Friday, December 18 2020
SUNDAY TIMES DAILY EDITORs’
CHOICE EDITION
What a year. None of us could have seen this coming. A global pandemic and a matric exam leak scandal were interspersed with corruption, political scandal, increased racial tensions and, of course, an octopus friend. In our last edition for the year we publish a highlights reel of top stories from the Sunday Times Daily and Sunday Times. Then, from Monday to Christmas Eve we will publish a daily article looking back at the big stories from the year that was. The Sunday Times Daily team wishes you all the best this festive season. Be safe, wear a mask and remember to sanitise.
NEWS
THE HOT TOPICS
SA’s R37m Covid fence ‘joke’
Hasty barrier laughed off by Zimbabwe’s many border hoppers
Eskom exec ‘quietly enjoyed’ free electricity at his home for 14 years
After Sunday Times inquiries, Eskom suspends legal chief
‘My feisty hero’: daughter of slain anti-mining activist pays tribute
Others remember Fikile Ntshangase as an ‘incredible’ feminist who ‘spoke for justice ... spoke for truth’
Cape businesses live in terror of their ‘protectors’
A ruthless extortion racket has taken root, and the gangs are becoming more efficient by the day
Covid-19
THE STORY THAT LED THE AGENDA ... BY FAR
How a Tshwane family blew R5.7m UIF cash meant for 1,400 workers
Beneficiary of fraud payout tried to cover his tracks by dispersing the booty among family
Diko’s ‘proxy’ made an 800% mark-up on PPE, medical supplies, says SIU
Apart from ‘extortionate’ mark-ups, the unit alleges there was a plot to defraud the Industrial Development Corporation
‘I never had to beg for food before’: in the queues of desperation
About 50,000 workers in Joburg join millions who live off food parcels, but it’s not just the poor who are queuing
IN PICTURES | Limping restaurants fight for a seat at the table
The industry has clashed with government for several weeks. On Wednesday, it took to the streets
Politics
PEOPLE WITH POWER, AND THEIR POLICIES
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi — the politician who has seen it all
Sunday Times editor S’thembiso Msomi sits down with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi on his turf
ANC ‘at risk of losing power’: docs spell out uncertain future for party
Jeff Radebe says in a worst-case scenario the party may become so weakened it is forced into coalitions
R38,000 per day? That’s the cost of the Zondo inquiry’s lawyers
The commission’s major cost drivers are its legal fees and investigators’ costs, parliamentary committee hears
Enough fine words and smart suits. African leaders have a lot to answer for
With right people at the helm this continent can thrive and prosper, despite a history of dictators and corruption
Features
TALKING POINTS
Ugly bugs had a ball when early hominins croaked at the Cradle
Bugs enter the big stage of human evolution as scientists uncover miniature ecosystems in fossil remains
I can only hope it gave people hope, says filmmaker on ‘My Octopus Teacher’
'My Octopus Teacher' has inspired a string of memes, spoofs and even a mockumentary
It’s hysterical bull, but the pox of anti-vaxxer idiocy persists
A column to satisfy your inner grammar nerd
Economist Mariana Mazzucato is a new coach for our fractious team
She has won disciples in high places — including in SA — with her focus on innovation as key to inclusive growth
Opinion
EVENTS THROUGH OUR COLUMNISTS' LENSES
Want to write about black people? Know your facts
White academics have no right to question black people’s behaviour without humility and caution
Calm down, SA! Lockdown laws may be nasty, but they’re not Nazi
This is just the ANC doing what it has always done, shooting itself in the foot
The high-profile arrests won SA’s heart. Don’t break it all over again
Our people have waited 12 years for this, and they are delighted. Therein lies a crucial lesson for our leaders
Cyril has squandered the main thing he needs to fight Covid – our trust
The government’s non-science-based decisions are nonsensical and have cost it public trust
No, Bheki Cele, police brutality is not justifiable. Ever
The minister’s refusal to condemn disproportionate use of force by the police is extremely dangerous for SA
In SA, as in Poland, the Bolsheviks rule, not the democrats
The country is masquerading as a democracy, so don’t think comradeship, cadre deployment and failure odd
Tito is a national treasure. Now he just needs Cyril to back him
SA doesn’t have time for Ramaphosa’s vanity projects. Thank goodness Mboweni kicked those into touch
Crystal balls-up: SA’s 2020 is full of bad Juju
When it comes to SA politics, the stars are everything but aligned and astrologers’ charts get a little foggy
SPORT
PITCH-PERFECT WRITING
The dressing-room is where we change everything but racism
Yet SA still produces outstanding black athletes despite these unfriendly spaces
King Kaizer Motaung reflects on glamour boys’ 50-year journey
An in-depth conversation with the man who helped build one of SA’s most successful clubs
Boxing not so clever: MPs still haven’t learnt from a mistake 14 years ago
Parliament’s sport portfolio committee seems to have not learnt the rules of the game