17 May
2025
Say ja to Making Afrikaans Great Again, the robbery that wasn't, and we talk to Watchdog Wendy in this edition of News24's The Weekender!
This week, Max du Preez says it’s time to take back Afrikaans and expropriate it with nil compensation; Anneliese Burgess speaks to Wendy Knowler about a life in journalism, shrinkflation, gardening, and what makes her angry; Andrew Thompson debunks a viral WhatsApp voice note, tinged with fear, anxiety, and intrigue, that attempts to claim as real a case of “Devil’s Breath”; and Mapi Mhlangu asks what kind of faith requires us to suspend our moral compass.
Happy reading, and share your feedback with us!
- Hanlie Gouws
THIS WEEK IN THE
Just say ja to MAGA: Make Afrikaans Great Again
Afrikaans, which turned 100 years old on 8 May, was hijacked by white nationalists to serve as a rallying symbol of their ethnic chauvinism, writes Max du Preez, who adds that it’s time to take it back and expropriate it with nil compensation.
Wendy Knowler: Tea evangelist, petrol head... and lioness of consumer land
For the past 27 years, Wendy Knowler has tirelessly advocated for consumer rights. She’s something of an institution – and often the “last hope” for consumers who have exhausted all other options. Anneliese Burgess speaks to her about a life in journalism, shrinkflation, gardening, and what lights “a raging fire in me”.
THIS WEEK IN
The ‘Devil’s Breath’ mall robbery story is back - and there’s still no proof shoppers are turned into zombies
A WhatsApp voice note, tinged with fear, anxiety, and intrigue, began circulating in South Africa in late April that attempts to claim as real a case of “Devil’s Breath”, rendering an elderly shopper as a compliant, zombie-like victim, writes Andrew Thompson.
THIS WEEK IN THE
Influencer’s Diet Coke blunder, chimp medics... and antsy smugglers
Gooi some chops on the fire, crack open a cold beer and share tales with your mates about antsy criminals, chimps serving up bush medicine, a Darth Vader-sized workplace tantrum, and an AI ghost’s courtroom sermon – this week’s quirky stories have been grilled to perfection by Jonathan Ancer.
The 49ers’ great tsek, Grok goes gaga, and Farmer Number 1’s lekker farm time
In this week’s My F*k, Mzansi we take a closer look at the 49ers, the Farmer-in-Chief’s visit to the Free State, and ask Grok to lampoon itself. And, we have Steenie’s guide to photoshop.
What kind of faith requires us to suspend our moral compass?
Mapi Mhlangu looks at the complex intersection of faith, devotion, and critical thinking after the protests by the followers of Jesus Dominion International in South Africa, who demonstrated their unwavering support for Pastor Timothy Omotoso, which raises broader questions about the potential dangers of blind faith.
Valdivelu is a spicy homecoming that hits on flavour, but misses on drinks
Valdivelu serves authentic South African-Indian heritage cuisine with fiery expertise in its savoury dishes. Though its cocktails lack punch and desserts disappoint, stick to the aromatic curry, crispy bhajis, and explosive pani puri for the full experience this fourth-generation family restaurant intended, writes Noluthando Ngcakani.
FedEx’s Greg Saffy on doing the Ironman, running the Comrades, and delivering textbooks
FedEx’s managing director for operations for Sub-Saharan Africa Greg Saffy talks to Ahmed Areff about delivering school textbooks, the mental preparation required to participate in an Ironman triathlon or the Comrades Marathon, and why FedEx needs “trusted local partners”.
THIS WEEK IN
Sake 101, martini’s moment, and a super FYN drink for you to try at home
On Daléne Fourie’s recent visit to one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, FYN, co-owner and sommelier Jennifer Hugé highlighted the virtues of Japanese rice wine, sake, and how it can help us attain an unexpectedly FYN martini in this new martini era.
THIS WEEK IN
The Ford Ranger Tremor has everything we want... minus the gadgets that push up the price
Ford must have had Drive & Camp readers in mind when they built the Ranger Tremor because it has everything we want – without the unnecessary gadgets that push up the price, writes Cyril Klopper.
When ‘friendship’ turns to fraud
While we are often warned about scammers living among us, when it happens to us, our first instinct is not to recognise the red flags. Instead, we often lean deeper into kindness and our belief that people are inherently good. This can be costly because it is that trait that makes us the perfect victim, writes Nthabi Nhlapo.
PODCAST | Catch up with The Lead
The Lead's coverage this week focused almost entirely on the fallout from the "Afrikaner refugees'" departure to the US on the Trump Administration's ticket. On Monday, show host Graeme Raubenheimer spoke to journalist Alex Mitchley who had no luck in interviewing those who left for Virginia. On Tuesday, Raubenheimer interviewed News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson about his views on being proudly Afrikaner but not one of Trump's refugees. On Wednesday, The Lead caught up with journalist Nick Wilson covering the NAMPO harvest festival who reported that farmers insist on staying in SA. Assistant editor for investigations, Pieter du Toit, had the final word for the week, arguing that President Ramaphosa may be wasting his time trying to change President Trump's mind about SA's situation. In each 20–30-minute edition of The Lead, you'll gain insight into what Mitchley, Wilson and other News24 journalists saw, heard and uncovered in the pursuit of the big story.
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News24 editor-in-chief: Adriaan Basson
Production Editor: Hanlie Gouws
Design: Mihle Mdashe & Sharlene Rood
Sub-editor: Glenn Bownes
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