A fireball hangs in the air after an attack in Lebanon. (Photo: Fadel Itani/AFP)
From the conflict in the Middle East, to politics on home soil, travel reports, debate and agricultural news. Find here a selected collection of Maroela Media’s reports that you may have missed in the past week.
Dawie Roodt on public service

(Archive photo: Mariann Szőke/pixabay)
The Association of State Servants (USA) noted with “extreme concern” comments by Dawie Roodt, well-known economist, that South Africa is a “parasitic state” with certain civil servants the real “state makers”.
Roodt said at a conference, among other things, that the average civil servant is paid more than R50 000 per month, while there are more than 1.2 million civil servants. State-owned enterprises and entrepreneurs are excluded from this.
Iran-conflict
(File photo: AFP)
The back-and-forth between allies Israel and the US and Iran continues and the focus over the next few days will remain on the Strait of Hormuz. Keep up to date with the situation in the Middle East here.
Inflation is falling, but more price shocks on the way
(Archive photo: Rezaine Desai Photography/Provided)
Excitement over the latest adjusted consumer price index of 3% will be short-lived due to the impact the oil price crisis will have on South Africa.
Although this downward trend brings relief to consumers, economic analysts warn that external factors, especially the turmoil in the oil market worldwide, could quickly undo the progress. Read the full report here.
Motorists warned against panic buying of fuel
(Photo: Pieter Cloete/Maroela Media)
The conflict in the Middle East continues and it has already had a significant effect on the rest of the world – especially when it comes to fuel.
In South Africa, disruptions in the fuel supply chain can potentially lead to sporadic shortages on home soil and this can catch motorists off guard if they do not plan ahead.
‘No room for doubt’: Lente’s parents believe God is still working on a miracle
After almost a month in the neonatal intensive care unit and seven weeks of intensive therapy at the Netcare rehabilitation hospital in Auckland Park, little Lente van Jaarsveld is finally home. Read here.
Farm Attack | Woman seriously injured on farm near Coligny
A 50-year-old woman is recovering after she was assaulted and beaten repeatedly with an iron pipe in a violent attack on a farm near Coligny on Tuesday afternoon. However, there is concern about the police’s alleged handling of the case. Read the full report here.
Just one more | The Bozell Wilkie Circus
The ANC and EFF were quick to criticize Brent Bozell, American ambassador to South Africa, for the fact that he shamefully disregards the courts by considering that “Kill the Boer” is still hate speech. It is now the same EFF and ANC that have repeatedly in the past railed against the judiciary, insulted it and even undermined it.
Worldwide | True Objectives in Iran War
What are the aims of the military operation – a very expensive operation – that the US and Israel have launched in Iran? Jaco Kleynhans explains.
Homework | Are we looking at it wrong?
(Archive photo: Maroela Media)
Few subjects evoke as much frustration in parents’ homes as homework. After a long school day, sports and other obligations, it often feels unnecessary that children still have to sit with books and worksheets.
Many parents rightly ask: Should homework really still look like traditional school work?
Read here what an expert says.
And the fashion Oscar goes on…
Maroela Media’s entertainment and lifestyle team played fashion police and talked about their favorite outfits at this year’s Academy Awards.
Susan Lombaard, her daughter Isabel and Sergeant Pamela Philander of the Great Drakenstein Police. (Photo: Susan Lombaard/Provided)
Our year began with a miracle; with a child who is alive, writes Susan Lombaard, CEO of Maroela Media. With angels: First an invisible angel who was in the car with her, and then a visible angel in a police uniform who stayed by my girl’s darkest hour and sang to her. Read the weekly installment of In Context here.
This is what a pumpkin should look like
Wykus Lamprecht (left) and Henri Combrink, organizer of the pumpkin festival. (Photo: TLU SA/Supplied)
The 22nd Goliat van Gat pumpkin festival and pumpkin growing competition weighed in a record total of 4,342 kg of pumpkins – the most ever at this popular festival in the north of Pretoria. Read here.
Clever marketing makes apples fly off the shelves
The Flash Gala apple brand is currently making South African apples widely popular. (Photo: Tru-Cape).
The Flash Gala apple brand is currently taking the world by storm, and according to the latest figures it is much more than just a fruit revolution – it is a digital success story that puts South African agriculture on the world map. Read here how it was done.
On the bookshelf
We are reading this weekend The island bride’s veil by Elize Parker. what are you reading
Throw these things out of your make-up bag regularly
(Photo: Liubov Ilchuk/Unsplash)
If you’re one of those women who can’t remember when you bought your mascara or foundation, it’s probably long past time to replace it.
Annelize Campher, professional makeup artist at, among others The Big Breakfastshares how often you should replace the products, brushes and other tools in your makeup bag to keep your skin healthy and your look fresh.
