Chris Brown has ignited excitement among his South African fans with a recent announcement on Instagram, where he excitedly shared, “South Africa I’m coming.”
Along with this message, he posted a video featuring both the South African and Brazilian flags, indicating plans to perform in those countries.
While fans are eager for more details, including concert dates and ticket information, Brown left them in suspense, prompting many to start budgeting for the upcoming shows.
The announcement follows his recent 11:11 tour, which spanned the United States and Europe. During one of his last performances, he hinted at returning next year.
As 2025 approaches, it promises to be a significant year for Brown, marking the 20th anniversary of his debut album, “Chris Brown,” with a celebratory tour.
His previous appearance in South Africa, including a cameo in the popular show “Generations,” remains a memorable pop culture moment for fans.
The family of former South African Finance Minister and anti-apartheid veteran, Pravin Gordhan, has announced his passing at the age of 75.
A key figure in South Africa’s transition to democracy, Gordhan played a significant role in ending white-minority rule. Throughout his career, he held various high-ranking government and administrative positions, including two terms as finance minister. He retired from politics in May 2024.
The seasoned politician died in a hospital on Friday after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by family, close friends, and comrades from the liberation struggle.
Gordhan is recognized for his leadership in transforming the South African Revenue Service (SARS) into a reputable institution during his tenure from 1999 to 2009.
His contributions extended beyond his roles in finance, serving briefly as the Minister of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs and later as Public Enterprises Minister, where he attempted to combat corruption in state-owned entities like Eskom and South African Airways.
Born in Durban in 1949, Gordhan’s activism began in the 1970s during his pharmacy studies, becoming a key player in the United Democratic Front (UDF) in the fight against apartheid.
He faced imprisonment multiple times for his activism and was pivotal in negotiating the end of apartheid, co-chairing the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa).
Despite being accused of fraud in 2016—charges later dropped—Gordhan remained a staunch opponent of state corruption. He was dismissed from his position in 2017 for his resistance to corruption under President Jacob Zuma’s administration, with allegations centered on the controversial Gupta family.
In his final role as Public Enterprises Minister, Gordhan’s efforts to reform state-owned companies faced challenges, and his departure from politics marked the end of a long and influential career. Before his death, he reflected on his life’s work, stating, “I have no regrets. We have made our contribution.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa hailed Gordhan as a symbol of the fight against corruption, acknowledging his personal sacrifices throughout decades of public service. Gordhan is survived by his wife, Vanitha, and their daughters, Anisha and Priyesha.
Connie Chiume, a celebrated South African actress known for her role in the Marvel film “Black Panther,” has passed away at the age of 72, her family announced.
Chiume, an award-winning actress, featured prominently in South African television, starring in shows such as “Rhythm City,” “Zone 14,” and “Gomora.”
Originally trained as a teacher, Chiume transitioned into acting and became a beloved figure on South African TV.
She passed away at a hospital in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon, according to a brief statement from her family.
“The Chiume family regrets to inform you of the passing of the internationally acclaimed award-winning actress Connie Chiume,” the statement read.
The family has requested privacy during this challenging time and mentioned that further details would be provided later.
Her son, Nongelo Chiume, informed TV broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that she had been admitted for a “medical procedure” prior to her passing.
For decades, Chiume captivated South African audiences, with SABC News describing her as a “beacon of hope” in their tribute.
She first gained widespread recognition in 1989 with her role in the popular South African series “Inkom’ Edla Yodwa.”
In the 2018 “Black Panther” film, Chiume portrayed Zawavari, a member of the Wakandan Tribal Council. In the 2022 sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” she took over the role of Wakanda’s Elder Statesman from Forest Whitaker’s character, Zuri.
Chiume also gained acclaim for her performance as Sarabi, Simba’s mother, in Beyoncé’s Disney musical film based on “The Lion King.”
Her most recent role was in the film “Heart of the Hunter,” released earlier this year. She also appeared in the TV series “Soon Comes Night” in February.
Throughout her career, Chiume received numerous accolades, including the NTVA Avanti Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role in “Soul City” in 2000, and a South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for her portrayal of Stella Moloi in “Zone 14” in 2009.
Tributes have poured in on social media, with fans praising her versatility and the diverse roles she played in South African television.
“Her outstanding work will always be remembered,” the South African government posted on X.
