.30 276.00 5.00 195.00 42.36 481.72 7.00 65.00 36.00 50.01 40.00 40.00

DIVIDENDS Amount In Cents AFROX (Final). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46.00 FAIRVEST (Interim) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.16 FIRSTRAND (Interim) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146.00 GROWPNT (Interim) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106.00 LIB-HOLD (Final) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .436.00 METROFILE (Interim). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.00 MTN GROUP (Final) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .355.00 NEDBANK-P (Final) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.11 NEPIROCK (Final). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471.48 PUTPROP (Interim). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.25 RMIH (Interim). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.00 SABVEST (Final). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39.00 SASFIN (Interim). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.73 SEAHARVST (Final) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.00 SEAHARVST (Special). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.00

Record date 04/03/20 02/03/20 10/03/20 11/03/20 27/02/20 09/03/20 11/03/20 03/03/20 21/02/20 04/03/20 12/03/20 12/03/20 19/03/20 02/03/20 02/03/20

TECHNICAL SELECTIONS Hospitality Property Fund Ltd. MC Mining Ltd. Santova Ltd. Master Drilling Group Ltd. EPP N.V.

BIGGEST PRICE RISES THIS WEEK PR WM 430 +120 195 +47 157 +37 660 +149 671 +151

WM% +38.71 +31.76 +30.83 +29.16 +29.04

VOL 557249 56725 29000 1485563 5336838

enX Group Ltd. RECM & Calibre Ltd. Trellidor Holdings Ltd. Net 1 UEPS Technologies Inc. Trematon Capital Investments Ltd.

BIGGEST PRICE FALLS THIS WEEK PR WM 700 -230 900 -290 215 -65 4623 -1252 181 -44

WM% -24.73 -24.37 -23.21 -21.31 -19.56

VOL 1000708 250256 178 1028 57101

Redefine Properties Ltd. Old Mutual Ltd. Growthpoint Properties Ltd. FirstRand Ltd. MTN Group Ltd.

BIGGEST VOLUME THIS WEEK PR WM 216 -24 1034 -63 1097 -67 3733 -16 4725 +665

WM% -10.00 -5.74 -5.76 -0.43 +16.38

VOL 162831725 111095961 94254433 88983339 80392447

Naspers Ltd. Prosus N.V. British American Tobacco plc AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. MTN Group Ltd.

VALUE LEADERS THIS WEEK PR WM 254043 +3155 122274 -301 67855 +9579 34587 +774 4725 +665

WM% +1.26 -0.25 +16.44 +2.29 +16.38

VOL 4813028 4097551 6721958 12429471 80392447

Absa Group Ltd. MTN Group Ltd. Gold Fields Ltd. FirstRand Ltd. British American Tobacco plc

MOST OVERACTIVE THIS WEEK PR WM 7305 +975 4725 +665 10122 +134 3733 -16 67855 +9579

WM% +15.40 +16.38 +1.34 -0.43 +16.44

VOL 44449146 80392447 24371601 88983339 6721958

FOREX PR 18.51 23.05 20.31 11.30 1.23

USDZAR GBPZAR EURZAR AUDZAR GBPUSD

WM% +3.19 +3.52 +2.49 +1.95 -1.03

+0.57 +0.78 +0.49 +0.22 -0.01

INTEREST RATES 1 Month

3 Month

6 Month

12 Month

24 Month

5.00 5.85 6.75 6.50 5.75 6.15 -

5.90 7.17 6.55 6.86 5.90 6.27 5.84

6.25 7.49 6.90 6.90 4.40 7.34 6.85 6.75 6.33

6.65 8.05 7.45 7.20 6.55 7.58 7.25 7.72 6.50

6.50 8.19 7.65 7.25 6.80 7.40 6.77

Absa Bank African Bank Capitec Bank FNB GBS Mutual Bank Grindrod Bank Mercantile Bank Nedbank Sasfin Standard Bank

Deposit rates only — Source: Personal Trust tel: (021) 689-8975. While all care Is taken To ensure that these figures are accurate , Personal Trust cannot accept responsibility for errors at source. All rates correct at time of going to press but subject to change. * Senior Citizens may qualify for an extra 0.5% on certain 12 month investments * All rates quoted are for interest paid monthly *PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RATES QUOTED ARE NOMINAL RATES And Not EFFECTIVE RATES. * These rates apply to amounts from R 50000.00 to R 100000.00 Figures compiled by Personal Trust as independent agents for all Deposit Taking Institutions.

RETAIL BONDS Duration

Rates

2 Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.50% 3 Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.75% 5 Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.00% Source: www.rsaretailbonds.gov.za

Sunday Times

April 5 2020 — BUSINESS TIMES

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Tough sell: Covid hits adland Quick fixes and deep rethink as ad industry confronts new reality ● Shaking hands has a publicity problem — so does walking through crowds, attending a concert and passing out high fives. Scenes like these are disappearing from advertisements as companies come to grips with public health orders to self-isolate and limit the spread of the coronavirus. Ads that were in the works have been shelved and campaigns have had to be reworked on a short timeline. Travel and hospitality companies have gone quiet. Meanwhile, with so much of the world on lockdown, it’s not exactly easy to shoot new commercials. “You have to ask what meaning does your commercial have right now, given that everything has changed in the immediate realities of life,” said Mark Lund, CEO of McCann Worldgroup UK. “How do you avoid that tone deafness which might offend and alienate people?” The UK advertising regulator said it got 163 complaints about a KFC television ad in March which featured people licking their fingers. Complaints said it was irresponsibly encouraging unsanitary behaviour, according to a spokesperson for the Advertising Standards Authority. When the agency contacted the fried chicken fast-food chain, whose longtime slogan is “Finger lickin’ good”, the company had already decided to pull the ads. Unilever suspended its “Unstoppable” campaign for Domestos, including a video ad that said the toilet cleaner kills germs that are “hiding, breeding, infecting the weak”. In addition to new sensitivities around hygiene, advertisers are having to cope with limited resources to make new commercials as production crews and actors self-isolate, say agencies. “World War 2 comes to advertising land. What can you make out of this empty washing-up-liquid bottle and a bit of sticky-back plastic?” said Emma de la Fosse, chief creative officer of Digitas’s UK business. “It’s about being inventive.” A cookie brand that Digitas works with

KFC had already pulled its ad with the ‘finger lickin’ good’ slogan. Picture: KFC

We’re having conversations with our clients about the world … on the other side and what does it mean for brands

had to pivot quickly from a campaign about going out to one about staying in and staying safe, she said. Agencies are getting creative with footage that’s already been shot, and they’re looking at user-generated content and social-media influencers, though the quality can be hitand-miss, Fosse said. Lund said that McCann has done an ad for grocery store Aldi using existing footage and resurrecting an animated carrot from its Christmas campaign telling shoppers to “go easy” on the vegetables. As the lockdown drags on, advertisers will also have to make the decision about

whether to make a bigger pivot on campaigns, such as commissioning more animation and using computer-generated imagery that can be produced by teams of graphic designers, art directors and 3-D modellers working from home. “The likelihood is things will take a bit longer, but there is no creative compromise,” said Mark Benson, CEO of global creative ad studio Moving Picture Company. Brands are coming to the studio to complete ads that were already in production with special effects, he said. “For example, an auto spot where the car would have normally been shot by a specialist auto director — it still can be, but the car will be built by animators in computer graphics instead of shot live-action on location.” Animation and visual effects studios were already changing the way they work so teams can collaborate remotely, and shifting computing horsepower from office servers to the cloud. The shock of the coronavirus will hasten the move to new video production methods, said Neil Hatton, CEO of film and TV industry lobby group the UK Screen Alliance. “There are parallels with the Japanese tsunami, which accelerated a move from production delivered on tape to production on computer file as the tsunami wiped out the tape-manufacturing companies on the coast of Japan,” said Hatton. For an industry that prides itself on creativity, ingenuity is more important than ever. Advertisers may be facing a worse setback than the 10% retraction in marketing spending that followed the 2009 financial crisis, said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Matthew Bloxham. Ads typically cost companies the equivalent of about 11% or 12% of sales and are easy to reduce. The slump is going to spread from the travel and leisure industry clients, who cut their spending immediately, to luxury goods, cars and clothes, he said. “We know that it’s going to be quite a sharp kind of effect — the question is how long that effect goes on for,” said McCann’s Lund. “We’re having conversations with our clients about what the world looks like on the other side and what does it mean for brands and how they exist in people’s lives.” — Bloomberg

Beware the free software — it very soon won’t be

s businesses webinars. scramble to The free version is integrate the adequate for basic use, and Covid-19 crisis for sessions lasting up to 40 into their sales minutes. But then it starts and marketing piling up. strategies, a new era of free The “Pro” version comes software and services has in at $15 (R280) a month, dawned. with limited flexibility, while Every technology a Webinar version, with company, from Adobe to registration and live Arthur Goldstuck Zoom, seems to be offering streaming functions, shoots free versions, free trials or up to $40 a month — per host. Arthur Goldstuck extended try-out periods. That adds up fast for a But often, there is a catch. It small company struggling to is the age-old story of the get by, and helps explain why so-called freemium Zoom’s share price has product: try a basic version skyrocketed. for free, and pay up if you But, at least, we can stick want full functionality. to Free if we have only basic Fair enough. needs. Except that, in the era of Now take Adobe Sign, lockdown, the full which replaces physical functionality of many signatures in documents. products is often essential That functionality is about to for remote working, learning and become an essential tool for any business, as communication. well as for consumers. The industry is helping out: for an Adobe is offering a free 90-day trial. By increasing number of these offerings, free the time the company starts reaching for trials are being extended from a typical 14 your credit card, you will have forgotten you days to as much as three months, to get even gave those details. users past the expected worst of the crisis. For a small business or individual, that’s But there’s a catch: users are rarely told going to set one back $30 a month for up to when the trial period is coming to an end. nine users. When it was only 14 days, it was relatively Not much in its own right, but it’s billed easy to keep track, and cancel before the on an annual basis, and will in fact cost credit card details provided upfront were $360 upfront. whipped into action. There are numerous examples. Of course, With a three-month trial, and especially such companies are doing users a favour. when we all have so much on our minds, No-one can argue that they are evil for that pay-up date is going to sneak up on providing free trials or entry-level versions most users, and bite them in the wallet. of their products at no cost. The hope most of these companies However, in times when we are likely to harbour is that we will become so see the greatest crisis of unemployment in dependent on their services we will be more than half a century, it is incumbent on happy to pay up. these companies to help protect their However, for many users, especially as customers from financial commitments they the economy tanks, use of free and trial cannot afford. products is essential merely to get by. ✼ Goldstuck is founder of World Wide Worx and The best example is Zoom, which has editor-in-chief of Gadget.co.za become a default tool for meetings and

With a threemonth trial, that pay-up date is going to sneak up on most users

GO AHEAD. MAKE MY WEEK. N UWE VRYE WEEKB L AD ELKE VRYDAG .

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05.04.2020

THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S A WRAP

Will Hollywood recover from Covid-19?

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LifeStyle Editor: Andrea Nagel Books: Jennifer Platt Fashion: Sharon Becker Beauty: Nokubonga Thusi Food: Hilary Biller Home: Leana Schoeman Motoring: Thomas Falkiner; Brenwin Naidu Travel: Elizabeth Sleith Digital: Toni Jaye Singer Designers: Gila Wilensky, Vernice Shaw, Peta Scop Design intern: Siphu Gqwetha Proofreader: Helen Smith Admin & invoices: Thabile Mokone ThabileM@arena.co.za Publisher: Aspasia Karras Advertising: Bela Stander, Business Manager Sunday Times Lifestyle +27 11 280 3154, +27 72 843 8608. E-mail: standerb@tisoblackstar.co.za Cover: Siphu Gqwetha Write to: lifestyle@sundaytimes.co.za

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Editor’s Note

Andrea Nagel

he room is dark, the popcorn is fresh and salty, the Coke is sweet and cold, and two enormous faces loom, godlike, a few metres away. Eyes are on the screen, seats are settled into and, after a while, hands touch in the darkness. There’s a little jolt of electricity. Later, an arm is extended across the back of the seat in the age old yawn-and-stretch technique and a head nestles into the crook of a shoulder. Going to the movies was a great way to spend a first date. What else offered three perfect first-date features: darkness, proximity and the distraction of the screen? They meant you could get the feel of someone — the desire to hold hands in the dark if you liked each other — and you didn’t have to make uncomfortable small talk or have someone you hardly know watch you eat. It was all about chemistry. But going to the movies isn’t popular as a date option anymore. And after the current crisis is over, who knows if we’ll ever be holding hands in a cinema again. Now we watch movies on mini mobile or laptop screens, where the power of the intimate closeup made colossal on the cinema screen is lost. Will the power of Hollywood be lost too? There’s some good news there — instead of the US holding all the cards when it comes to on-screen entertainment, other countries will get the chance to produce stories that reflect the experiences of their people. The world of movies will open up to more perspectives and more various points of view. And of course, there’ll still be stars — even more of them if we count the TikTok and Instagram celebrities who will come out of this lockdown with hundreds more followers. On that note, Arena Holdings is starting a campaign to document the life and times of this world-changing experience through the eyes of our citizens. We are asking South Africans to share their lockdown stories, videos and photos with us. We want the joys, the pain, the funny and the mundane. Look out for info about the campaign across all our titles.

