Reflecting on the profound impact of Abdullah Ibrahim's music, I share my personal journey through apartheid and the solace his melodies provided during the darkest times, writes the author.

IN A WORLD that often struggles to embrace diversity, Jesse Naidoo stands as a beacon of courage and authenticity.

The horse racing business moves along at a gallop, allowing little time for thoughtful assessment and reflection – especially in big-race season. The hurry-up is catchy, too. A few days ago, we were hit by publication of leader logs for the annual Equus Awards in August, before many of the country’s biggest races have been run (See It Again tops the HOTY log, yet he is not even contesting the country’s biggest race, the Hollywoodbets Durban July. Go figure, as Yanks would say.) However, it would be remiss not to pause to record a sad week in the history of the racing game in South Africa. Two significant things happened that were largely lost in the swirling news cycle of “July fever”: the death of doyen of trainers Ormond Ferraris and the warning-off of former champion jockey S’manga Khumalo for 10 years for shady shenanigans. First things first. There is old skool and then there’s old school. Veteran trainer Mike de Kock might fall into the former category, but he is a callow youth alongside Ferraris – indeed, MdK learnt a lot of his early trade at the old man’s knee. Mike Ferraris Ferraris was born in 1932 and was bewitched by thoroughbreds early on, riding work and becoming an assistant trainer at Turffontein in 1950 – before most current racing old-timers were born. A press release last week said: “Mr Ferraris took out his licence and started training under his own name in May 1954, saddling his first winner, Shenandoah, at Gosforth Park on 14 August of that year. He trained out of Newmarket, the Vaal and finally Turffontein (where he occupied the same barn for 40 years), forging a reputation as one of South Africa’s most respected trainers, loyal to his horses and loyal to his owners, who repaid him in kind.” There’s a great old photo of trainers inspecting yearlings on sale at Milner Park in the early 1960s, intently studying every detail of the animals’ conformation, and Ferraris is the most ferociously focused of all and that epitomised the man: mighty competitive and deadly serious about his job. People who worked closely with him all speak of his generosity and kindness, but fellow trainers at Turffontein over the decades were rather scared of him, to be truthful. He didn’t suffer fools gladly and was rightly suspicious of anyone he didn’t know well (racing is full of chancers, “not serious people”, as the TV series Succession put it.) Those neighbouring trainers were chuffed to get what became known as the “one-finger” as the elder statesman (always “Mr Ferraris”) lifted a digit from his steering wheel in passing greeting as he drove through the training complex on his way to the gallops. Leaving a legacy Ferraris let deeds do the talking: 10 SA Oaks victories, eight Derbies, two national trainer championships, Summer Cup and Triple Tiara successes – all from a string of never more than 60 horses. Perversely, he’s well remembered in some quarters for a horse that placed second – Distinctly in the controversial finish to the 1975 Durban July. Ormond Ferraris’s legacy has been evident in the success of his trainer son David and grandson Luke, who rides in Hong Kong. Others he helped develop include De Kock, Wiechong and Weiho Marwing, Paul and Tony Peter and Sharon Kotzen. He handed in his licence in 2019, after 2,600 career winners, including Pretty Border, St Just, Sabina Park, Cherry On The Top, Distinctly, Sandfly, The Monk, Travel North, Sizzling Sun, Wagga Wagga, Rakeen, Tracy’s Element and Overarching. He died aged 94 on 10 June, surrounded by his family. S’Manga Khumalo Then there’s last week’s other sorry tale. Known as “Bling” for his peroxided hair and crystal earrings, S’Manga Khumalo was racing’s transformation poster child – the first black jockey to win the Durban July (on Heavy Metal in 2013 and again on Sparkling Water in 2022) and the first to win the national championship (in 2014). He represented South Africa at many prestigious international meetings, such as the Shergar Cup at the UK and the Longines Championship in Hong Kong. Khumalo’s gilded journey came to an abrupt halt when he was hit with corruption charges earlier this year. To the shock of his many fans, he pleaded guilty to two of the three charges and eventually copped an effective 10-year riding ban from the National Horseracing Authority (NHA). He admitted “improperly” communicating to Noor Iqbal – an “unlawful/unauthorised betting person and/or associate” – “non-public information relating to a race and/or a horse … for betting purposes and/or to undermine the integrity of racing”. He also admitted to corrupt receipt of money, with a sum of R128,000 cited as payment for passing on info … “and/or riding, or agreeing to ride, in a manner intended to affect the performance of a horse and/or the outcome of a race for betting purposes”. The incident has dimensions of a Shakespearean tragedy with the golden child destroyed by vaulting ambition and hubris – not to mention greed. As with all tragedies, there are painful lessons to be learnt as the system undergoes purging and purification. The game’s protectors will be quick to point out that the policing works: crookedness was uncovered and punished in short order. Still, Bling’s folly will long remain a deep wound to racing’s reputation.

