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Makhudu Sefara, editor of the Sunday Times, is reinstated after an independent investigation clears him of all allegations related to the National Lotteries Commission funding scandal.

A new think tank and advocacy group is calling on South Africans to consider changing the name of the country. Launched by four prominent academics and activists, Vuka Azania wishes to position itself as a unifier of liberation ideals. As the group’s name suggests, Azania is their preferred alternative to South Africa, reviving the sentiments adopted by liberation movements during apartheid. ‘Liberated people must name themselves’ Reverend Dr Allan Boesak, senior counsel Dr Muzi Sikhakhane, Professor Isaac Shai and Arthur Fraser launched the movement in Sandton on Friday. Sikhakhane said Vuka Azania was not a political party and stressed there were “varied paths to agitating for change” in South Africa. Boesak argued that the country’s colonial history had led to a “spiritual degradation of the African people” that underpinned South Africa’s social ills. “Knowledge production remains geocentric and colonial in character while African knowledge systems and languages remain marginalised, and are not the language of economy or power. “Secular colonialism, racism and racial capitalism continue to inflict on black people, not merely an injustice to be corrected in the future, but a form of ongoing violence that demands an immediate and drastic response. “We declare that this country must be renamed Azania. The colonial name South Africa cannot carry the full memory, pain, struggle and destiny of the indigenous people. “A liberated people must name themselves if dignity is to be restored. Vuka Azania stands for, and will advocate for, a truly decolonised post-colonial constitution that confronts the history of conquest,” said Boesak. Azania etymology A 1992 research paper written by Professor John Hilton of the then University of Natal details several possible etymological sources of the word Azania. Early uses of the word include a 2000-year-old Greek reference to north-east Africa, as well as an ancient region of Greece, among others. Sikhakhane said a grand discussion on the country’s future was needed. “Our strategic posture is informed by the fact that fundamental change in the country will only come when black people begin to appreciate that they have agency and only they can determine their destiny. “One the first strategic interventions that Vuka Azania wants to do is to call for and organise a black people’s convention to discuss us – ourselves, our condition – to discuss what we are about, to discuss why we hate each other, to discuss why we want to be slaves, why we do not want anything that seeks to liberate us,” said Sikhakhane.