4/5

he other day I’m minding my own business, walking briskly while minimising the jiggle of my tummy and man boobs. My new route is 8km and takes me between 01:08 and 01:12 depending on the number of pints consumed the previous evening. I was feeling particularly good on this Saturday morning and looking forward to maybe going down to a time of 01:06. I then make the mistake of glancing at the walkway across the street. He was about three metres behind my pace. A fellow wearing blue work overalls, heavy safety boots, a large rucksack on his back, pushing a big Ryobi 1200W electric lawnmower, with a 5-litre petrol container strapped to it. Look, I’m used to being overtaken by joggers during my walks. I do not think of myself as an overly competitive individual. In fact, I pride myself on my advanced maturity levels. However, on this morning something inside me snapped under the weight of my masculine pride. I mean, how could a fellow carrying what looked like 25kg of luggage walk faster than me in a light T-shirt, shorts and Hitec hiking boots? So, I surreptitiously quickened my pace and glanced over my shoulder. The 3m gap had gone down to about 2.5m. I lengthened my strides as well and glanced over my

My coronavirus can beat up your coronavirus shoulders. Two metres now. This went on for another two minutes or so, until he was inevitably walking abreast of me. Not only was he gliding effortlessly, he was whistling a cheerful tune. By this time, I’m swinging my arms like a man possessed. I didn’t give a damn about my man boobs bouncing within inches of slapping my chin. About a minute later I had a clear view of his back. Two minutes later the “contest” was over. I arrived back home in 01:14, with aches and pains in muscles I was last aware of 30 years ago. As the missus was rubbing my throbbing calves later that evening, she quietly asked me why I’d felt the need to race a complete stranger who clearly shares a juicing doctor with Lance Armstrong. The best illustration of the admittedly moronic forces at play is an incident from 24 years ago. A friend, BB, had purchased a brand spanking new 1996 Opel Kadett 200is. Its reputation as a beast on the road preceded it. So he picks me up for a ride. Barely out of the Durban CBD, we’re idling, waiting for the traffic light to turn green on Sydney Road. A blond-haired fellow pulls up in a ’70s VW Passat station wagon. He starts revving his engine, staring at my friend and giving him a signal, daring him to dice. “Ignore him,” I told BB. He nodded at me with a smug snarl and when the traffic light turned green, stomped on the accelerator and, with

NDUMISO NGCOBO COLUMNIST

Imbecilic competitiveness is not restricted to the male species. However, testosterone compounds it. I’m obviously not immune

tyres screeching and smoking, his mean machine took off. It was a stillborn contest. At no point were the two vehicles even remotely close to being abreast. We watched the back of the Passat getting further and further away. My friend was changing gears like a man possessed. I was transfixed in my seat. By the time the greyhound turned up then Franscois Road, we were probably a good 400m behind. When my vocal cords finally returned from hiding, my first words to him were, “Dude, you’re a medical doctor and you sew up car crash victims. Why would you do that?” His only response is at the nub of this irrational phenomenon; “That guy’s engine is obviously customised, otherwise he wouldn’t have stood a chance.” Say what? Imbecilic competitiveness is not restricted to the male species. However, testosterone clearly compounds it. I’m obviously not immune. Travelling with the entire

n his book, Art of Travel, Alain de Botton, the philosopher, makes an obvious but nonetheless subtle point about travel. On arriving at a muchanticipated island holiday getaway, he makes a grim realisation: “A momentous but until then overlooked fact was making itself apparent. I had inadvertently brought Illustration: 123rf.com myself to the island.” I know his pain. De Botton goes on to quote Blaise Pascal, who said: “The sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.” Say it again Blaise. This self-isolation we’ve presently embarked on requires that on some fundamental level we find ways to stay quietly in our rooms, with ourselves. With ourselves! Think about it! I’ve spent anxious days skirting around this momentous but until now overlooked fact. And I’ve concluded that no, I’m not one of the world’s introverts. Let’s face it — their moment has come — first came the book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain, and now an entire planet is practising their bizarro lifestyle choices. Introverts are clearly the superior beings — the evolved Yodas of our time. Floating an inch off the ground as we speak. Slightly green but so at peace with themselves and their inner dialogues that they wilfully choose this heinous lifestyle practice. They choose, nay, they actively seek out, ways to blissfully spend their days alone so that they can — I don’t know — contemplate their navels. This I can say for a fact — my

BRING BACK THE NOISE

Self-isolation may be a superior way of living but it’s not much fun, writes Aspasia Karras navel leaves a lot to be desired. And as for my inner dialogue — I can’t listen to it for more than five minutes. Firstly it is not a dialogue, it is more of a rant. It’s like Joan Rivers and Baleka Mbete are having it out in my frontal lobe. Joan has got hold of the microphone and is hogging the spotlight — maniacally jabbering away and every now and then a small woman with a glorious doek and a gavel bangs away: “Order! Order for God’s sakes. Order — actually, just shut the f… up!” If left to its own devices, the definitely non-Socratic dialogue in my head will drive me mad. If I have to listen to Joan harping on

about the dust balls in the corner under the couch and the perfect way to poach an egg one more time. Oh wait — that’s actually David Higg’s voice on his endless IG video stream — the chap is recording so much cooking information. So much. All day, every day — and deep into the night. I imagine he’s discovering what I always suspected — being alone with yourself sucks. But being alone with yourself virtually is possibly even worse. And now with the added dimension of social isolation, this virtual life is like some sick game invented by the introverts. A terrible episode of Black Mirror we can

It was clear to me then as a small child that I was not meant for a life of quiet contemplation ... the nunnery was not an option ... I need the people. Lots of them. All of them

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family at OR Tambo a few months ago, I studied another family with growing irritation. I think the father is a drill sergeant in the SANDF. As they boarded the plane, he was handing out boarding passes, barking, “Thando, 22F! Bongi, 22E.” Even the stowing of the hand luggage was bloody impressive; “Small black bag? Check. Green duffel bag? Check!” I looked at my own family of slouches, caps worn backwards, saggy sweatpants with heads buried in their phones and made a mental note to whip them into shape by our next trip. If you think these trying times will curb this malady, think again. I overheard two blokes try and outdo each other with stories about who was more exposed to Covid-19 on their recent travels. I knew it would be a matter of time before one of them yelled, “That’s nothing china, this bloke on my flight had blood coming out of his eyes, hey!”

never escape. Take that you influencers. Now we’re all just influenzas — a plague on all our houses. I remember being an only child. Not fondly. My parents would helpfully buy me games dedicated to the lonely singleton — basically colourful versions of the same game — solitaire. All I wanted was a good old endless monopoly game where more than three pieces (always the top hat, the iron and the MG convertible) made their socially isolated way around the board. I opted for hardcore guilting to remedy the situation. I took to prayer at the foot of their bed — every night begging the good lord and their loins for siblings. It was clear to me then as a small child and now as a self-isolated adult — that I was not meant for a life of quiet contemplation. Off to the nunnery was just not an option. I need the people. Lots of them. All of them — in the messy, glorious cut and thrust of life, scrubbing up together in coffee shops and in the pen at the beginning of marathons, breathing onto each other, talking at and through and over each other. Rolling our eyes in boardrooms, cracking open the champagne to the chagrin of our colleagues over at the silent side of the open-plan office. I like the mess of it and the smell of it and mindless jabber of it all. I like social warming. There, I’ve said it. And now I am praying to whatever gods there may be — old ones and new ones and those gods in the Game of Thrones with the bleeding eyes in the trees — give me back the noise outside my head, ye gods, because life with myself in this room is agony. And this virtual crap is for the birds and the influenzas.

ES LOONY TUN

Houseparty is the viral app that may just save your soc ial life, writes Yo lisa Mkele

DIARY OF A LOCKDOWN Thanks to some as yet unmentioned but fairly obvious indiscretions, the coronavirus has put the world on a timeout. As of last Thursday, technically Friday, the enforcer of Covid-19’s naughty corner and President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, put the entire country on lockdown. This is the story of how that lockdown is going:

Day 1: Midnight rolled past with a kind of ominous indifference. Ostensibly nothing changed but everything is different and the daylight chasing my rapidly draining wine bottle will tell us what proof the pudding has. A lie-in was definitely in order, thanks in no small part to the empty bottle of Chardonnay near the foot of the bed. So somewhere around noon, I blearily climbed out of bed and walked over to the bathroom to get my bath running. Self isolation has gotten a number of people’s creative juices going and Instagram is now awash with all types of entertainment. My daily contribution to this is a regular briefing from Nudes City. My character is that of the mayor of this city imploring its citizens to send nudes to one another to help each other get through these trying times. After the mayoral briefing and some actual self cleaning, I knocked out a quick workout, a little bit of work and a number of trips to the fridge. Once the sun goes down, the wine is allowed to come out. This is the first Friday of lockdown and it’s weird. So calls are made. I’ve never been on the phone as much as day one. Calls to London, Atlanta, Linden and all points in between. Eventually my bed calls in the wee hours.

Day 2: In keeping with my non-lockdown routine, Saturdays start with a hangover and eggs. I’m quarantining with my parents and younger sister and everyone is wandering around the house with a kind of restless energy. I suffer from no such affliction and, after commandeering some snacks, retreat to my room to begin a 20-hour Westworld marathon that makes me wonder things like: What if God really is a bit of a wanker who just fiddles with our lives for fun? Also, if they were indistinguishable from humans, would I have sex with a robot? Anyway, the marathon and my ability to stay awake end at 8am on Sunday. I’m now all caught up and ready for episode three.

Day 3: I think I am becoming nocturnal or rather I was always nocturnal and now I have the freedom to live at night. I’m waking up later and later (today, which I think is Sunday, I arose at 3pm). It was a bland Sunday so I spent it watching Brooklyn 99, complaining about being bored to other bored people on the phone and doing pushups.

Day 4: I’m definitely becoming nocturnal. Yesterday (Sunday?) I eventually got to bed at 5.30am and I was happy about it. I’ve been reading a biography on Charles Bukowski and I think he may be one of my spirit animals. After waking up at 2pm, I get to the e-mails of the day and into the bath. No bath-time mayoral briefing though because the mayor has decided to move offices. So instead I finished up in the bath, put on half a suit and do a mayoral briefing from the study. We may go on Instagram live and create a bit of a ruckus later. Yes, I now refer to myself as we because it’s more fun. And slowly losing one’s mind is proving more entertaining than I had originally thought. Yolisa Mkele 5

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rban philosopher and Senegalese city builder Akon once said, “I’m locked up, they won’t let me out.” There are only a few times in our lives that simple words like these ring true. As of midnight last Thursday (technically Friday but we can forgive the president for that slip in these unprecedented times) the entire country went under lockdown. So no leaving the house, unless you have a state-sanctioned reason, until April 16. That is a long way away and no-one’s house is so interesting that the prospect of spending 21 days in it fills one with joy. Just ask multimillionaire singer Sam Smith, who broke down at the thought of a lockdown, or Wonder Woman Gal Gadot, who got roundly mocked on social media last week for performing her rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine with a few of her friends on Instagram. Anyway, it is what it is, and now the question is: what are you going to do? How will you fill the endless days? Well, how about you start with ...

HOUSEPARTY No, not the currently illegal thing of inviting a bunch of people to your home for a bit of leg shaking. Houseparty is the viral app that may just save your social life. In a nutshell, Houseparty is an app that allows you to meet up with your mates — and random strangers — without ever going near them. Once downloaded, the app tells users who are online and from there other online users can live-call them and hang out. Unlike a normal FaceTime call, the app allows people to interact with each other in fun ways like playing games, watching TV or going on dating apps together. In the time before the corona virus, the app had been moderately popular among Generation Z users but as lockdowns 5•04•2020

Sunday Times

Picture: 123rf.com

A R E M A C E HAV Y T R A P L L I W spread across the globe its popularity among older generations has skyrocketed. According to the Financial Times, last week the app garnered over two million downloads in comparison to roughly 130,000 during the same week a month ago and as of March 24 was the numberone ranked app in 17 countries including the UK, Spain and Italy. The app tries to mimic an actual houseparty so up to eight friends can join in on another friend’s conversation. Kind of like if someone in real life found you and a group of friends talking and decided to see what was potting. Before you start fretting about privacy, users do have the ability to lock conversations so that only certain people can join.

GO SEE A CONCERT A few weeks ago, during social distancing but before lockdown, around 250,000 people gathered to watch rapper Swae Lee, left, perform. It was arguably the most Covid-19-friendly concert ever put on. Having seemingly spotted a gap in the market for attention, Swae Lee announced that he would be taking to Instagram live to perform a concert from the studio in his home and boy was it a show. The rapper brought someone on stage (let him join the live feed) and even did a stage dive onto what one hopes were pillows. Since then, people’s Instagram live feeds have been inundated with DJs and musicians hosting impromptu live parties for everyone who follows them. Moments after the president announced the lockdown, thousands of South African fans flocked to singer James Blake’s live feed to watch him perform, and the week before, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen wooed crowds with a bit of old-school crooning. Basically with just a phone and some data, you can attend a concert with thousands of people every night without having to bother with queues, crap food and parking. Sounds like a win to me.

ILLUSTRATION: SIPHU GQWETHA

6/7

inemas are shut and the film release schedule is in tatters. Can the industry ever recover — and, if so, in what form? Readers of a squeamish disposition should turn the page now. The following article sets out, in blood-curdling detail, Hollywood’s impending Texas Chainsaw moment. The wildfire spread of the Covid-19 could bring about the end of the industry as we know it. Although the recent blanket shutdown of cinemas and film sets around the world is unprecedented, the industry has had to rebuild a handful of times in its 100-year history: at the end of the silent era, again at the fall of the Golden Age studio system in the mid-60s, during the blockbuster-fixation of New Hollywood in the early 80s and, most recently, after the post-9/11 retreat into a comfort blanket of cinematic universes which offered an escape into worlds other than our own. Now we’re about to witness another great reshaping. To quote an immortal horror tagline: who will survive, and what will be left of them? Over the next 12 months we’re going to find out.

Disappearing billions

FROM TINSEL TO DUST Hollywood may survive the effects of the coronavirus crisis, says Robbie Collin, but not as we know it

very few dependable baskets — once you discount those 21 winners, you instantly hit flops. The many-eggs-few-baskets business model has been functioning fine — ish — for more than a decade, but it’s not much good when a giant goat materialises out of nowhere and eats all of your baskets.