Unveiled back in April, Volkswagen has provided more details of the incoming facelift Caddy, this time of of its interior. Golf inspired Officially available for pre-ordering in Germany, the first sighting of the cabin sees the Caddy borrowing extensively from the Golf 8.5 As such, it gets a new dashboard and air vents, illuminated touch sliders for the climate control and the same steering wheel with physical buttons. Interior takes extensively after the Golf 8.5. Picture: Volkswagen As well as upgraded material trim and new fabrics, all variants are equipped with the new 12.9-inch infotainment system, a slimmer centre console and the Digital Cockpit Pro instrument cluster on some variants. Also included, including on the Cargo panel van, is a new fast charging wireless smartphone charging pad and type-C USB ports. Visual changes Visually, the internally named SB Caddy’s refresh comprises a restyled grille, a new front bumper, redesigned headlights and new alloy wheels between 16 and 18-inches. Caddy range starts off with the standard wheelbase Cargo panel van. Picture: Volkswagen On passenger versions, Volkswagen has made four new colours available: grey-brown, Grenadilla Black, Sunset Red and Reed Green. From cargo van to passenger carrier As before, the Caddy comes in passenger and Cargo variants, with the standard wheelbase now wearing the Trend nomenclature, while the extended wheelbase retains the Maxi designation. Seating ranges from two in the panel van, to the seven in the Maxi passenger variant. First introduced on the Transporter is the so-called Flexible model that offers a series of conversion options Volkswagen says, “turns a five-seater into a full-fledged two-seater van with a partition wall in a few simple steps”. Billed as a “micro camper”, the California tops the Caddy range. Picture: Volkswagen As before, the Caddy can tow up to 1 500 kg and accommodate up to 3 100-litres in Cargo versions of the Maxi. Confirmed trim levels are base, Life, Style, Edition and the California Wolfsburg refers to as a “micro camper” as it comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, an optional kitchenette and removable bed that sleeps two. TSI, TDI or eHybrid While technical details are still known, the facelift Caddy is anticipated to retain the pre-facelift model’s engine options. These include the 2.0 TDI that offers up 75kW/280Nm or 90kW/320Nm, the 1.5 TSI Evo outputting 85kW/220Nm and the plug-in eHybrid that combines the latter with a 19.7-kWh battery pack and electric motor for a total output of 110kW/350Nm. Transmissions consist of a six-speed manual, a seven-speed DSG and a six-speed DSG in the case of the eHybrid, which has a claimed all-electric range of 122 km. South Africa waits Priced from €26 480 (R497 454) for the Cargo, with the passenger model kicking-off at €28 740 (R539 910), Volkswagen Group Africa is yet to approve the facelift for South Africa. However, since sales of the pre-facelift only started in 2022, expect the reworked version to possibly only arrive by year-end or in 2027 if given the greenlight.