Unveiled in January 1951, this year marks the Toyota Land Cruiser’s 75th anniversary as one of the longest-lasting nameplates in the brand’s history. Still a sales hit In addition, this year also sees the 70-series add another year to its now 42-year lifespan as the longest produced generation of any Land Cruiser. Updated aesthetically, inside and underneath its bonnet since its debut, the workhorse of the Land Cruiser family has remained fundamentally unchanged since 1984, bar the inclusion of the factory produced double cab in 2012 following the popularity of aftermarket builds in both South Africa and Australia. Land Cruiser name celebrates 75 years this year, and the 70-series its 42nd year in production. Picture: Charl Bosch While order books Down Under re-opened earlier this year after being closed for over 12 months due to demand outstripping supply, South Africa has been unaffected as the first half of the year netted sales of 2 796 units. What’s more, combined 70-series figures, which include the 76 station wagon, the order-only 78 Troop Carrier or Troopy and 79 single and double cab, haven’t dipped below 400 units – the lowest being 406 in March and the highest, 541 in January. Automatic…. Making this even more remarkable was the belief that the removal of the single-turbo 4.5 D-4D V8 turbodiesel engine would result in sales taking a dive. With its end announced two years ago, its replacement, the 2.8 GD-6, has proved the naysayers wrong as, apart from being the first four-cylinder engine ever offered in a South African-spec Land Cruiser, it also came with a market-first automatic gearbox. … and now manual GD-6 Not stopping there, though, the end of said year heralded the availability of the manual gearbox on the GD-6, but only on select versions of the 76 and 79. With the V8 officially no more, a further range update in March this year finally brought the manual as an option below the automatic on the double cab. Rarer than most supercars It therefore opened the door to sample what is likely to become a vehicle rarer to drive than most supercars: a manual single-cab Land Cruiser 79. While the double cab automatic showed its prowess at Gerotek two years ago with Road Test Editor Mark Jones clocking it faster from 0-100km/h, 60-100km/h and from 80-120km/h that the manual V8 tested the year before, there was to be no against-the-clock testing for the manual single cab. Resplendent in the same Satin Silver Metallic paint as the double cab automatic, the single cab represents what can be seen as the Land Cruiser 79 in its purest form. Don’t need these… As such, some of the most basic modern-day furnishings are left out, namely electric mirrors, a trip computer, fuel consumption readout, LED headlights or keyless entry. At the same time, the single cab is devoid of any connectively functions as it gets a conventional LCD audio system with two-speakers, Bluetooth, USB, no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its seats trimmed in fabric and the slider controls for the effective and powerful ventilation system still prevalent, the single cab is something different not only from the double cab, but from any other two-door bakkie on-sale today. Priced at an eye-opening R984 000, the test unit arrived not long after its Nampo showing, with a mere 115km on its odometer. Better looking Last updated in 2023, the changes to the 79’s front fascia make for a considerably more rugged appearance than the previous “smiley face” look. Borrowing styling elements from the 40 and 50-series models, the single cab 79 somehow appears more purposeful and aggressive than the double cab. Rear fascia hasn’t received any changes as at the front. Picture: Charl Bosch In addition to its striking paint option, the single cab comes standard with LED fog lamps, 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres, chrome door handles, chrome block letter Toyota badge on its mesh pattern grille, black mirror caps and side-steps. Although missing the steel partition behind the sliding rear window, there is little to distract from the single cab being a better visual presentation of what a Land Cruiser 70-series should be. Back to the past inside As before, opening the 70-series’ door is akin to stepping back in time as no massive fundamental changes have taken place since 1984. Aside from the removal of the Cressida-era ashtrays from the door cards, the various switchgear has remained the same, as has the starting method of inserting a simple metal key into an ignition barrel. Conversely, it also retains the same wood effect trim on the steering wheel as the double cab, but nothing else in the way of feeling plush for its near R1 million price tag. Single cab lack an infotainment display and instead, makes do with a conventional LCD audio system. Picture: Charl Bosch Unsurprisingly, interior trim is made up of hard and shiny plastics that feel durable and rugged, but flimsy in the case of the lidded storage area on the centre console. Ergonomics present little in the way of troubles. However, while the sparseness of the interior can be expected, the seats are still mounted too high and cannot be dropped all the way to the floor for taller occupants. Seats are still perched too high and don’t drop low enough. Picture: Charl Bosch What’s more, the cabin still feels cramped and, while the lack of an infotainment display wasn’t missed, the absence of a traditional volume initially proved irksome. However, since the radio ultimately only emitted static, with very short periods of reception, regardless of the position of the aerial, opting for the USB provided entertainment throughout the weeklong stay. As with the double cab, the single cab 79 gets dual front airbags, traction and stability control, electric windows and central locking, but not the PWR function supposedly designed for towing. Made to work The forte of any single cab is its loading ability, and while the addition of a rear bumper would have been handy to remove larger items from the loadbin without needing to open the tailgate, the Land Cruiser still has a handy payload of 1 180kg. While no details surrounding its loadbox dimensions are known, towing capacity for a braked trailer is rated at 3 500kg, with the claimed ground clearance being 235mm. On the move Tipping the scales at 2 120kg, 175kg less than the double cab auto, the single cab Land Cruiser 79’s main drawing card, its powertrain, provided the biggest surprise compared not only the double cab, but also the conservatively tuned V8. While the decision to opt for a five-speed rather than a six-speed manual means shorter ratios, the setup works significantly better than in the V8. As with the automatic, the GD-6 develops 150kW, but with torque reduced from 500Nm to 450Nm, possibly as a result of limitations related to the transmission. Combined with its weight loss, the single cab feels significantly livelier and more much responsive, even with more than usual engine and road noise intrusion. With the V8’s departure, the 2.8 GD-6 now offers the five-speed manual gearbox as credit over the six-speed automatic. Picture: Charl Bosch As noted with the V8, the long-through five-speed manual is not the slickest, but comes with a very light and easy to modulate clutch that makes the Hill Start Assist system almost questionable. Unsurprisingly more engaging to drive than the automatic, even with its torque deficit, the single cab isn’t perfect on the move, as the ride is similarly firm and the steering heavy. What’s more, the suspension makes for a bouncy ride with no load in the back, which made traversing an admittedly anything but challenging gravel route somewhat of a handful. That being said, tyre pressure could have played a role as test vehicles are more often than not set up for tar instead of gravel. Yet, imperfections and surface changes were dealt with in the easiest possible way without being noticeable. The biggest need More of handicap is the lack of not only the aforementioned fuel consumption gauge, but also a distance-to-empty reading the Australian model now has standard. Compared to the double cab’s single 130-litre tank, the single cab 79’s dual range tanks accommodate 90 litres each – the second or reserve being activated by a button above the gear lever on the lower section of the dashboard. While Toyota’s claim of 7.6L/100km can be seen as optimistic at best, a more reasonable estimation would be around the 9.5L/100km mark. In addition to the low range transfer case still being selected by the “second gear lever”, which itself requires a bit of muscle, the single cab 79 still has front and rear locking differentials. Conclusion At its price tag, the almost flagship single cab Toyota Land Cruiser 79 is thoroughly expensive and well out of date considering what can be bought for the same price. Undeniably capable and with a reputation that needs little proving, the single cab is a similar “want because I can” buy to the double cab no matter what. Combined with an analogue feel as a result of the manual gearbox and lack of most modern features, the single cab 70-series is a proper throwback and, as mentioned, the most representative of what a Land Cruiser should be.