Connie Chiume is survived by her four children, two sons and two daughters.
South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been expelled from the African National Congress (ANC), the party he once led, after campaigning for a rival party in the May 29 general election, according to local media reports.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee found him guilty of “prejudicing the integrity” of the party by aligning with uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK). He has been given three weeks to appeal the decision, as per a leaked ANC document cited by local media.
The ANC has yet to officially confirm Zuma’s expulsion, while MK has dismissed the disciplinary committee’s decision, calling it a ruling by a “kangaroo court.”
At 82, Zuma, an ANC veteran, fell out of favor with the party following his resignation as president in 2018 due to corruption scandals, though he has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In January, Zuma was suspended by the ANC after forming MK, which now serves as an opposition party in parliament.
MK, in a statement, expressed shock at learning of Zuma’s expulsion through media reports.
The disciplinary proceedings were conducted “in a manner akin to a kangaroo court”, the party said.
“It is a foundational legal principle that no person, not even those accused of a serious crime, should be punished or sentenced in their absence,” it added.
The ANC’s disciplinary committee held a virtual hearing, which Jacob Zuma refused to attend, insisting on being physically present.
In 2021, Zuma was jailed for contempt of court for refusing to fully cooperate with an inquiry into corruption during his nine-year presidency.
His arrest triggered the deadliest riots since the end of apartheid in 1994, resulting in over 300 deaths. Zuma also faces corruption charges related to a 1999 arms deal.
South Africa’s current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, succeeded Zuma in 2018 with a pledge to clean up the government. However, in the May 29 elections, the ANC experienced its worst defeat in 30 years, forcing the ruling party into a coalition to retain power.
uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), meaning “spear of the nation,” emerged as the country’s third-largest party by capturing nearly 15% of the vote and securing 58 seats in the 400-member parliament, mostly at the expense of the ANC.
Zuma claims the election results were rigged and has called for the election to be annulled. Following the election, MK announced its intention to join an opposition alliance in parliament.
South African rapper Bokang Moleli, known as Malome Vector, has tragically passed away. The news was confirmed by his former record label, Ambitiouz Entertainment, on Wednesday evening.
Ambitiouz Entertainment expressed their sorrow with a heartfelt message: “With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of a shining beacon; the Lion of Lesotho’s sun has set. Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones and industry peers during this time of profound loss.” They also shared a tribute on social media.
The Free State Department of Health reported that three men died at the scene of a collision on the N1 near the Koppies turn-off close to Kroonstad. Two other individuals, a man and a woman, were taken to Boitumelo Regional Hospital.
Sources informed News24 that Malome Vector was en route from Gauteng to Lesotho to film a music video when the accident occurred shortly after 1:00 PM. His vehicle collided with a heavy truck, and among those traveling with him were his music collaborators Lizwi Wokuqala and Puleng Phoofolo.
Hillary Mophethe from the Free State Department of Transport mentioned that while a burst tyre may have contributed to the loss of control, the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
See below post:
With heavy hearts, we mourn the passing of a shining beacon, the Lion of Lesotho's sun has set.Our deepest condolences go out to his loved ones and industry peers during this time of profound loss. Rest In Malome Vector 💔 pic.twitter.com/qK7YLMezlt
— Ambitiouz Entertainment (@Ambitiouz_Ent) July 24, 2024
South African rapper Shebeshxt is mourning the tragic loss of his nine-year-old daughter, Onthatile, who passed away in a car accident.
On Monday, the rapper expressed his profound grief in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, saying, “My life will never be the same without your presence.”
Reports from the BBC detailed that Shebeshxt, whose real name is Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke, was traveling with three passengers to perform at the African National Congress (ANC) Siyanqoba Rally celebration concert in Limpopo province on Saturday when their car collided with a heavy vehicle and overturned.
The devastating crash not only claimed the life of his daughter but also resulted in Shebeshxt losing his foot. He shared his heartbreak on X, writing, “My heart is so so broken.. I’m trying to adjust to the accident that left me in trauma and so many tears. Losing my feet was enough, not to lose my daughter.”
Fans and the South African music community have extended their condolences and support. The Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM) released a statement on Monday, expressing their sympathy: “We cannot imagine the pain and grief they must be experiencing, but we want them to know that they are not alone. The entire artistic community stands in solidarity with them, offering comfort and support. Shebe is not only a talented artist but also a valued member of our creative fraternity.”