Derailed productions This is why the coronavirus has been able to wreak such extensive havoc in a short space of time. Not only has it thrown into chaos the release of major new films that would have been among 2020’s top performers, including Mulan, the new James Bond film, No Time To Die, Peter Rabbit 2, A Quiet Place Part II, Fast & Furious 9 and Black Widow. It’s also derailed the production of forthcoming films for 2021 and beyond, among them The Batman, Jurassic World: Dominion, The Matrix 4, Mission: Impossible 7, and the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid. Nor is it just a matter of downing tools for six months. That Hollywood Reporter piece put the cost of pausing a blockbuster midshoot at anything up to $350,000 a day. Even once the shutdown ends, the entire cast and crew will have to be reassembled around their other work commitments. Worse still, because each of these enormous properties needs the best chance possible of making back its enormous budget, their opening weekends have to be staked out years in advance: Disney currently has 24 as-yet-untitled blockbusters parked on release dates between now and

The peculiar shape of the business means most of its eggs are piled teeteringly high in a very few dependable baskets

Idle scaremongering? Far from it. Last week, the Hollywood Reporter estimated that the coronavirus has already cost the industry $7bn (R120bn) at the box office, with a further $10bn likely to evaporate even if business resumes in the next two months (should the crisis continue beyond May, “all bets are off”, the magazine says). How much is $17bn in moviemaking terms? Well, it would eliminate the combined global takings of last year’s 21 most successful English-language releases. It’s worth noting 2019 was the most lucrative year in box-office history, in which five of Disney’s releases alone each grossed more than $1bn worldwide. Yet because of the peculiar shape of the film business — most of its eggs piled teeteringly high in a

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Christmas 2026. So when one of these behemoths has to move, there’s nowhere for it to move to. By acting quickly, Bond found a halfwayhospitable slot in mid-November, a week after Marvel’s The Eternals, and the same weekend as Godzilla vs Kong. A week later, Peter Rabbit 2 was able to scurry into a justabout-adequate space in early August in the US, though in the UK a date still has to be pinned down. But just three days after that, when Fast & Furious 9 decided to shift, the best slot it could find was in April 2021, almost an entire year later than planned. Meanwhile, at the time of writing, Mulan, Black Widow, A Quiet Place Part II and Joe Wright’s The Woman in the Window are all still drifting dateless. Yet even successfully moving a film entails taking a serious financial hit. For Bond alone, which had reached the saturation phase of its ad campaign, about $200m in publicity costs have effectively been lost. The likely loss in ticket sales is immeasurably greater.

More humiliatingly, it would also concede that Netflix had been right all along. The streaming service’s policy of releasing films online and in cinemas simultaneously has long been decried by Hollywood’s old guard as suicide for the industry. Now it might be the only thing saving it. Titles have been pulled from the schedules this week, but video on demand (VOD) is already there to be embraced, and the industry will surely hit the tipping point between pride and pragmatism fast. Some income is better than none at all. In other words: to VOD or not to VOD? That is the question that will have been asked in hundreds of conference calls — at Disney and everywhere else. Universal has already jumped. All of its current theatrical releases, including Emma, The Invisible Man and The Hunt, have been made available to rent on demand. They’ll be followed next month by the new DreamWorks animation, Trolls World Tour, which will launch online on the day it was meant to open in cinemas. Post-pandemic, cinema operators will scramble to board it back up. Those who are left, that is. A cinema is a high-cost operation: there are rents, rates, wages and utility bills to pay, regardless of what’s showing. For many small cinemas there might be a survival period of weeks rather than months. For sure, things we love are going to change. Some will disappear. What will rise from the rubble? Fewer eggs, more baskets. Aside from Netflix and Amazon, arguably the only future-proofed operation in Hollywood today is Blumhouse Productions, the company behind Get Out, Whiplash, the Insidious and Purge series, and indeed Universal’s The Invisible Man and The Hunt, both now coming to a laptop near you. The great irony at the heart of all this is we’ve rarely been in more urgent need of cinema’s power to uplift us. — The Daily

Netflix’s policy of releasing films online has long been decried by Hollywood. Now it might be the only thing saving it

Bypassing cinemas Disney could yet push the nuclear button, bypass cinemas entirely and release Mulan directly on its new streaming platform, Disney+, which launches next week. To do so would give its subscriber figures an instant, Everest-sized bump — but it would also forgo the potentially history-making profits Mulan was set to make at the Chinese box office after the film was expressly tailored to that market’s tastes. Sunday Times

Telegraph, London

hings are getting stranger by the minute as we enter the second week of lockdown but it’s all going to be OK, right? If it’s not, the movies have you covered — the end of the world as we know it and what it might look like and how we will navigate it are questions filmmakers across genres have pondered for decades. We’ve made a list of classic, offbeat and provocative titles to watch your way through the pandemic.

the world in hazmat suits chasing down deadly diseases before they can kill us all in more terrible ways than we could imagine.

CONTAGION (Rent on iTunes) Steven Soderbergh’s dramatic thriller kills off Gwyneth Paltrow early on before moving rapidly across the globe to examine the pressures and hard choices that the rest of its cast have to make in a swiftly upturned world beset by a deadly virus. It’s a disaster movie that smartly places its focus on the struggles of ordinary people under the extraordinary circumstances brought about by a deadly airborne virus sweeping the planet. That’s something we can relate to and the reason the film has enjoyed a huge swell in popularity.

HORROR/SCI-FI THE SHINING (Netflix) Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 masterpiece is still one of the creepiest films ever made and a genius class in how to create fear through manipulation and tension. The narrative is ratcheted up to unbearable levels of anxiety by using techniques that imply rather than show. It’s also, of course, a film about what happens when a nice, nuclear, American family decide to self-isolate for a couple of months in the middle of winter with no-one but each other for company.

LAST MAN ON EARTH (YouTube) The original 1964 adaptation of Richard Matthieson’s novel I am Legend stars camp horror legend Vincent Price as the scientist survivor of a plague that’s turned the world into vampires. It’s still a classic and better than the Will Smith version, because of Price and its use of far lower-tech tricks to create the same but significantly creepier atmosphere of a world without anyone left.

DAYBREAKERS (Showmax) Ethan Hawke and Willem Dafoe star in this vampire action thriller full of gushing corpses and exploding kills. It’s lowbrow but thoughtful enough end-of-the-world entertainment. It explores the race by the last surviving humans to overcome their vampire overlords who are looking for new sources of blood as the number of warm bodies available diminishes.

TWELVE MONKEYS (Netflix) Terry Gilliam’s 1995 film takes its inspiration from Chris Marker’s seminal 1962 short La Jetée in which a time traveller witnesses his own death. But Gilliam’s film goes off on its own delirious and spiralling tangent to deal with global anxieties of disease, chaos and ecological destruction. It’s also the story of a time traveller sent from 2035 back to 1996 to prevent the release by eco-terrorists of a virus that wipes out 5-billion people.

THE BAD BATCH (Netflix) Ana Lily Amirpour’s follow-up to her feminist Farsi vampire breakout, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, is a different film on many levels but still displays the British director’s unique ability to create strange, surreal and singular onscreen alternative universes. It’s a film that warns those of us jonesing to ignore the directives of government-enforced behaviour to stay inside and obey the rules for our own good. The story centres on a young woman exiled from civilised society for unknown reasons who finds herself in the post-apocalyptic community of Comfort in which humanity’s reprobates band together to protect themselves from a wild roving group of hungry cannibals. The only thing worse than the people in here are the ones out there.

DRAMAS THE SACRIFICE (YouTube)

THE PANDEMIC IS COMING!

PASS THE POPCORN

Here’s a collection of movies, collated by Tymon Smith, that reflect the circumstances of today South Pole is not exempt from destruction. After a virus created accidentally by a US geneticist kills off most of the world’s population in a pandemic known as “the Italian flu”, only the few hundred residents of Antarctica are spared and tasked with rebuilding humanity. Everything seems to be going well until they learn that a massive and imminent earthquake will set off the US’s now unmanned nuclear arsenal and destroy the planet forever. Hats off to Fukasaku for having the balls to destroy the world twice.

THRILLERS PANIC IN THE STREETS (Amazon Prime) Elia Kazan’s 1950 film noir is a moody mystery true to the genre that manages to add a different layer to proceedings thanks to the smart idea of setting the story against the backdrop of the spread of a very nasty case of pneumonic plague threatening the city of New Orleans. Starring Richard Widmark and Jack Palance, it’s a classy classic that also focuses on issues of xenophobia and class struggle, which the panic caused by the threat brings to the surface of the sweltering streets of the Paris of the South.

THE CASSANDRA CROSSING (YouTube ) It’s a ludicrous mishmash of biological terror and train action thriller but this 1976 disaster film about the dangers of biological research boasts a star-studded cast that includes Burt Lancaster, Sophia Loren, Richard Harris, Martin Sheen and method acting master teacher Lee Strasberg. Once again it’s the pneumonic plague that’s on the loose after a botched raid on the headquarters of the International Health Organisation in Geneva by Swedish — yes, Swedish — bioterrorists results in one of them landing up on an intercontinental train that’s populated by a wild array of characters who must all get over themselves if their future and that of the human race is to be saved.

OUTBREAK (Rent on iTunes) Twenty-five years later and Wolfgang Petersen’s thriller seems to have garnered a prescient relevance beyond the initial, thinly disguised Aids panic B-movie action pleasures it delivered back in 1995. It’s still a classic in the genre in spite of some illadvised soap-opera drama involving Dustin Hoffman’s virologist and his estranged wife Rene Russo. It also inspired a generation of impressionable young science geeks to become epidemiologists — the action Jacksons of the medical profession who travel

VIRUS (AmazonPrime) So far Antarctica has been the only continent to escape Covid-19 infection but in director Kinji Fukasaku’s 1980 madcap double dose of apocalyptic science fiction, even the 7

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Nobody has examined the existential dread and angst of the constant apocalyptic fear that pervaded the world in the era of the threat of nuclear annihilation with as much intelligence and philosophical depth as Russian master Andrei Tarkovsky. In this, his final film, the spectre of the end of the world is made explicit as a dysfunctional family on the coast of Sweden must deal first with their own petty tensions and then confront the deeper spiritual questions that arise from the news that the world is about to end.

DEATH IN VENICE (Amazon Prime) Adapted from the novella by Thomas Mann, Luchino Visconti’s queer cinema classic stars Dirk Bogarde as a sickly German composer whose tragic trip to the plague-ridden Italian city seems never to end after he becomes madly and torturously obsessed with a teenage boy.

COMEDY WARM BODIES (Showmax) Sure, zombies are humans who just happened to have had the life sucked out of them, but what if they still retained some of their inner humanity and could become our best friends or even lovers? Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer star in this bright romantic comedy that just happens to be set in a postapocalyptic wasteland.

SHAUN OF THE DEAD (Netflix) Simon Pegg and Nick Frost star as a pair of slackers who find their purpose in life after their years of sitting around watching horror films perfectly prepares them for an unexpected zombie attack. It’s a hilarious spoof of all the zombie films you’ve ever watched that also offers a heartfelt story of two loveable losers finding their reason for existence when everything in existence seems to be going to hell.

ZOMBIELAND Dorky neurotic college student teams up with redneck urban hustler and confidencetrickster sisters to survive the zombie apocalypse. It’s silly but funny entertainment that reminds us that we have to work with the least likely of associates to overcome the seemingly most insurmountable obstacles… with hilarious result.

Keith Barry Senior: Jacket, trousers and shirt price on request Eric Raisina ericraisina.com

Sunday Times

8/9

FASHION

Forever in Fashion

Menswear designer John Varvatos once said: “Style is timeless. It transcends generations”. This goes as much for the garment as the wearer, so we approached a few readers who have first-hand experience of fashion’s ever-changing tides. Because the damned lockdown prevented a photo shoot, we had these eternally glamorous folk sketched into outfits from some of SA’s most illustrious designers. To accompany this, here are some smart words from our 60-plus stylistas. COMPILED BY: SHARON ARMSTRONG, ILLUSTRATIONS: BRADLEY KIRSHENBAUM

Keith Barry Junior & Keith Barry Senior Our personal style is classic, but with the emphasis on comfort. The best fashion decade is not possible to say. Each decade has a wide variety of tastes and styles. You can find your own style in every decade. My ultimate style icon is Madiba, for his wonderful shirts, his fashion statement on global citizenship. A fashion no-no is in our opinion no trend should be condemned, however different it is to your own. Creativity and freedom of expression should always be encouraged. A trend that will always be in fashion is an elegant blazer – we agree with Sir Roger Moore! Our most memorable outfit was a dinner jacket. Double-breasted, black worsted barathea, black silk lapels (that fits both of us). Our favourite local designer is Desré Buirski.

Keith Barry Junior: Shirt R1, 300; Coat R6,000; Trousers R1,500 Franc Elis francelis.com

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Sunday Times

Ellen Dube Mesh T-shirt R1,800; Leggings R1,300; Mesh ball skirt R19,000 The Bam Collective thebamcollective.com

My personal style is a bit of vintage, blouses and skirts, maxi dresses with jackets and traditional garments on occasion. The best fashion decade was the ’70s and ’80s. The worst fashion decade has been from 2010 onwards. My ultimate style icon is Winnie Mandela. A fashion no-no is crop tops, micro minis and sheer dresses. A trend that will always be in fashion is the jumpsuit. My most memorable outfit was a three-piece skirt suit I wore to my son’s wedding. My favourite local designer is Nkhensani Nkosi of Stoned Cherrie.

Pamela Reagon-Petersen Dress R4,450 Mantsho mantsho.com

My personal style is urban, retro and chic. The best fashion decade was the ’60s. The worst fashion decade was the ’80s. My ultimate style icon is Kate Moss. A fashion no-no is anything skimpy or too much skin. A trend that will always be in fashion is the little black dress. My most memorable outfit was a Vivienne Westwood number. My favourite local designer is Stitch and Steel.

Christine Kuch Parka R3,200 Black Coffee 011 -482-9148

My personal style is at each end of the spectrum. On a lazy day, a Newcastle United or other sports top with leggings and trainers. At the other extreme (with very little middle ground), classics. They never go out of style and can be played up or down depending on accessories. The best fashion decade was probably the ’70s because that’s when what is now known as athleisure became acceptable and the norm for casual. The worst fashion decade was the ’80s. How I cringe at those padded shoulders. As a former swimmer, mine are wide enough to start with. My ultimate style icon is Isabella Rossellini internationally. Locally, Sally Burdett of eNCA / eTV gets it right every time. A fashion no-no is socks with sandals — male or female. A trend that will always be in fashion is denim. My most memorable outfit was my graduation robe. It covered my clothing but was lifechanging in more ways than one. My favourite local designer is Kirsten Goss, jewellery designer.