Jayden Adams’s girlfriend, Aqueelah Adendorf, has broken her silence after receiving death threats and being accused of being involved in his death. This comes a day after the 25-year-old’s funeral in Stellenbosch on Saturday, 25 July. The young woman is the mother of the late Bafana Bafana player’s five year old daughter. Jayden – who reportedly ended his life earlier this month – also has a toddler son with another woman. JAYDEN ADAMS’S GIRLFRIEND BREAKS SILENCE On Sunday morning, Aqueelah Adendorf broke her silence on being blamed for Jayden Adams’s alleged suicide.  She shared in an Instagram Story: “The amount of false stories and assumptions being spread about me is heartbreaking. It’s unfair to make me the villain based on rumours. I don’t owe strangers an explanation. But I do ask for one thing; please stop spreading lies and stop using Jayden’s name to create a story”. She added: “He deserves to be remembered with dignity and respect” Jayden Adams’s girlfriend has broken her silence on ‘false rumours’.Image via IG Aqueelah’s comments came a week after a report that claimed that she had had a heated spat with Jayden Adams, after visiting a nightclub just hours before he reportedly took his life. The publication claimed that the couple, believed to have been intoxicated, had argued about money and his friends. RECEIVING DEATH THREATS Speaking at Jayden Adams’s funeral, Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie publicly defended the Bafana player’s girlfriend. He claimed that as a result of public scrutiny, the woman had been receiving death threats. He said: “I want to get the negativity out of the way. I saw many articles blaming Aqueelah for what has happened here today. I want to say to you, Aqueelah, People will talk”. He added, “I spoke to Jayden, and I know how he felt about you. Let people say what they want to. You loved Jadyn and were there for him. Thank you”. In a Facebook Live earlier this week, Gayton vowed to protect and support Jayden’s partner. He said, “I called her and told her that I will support her. I’m dealing with those threats. “Couples do argue, you know that. She has lost the father of her child, where’s your sensitivity?”

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized more than 1.5 million counterfeit and illicit items worth R18.27 million during a raid on storage units in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. The operation uncovered counterfeit consumer goods ranging from Trust condoms and BIC pens to Nike tracksuits, alongside thousands of bottles of illicit vodka. SAPS raids Boksburg storage units According to Gauteng SAPS spokesperson Captain Tintswalo Sibeko, the Gauteng Provincial Counterfeit Unit conducted the operation on Friday, 24 July, with brand protection investigators after obtaining a search and seizure warrant. The multidisciplinary team searched four storage units in Boksburg, in the Ekurhuleni District. Police confiscated 1 459 548 counterfeit items valued at about R18.2 million. The seized goods included: 902 016 Trust condoms 326 400 BIC pens 156 096 Kiwi shoe polish products 44 160 Nivea roll-on deodorants 24 192 Lover Plus products 5 184 Super Black hair dye products 1 500 Nike tracksuits Officers also seized 14 370 bottles of illicit 100ml vodka, valued at R71 850. In total, authorities confiscated 1 531 398 items with a combined estimated value of R18 271 850. SAPS warns of risks posed by counterfeit goods Sibeko said SAPS remains committed to protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and disrupting criminal networks involved in the manufacture, storage, distribution and sale of counterfeit and illicit goods. She said these crimes damage South Africa’s economy, undermine lawful trade and expose consumers to potentially harmful products. SAPS has urged the public and business owners to report the manufacture, storage or sale of counterfeit goods to their nearest police station or via the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.

The operators want the high court to set aside regulations that will force automatic rollover of unused data bundles.

Researchers have decrypted what Tecno, Infinix and Itel smartphones quietly send home: location, apps and camera activity.