Videos of the accident have been circulating online, one showing Shebeshxt lying on the ground while paramedics attended to him.
Tidimalo Chuene, spokesperson for the transport department in Limpopo, informed local media that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
This recent incident marks the second car accident Shebeshxt has experienced this year. In January, he was involved in a crash that left him unharmed but damaged his vehicle.
South African music sensation EeQue surprised listeners by revealing that he is only familiar with two Ghanaian musicians.
Known for his hit track “Tshwala Bami,” EeQue mentioned that he is acquainted with Stonebwoy and Sarkodie but is unaware of artists like Shatta Wale or Manifest.
This disclosure came during a conversation with Nana Quasi-Wusu and Kenny TheGrandmaster on #TheDrYve show.
“I only know two artists from Ghana thus Stonebwoy and Sarkodie but I don’t know Shatta Wale or Manifest,” EeQue revealed.
EeQue’s “Tshwala Bam” has gained significant popularity, especially on platforms like TikTok, as a notable Amapiano hit produced by TitoM and Yuppe.
Watch video:
I am only Familiar with @sarkodie and @stonebwoy from Ghana. I don’t know Shatta Wale, Black Sherif and the rest – EeQue ( Tshwala Bami hitmaker)
A shocking twist has emerged in the tragic case of the murder of popular rapper AKA, as a prominent businessman from a powerful South African family is now linked to the crime.
AKA, known by his real name Kiernan Forbes, along with his close friend Tibz Motsoane, was fatally shot outside a restaurant in Durban on February 10 last year.
According to details presented in court by the investigating officer, a company owned by businessman Sydney Mfundo Gcaba allegedly transferred over 800,000 rand ($42,000; £33,000) to the bank account of one of the suspects currently standing trial for the rapper’s killing.
This substantial payment was reportedly made just a day after AKA’s tragic death.
Further scrutiny of phone records revealed that the recipient of the funds, Mziwethemba Harvey Gwabeni, purportedly made a call to Mr. Gcaba before the transaction, raising suspicions of a deeper connection.
Despite these revelations, Mr. Gcaba has not yet provided any comment on the prosecutor’s claims.
The prosecution alleges that the transferred money was then evenly divided among seven suspects involved in the crime.
However, Mr. Gwabeni claims in an affidavit that the funds were payment for consultancy services he rendered to the company.
Yet, the prosecution argues that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim.
Sydney Mfundo Gcaba’s affiliation with the influential Gcaba family, renowned for their taxi empire and various businesses across South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, adds layers of complexity to the case.
As investigations continue, authorities are still piecing together the motive behind Mr. Gcaba’s alleged involvement in AKA’s tragic murder.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has praised the increasing influence of South African businesses in Ghana within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area, amid calls for heightened investment in Ghana.
With Ghana’s exports to South Africa soaring to a record US$546 million worth of products, compared to imports from South Africa totaling around US$413 million, President Akufo-Addo’s initiatives have yielded significant dividends for trade relations between the two countries.
The Akufo-Addo administration’s efforts towards this upward trend received a significant boost with the state visit of President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa to Ghana in December 2021. During this visit, both countries decided to elevate their bilateral relations from the Permanent Joint Commission for Cooperation (PJCC) to the Bi-National Commission (BNC).
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Ghana-South Africa Business Forum on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Johannesburg, South Africa, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the establishment of a Joint Trade and Investment Commission (JTIC) as part of the Bi-National Commission.
This commission aims to implement the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Economic and Technical Cooperation, among other key initiatives, to enhance economic and trade relations between Ghana and South Africa.
Expressing satisfaction with the fruitful connections, partnerships, and achievements resulting from the forum, President Akufo-Addo commended government officials, experts, and industry leaders from both countries for their dedication to ensuring a successful business gathering.
He described the timing of the event as opportune, especially coinciding with South Africa’s official launch of preferential trading under the AfCFTA agreement, which he believes will further strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
“is expected to lead to diversification of exports, increased productivity and capacity, acceleration of economic growth, investments, the creation of employment opportunities, and, most importantly, broaden economic inclusion in South Africa and the rest of the continent.”