LifeStyle | Fashion

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

Sunday Times TRAVEL

ENTER TO

WIN

STAND STILL, LOOK PRETTY

pring is edging into the northern hemisphere, and for some parts of the world it’s time for the wondrous annual display of cherry trees, which burst into bloom for a few weeks each year from late March til early April. For sites from Washington DC to Tokyo to Cáceres, Spain, this is typically a time of increased tourism and festivals, when families turn out to stand under the blossoms and take in one of nature’s most magical manifestations. This year, of course, such visits have either been deemed inadvisable or outright prohibited. The cherry trees themselves, of course, knowing nothing of our human crises, are getting on with the business of blooming. And thank heavens for that — the cherry blossom, after all, is a universal symbol of renewal, friendship and hope, good doses of which we can all use right now. Just as myriad attractions — from theme parks to museums — have upped their virtual-visitation game of late, allowing locked-down wanderers to roam from their homes, so have the custodians of the cherry trees. Several web cams across the world are now trained on the soothing scenes of trees in bloom. Admittedly, they don’t do much but stand there and look pretty, but tuning in — in real-time no less — is curiously soothing and reassuring. Lockdown or not, the world still turns. Some options: in Washington DC, the National Mall has a “Bloomcam”

ELIZABETH SLEITH

which shifts views every 60 seconds for various perspectives of the trees. The University of Washington (washington.edu) has a similar set-up. For more, head to earthcam.com and search for Macon, Georgia. live.ueda.ne.jp has links to cameras trained on several plants in Japan. The university in Wuhan, China, meanwhile, has also been running live feeds from its cherry trees. The city will forever be remembered as Covid19’s ground zero, which underwent a stringent quarantine after the new coronavirus emerged there late last year, but like its blooming trees, it now also represents hope for the rest of us. Seven weeks after it imposed its stringent measures, restrictions are being relaxed. The lockdown, at the time of writing, was set to be completely lifted on April 8. Last week, trains went back into service. People are going back to work. And they are returning to the city’s wealth of beautiful sites, including the Moshan Cherry Garden, pictured. Like the fleeting nature of the blossoms themselves, this might remind us that the crisis — along with everything else — is impermanent. If you can, go look at some trees. ● To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us the other name (in English) by which the garden is known. E-mail travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday April 7. Last week’s winner is Mike Briggs of Warner Beach, KwaZulu-Natal. The correct answer was the Peak District National Park.

€6m

Oh, Snap Eustans Mangaba from Centurion, Pretoria, at the Chinhoyi Caves in Zimbabwe. She says: “At the bottom of the caves is the cobalt-blue ‘Sleeping Pool’, whose water remains a constant 22°C. There are several passages that lead from the Sleeping Pool, but all of them lead back to the main pool.” According to zimbabwetourism.net, the traditional name for the caves is Chirorodziva, which means the “Pool of the Fallen”. The name was derived from an incident in the 1830s when the Angoni tribe, who were moving northwards, surprised people living near the caves and flung them into the pool. The caves were also used as a

... the top estimated value of a painting by Vincent van Gogh, this week stolen from a Dutch museum currently closed due to the Covid-19 crisis. Van Gogh’s Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring (1884) was snatched from the Singer Laren museum in Laren, about 30km southeast of Amsterdam, in the early hours on Monday. The day would also have been Van Gogh’s 167th birthday. In what is thought to have been a crime of opportunity, the thieves took the painting after smashing through the museum’s glass front door. The alarm was triggered but the culprits were gone by the time police arrived. At a press conference broadcast on Youtube, museum director Jan Rudolph de Lorm said he was “incredibly pissed off” by the loss of the painting. The painting’s estimated value is between à1m and à6m, local media said.

stronghold by an outlaw called Nyamakwere, who is said to have murdered many victims by throwing them into the pool. Nyamakwere was eventually defeated and killed by a headman called Chinhoyi, who became a Mashona chief and after whom the nearby town and the caves are named. Eustans adds: “The caves and the pool are one of those magnificent spots that make visiting Zimbabwe a must.” Want R500? Send your picture (at least 500KB) with a brief description of what’s happening in the photo, plus the full names of the people pictured and where they’re from, to ohsnap@sundaytimes.co.za.

EDITOR: ELIZABETH SLEITH CONTACT TEL 011 280 5117 DESIGNER VERNICE SHAW PROOFREADER HELEN SMITH PUBLISHER ASPASIA KARRAS HEAD OF ADVERTISING SALES BELA STANDER 011 280 3154, E-MAIL STANDERB@ARENA.AFRICA SUBSCRIBER HOTLINE 0860 52 52 00

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Sunday Times

TAWAYS GLOBAL GE

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. Picture: 123rf.com/somchaij

Cape Town International Airport. Picture: Esa Alexander

FLIGHT TIME: TRAVEL IN THE ERA OF COVID-19

Cape Town to London, via Addis Ababa t was obvious we were about to board a half-empty plane. The lady at check-in wasn’t remotely fussed that our four bags were all 3kg over the normally strictly enforced 20kg on our London-bound flight. Stranger still, we breezed through security and had our passports stamped by officials hidden behind protective masks and gloves. Cape Town International was the quietest I’ve ever seen it. There were, it seemed, more bored shop assistants scrolling through their smartphones than international travellers. Hand sanitiser was non-existent. The plane was in fact just a third full. Most passengers had a whole row to themselves. But microbial paranoia was already setting in — you couldn’t clear your throat without a shifty glance from someone in a nearby seat. Addis Ababa — where we had a four-hour layover — felt chaotic. But luckily we were only in transit and could sail unimpeded to our departure gate. Sullen travellers attempting to enter Ethiopia, meanwhile, were being subjected to extensive medical screening. Thousands of them, horded together in tight, unventilated queues. — Simon Parker

Police roadblocks, eerie silences and a passenger smuggling loo roll … writers share their stories of scrambling to get home as the planet hunkered down

London to Normandy via Paris y journeys this week have been both familiar and utterly strange. I took the 1.31pm Eurostar from London to Paris. It was like it always is except for the face masks, from the straightforward paper models to those advanced plastic ones with some sort of ventilator, worn by people watching, say, Homeland on their phones. I got back to my apartment in Paris and packed a suitcase, which I’ve done many times before but never without knowing if I was going to be gone for two weeks, three months, or even longer. My girlfriend and I loaded up the car and set off. Earlier that day we’d started hearing rumours that movement was to be restricted as early as the following morning: “If you don’t want to be stuck, go now.” Cars were fleeing the city for whatever bolt-holes their passengers had access to. As we approached BoisGuilbert, the village where my girlfriend’s mother grew up and in which, by some fortunate twist, there was a house in which we’d be able to self-isolate, we listened to French President Emmanuel Macron on the radio. As we hurtled along a dark country lane, he repeated the phrase “we are at war” over and over. By now roadblocks have been put in place, so we are here indefinitely, in a village we are not allowed to leave. The countryside is beautiful and it’s a sunny spring day, but the silence is made eerie by its contrast with the relentless barrage of news. — Seb Emina

Morzine, France, to London neon sea of waterproof-fabric-clad bodies greeted me as the doors swished open into the ski-pass ticket office in the French resort of Morzine. “Pourquoi la foule?” — “Why the crowds?” — someone yelled angrily. Neighbouring Switzerland had closed its ski lifts due to coronavirus, and rumour had it that it was about to shut its borders too — which meant a mass exodus of skiers into France. As a travel writer, I don’t often take holidays, but this time I’d treated myself. The first few days had been quiet — I’d

groups of foreigners and Thai families social-distancing on deck, enjoying a sunset over the Gulf of Thailand, momentarily removed from the pandemic. The journey’s final temperature check on the pier brought the virus back to mind. Koh Phangan is coronavirus-free. March’s Full Moon Party has been cancelled, and so has Songkran (Thai New Year) — but the island remains lively, the night market is busy (food stalls all offer hand sanitiser), and travellers continue to race scooters mask-free. — Tom Vater

San Francisco to LA on the Pacific Coast Highway e were on the terrace of a seafood shack in Cayucos, a tiny beach town halfway through our Pacific Coast Highway adventure, when my husband Seb and I heard the news. “The NBA [National Basketball Association] is suspended ... And Trump has banned flights from Europe.” Less than a week before, when I’d arrived in San Francisco, getting through the airport had been smooth — not even a temperature check. We started with two blissful days in Big Sur, hiking and whale-watching, disconnected from the world. When we left, the heavens opened. Maybe it was the uncharacteristic rain, or the lack of tourists, but the winding roads were eerily, enchantingly quiet. We had Route 1, and its magic, mostly to ourselves. But as we moved south, things went south. As we left Los Angeles without seeing the Lakers game for which we’d bought tickets, the city was on the brink of lockdown and Seb was displaying coronavirus symptoms (since tested; results negative). Driving back, we heard all flights from the UK had been banned. All our friends’ trips were cancelled. To think I’d been moaning about the rain. — Jade Conroy

‘W

Madrid to the US via London

hen did you book this flight, bro?” At 4.30am on Thursday, March 12, the two US college students in the queue ahead of me at Madrid airport were bonding: to their bleary-eyed delight, they had both secured tickets out of there within the past 10 minutes. Arriving for my Heathrow-bound flight — having heard talk of lockdown in Madrid — I saw queues of US tourists snaking nervously throughout departures. A family of seven from North Carolina; a New Yorker celebrating her 60th birthday — they had all been woken during the night by friends and family alerting them to Trump’s suspension of travel from Europe (but not from the UK, at that time), so they were heading home to the US by way of London. It felt reminiscent of the flashbacks from The Handmaid’s Tale — but with a sense that we were the lucky ones. — Fiona Lister

Ibiza to London

The Algarve, Portugal, to Porto and back flew up to Porto from my home in the Algarve to head out to the Douro. Friday morning brought sunshine and a tranquil landscape of budding magnolia trees, grazing donkeys and the mesmerising flow of the mighty Douro River beneath me. But after lunch at a tiny rustic restaurant, the e-mails started. The person I was due to meet was in quarantine; the Quinta da Côrte hotel where I was due to stay had closed; my Sunday lunch date said the police had set up roadblocks near him. And so I returned to Porto, to empty streets and an impending sense of panic. Warned that lockdown might come at any minute, I hurried to the airport to catch the next flight back to Faro. There, a sea of purple-latex gloves greeted me, with people clinging to each other, masks swathing their faces. Everyone was on a mission: get out and get home. Luckily I managed to do both. — Mary Lussiana

The Eiffel Tower, Paris. Picture: Reuters

had some runs to myself — then on the final day, word came that the area was about to close. I needed to get out. My bus back to Geneva airport was full. The driver told me most tourists were leaving, no new bookings were being made, supermarkets were being manned by security and 65 members of her team had been laid off that day. At the airport, hundreds of people were crammed into departures, some wearing masks and most clutching hand sanitiser. This was maybe the last holiday that I — or anyone — would be taking for quite a while. An off-piste journey lies ahead, full of turns far more scary than those on the slopes. — Phoebe Smith

Bangkok to Koh Phangan s closures and panic-buying set in in Bangkok, and temperatures began to soar, I decided to escape my apartment and self-isolate on Koh Phangan. The domestic airport terminal was busy, mostly with Thais returning home, including a group of Buddhist monks, their orange face masks matching their robes. Almost all Thais wear masks when in transit because of the pollution — and there’s an expectation, reiterated by Thailand’s health minister, that foreigners should follow suit. At security we had our temperatures checked, and then again upon landing in the southern town of Surat Thani. The car ferry to Koh Phangan was half empty — a few small 11

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Sunday Times

flew from Ibiza to London to get home before the borders closed. The Spanish airport was tense; even the tiniest throat clear went off like an atom bomb. The man in front of me at check-in was clad in a face mask and rubber gloves. He was young and fit — if sick, why was he travelling; and if not, why the get-up? All became clear when he was asked to reveal the contents of his luggage. It was stuffed with loo roll. Here was a man prepared for the apocalypse. I couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed, but it was comic relief for us. — Cleyenne Lazzarotto

Miotto

Paris to New York via London rantic calls from our parents about the US travel ban woke my friend and me around 2.30am in Paris. We booked a flight to the UK and huddled at the airport with a crowd of travellers, eating limp croissants. While waiting to board, we snagged tickets to Boston from London the following day for $3,000 (about R54,000). Our flight landed at Gatwick, we took the train into London, then on to Heathrow to see if we could catch an earlier plane. When the ticket agent waived the $2,000 change fees so we could make a flight leaving for Boston in 50 minutes, we started crying and the people next to us cheered. One sprint to our gate, a seven-hour flight and a five-hour bus ride from Boston to New York City later, and we made it to our apartment at 3am on Friday morning — 30 hours after the initial phone calls. — Hannah Martin © The Daily Telegraph

roads, rattling over plank bridges. Once we looked down into the shadows of a fulvous river and spotted an enormous antlered elk standing knee-deep in midstream. Somewhere in mid-afternoon, we saw a bear cub crossing the track in front of us; he stopped to gaze for a moment at Cassidy, then disappeared into the undergrowth. In late afternoon we found a campsite on the southern shore of Lake Sproat, where Cassidy showcased his 4x4 abilities by tip-toeing down a slope steeper than a playground slide. One night in the bush had made us feel like veterans as we went about our camp duties – the wood, the fire, the tent – before setting down to dinner on the edge of that silent lake. In the evening light, the lake was the colour of slate. Forests of pine and hemlock stood above their reflections around the shores. Clouds streamed toward the sunset. A beaver appeared, only his head visible as he swam across the lake. Later a full moon rose, casting a silver trail on the water. In the morning, as we packed up, we felt a little heartbroken on leaving this magical place. “We should come back,” Sophia said, as Cassidy heaved himself up the steep track. I smiled and nodded. She was young, and I envied her belief that such special moments could be recaptured. For the last three days of our week on Vancouver Island, I had arranged a stay at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a luxury retreat far up the west coast, a neat counterpoint to our rough camping.

