Dear DM168 reader,
If you ever wonder why we keep scraping by, month by month, working in a news media industry whose revenue is being gobbled up by paid influencers and global social media robber barons, this week’s stories in DM168 explain it all.
The thing is, we journalists are curiosity junkies. Understanding and explaining what’s happening in our world is what makes us get up in the morning.
Broken bromance
This week is a case in point. We were planning on leading the newspaper on a creepy trend of sextortion of teen boys when on Thursday the news dropped about the bromance breakup of Julius Malema and his right-hand man, Floyd Shivambu, who ditched the EFF for Jacob Zuma’s MK party.
Our lead this week by our associate editor, Marianne Thamm, digs into the dustbin of the VBS scandal that joins Zuma and Shivambu at the hip, along with a host of others implicated in State Capture.
Sextortion of teen boys
If you have a teenager, who, if my two sons are anything to go by, are perpetually glued to their cellphones, gaming consoles or i-pads, Neesa Moodley’s article on the sextortion of teen boys, particularly those in private schools, who are deemed to be instant catches for cash, is a must read. Luckily, Neesa also gives us the necessary information to keep our kids safe.
World News
On our world page, Professor of Public International Law, from the University of Bristol, Lawrence Hill-Cawthorne, suggests that Israel’s deadly attack on a school in Gaza, shows the limitations of the Geneva Conventions that regulate conduct during war, which were established 75 years ago on August 12.
Peter Fabricius explores the recent crackdowns on Zanu-PF’s opposition in Zimbabwe, and how the South African Development Community won’t take a stand. Not impressed with this empathy-deficiency, Zukiswa Pikoli speaks out against the rampant human rights abuses on our doorstep.
Hope and humour
Every week we like to share a bit of inspiration in DM168. This week Estelle Elllis sheds light on how Gift of the Givers has brought hope by offering solutions to the hunger crisis in the Eastern Cape village of Tholeni.
And for some light relief, do not miss our hilarious satire column by Malibongwe Tyilo, who thinks outgoing Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is the perfect ambassador for a new fragrance brand he labels L’Incompétence Catastrophique.
Kick back and explore our Escape section where S’bo Gyre writes about the mesmerising show, Metropolar, which captures the creative heart of poor beleaguered Jozi with multimedia innovation. Also dip into our distinctively maverick food, car, film and book reviews and a dedicated fun things to do and places to go page for you to plan your entertainment week ahead
Not to miss are our popular puzzle and sports pages. Our very busy and talented sports team have shifted swiftly from the Olympics to a double page spread on which players and teams to watch in this year's Premier League. Will anyone be able to topple Man City? Find out in DM168 what our sports writers think.
Your chance to win
If you fill in our quick annual reader survey on page 12 of DM168, you could stand a chance of winning a R1000 Pick ’n Pay shopping voucher, or an Elizabeth Arden gift hamper or a bottle of delicious Radford Dale Renaissance Chenin Blanc worth R499.
Write to me at heather@dailymaverick.co.za about what you think about Shivambu’s move or let me know how you or someone you know dealt with creepy sextortionists. Otherwise share some almost-spring cheer and send me a picture you would like us to publish.
Yours in defence of truth,
Heather