“Today, it is safe to say that the AfCFTA framework has provided a unique advantage for intra-African trade and Ghana is at the forefront of implementing this agreement,” he added.
He noted that, with Ghana trading amongst a number of African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Cameroon under the AfCFTA Guided Trade Initiative (GTI), which was launched in 2022 to pilot the implementation of the AfCFTA agreement, he said, “the Initiative, which allows commercially meaningful trading, and tests the operational, institutional, legal and trade policy environment under the AfCFTA, has thrown more light on how to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive and foster economic relations among Africa countries.”
“I am confident that Africa would be able, finally, to take a front row seat in the global market with the full commitment of Member States towards the implementation of the AfCFTA,” he urged.
On Ghana’s enviable business climate, he told that gathering that, “Ghana is a haven of peace, security and stability, indeed, the safest country in West Africa. Legitimate investments are protected. We are a country where the principles of democratic accountability and respect for the rule of law, individual liberties and human rights are now firmly entrenched in our body politic, and where the separation of powers is real in promoting accountable governance under the rule of law.
Based on the firm conviction of his New Patriotic Party government on the crucial role of the private sector in the development of our national economy, he pointed out that, “government’s ongoing digitalization drive is formalising the Ghanaian economy, reducing the cost of doing business, and facilitating interactions between businesses.”
He said, “it has enabled Ghana streamline the processes and procedures of many service providers, including e-business registration systems at the Registrar General’s Department, paperless port clearance system at our ports, the implementation of mobile money interoperability to provide wider access to financial services electronically, a digital addressing system with unique addresses for all properties in Ghana, and now a performance tracker that allows citizens track the progress of projects or initiatives undertaken by Government.”
“The implementation of Government’s flagship programmes, such as the Programme for Planting for Food and Jobs; “One District, One Factory” initiative; the Planting for Food and Export Programme; the Port Modernisation Programme; the Industrial Transformation Agenda; the nascent Automotive Development Sector; the development of an Integrated Bauxite Aluminum Industry; the development of an Integrated Iron and Steel Industry; the Ada Songhor Salt Development Project; and the new Integrated Trade Facilitation and Customs Management System (ICUMS/UNIPASS) are all interventions designed to transform the Ghanaian economy, and help position Ghana as the manufacturing hub of West Africa,” he added.
He also welcomed South African investments and participation in undertaking many infrastructural projects, such as the Keta Port Project, aimed at decongesting the Tema and Takoradi Ports.
Reminding them of the fiscal incentives in Ghana for investors, he said, “not only is Ghana the best place for doing business in West Africa, but she is also the preferred destination for a perfect blend of mineral resource potential, stable regulatory environment, favourable fiscal regime, and socially responsive mining in Africa” and urged the private sector in South Africa to take advantage of the business-friendly climate in the country to invest in Ghana.
A South African town, plagued by the disappearance of a six-year-old girl missing for over 10 days, has received support in its quest for answers.
Joshlin Smith vanished from her home in an informal settlement in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province, last Monday. Her disappearance has captured national attention, highlighting the alarming rate of missing children, with reports indicating one child goes missing every five hours in the country.
A reward of 100,000 rand ($5,100; £4,100) has been offered for information leading to the girl’s location, prompting extensive searches of sewers and pits in the area.
Concerns arose when reports suggested police were scaling back their efforts. In response, Mayor Andrè Truter appealed to the provincial government for additional support. As a result, more investigators, drones, dog units, and rescue volunteers were deployed to aid in the search on Thursday.
The girl was last seen under the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, who was unable to provide information about her whereabouts. Amidst the search efforts, there have been reports of angry mobs searching homes in the area.
Joshlin’s mother revealed to local news service EWN that some community members had accused her and Mr. Appollis of involvement in her daughter’s disappearance. However, both individuals have vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
A young woman from South Africa has disclosed that her family coerced her into filing false rape charges against her former Nigerian boyfriend, who had impregnated her.
She revealed that relationships between Nigerians and South Africans were considered a taboo and that prompted her family’s actions.
Consequently, her boyfriend was wrongfully sentenced to six months in prison.
However, she later confessed to authorities that the Nigerian was indeed her boyfriend and had not committed the alleged crime.