Ucluelet Harbour, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Picture: 123rf.com/jspannhoff

12/13

VANCOUVER ISLAND

n the far side of Canada, where the Rocky Mountains tumble down to the Pacific and the continent splinters into hundreds of islands, is one of the world’s great escape hatches. For a century and more, Vancouver Island has attracted people looking for another life — dreamers, romantics, misfits, the wayward and the wandering. Here on the west coast, escapists found a place big enough, wild enough, and far enough away, to call home. It is no wonder that Harry and Meghan, keen to forge new identities, fled there in March after announcing their exit from the royal family. The west coast of Canada has some of the world’s most stunning land- and seascapes – cloud-shredding summits, deep fjord-like bays, a labyrinth of forested islands, an ocean populated by sea lions, orcas, humpback and grey whales. Central to this coast is Vancouver Island. At 31,285km², it is almost a quarter of the size of England. In the genteel streets of Victoria, at its southern tip, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in a provincial English town. But in Canada, wilderness is always close. An hour’s drive north of Victoria and you are already in forests riddled with rivers and waterfalls. Three hours up the west coast and you have reached the end of the road in the little town of Tofino. Beyond the town, the forests close in, and the maps become an eloquent blank. Huge swathes of this island are only accessed by boat or float plane or, with the right kit, on old logging tracks. It is because so much of this island is still unsettled that it feels like a new world, the place to make a new life, the perfect base for royalty trying to escape their royal-ness. I had come for the wilderness, and brought my 13-year-old daughter. When we picked up our vehicle in Vancouver, I realised I was not going to need my Bear Grylls handbook to show us how to

THE

ULTIMATE ESCAPE HATCH

Stanley Stewart gets a dream wilderness fix — without once having to pull out his Bear Grylls handbook

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Sunday Times

● Hastings Overland supplies fully equipped 4x4 Jeep Wranglers from $249 (Canadian, or R3,180) per day. Their trip-planning service with itinerary notes, back-country maps and satnav is available from $125 (R1,600) per trip. Itineraries are typically available throughout British Columbia while their plan this year was to expand their services to other regions in North America, including Southern California. See hastingsoverland.com

LUXE ON THE SIDE There are no roads to Clayoquot. We backtracked to Tofino, where a boat came to collect us. It was an hour’s run up the ocean channels. Off the shore of Meares Island we cut the engine to watch a mother bear and two

carve our own tent poles out of pine branches. The 4x4 Jeep Wrangler — we dubbed him Cassidy, as in Butch — had everything one might need in the wilderness. The tailgate kitchen included a fridge and a propane stove. There were folding chairs, a folding table and a folding washing up bowl. There was a hatchet, a coffee maker, a satellite phone, and a bear alarm. Best of all was the tent, which unfolded concertina style, from the top of the Jeep. You climbed a ladder every night, as if it was a treehouse, and settled in on a splendid mattress. The neatness of the design and the sense of a miniature travelling house delighted Sophia.

CAMP LIFE

BETTER BOOKMARK …

Our first camp was in the San Juan Valley, just off Bear Main Trail, in a stand of colossal Douglas fir trees. Camp life got off to a good start. We unpacked our kit, unfolded the tent, chopped wood, built a fire and cooked a dinner of pasta and steaks, content with the illusion of a self-sufficient life in the wilderness. Night crept among the trees, and stars, thick as grapes, appeared between the branches. Climbing the ladder to bed, Sophia asked, “Papa, what time do you think the bears go to bed?” Bears are the bogey-men of this coast but the reality is that bear attacks anywhere are extremely rare, and almost unheard of on Vancouver Island, which has only the more docile black bear rather than the big grizzlies found on the mainland. In the morning, we made our way through the woods to the San Juan River, bubbling over white rocks. Wading across the shallow water, we stepped into the woods. A forest hush descended, that kind of muted acoustic you get after a snowfall. Between the trees, the light was dappled, aqueous, stippled. Here was why I came, I thought, for this stillness, for the strange sense of homecoming that the wilderness offers, for the chance to sit by a river, to stand in a forest, whose aspect has barely changed since time began. “Papa,” Sophia whispered. “It feels like no one has ever been here.“ The next morning we cut further inland on old logging roads, bouncing along gravel

packages. Prices from $4,680 (R59,700) per person for three nights. An update on their webpage says that, due to the Covid-19 situation, “We have made the considered decision to delay the opening of Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s upcoming season to June 18 2020. We are hopeful the spread of Covid-19 will have slowed and travel restrictions lifted by this time, but we will remain fluid as the situation evolves.“ See wildretreat.com

cubs foraging for shellfish at low tide. In the Maurus Channel, we came upon a raft of sea otters, floating on their backs, a dozen or so animals, holding hands. Off the end of Vargas Island, we spotted a grey whale, arching through the water. Her hide was not so much skin as artefact, thick, crusted, scarred, barnacled, a pitted illustration of an epic life in the wilderness of the Pacific. Tucked at the end of Bedwell Sound, beneath Mariner and Ursus Mountains, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort was a kind of camping, but not as we knew it. Accommodation is in luxurious en-suite tents with western ranch styling – Navajo rugs, travelling chests, leather furniture. There is fabulous dining, as well as a spa, a sauna, a games tent, Japanese hot tubs, fireplaces, bicycles, horses, kayaks, and a blissful sense of remoteness surrounded only by mountains and deep forests. We went canoeing on the Bedwell River and sea fishing in the lower sound. We tried our hand at archery and sea kayaking. One day we rode into the back woods, the horses wading belly deep through the Bedwell River. In the steep forests beyond, where the horses found their footing as carefully as cats, we startled a mule deer. He stood for a moment looking at us, and then vanished so suddenly and so completely, it was as if we had imagined him. Home again in the evening we dined on Pacific halibut with smoked corn foam, pea tendrils and glazed baby carrots. For all the luxury of Clayoquot, we still talked of our simple camp on Sproat Lake, the one we had found ourselves, the place where we had made our own camp, on that silent lake, and cooked a simple supper, and watched the moon rise over the hills opposite, with no one else within miles. We may never be there again, but some moments are forever. — © Stanley Stewart

FLIGHT OR FIGHT

here they sat, on my couch, as irrepressibly happy and nauseatingly in love as any couple who still believe that “married” and “bliss” are words that sound as good together as “Debbie” and “Carlo”. In the week we’ll always remember as “pre-lockdown”, the Swiss lovebirds arrived in Joburg and moved into our house. It was six days into their planned month-long trip along the Garden Route, and three days after their engagement. Somewhere along the way from Cape Town to Plett, they’d hit an epic roadblock: Covid-19. The world was being put in timeout and Debbie and Carlo — a business contact of my partner, James — were coming to stay while they tried to move their April 17 flight home forward. We were happy to have them in the sense of the old proverb that says house guests always give pleasure — if not in their arrival, then certainly in their departure. It would likely only be a few days anyway, and then they’d be on a flight back to Switzerland, sad to have had to cut their South African stay short, but happy to be home for a lockdown of their own — in their case, with open bottle stores and cosy nights by the fire with snow falling gently outside. Being strangers, we had a lot to talk about that first night. Carlo had flown solo around the world; Debbie was an accomplished lawyer. James builds planes, and Carlo had come to SA as part of a team working on the first electric light sport aircraft. He’d decided to throw in some romance, bring Debbie along, and pop the question while they were here. Oh, and then there was Alex, the third wheel on this caravan of love. A member of the electric Sling team, he’d been left behind to work on the project while the other two had roamed the beautiful coastal towns of the Eastern Cape. They were paragons of politeness. Complimenting me on everything from my taste in art to my gorgeous children and the three-course meal I’d made to honour their arrival. They raved about South African wine (they raved about everything) and laughed at all of James’s jokes, showing great interest and enthusiasm when he read aloud chapters from a book on South African political history over dinner. With them, small talk was easy. We swapped recipes for chocolate mousse and cheese fondue (theirs) and braai marinade and potato bake (ours). Their company was a happy distraction, though they flouted the no-touching rule and gave my children huge hugs whenever they came into the room. “Ha-ha, elbow-knocking, what a funny South African peculiarity,” giggled Debbie. After dinner, we sat in the lounge and watched President Cyril Ramaphosa announce the imminent lockdown. They managed to change their Swissair ticket home — no cost, no fuss. They insisted on helping me clean up, put everything in the wrong cupboards, and then we all went to bed. I’d sort it out in the morning. 13

ST BUCKET LI

ANDREA NAGEL

LifeStyle | Travel

“Babe,” James’s voice on the phone the following day barely concealed his panic. “They can’t get out. Cyril has shut down the airports. The Swiss are locking down with us for the next three weeks.” My dreams of binge-watching Netflix evaporated before me. A prison of politeness furnished with idle conversation flashed in front of my eyes. We’d have to dress for dinner, make our beds (and theirs), appear for communal breakfasts, share our food and toilet paper and single TV set, and watch their relationship deteriorate in real time as she began to realise that a lifetime of his high-pitched laugh and childlike enthusiasm for EVERYTHING would end in orange overalls for her. James’s lateral frontal pole went into overdrive. “Who can I call to make sure they get on the last flight? Where’s the closest hotel? Are the pharmacies still open? Get tranquillisers to put in Carlo’s drink! Can I fly them back to Switzerland myself?” At the 11th hour, they did make it onto the final departing flight. They gave my kids a bear hug goodbye, and were gone. We settled down to the serious business of getting on each other’s nerves without any help from guests forced to overstay their welcome. And through it all, despite our private thoughts and conversations, we’d learnt an important lesson about hospitality: that the most important thing is making your guests feel at home, even if you wish they were. Do you have a funny story about your travels? Send 600 words to travelmag@sundaytimes.co.za and include a recent photo of yourself.

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

Eat in with homemade fried chicken — and if deep frying is not your thing, there’s an ovenbaked version too, writes Hilary Biller

14/15

PICTURES: CHRISTOPH HOFFMAN

MISSING YOUR FAV TAKE OUT?

EFORE YOU START... The best part of the chicken is the flavour of the crispy coating. It’s so good you will be making the chicken again. So to save time and hassle, double or treble the spice mix, store in a glass container with a lid and have it conveniently on hand. It’s also a good time to encourage the family to learn how to identify the different spices and herbs using pictures on the internet. If sourcing the ingredients for the spice blend is too difficult and means leaving the house, use a readymade chicken spice blend. Finding chicken portions in store has been problematic, but whole fresh chicken appears to be more readily available, so cut a chicken into eight portions. Start by removing the legs by cutting into the joint between leg and thigh and remove thighs. Cut off the wings, cutting into the breast to

make a more generous portion. Using a sharp knife remove the breasts by cutting into each side of the breast bone. If the breasts are large, cut into two portions. Don’t waste the carcass. Place it in a large pot, cover with cold water, add a peeled onion, carrot, some celery slices, a bay leaf, couple of peppercorns and boil for 30 - 45 minutes. Strain and use as a base for a wholesome chicken soup or a stock which can be frozen.

MAKES 8 PORTIONS

1 chicken, portioned, or 8 chicken pieces 30ml (2 tbsp) salt Spice mix: 15ml (1 tbsp) smoked or plain paprika 15ml (1 tbsp) ground black pepper 15ml (1 tbsp) ground white pepper 15ml (1 tbsp) garlic powder 15ml (1 tbsp) ground ginger 15ml (1 tbsp) celery salt 15ml (1 tbsp) mustard powder 15ml (1 tbsp) mixed herbs Other ingredients: 30ml (2 tbsp) cornflour 250ml (1 cup) plain amasi or buttermilk 2 large egg whites, lightly whisked 5 cups cornflakes

This chicken tastes like deep-fried without the oil. It can easily be done in an air fryer too. Depending on the size and make of the fryer, you may need to cook four portions of chicken at a time.

Lay out the chicken pieces on greaseproof paper in a baking tray that will fit in the fridge. Brine the chicken by sprinkling the pieces with half salt, cover and store in fridge overnight or do 30 minutes before making up

CORNFLAKE BAKED CHICKEN

LifeStyle | Food & Drink

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

the recipe. This will make the chicken juicy and tender. Combine all the ingredients for the spice mix. Sprinkle half of it over the chicken pieces and rub into the flesh and set aside. Set up a dredging station. In a dish — I used a 1-litre rectangular glass Pyrex-style dish and combined the cornflour, amasi and egg whites. Whisk together lightly. Place the cornflakes in a food processor or blender to process until you have crumbs, not too fine so you still have some texture. Combine the cornflake mixture with the remaining salt and spice blend in another dish. Coating the chicken pieces is messy work and best done with two forks coating one piece of chicken at a time. First dip it into the amasi/buttermilk mixture and ensure it’s coated completely, then into the crumb mixture. If you feel it is not coated well, repeat the process. Then set aside on a greased or sprayed

baking tray and continue with all the chicken portions. Ideally, if you have time, chill the coated chicken in the fridge for 20 minutes, which helps the crumbs stick to the chicken before baking. Preheat the oven to 180° C. Remove from the fridge and bake for 45 - 50 minutes till golden brown and cooked through. It’s better not to turn the chicken as some of the coating falls off. Delicious with a coleslaw or potato salad. It really is finger-licking good.

CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN

3 LOCKDOWN YEAST-FREE LOAVES IN LESS THAN 60 MINUTES Yes, it’s true, hot bread on the table in under an hour. No fuss, no yeast and using storecupboard ingredients means baking your daily bread is a great way of getting everyone involved. By Hilary Biller

MAKES 8 PORTIONS

1 chicken, portioned or 8 chicken pieces 30ml (2 tbsp) salt Spice mix: 15ml (1 tbsp) smoked or plain paprika 15ml (1 tbsp) ground black pepper 15ml (1 tbsp) ground white pepper 15ml (1 tbsp) garlic powder 15ml (1 tbsp) ground ginger 15ml (1 tbsp) celery salt 15ml (1 tbsp) mustard powder 15ml (1 tbsp) mixed herbs Other ingredients: 500ml (2 cups) flour 30ml (2 tbsp) cornflour 250ml (1 cup) plain amasi or buttermilk 2 large egg whites, lightly whisked Oil for deep frying Lay out the chicken pieces on greaseproof paper in a baking tray that will fit in the fridge. Brine the chicken by sprinkling the pieces with half the salt, cover and store in fridge overnight or do 30 minutes before making up the recipe. This will make the chicken juicy and tender. Combine all the ingredients for the spice mix. Sprinkle half the spice mix over the chicken pieces and rub into the flesh and set aside. Set up a dredging station by combining the flour, remaining salt and spice mix in a dish and mix through. In another dish - I used a 1-litre rectangular glass Pyrex-style dish and combined the cornflour, amasi and egg whites. Whisk together lightly. Pour the oil into a large pan or deep fryer if you have one. This can also be cooked in the air fryer following the directions of your fryer and depending on size of fryer you may need to cook half the portions at a time. Coating the chicken is messy work and best done with two forks coating one piece at a time. First dip it into the amasi/buttermilk mixture and ensure it’s coated completely. Then dip into the flour mix to coat completely. If you feel it is not coated well repeat the process. Then set aside on a clean piece of greased or sprayed baking tray and continue with all the chicken portions. With two pieces to go, preheat the oil. When the oil is piping hot, check by dropping a piece of bread into the oil and if it browns in 30 seconds it’s ready. Carefully drop in 3-4 pieces of chicken, depending on the size of your pan, and fry till golden brown on one side and turn and fry on the other side. It’s not a quick in and out in the oil as the chicken must cook through. The legs and thighs will take longer to cook than the breasts and wings. When ready, remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towel to soak oil before serving. Delicious with a coleslaw or potato salad.

