Mandela addresses the All-in African Conference in Pietermaritzburg on 31 May 1961. Photo: Constitution Hill/Bailey’s African History Archives
Today – 31 May 2022 – is the 151st day of the year. It’s also the 22nd Tuesday of 2022, which incidentally falls within the 22nd week. That’s a mouthful!
Taking to Twitter, Musk said Tuesday “will be the first sunrise of the rest of [your] life – make it what [you] want”.
While we don’t have an explanation for his cryptic mutterings on social media, we can tell you what is happening today in South Africa and the rest of the world.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) will hold a virtual plenary sitting, while the National Assembly (NA) will consider the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill.
Statistics South Africa will release the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for 2022’s first quarter. Meanwhile, we wait with bated breath for some fuel price relief this week.
ALSO READ: Food prices adding to burden of higher fuel rates
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On this day in 1961, the South African Constitution of 1961 came into effect, thus creating the Republic of South Africa.
It was Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd’s dream for SA to be ruled by the Afrikaner, free from British interference.
In April 1961, former President Nelson Mandela made a final attempt to stop the process and reminded Verwoerd, in a letter, of the ANC and its allies’ call for a national convention of elected representatives.
He said: “No constitution or form of Government decided without the participation of the African people who form an absolute majority of the population can enjoy moral validity or merit support either within South Africa or beyond its borders.”
If today’s Wordle is tripping you up, fret not; we’ve got your back. Wordle 346 is not a common word, so you’ll have to choose wisely.
Before you give up, though, try these tips:
Today’s Wordle starts with the Letter M. It contains two vowels, and none of letters appear twice.
Synonym: Château.
John writes:
The United States has a population of about 330 million. With such a large population, there are bound to be a large number of cranks and crackpots, as well as those who suffer from other mental illnesses such as bearing a grudge against humanity, or specific institutions, or people.
That’s life all over the world. It is not only American culture that is based on mindless violence. South Africa immediately comes to mind.
In South Africa, almost 57 people are murdered every day, while 800 to 900 children are gruesomely murdered a year.
South Africa has one of the highest rape rates in the world. Violent demonstrations are the norm. Vigilantes stone, beat or burn alleged criminals to death.
Recently, the world’s largest cost of living database, Numbeo, found that five of the top 20 most dangerous cities in the world were in South Africa.
Although we have no mass school shootings, school violence in SA is endemic. School stabbings have become commonplace.
It’s easy to see why macaroons – which originated in Italy but are currently the most popular sweet in Paris – have their own commemorative day.
In their original form, they are gluten-free, and there are a smörgåsbord of recipes to try from all over the world, including the Dominican Republic and Scotland.
World No Tobacco Day
Observed annually on 31 May, World No Tobacco Day is used to raise awareness around the health risks of tobacco use.
Food for thought: lung cancer is believed to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with tobacco being responsible for 22% of all deaths from cancer.
Smoking also increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, oesophagus, liver, stomach, pancreas, and more.
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