“I was 19 and he was 3 years older than me. And I mean back then…you all know…even now dating Nigerian men is a taboo. You know you would be called names and what not… I was still young and when he got me pregnant. I was forced to lay charges against him by…lets just say family. Its a long story but let me cut it short. He was falsely accused of raping me but he didn’t rape me. I wanted to tell the truth and when I got the chance he was arrested for 7 or 8 months. I told the officers investigating the case that this was my boyfriend and he is the father of this child. And they said to us… “okay we need to wait for the child to be born. And if the DNA text comes positive that he is the father, will try him out of this case. Should he be lying that he is the father of the child for example, he will be sentenced. And then the baby was born and the DNA test came out positive,” the young lady explained.
She said his boyfriend now had to travel to Europe to ease himself of the trauma and later travelled to London.
She further indicated that she also got married to someone but lied to her husband that the father of her first child had passed.
This same information was relayed to her son when he also grew up.
“All his life has been in Europe and he move to London, And then when he came back I was already married at that time. And the honest truth I told this husband that the father of my first child had passed away. Now am living a reality. And when the baby grew up I told him “Your father passed”. She added.
A young woman from South Africa has disclosed that her family coerced her into filing false rape charges against her former Nigerian boyfriend, who had impregnated her.
She revealed that relationships between Nigerians and South Africans were considered a taboo and that prompted her family’s actions.
Consequently, her boyfriend was wrongfully sentenced to six months in prison.
However, she later confessed to authorities that the Nigerian was indeed her boyfriend and had not committed the alleged crime.
“I was 19 and he was 3 years older than me. And I mean back then…you all know…even now dating Nigerian men is a taboo. You know you would be called names and what not… I was still young and when he got me pregnant. I was forced to lay charges against him by…lets just say family. Its a long story but let me cut it short. He was falsely accused of raping me but he didn’t rape me. I wanted to tell the truth and when I got the chance he was arrested for 7 or 8 months. I told the officers investigating the case that this was my boyfriend and he is the father of this child. And they said to us… “okay we need to wait for the child to be born. And if the DNA text comes positive that he is the father, will try him out of this case. Should he be lying that he is the father of the child for example, he will be sentenced. And then the baby was born and the DNA test came out positive,” the young lady explained.
She said his boyfriend now had to travel to Europe to ease himself of the trauma and later travelled to London.
She further indicated that she also got married to someone but lied to her husband that the father of her first child had passed.
This same information was relayed to her son when he also grew up.
“All his life has been in Europe and he move to London, And then when he came back I was already married at that time. And the honest truth I told this husband that the father of my first child had passed away. Now am living a reality. And when the baby grew up I told him “Your father passed”. She added.
Six individuals have been apprehended for their involvement in the tragic killings of renowned South African rapper Kiernan Forbes, popularly known as AKA, and his close confidant, celebrity chef and entrepreneur Tebello “Tibz” Motshoane.
The pair fell victim to gunfire outside a Durban restaurant a year ago, shocking the South African community.
Law enforcement authorities revealed that the hired assassins were specifically commissioned to target AKA, though the motive behind the attack remains undisclosed.
The suspects, all under the age of 36, are set to appear in court on Thursday.
According to Lt Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial police commissioner, AKA was closely monitored from the airport, and Tibz was not the intended target.
“It was clear that AKA was monitored from the airport, and Tibz was not the intended target in the murder on Florida Road in Durban,” Lt Gen Mkhwanazi stated in a Tuesday night press briefing. “We know they were paid for this,” he added.
The six accused individuals had distinct roles in the assassination scheme.
This includes two gunmen responsible for firing at the victims, two spotters who trailed AKA from Durban’s airport, an individual who procured the firearms used, and the mastermind behind the plot.
Some of the suspects are also implicated in unrelated murder cases.
Following a weekend raid by Interpol, two suspects were found in a hideout in Eswatini.
They appeared in a magistrate’s court on Tuesday, with plans underway to extradite them to South Africa to face murder charges.
Recovered exhibits from the arrests include four vehicles, firearms linked to the murders, and spent cartridges.
Police Minister Bheki Cele expressed hope that these arrests would bring relief to the South African public, deeply affected by the killings captured on CCTV cameras.
Reflecting on the motive, Minister Cele asserted, “We are all interested to know what the motive was. It is very clear that it was not a case of someone waking up in the morning angry. You can see that in the build-up and coordination.”