BAKING POWDER BREAD

AMASI SODA BREAD

GLUTEN-FREE COCONUT LOAF

AMASI SODA BREAD MAKES 1 LOAF

500g (4 cups) cake flour or use a combination of half cake and half wholewheat flour 5ml (1 tsp) bicarbonate of soda 5ml (1 tsp) salt 500ml (2 cups) amasi or buttermilk (you can use the same amount of plain yoghurt or add 15ml (1 tbsp) of fresh lemon juice to 500ml milk, stir through and allow to stand for 5 minutes to thicken) Flour to sprinkle over Preheat the oven to 200° C. In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, bicarb and salt. Mix through. Make a well in the centre and add the amasi/buttermilk. Using your hands, mix the buttermilk through to just bring the dough together. Don’t overmix as this will make a tough dough. Place dough on floured surface and shape as desired, ensuring whatever shape is no taller than 3cm — this ensures it cooks through. I shaped a rectangular loaf .Using a sharp knife, score diagonal lines on top of dough. Sprinkle flour over the top. Place on a sprayed baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 200° C, then reduce the oven temperature to 180° C and continue baking for another 20 - 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, reduce the temperature to 160° C. If you tap the loaf underneath and it sounds hollow then it’s ready. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy. Best eaten warm with lots of butter or margarine. 15

LifeStyle | Food & Drink

GLUTEN-FREE COCONUT LOAF

BAKING POWDER BREAD

MAKES 1 LOAF

500g (4 cups) self raising flour (or use cake flour and add 15ml (3tsp) baking powder 5ml (1 tsp) salt 125ml (½ cup) water 125ml (½ cup) full cream milk A handful of mixed seeds

The beauty of this loaf is that by adding a couple of ingredients you can turn it into a sweet loaf with 125ml (½ cup) of sugar and the finely grated zest and juice of 1 small lemon. Store the loaf in the fridge. 6 extra large eggs 125ml (½ cup) coconut flour 125ml (½ cup) coconut oil (if it’s hard, melt in microwave for 30 seconds) Pinch of salt Pinch of baking powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) xanthan gum, a natural thickening agent found in health food sections of pharmacies, or leave it out Optional: Coconut flakes Preheat the oven to 180° C. Spray a medium loaf pan with cooking spray. Base line the pan with greaseproof paper so it hangs over the sides of the pan so you can lift it out easily once baked. In a large mixing bowl whisk the eggs then add the flour, oil, salt, baking powder and xanthan gum. Pour into the prepared loaf pan and bake at 180° C for 30 - 40 minutes. If desired, after 25 minutes sprinkle lightly with coconut flakes and continue baking. If a wooden skewer comes out clean it’s ready. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing and placing on cooling rack. Delicious eaten on its own or toasted.

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

MAKES 1 LOAF

Preheat the oven to 200° C. In a large bowl combine the flour and salt and mix through. Combine water and milk and if you wish you can add 30ml (2 tbsp) oil for a richer dough. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the water and milk.. Using a round bladed knife, bring dough together. If too dry, add a little water. On a lightly floured surface gently knead the dough and then shape as desired, ensuring that whatever shape isn’t taller than 3cm so it bakes through without burning. I shaped my loaf into a round. Then, using a cutter or sharp knife, cut a cross through the top of the dough. Sprinkle over seeds, trying to avoid the cut-cross section and press the seeds down. Place on a sprayed baking tray and bake for 15 minutes at 200° C, then reduce the temperature to 180° C and continue baking for another 20 - 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, reduce the temperature to 160° C. If you tap the loaf underneath and it sounds hollow then it’s ready. Cool on a wire rack and enjoy. Best eaten warm with lots of butter or margarine. * All loaves are best on day of baking

DO YOUR

Sunday Times

HOME WORK

PICTURE: KARE-DESIGN.COM

16/17

HOME

hile we all dream of creating the ideal office space at home, we tend to think we just need the right room, the best chair and the most beautiful desk. But there is more to creating the perfect home workspace. Here are some tips we think might do the trick, no matter where you choose to settle in to earn your daily bread.

Think outside the box or rather inside the box, but with a fresh, open-minded approach. Find the wasted space and dead corners in your living room or bedroom where you can create a dedicated work zone. A spacious passageway or entrance area might also do the trick. Note: unless you have no choice, working in your bedroom is never a good plan as this should be a tech-free sanctuary, especially if you want to get a good night’s sleep.

How to create the perfect home office — without spending a cent COMPILED BY LEANA SCHOEMAN

Establish healthy habits. Stay hydrated and keep nutritious snacks at hand. Get up every hour or so, go outside for fresh air, review your work and do some stretching if needed. Set reminders on your phone or laptop to get up regularly, to breathe and to drop your shoulders.

We need more natural elements in our lives, especially now. Add a pot plant or a vase with flowers or green sprigs from your garden to make your space more welcoming. Herbs like rosemary or lavender stimulate your mind and calm your nerves. Growing plants inside helps to neutralise negative energy, calming the mind and filtering the air.

9 10

Keep positive by putting up a sign or two that cheer you up or affirm you whenever you read them. This simple project can have a huge impact on your mental state.

Stay in touch with co-workers by setting up regular meetings on Zoom or Skype. Discuss work and weekly plans as you would normally. This is a tricky time, but make the most of working from home. Enjoy your environment and the freedoms that come with it — after all, isn’t it wonderful to skip the daily commute!

Clutter is not your friend, especially if you don’t have the luxury of a dedicated corner and have to pack away at the end of the day. Store desk essentials in a box or jar; use bulldog clips to arrange charging cables and store them if they’re not in use. An organised environment can boost your productivity and encourage efficiency.

Set up a routine. Get dressed, have breakfast and get ready for work as you normally would. Boundaries are key when working from home, so take coffee and lunch breaks as usual and avoid the couch and the bed — they are not part of your work space.

We all have things that can be turned into something more useful — a display shelf that can become a standing desk or an ottoman that can double as a desk seat. Keep ergonomics in mind to avoid muscular strains and fatigue. Make sure you have things at the correct height, whether you’re sitting or standing. Using a pile of books to raise your screen to a comfortable height is always a good trick.

Let the light in wherever you can. If possible, set up a space close to a window or doorway where you have a view of trees and sky. Daylight is calming and is better for your eyes and mind than artificial light. It lifts your mood and creates alertness — it might even help you sleep better.

Block out surrounding noise with a pair of headphones. Music can be a great tool to help you stay focused, as well as stimulate ideas and productivity. Create a playlist or find something you enjoy on Apple Music or Spotify. Keep the volume low to avoid adding tension, but don’t hesitate to get up and dance to alleviate your mood and get the blood flowing.

Fermliving.com

LifeStyle | Home

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

Petal&Post

BUDDING BEAUTIFUL

Flower delivery is nothing new, but these female-owned small businesses offer customers something unique

WORDS MILA CREWE-BROWN, IMAGES SUPPLIED

new crop of local florists is blooming with a simple, straightforward approach that’s in keeping with the times. Fussy, standardised arrangements, gaudy selections and unsightly packaging are falling by the wayside as these small businesses offer up something fresh, understated and user friendly. Same-day delivery, local supply direct from the farms and daily limited-edition arrangements are a few of the tools they’re using to change things. Petal&Post is a Cape Town-based flower delivery service which has just opened a studio in Joburg’s 44 Stanley. The brand

focuses on small posies and uploads one style of posy each day, ensuring something novel every time. Orders can be placed between 7am and 1pm and the posy is delivered in the afternoon of the same day. Only the size of the posy varies, keeping things simple. An added extra is the Petal&Post market option, where you can include local gifts from scented candles to hand-knitted kids toys in your delivery. petalandpost.co.za Jules Kennedy’s new company Julep offers a box to bouquet delivery via an online service. What makes the business unique is the focus on experience, rather than just the blooms themselves. Jules wanted to make the act of

receiving a bunch of flowers as good as the bunch itself. As such, her arrangements are delivered in a beautiful long cardboard box to protect them in transit. The receiver is then able to arrange the blooms, armed with a beautiful card with arranging tips. Juleps’ bunches are simple, including just three to four seasonal flowers and leaves. They are also long-lasting as they arrive inbud and are given time to bloom. We particularly love the value add they bring with their monthly Spotify playlists, some of which have inspired the names behind their bunches — Sweet Disposition, Drops of Jupiter and Special Star. Senders can also include a photograph of themselves on their cards. julepbox.com

Julep

Loulou D

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5•04•2020

Loulou D is owned by two life-long friends who offer a range of options from small to elaborate bunches and arrangements for public spaces and events. Their creations are essentially works of art — their floral bunches are beautiful to look at and are finely curated and artfully put together. The brand pays special attention to geometry, balance and style, producing arrangements that are as good as sculptures. If you haven’t heard of Loulou D before, look out the next time you are at Ethos, Saint and Marble restaurants, Apsley House/ 2A, Witchery fashion and SLOW Lounge, all of whom are their clients. info@louloud.com

Petal&Post

Sunday Times

TRIBUTE

The king of Makossa music Manu Dibango has died. Bongani Madondo, who came of age as Dibango reached his funk peak, locates the icon’s genie in the Congo’s promise

either the sky wept nor did the sun break into a twist ’n shout the day Manu Dibango succumbed to Covid-19. The spine-tingly doof-doom-bah! you heard, followed by a pig squeal of electric guitar, was the sound of hipnicks dropping needles on their favourite Dibango “joint”. Habashwe. Pan-African jivemeister Dibango was known for a repertoire of cow-hide-tight electro beats, scaffolding saxophone flights into alterrealms, polyphonic guitar sheets of Mary-don’t-you-weep cries that oft’ climaxed and split into micro, atomic sonic particles of gorgeous beauty, on record and in performance.

18/19

The king is dead. Long live Manu Dibango!

I won’t waste your time telling you how Dibango succumbed to the mysterious, spiteful, calamitous coronavirus-induced Covid-19 at the age of 86 outside Paris, where he had lived for over 40 years. I will sulk, but will not raise so much as a storm in a musicology tea-cup to call out instagrammatically mistaken critics who tell us Dibango was a “jazz” musician. As if every black artist over 50 needs to lowered into their grave via a jazz trope. Or die a pauper. Dibango died no such. He was neither a jazz musician nor poor. He was as funky as the devil’s dance itself, and rich beyond comprehension. Rich with an African musician’s reward for lifelong toil. This was largely due to a successful lawsuit brought against Michael Jackson and Rihanna. The two had, decades apart, sampled Dibango’s hit Soul Makossa without authorisation. But who exactly was he? Born Emmanuel N’Djoke, his father’s namesake, on December 12 1933 to a Yaabasi-speaking father and Douala-speaking mother in the urban sprawl of Douala, Cameroon, young Manu grew up gifted, yet with a restless soul. He was a city boy who attended a village school that taught in French. A boy already touched by the Négritude developed by revolutionaries in France’s colonies. Little wonder that Dibango grew up with a multicultural sensibility. The spirit of liberté coursed through his veins. Some have gone so far as to make the chronologically leaky argument that Dibango was the father of the nascent “Afropolitanism” cultural identity.

He was a city boy who attended a village school that taught in French. The spirit of liberté coursed through his veins. Gary Stewart, author of Rumba on the River, the history of the two Congos’ popular music, reminds us that Dibango was “a wayfarer from a young age”. He was shipped off to France at the age of 15 to study music, ending up in Belgium where, according to Stewart, “he took a job playing jazz standards in the house band of [the] Tabou night club”. “It is in Brussels that he met the man, in 1960, arguably regarded as ‘the father of’ contemporary Congolese popular song tradition, Joseph Kabasele, going by the moniker Le Grande Kalle.” Kabasele, who led the African Jazz dance orchestra, was “the grand duke” of Congolese popular music after independence, according to Graeme Ewens, the author of Congo Colossus: the Life and Legacy of Franco, and Africa O-Ye! Dibango eventually returned to Africa to settle in Kinshasa with his mentor’s dance orchestra. Among

Kabasele’s star protégés was a young man of huge girth and imposing height, also going by the name Kabasele. Pépé Kallé, born Kabasele Yampanya, would grow, physically and in popular stature, into a singer and guitarist of renown. But not before Dibango scored his first hit, Twist á Léo, with Le Grande Kalle’s ensemble, including the then fledgling Pépé Kallé. The late 1950s were heady times in the Congo. The decade had gifted Africa with the rise of Patrice Lumumba, and then in 1961 immediately, cruelly, snatched his life away. The Congo, in which the adventurous immigrant settled, was not without artistic rapture of its own — and Kinshasa and Brazzaville were about to ignite a global musical bonfire. The Congolese rhumba, soukus, later renamed zouk, leapt like a flame from Africa, spread to European and the Antilles, capitals such as Paris, London and Brussels, and flourished for the next four decades. We can only imagine how the young Trinidadian