Bafana Bafana suffered a 2-0 loss to hosts Mexico at Estadio Azteca last Thursday, prompting questions over the team’s tactics and overall approach. Broos has since faced heavy criticism from some supporters and pundits. However, Goss believes much of that reaction has been unfair. The goalkeeper pointed to Broos’ achievements with South Africa and urged South Africans to be more realistic in their expectations. BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS BACK HUGO BROOS “It’s just unfortunate that we aren’t realistic enough as South Africa. I’m not saying we shouldn’t go try and win games but I think it’s unfair on the coach,” Goss told journalists. If you look at his hips stay with the national team I think that has been phenomenal, and its something we haven’t had for a while.” The comments came after Bafana Bafana resumed training at their base in Pachuca ahead of Thursday’s crucial Group A clash against Czechia. Broos was vocal during the session, demanding greater concentration from his players as they looked to recover from the Mexico defeat. Goss said the squad understands the coach’s demanding nature after working with him for more than four years. “We know that he will come at us, but we know that after the session he’ll go back to being our father and make jokes with us. We still love him and we’re going to play for him.” The goalkeeper also defended South Africa’s commitment to building attacks from the back, despite scrutiny directed at captain Ronwen Williams following mistakes in the opening match. Bafana Bafana are scheduled to travel to Atlanta before taking on Czechia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. A positive result would boost their hopes of progressing from Group A after the disappointing start against Mexico. HOW SOUTH AFRICA CAN STILL MAKE THE NEXT ROUND Finish top two for automatic safety. Beat Czechia on Thursday. Avoid defeat against South Korea. Target four to six total points. Aim for a best third-place spot. Keep a positive goal difference.

Brandon Petersen has broken his silence on social media after being snubbed from the FIFA World Cup squad. The Kaizer Chiefs captain is also one of six Bafana Bafana players who turned down an opportunity to travel to Mexico to watch the tournament as spectators. KAIZER CHIEFS CAPTAIN BRANDON PETERSEN SPEAKS OUT  Brandon Petersen has made his first Instagram post since the Bafana Bafana  FIFA World Cup squad was announced last month. The Kaizer Chiefs captain – who was seemingly snubbed by coach Hugo Broos – has chosen to spend quality time with his wife and children, turning down a free trip by Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie to watch the national team’s opening match in Mexico. In the post, Brandon posed alongside his family, his biggest supporters. He shared: “In the eyes of my wife and the smiles of my three children, I see everything I’ll ever need. They are my absolute world” The post was liked by Bradley Cross, the only Kaizer Chiefs player to make the Bafana World Cup squad. Another footballer, retired Bafana star Benni McCarthy, also showed love to the Amakhosi goalkeeper. Benni previously encouraged Brandon to keep his head high, despite the disappointing news. He commented under a previous post: “You deserved more broertjie. But you should be proud of everything you did up until now, better things are coming your way 🔥 Keep pushing my man”. ‘THE OUTCOME IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT WE WANT’ On his Instagram Stories, Brandon Petersen also shared a link to a video in which he quoted a Bible verse and spoke about his Christian faith. In the video, the 31-year-old Kaizer Chiefs skipper spoke about a time during his professional career when he had received a devastating diagnosis from a doctor. His faith in God encouraged him to stay strong, and after a lengthy rehabilitation, he was back on the pitch. Brandon encouraged his followers to trust in God during difficult life circumstances. He said during the video: “He has promised never to leave us or forsake us. The outcome is not always what we want or look like what we wanted it to be. But with Him on our side, we are always the victors. We can freely declare that if God is for us, then who can be against us?” FAMILY OVER FIFA WORLD CUP Brandon Petersen is among the six Bafana players who turned down Gayton McKenzie’s FIFA World Cup offer. The Minister of Sport invited the players from clubs like Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on a sponsored trip to Mexico to watch Bafana Bafana play their opening match against Mexico, as mere spectators. Despite being national team players, the group did not appear on FIFA’s official registered player list. This means they could play in the tournament and will be merely spectators in the stands.

Cybersecurity leaders have urged the Trump administration to lift restrictions on Anthropic's most advanced public model.

The $22-billion cash-and-stock deal will hand Fox direct access to more than 100 million streaming households.