Négritude inspired young people, high on the fall of European empires everywhere, to gaze inwards in search of their ancient folk roots Rihanna would have been bewitched by the infectious Afropolitan sounds when she was kneehigh. Back on the mother continent, the prevailing Négritude philosophy and lifestyle — a precursor to Black Consciousness in the Anglo-African polities — inspired young people, high on the fall of European empires everywhere, to gaze inwards in search of their ancient folk roots. The young had their own ideas: in the quest for a new beginning, they fused Western pop with native roots, creating a new, weird assemblage of musical hedonism. These were Congo’s “New Africans”, and Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian, was smack-bang at the coalface. There were other bands on the scene, like Los Nickelos and Thu Zahina, and pop star percussionist DVM. The biggest breakout stars stepping away from Kabasele’s staid African Jazz orchestra style of the 1950s was the ensemble Zaiko Langa Langa. Dibango’s success in this scene was phenomenal. First, he was an émigré. Second, almost all of the bands springing up in Kinshasa’s urban cauldron played music dominated overwhelmingly by vocals and guitar. Yet he managed to distinguish himself as a “seeker” rather than as a “traditionalist.” From the early 1960s, his music gestured towards, but was never moored in, Congolese roots. If anything, it distilled itself into a Congo’esque jive electro without a specific geo-locality. He was seeking a Congo sound as “a state of mind”: a Congo sound system sans frontières. In the late ’60s and early ’70s Dibango merged his native Cameroonian folkloric sounds, like the Bikitsu, with classical music imbibed from European conservatories and mixed it with splodges of brothel jazz colour. His experimenting brings to mind Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti and IV albums. It also evokes the ballooning cheeks of Be-Bop’s Dizzy and Bird emitting shrieks of nocturnal dreams and nightmares. Papa had a brand-new sound, and it was called funk. Revellers from Abidjan, Accra, Addis, Bamako, Ouagadougou and Yaoundé caught the new wave. Within this melting pot, Dibango’s powerful chug-along songs, like those of his contemporary, Fela Kuti, became 15- to 20-minute operatic

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5•04•2020

Sunday Times

melodramas. Sneering, snaking, sexual, sweaty, leery, leering, the sound of Manu Dibango, as US disco-lovers soon learnt, was funk alright, but not like yo momma taught you. Dibango’s groove train chugged along at its own tempo with no art fucks to give. It was both sintomatic and symptomatic of the times: the European empire was crumbling bit by beat, from Algiers to Bandung. By the time Dibango and his Soul Makossa troupe pulled into Joburg in the spring of 1993, the city was in flames. Street-fighting Inkatha impis and the ANC’s Umkhonto weSizwe cadres had turned the city on its filthy, nappy head. I’ll never forget how we were corralled into a corner of Joubert Park and sprayed with hot lead, which sent us scuttling under fences. Some were left wounded, some were dead and others were scarred for life. This was Dibango’s welcome. He brought with him the rest of Africa and it has never quite left. When Dibango arrived, continental African cultures weren’t a thing here, except to those of us who grew up in the Bantustan enclaves of Bophuthatswana and the Transkei alongside professional immigrants from all over Africa who piped their music from the local AM dial. The Beaters, a South African band, had gone to Zimbabwe and came back renamed Harari. Local soul bands had toured as far as Malawi, and there was a cross-pollination of southern African music. Later on, Angélique Kidjo, with her smash Batonga, would help local music lovers address the African musical deficit. Still, our musical tastes did not match the Pan African pride we declared. We sucked. Who could blame us? We were children of apartheid. After arriving in Joburg, the bald-domed superstar played Soweto and the Mega Music hall in Newtown, ran a series of workshops, hung out with Hugh Masekela exchanging “war stories” and pulled a big fat zol right in the middle of a city at the start of its transition into an African metropole.

By the time Dibango and his Soul Makossa troupe pulled into Joburg in the spring of 1993, the city was in flames … He brought with him the rest of Africa and it has never quite left I didn’t meet him then. I was busy contemplating dropping out of Bush university, where I read Marxism, English lit and public admin. A year later I was a rookie at a national weekly, spouting expansive shit about music: jazz, kwela redux, kwaito and hip-hop. World music’s development and my cub phase as a storyteller seemed to coincide. In the spring of 1995, an executive in charge of the neglected African music distribution account at Gallo Records received a disc with instructions from a Paris-based label to pass it on me. I arrived at the apartment I was couch-squatting at as midnight struck and opened the envelope. The album, Wakafrika, Dibango’s curated Pan African project, featured some of the continent’s biggest names — Tony Allen, King Sunny Adé, Yossou N’ Dour, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Geoffrey Oryema, Salif Keita and Angélique Kidjo. It restored my faith not only in Africa but in humanity too (though what self-respecting African space jam, slapped with a postage stamp and addressed to the moon, is complete without the nasal inflections of Congolese pop medium Papa Wemba?). I arrived at that apartment opened the envelope, devoured the panoply of continental sound colors the CD came bearing, and lost my head. And I'm still looking for it.

ANGO MANU DIB LONG LIVE Manu Dibango was claimed by the jazz world — here he performs at the Torino Jazz Festival at Piazza Castello in Turin, Italy — but his musical reach went far beyond just that genre. Picture: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

LifeStyle

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

LOCKDOWN & LISTEN

Alone at home, books editor Jennifer Platt compiles the best picks from a new batch of audiobooks

ockdown can be rewarding in many ways. One of them is catching up on the piles of books you bought long ago with good intentions (silver lining, natch!). And if that is not enough, or your wrists cannot handle the weight of a book anymore (thanks Hilary Mantel!), a hands-free reading experience might be a good idea. It can help to take a mental break from the stresses of the moment. You can have a timeout, put on your earbuds and immerse yourself in a different world for a while. You don’t need a kindle or kobo or any special device to read an ebook or listen to an audio one. All you need is to download the apps — Kindle, Audible, Snapplify or Kobo. Takealot requires you to download an eReader. Make sure the app you download is compatible with your device.

security guard accuses her of kidnapping the child. A pandora’s box is released. Layer upon layer of racial profiling, privilege and identity are shown. But this is not a downer, rather it is one of the hottest titles this year. Do listen. Narrated by Nicole Lewis. 9 hrs 58 mins

15 December 2025, five years in the future. Narrated by Megan Hilty. 6 hrs 44 mins

NON-FICTION Three Women by Lisa Traddeo

One of the most anticipated books of last year, it was a bit of a struggle. The cover was a dark picture depicting all kinds of fruit, and one had to make the connection

Practical Fairy Tales for Everyday Living by Martin H Levinson

In this revised second edition, 24 fanciful characters, who one can identify with, battle the usual assortment of problems, mishaps and mayhem. Not guaranteed the usual happy ever after, the tales end with the protagonist understanding their issues and how to deal with them. As the synopsis quotes GK Chesterton: “Fairy tales are more than true, not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten.” Narrated by Ben Hauck. 2 hrs 49 mins

20/21

A shocking and chilling true story that delves into the lives of three sisters who survived their mother’s house of horrors on a farm in Washington. Sisters Nikki, Sami and Tori suffered through years of abuse, degradation, torture and terror inflicted on them by their mother, Shelly. It was their bond that helped them through the years of abuse, which culminated in multiple murders. Narrated by Karen Peakes. 10 hrs 34 mins

House of Glass: The Story and Secrets of a Twentieth-Century Jewish Family by Hadley Freeman

The columnist and writer for the Guardian newspaper investigates her family’s secret history, uncovering a story that spans a century, two World Wars, and three generations. After her grandmother’s death, Freeman finds a shoe box containing photographs of her grandmother with a mysterious stranger, a telegram from the Red Cross, and a drawing signed by Picasso. These buried treasures send Freeman on a 10-year quest to uncover their significance.

Till Human Voices Wake Us by CS Johnson

A sci-fi fantasy thriller with a dark psychological twist. The protagonist is Milo Bishop, who grew up hearing his uncle tell stories about mermaids and never once thought they could be true. But when a near-death experience gives him a vision of a mermaid calling to him for help, Milo is forced to test his uncle’s claims. Narrated by William Hoyle. 6 hrs 34 mins

Narrated by Hadley Freeman. 10 hrs 15 mins

Lock In by John Scalzi

All available on Audible

Illustration: 123rf.com

The title might be a bit too close to home, but in this sci-fi thriller FBI detective Chris Shane’s consciousness jumps between machines. Shane is genderless, so readers can fill in that information for themselves. Plus you have a choice: you can listen to the book narrated by a female, or the version read by a male, depending on your preferred experience. Narrated by Amber Benson

SPOTLIGHT

or Will Wheaton. 9 hrs 56 mins

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The Herd by Andrea Bartz

The Herd is the ultra-trendy women-only workspace. All the elite in New York want in, but very few get in. After Eleanor Walsh, the charismatic founder of the club, goes missing — and it’s presumed to be foul play — all the women involved in her life and in the club become suspects and the veneer of their facades starts to crack. Narrated by Karissa Vacker and Emily Woo Zeller. 10 hrs 59 mins

DRAMA Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Emira Tucker looks after Akix Chamberlain’s baby. One night she is at a supermarket with the baby when the

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson

Narrated by John Lee and Erik Larson. 17 hrs 49 mins

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen

Welcome to Night Vale is a podcast about a fictional town filled with stories that can be both chillingly weird and cheerfully eerie. This is the third book in the series and tells the origin story of one of Night Vale’s most popular characters — the faceless old woman. Narrated by Mara Wilson. 9 hrs 13 mins

Kaza. 6 hrs 57 mins

Larson is a New York Times bestselling author of five books which have sold more than nine million copies. Here he delivers a new, compelling look at Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz and how Churchill taught the Brits “the art of being fearless”. A story of political brinkmanship.

THRILLS & CHILLS

The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor

staring up at its branches. It gives one a sense of spiritual connection to those ancient beings. Kaza asks important questions about what it means to re-inhabit place, live simply and speak from the truth. Narrated by Stephanie

Even if you’ve read the classic and watched the recent film, you’ll want to listen to the story of the March sisters all over again in this adaptation read by actress Laura Dern, who stars in the 2019 movie. Narrated by Laura Dern with Suzanne Toren, Lauren Fortgang, Allison Hiroto, Emily Bauer and Carly Robins. 12 hrs 15 mins

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Named one of the Best Books of the Year by NPR, The Washington Post; O: The Oprah Magazine, Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, Vogue, Refinery29, and Buzzfeed. This moving story about two siblings and their childhood home is read by the wonderful Tom Hanks. What more could you possibly want? Narrated by Tom Hanks. 9 hrs 54 mins In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

When New York lawyer Dannie is asked where she sees herself in five years, she has a well-crafted answer at the ready. Later, after nailing her interview and accepting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal, she goes to bed knowing she is on her way to achieve her plan. But when she wakes up, she’s in a different flat and beside a different man. It’s 20

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between that and desire. Plus, it was nonfiction about three ordinary women. Not true crime. Not romance. Not yummy mummy. Just normal women with normal lives. Written over eight years by journalist Lisa Taddeo as she drove six times across America to live with women from different regions and backgrounds, it is one of the most fascinating examinations of desire and pleasure. Narrated by Lisa Taddeo, Tara Lynne Barr, Marin Ireland and Mena Suvari. 11 hrs 23 mins

The Monster Under the Bed: Sex, Depression, and the Conversations We Aren’t Having by JoEllen Notte

Notte is a sex educator, researcher and mental health advocate. Many say this self-help book, on understanding how sexual function is affected by depression and what keeps us from talking about it, will be on must-read lists for years to come. Narrated by JoEllen Notte. 5 hrs 19 mins Conversations with Trees: An Intimate Ecology by Stephanie Kaza

You can get lost in Kaza’s heartfelt meditations on the presence of trees, imagining lying underneath one and

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

Amabookabooka, the literary podcast produced by Jonathan Ancer and Dan Dewes, is making a comeback in the time of Covid-19, aptly titled The Quarantine Chronicles. For the lockdown, the two hope to interview an author a day via Zoom, everybody’s favourite quarantine mode of communication. They talk to Gus Silber, Melissa Volker, Deon Meyer, Imraan Coovadia, among others. Listen on www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/books

Time to read local — get the eBook ● Finding Common Ground by Wandile Sihlobo for its well-rounded view on our agricultural sector. ● Due South of Copenhagen by Mark Winkler for its take on the SA Border War. ● The Inn at Helsvlakte by Patricia Schonstein, good yarn of love and betrayal. ● A Sin of Omission by Marguerite Poland — shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. ● A Childhood Made Up by Brent Meersman for a poignant memoir. ● A Poor Season of Whales by Michiel Heyns to meet Jimmy Prinsloo-Mazibuko. ● Afterland, Lauren Beukes’s new dystopian book — a virus wreaks havoc all over the world — will be released tomorrow as an ebook. Visit www.laurenbeukes.com for details on the virtual launch on April 15.

SURVIVAL

GUIDE

ike many readers, you may have taken self-isolation as your cue to get stuck into War and Peace. But after hours of beavering you may now be simply stuck. What you need is a book that speaks to the great themes — the long night of the soul, the triumph of the human spirit, how to fix a carburettor when all you’ve got is a pair of nylon stockings — which is pocket-sized and fully illustrated: Tolstoy-lite. What you need is the SAS Survival Guide. This multimillion-copy-selling classic was written in 1987 by John “Lofty” Wiseman, a man whose terrifying achievements include becoming, aged 18, the youngest ever recruit to the SAS, and setting up the SAS Counter-Terrorist Team (the ones from the Iranian embassy siege). Now 80, he makes Bear Grylls look like Paddington. His memoir is called Who Dares Grins. The coronavirus has pushed us all a bit further along the prepper-anxiety spectrum. If you need a reality check, treat yourself to a long, hard peruse through the SAS Survival Guide. It could be so much worse. This is a book that literally tells you how to make a grass skirt to shield your groin from predatory birds. There’s a drawing of a man (with a luxurious, croissant-like

He makes Bear Grylls look like Paddington. His memoir is called Who Dares Grins moustache) self-administering the Heimlich maneouvre with the aid of a tree stump. There’s how to prepare shark for the pot: soak for 24 hours to remove the taste of ammonia. Wiseman stops briefly to address “emotional trauma” before moving swiftly on. “Can you cope? You have to.” I am thumbing through my childhood copy of the SAS Survival Guide now. It’s very dog-eared and if push came to shove, I’d pick it as a post-apocalyptic companion over any dog (and I say that having learnt from Wiseman exactly how you’d go about eating your dog: “Remove anal glands. Boil thoroughly.”). Whether it’s making your own safety matches (dip the tips of regular matches into molten wax), lashing seal carcasses into a raft or midwifing a baby, there’s no scenario the SAS Survival Guide doesn’t prepare you for. As Wiseman put it, without false modesty: “What I have written has saved lives.” In all honesty, I have never put Wiseman’s advice to practical effect (apart from making one den, which my brothers and I abandoned because our camouflage netting smelt with great intensity of feet and burning tyres), but that’s not the point of the book. It’s a reliably brilliant armchair read, like a condensed version of all the best adventure stories you have ever read: Willard Price in stock-cube form. The writing is wonderful, sometimes deadpan Hemingway pastiche (“You are only as sharp as your knife”), sometimes excitable (of wild boar: “Some have thick hair, and all are pig-shaped, with

Illustrations: 123rf.com

HOW TO EAT YOUR DOG

Hopefully you’ll never have to kill a wild boar — or an octopus — with your bare hands. But should the worst happen, here’s the guide for you. By Iona McLaren snouts and tusks. Listen for snores and creep up on sleeping ones!”) It’s the book we all need, not because there’s any imminent requirement to fletch our own arrows (page 135, if you’re keen), but because it’s a cheerer-upper of weapons-grade effectiveness. When Wiseman tells you that, in 48-degree heat, “without water, you will last two days [...] if you sit in the shade and do nothing”, you will thank your lucky stars that you aren’t bouncing over some sweltering desert in a plane with an as-yet-undetected engine fault, but instead stuck at home near a delicious cold tap.

THINGS I LEARNT FROM THE SAS SURVIVAL GUIDE ●

Buck “can be lured by waving a cloth and

moving on all fours”. You should start practising t1out explanation. Other gems from page 44: “Kissing the back of your hand makes a sound like a wounded mouse or bird and attracts prey.” ● Get the Arctic smoky-eye look. Snow glare can cause blindness, so you should wear goggles in polar regions or — failing that — a strip of bark with narrow slits for eyes. Wiseman adds: “Blacken underneath the eye with charcoal to reduce glare further.” In other words, if you’re going to be wearing sunglasses 24/7, you may as well commit to full glam rock. ● Men naturally float face down, women face up. ● The way you kill an octopus defines WHO

Racing in the time of Covid-19

lmost anything you can think of has in some way been affected by the Covid19 pandemic. Motorsport is dear to my heart and in just a few short weeks I’ve watched dumbstruck as more and more series cancel or postpone their scheduled events due to travel bans and social distancing. Heck, even the local calendar is in tatters: I was supposed to hit Phakisa Freeway in April for the second round of the 2020 Lotus Challenge Championship, but now I’ve probably got more chance of winning the national lottery. Luckily us humans are an adaptable bunch and the global motorsport community

Racing simulators such as Gran Turismo Sport are experiencing a surge in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture Clive Rose, Gran Turismo/via Getty Images

has already found a way to keep on racing, despite the odds. Simulator or virtual racing has been burning brightly on the sport’s perimeter, but over the course of the past few weeks it has been sucked right into its epicenter. Almost overnight we have seen multi-billion-dollar franchises such as 21

LifeStyle

Formula 1 adopt this online playing space, not just as a means to keep their drivers’ eyes in but also to keep fans happy. Through digital broadcast platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitch, enthusiasts are able to tune in and watch a Virtual F1 Grand Prix in the place of the real postponed event. The last

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

YOU ARE. Wiseman gives three alternatives for octopus execution: “Turn it inside out: place hand inside the flesh hood, grab the innards and pull hard. Alternatively, stab it between the eyes, or bang it against a rock.” If you didn’t spot it, there’s an odd one out here. Only a certain sort of person actively prefers to turn an octopus inside out, like a Marigold glove post-washing up, when they could simply bang it against a rock. ● Polish metal with sand to make a signalling mirror. This will help you perfect your Arctic make-up (see item 2.) ●Other oddly queeny moments in the book: ”You can foretell rain by increased humidity. If one of your group has curly hair, they will begin to find it unmanageable.” © The Daily Telegraph

one was held at the floodlit Bahrain International Circuit and, the last time I checked, had gained almost 900,000 views. MotoGP is also hopping on the digital bandwagon, as is NASCAR and the Porsche Supercup. Even on a grassroots level, more car nuts are beating the lockdown blues by picking up a game pad (or sitting behind a steering wheel if they’re lucky) and racing their mates on popular racing simulators such as Gran Turismo Sport, Assetto Corsa and Project Cars 2. Although a fun way to kill time, you could argue that the sophisticated physics native to these titles can actually improve your skill behind the wheel. Cynics will label it a lark, nothing but a passing craze, but I think in our uncertain future sim racing certainly has the potential to not only hold its newfound momentum but shift into a higher gear too. Thomas Falkiner

Television

Sunday Times Page 22 April 5, 2020

SUNDAY April 5

SABC1

SABC3

SABC2

FRIDAY April 10

MONDAY April 6

WEDNESDAY April 8

SATURDAY April 11

TUESDAY April 7

SABC1

THURSDAY April 9

SABC1

SABC2

05:00 Baby TV | 05:30 Thabang Thabong | 06:00

LifeStyle

5•04•2020

Sunday Times

SABC3

e.tv

M-Net

In praise of the unfenced mind There’s a light in the darkness. Perhaps it’s from a torch carried on a stolen hike, writes Darrel Bristow-Bovey

23/24

hat I’m about to write is going to make a lot of you, probably the majority, angry. I don’t mean it to, but it’s inevitable that it will. Perhaps a wiser soul wouldn’t write this, would wait for the national mood to turn a little, which it surely will, but there it is. I am the soul that I am, and what can I or anyone do about it? This week someone — I assume it was one person, but then again it would be nicer to think of them as a couple, silently bonded and sure of foot — went walking on Table Mountain in the dark. They had an electric torch which they largely kept shrouded but every now and then I caught a glimpse of it, a muted flash, a gauzy bob, like a drowsy firefly. It is of course highly foolish and dangerous to go wandering on Table Mountain in the dark. It is of course terribly illegal to do so right now, when there is a national lockdown and we all have to stay home and we are all supposedly in it together (some of us all in it together in our shacks, others of us all in it together in our sea-facing apartments or our three-bedroom homes with gardens and pools and well-stocked liquor cabinets), and of course it is unquestionably true that individual personalities and passions must bend before the good of society and what our president a little dauntingly called “the might of the state”. So I do not endorse the actions of these night-clambering miscreants. I condemn them as roundly and as unsparingly as my lawyers would have me condemn them. But it is the good citizen and the responsible public figure in me who condemns them, and I confess that not all

By Linda Shaw THEMBEKILE SENNE September 18 1971, Joburg, 14h00 Sun sign: Virgo Moon sign: Virgo Rising sign: Aquarius You have two distinct sides to your personality. One is obedient, organised and happy to do as it’s told. The other is rebellious, creative and forward thinking. That part of you has big plans and doesn’t appreciate putting them on hold. There are powerful internal changes happening for you now, taking all your energy. You’re asking yourself what you believe in, and where your life is going. Is it time to start a business? Are you qualified to handle a new venture? In fact, this short break from your life is exactly what you need. You have the chance to think about your own needs. Yes, there are people to care for. But you’re also carving out a small space for yourself – showing others how to manage their lives. By year end, you’ll be in a different universe – delighted with all the decisions you made while you had the chance. Want your chart read? E-mail linda@hixnet.co.za

Former safe-cracker and wartime British double agent Eddie Chapman with his wife Betty Farmer and their daughter Suzanne in 1957. Picture: Joseph McKeown/via Getty Images

of me is a good citizen, and very little of me is a responsible public figure, and the part of me that is a different kind of human being thrilled with pride and delight when I saw their dim speck of light. (I say Table Mountain, by the way, but I say that in a general sort of way, to shroud the actual location. Perhaps it’s Signal Hill. Perhaps it’s Lion’s Head. Perhaps it’s actually Johannesburg. I am no snitch.) Let me tell you why they delighted me. It is because whenever I truly fear for humanity or even for a corner of humanity, whenever I think about human beings being pinned down by a natural disaster or a plague or an alien invasion or an East German surveillance state, I think of Eddie Chapman, and people like him. Eddie Chapman was a thoroughly

ARIES Mar 21 - April 19 Punched a few holes in the wall and decided the universe hates you? Understandable. If you’re alone, there’s no-one around to get on your nerves. But very few of you are alone at a time like this. You would have made sure of that. The full moon on Wednesday is in your sign of lovers. Which means, if you want to make sure you’re still loved when the drama is over, you’ll have to be nice.

antisocial fellow. He was a rogue and a small-time villain, a con-artist, a forger, a safe-cracker. He was in prison in Jersey in 1940 when the Nazis occupied the Channel Islands, and offered himself to the Germans as a spy in order to get out of prison. After being trained in France he was parachuted into England, where he promptly turned himself in, declaring himself loyal to England and offering his services as a double agent. Eddie was decidedly illsuited to civilian life. Before the war he was untrustworthy, feckless and never met a law he could abide. In wartime, codenamed Agent ZigZag, he was magnificent, courageous, steadfast and true. He did things that no ordinary person would have done, sending misinformation to his German handlers and sabotaging their

CANCER June 21 - Jul 22 All this emotion; all this courage; all the group energy reminding us we’re in it together. It’s all too much for you, and you’re on the verge of a weepathon. There’s no better time to explore emotional depths, especially with Wednesday’s supermoon adding to the intensity. Then when you’ve poured your heart out to yourself, stand up and resurrect your enormous courage. Your strength is needed now.

TAURUS Apr 20 - May 20 Nurturing your beetroot seedlings so you’ll have something to eat when the apocalypse arrives? Making funeral arrangements “just in case” anything happens? Calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. Stress is a killer. You need to find distractions to keep you sane. Wednesday’s full moon brings out your most powerful emotions. Use them to show everyone how much you care.

LEO Jul 23 - Aug 22 You’re the one singing on the balcony, entertaining the masses. But if there aren’t any masses, you’re languishing on the couch, staring at the TV. Don’t let this creative spark pass without a mention. Your health is taking strain and you’re in need of additional care. What heals you most is a chance to create. So get out your paints or your tap shoes.

GEMINI May 21 - June 20 How about writing your life story? You’ve been meaning to do it for years and now you have the time. And with Wednesday’s full moon in your house of children, you’ll be happy to whip out your inner child and entertain the kids. Or make some new ones. Your health is fantastic now, so get back on that treadmill and watch your muscles grow. The goddess of love and beauty has just moved in. Don’t waste it.

VIRGO Aug 23 - Sep 22 Your health would be fabulous were it not for that urge to binge on comfort food. Make it a fat month – or give yourself one treat a day. Don’t fret about turning into a slug. By May, you’ll be back on the treadmill. You’re giving health tips to anyone who’s listening. In fact, you’re probably one of those health workers, slaving away in the dark. Give yourself permission to be less than perfect. It’s that kind of week.

schemes, facing down danger and destruction with cheerfulness and charm. He ended the war a straight-backed hero, and promptly slipped back to a life of dissipation and squalor. (Though his charm persisted — he remained good friends with his German spy-handler, Stephan von Gröning, who seemed to hold no grudges after having been so thoroughly deceived, and even attended Eddie’s daughter’s wedding.) Eddie is just one of my favourite cases; the same is true of countless other mavericks and daredevils and jackasses — people who are ill-fitted to our ordered societies, who chafe against authority, who are weird or selfish or criminal, but who are often the ones, when the rest of us are cowering fearfully under our beds, who are at their most splendid and fulfilled, the best versions of us. This right now is not the historical moment for people like Eddie Chapman but I am thrilled they exist, all the endless ill-conforming individual versions and mutations of them, because they are the unpredictable seed, the weird, spiky misfitting hybrids that life throws up in all its inexhaustible variety. They are the real essence of humanity — the infuriating, unplannable parts of us that refuse to be controlled, that are divergent, unpredictable, that flourish like weeds scattered among paving stones, and that ensure we will have enough cussedness and ingenuity and spunk to survive, no matter the circumstances. So yes, yes, stay home and keep the lockdown and do all of those good things that you really don’t need me to tell you about, but I’ll be watching that dark slope looming over the silent city, watching for that little flicker that gives me joy.

LIBRA Sep 23 - Oct 22 Stale relationships and outdated decisions are starting to affect your brain. Are you going nuts? Or is this outrageous display of rebellion something that’s been coming for a while? No. This is your way of coping with an impossible situation – one in which you’re not even required to comb your hair. The point is, you’re almost ready to make some changes. But you’ll want to be sane when you make them. Wait till you can breathe fresh air again.

CAPRICORN Dec 22 - Jan 20 Ever heard this: the height of stupidity lies in doing the same thing while expecting a different result? Even so, there are times when, no matter how desperately you hang on to the past, its fragments are ripped from your grasp. Think of this month’s events as a portent for changes coming up. Pay attention to your dreams, they’re particularly noisy now. Meanwhile, ask yourself how it feels to let someone else make the decisions for a while.

SCORPIO Oct 23 - Nov 21 Grinding your teeth? Get a bite plate from your dentist. Sure, the better option would be to soothe yourself into a calmer place. But meanwhile, your teeth are being ground to stumps, your head and shoulders are in knots, and your jaw alignment has gone for good. Find ways to take care of yourself. You deserve nurturing. Ask for a massage.

AQUARIUS Jan 20 - Feb 18 Emotional trauma is something you usually avoid. Not anymore. And because an upsurge of deep feeling is so strange for you, it’s making you feel ill. Calm down. Emotions are normal and healthy. Let them in. Besides, if you block your emotions, you block your creative flow too. They come from the same place.

SAGITTARIUS Nov 22 - Dec 21 Your health planets are on leave, taking with them your stomach, kidneys, hips, shoulders, lungs and intestines. Pay attention to the signs and do what must be done. A little nurturing is needed. Also, if your family is more demanding than usual, smile indulgently. It won’t last. They’re just inhaling your extraordinary strength. Give them what they need – and then take some time for yourself.

PISCES Feb 19 - Mar 20 Wednesday’s full moon is a supermoon, making your emotions even more powerful than usual. If you have someone with you, make it a romantic night. If not, pamper yourself with every available delight. If you must be emotional, opt for passion instead of despair. Write down your thoughts. You’re tuning into global energies. Plenty of people will benefit from what you’ve seen.

UNITED A P A R T NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE, APART This is an unprecedented moment in South Africa’s history. Lockdown is in full effect, businesses have been temporarily closed, and we’re all adjusting to this new normal for as long as it may take. But what does life in lockdown look like? Well, that’s up to you. Show us how you’re getting through, and what lockdown means to you, by submitting video clips, images, voice notes, or anything else that captures the essence of this extraordinary event, to:

+27 (63) 521-8618

UNITEDAPARTSA@ARENA.AFRICA

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