AKA, who began his musical journey as a member of the rap collective Entity, ventured into a successful solo career, earning accolades in South Africa and international acclaim. Even posthumously, his contributions were recognized, with a tribute bestowed upon him at the BET Hip Hop Awards last year.
Grammy-winner and South African singer Tyla revealed her distinct dating preferences, asserting that she would choose a man who plays video games over one who frequents clubs.
Despite being open to friendships, she emphasised her single status, attributing it to her dedication to advancing her music career.
During the interview, Tyla firmly expressed her stance, asserting, “Video games all day. A club guy? No! What the hell?” She highlighted her preference for a partner who enjoys staying at home, emphasising that a gamer would always be with her. When questioned about her relationship status, she clarified, “Yes, I am single. I’m not playing with all of that right now. I am focusing on the prize.”
In a surprising revelation from last year, Tyla shared her desire to go on a date with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Rema.
Recounting a previous encounter with Rema, she clarified that despite the rumours, they are just friends, cautioning about the deceptive nature of Hollywood vibes.
Her words;
“Rema would be cute. I hung out with him last year, and we took pictures together. That was so dramatic.
“After that situation I realized that Hollywood is just vibes like you can’t trust everything you see cause that looked like a scandal. Even I started believing [we were dating]. But we are just friends.”
South African telecommunications giant Vodacom is set to appeal against a court decision requiring it to significantly increase its compensation offer to the inventor of the Please Call Me texting service.
After inventor Nkosana Makate rejected Vodacom’s initial payout offer, the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in his favor, deeming Vodacom’s offer as “inequitable.” The court mandated Vodacom to provide Makate with a share between 5% and 7.5% of the total revenue generated by the service over 18 years, along with interest.
Reports suggest that based on models presented by Makate’s legal team, he could be entitled to around 20 billion rand.
Expressing surprise and disappointment, Vodacom stated its intention to challenge the ruling in the Constitutional Court, the country’s highest court of appeal.
The dispute dates back two decades when Makate, a former Vodacom financial manager, conceptualized the Please Call Me service. Despite an alleged verbal agreement promising him a share of the product’s revenue, the matter remains unresolved, leading to the protracted legal battle.
The track, celebrated across diverse music platforms, secured the Best African Music Performance accolade at the 66th Grammy Awards, marking a significant triumph for both Tyla and the accomplished Ghanaian producer.
British Ghanaian producer Juls disclosed Sammy Soso’s instrumental role in the composition, recording sessions, and inspiration for the hit, with the revelation surfacing in a tweet on February 4, 2024.
Juls exclaimed, “Ghana actually won a Grammy tonight! The producer for @Tyllaaaaaaa record is Ghanaian! @SammySoSo!! Show love and respect! He’s been working and grafting! He’s Grammy-nominated already.”
Sammy SoSo, a Grammy-Nominated producer, songwriter, engineer, and DJ, began his DJ journey in his teen years as part of a multi-media enterprise, performing in renowned clubs from ‘Rep Your Country’ to Julie Adenuga’s ‘Don’t @ Me’.
In 2016, he crafted the ‘UK Top 15’ single ‘Transforming’ by KSI, marking the start of his successful collaboration with artistes like JME and Wizkid, contributing to hits such as ‘Pull UP’, ‘Sweet One’, ‘Grace’, and more on the album ‘Made in Lagos’.
Sammy’s influence extends to Wizkid’s latest album “More Love, Less Ego,” featuring standout tracks like “Bad To Me,” “Everyday,” and “Flower Pads,” as well as collaborations with Omah Lay, Young T & Bugsey, and Blxst.
They said that Ms Khumalo couldn’t say anything but her lawyers are working on the problem.
The trial of the people accused of killing Mr Meyiwa, who used to be the national football team captain and a goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates, has captured the country’s attention.
Ms Khumalo was first thought to be involved after police papers were leaked in 2020 when the men were arrested.
Mr Gininda said in court that one of the suspects admitted in a statement that Ms Khumalo told them to kill Mr Meyiwa.
The main investigator also said that Ms Khumalo was connected to the suspects through their cell phones.
Last year, Colonel Lambertus Steyn from the National Cold Case Investigation Unit said that Ms Khumalo had talked to one of the accused at least two times before Mr Meyiwa was killed.
Also, Ms Khumalo had a picture of money in a see-through bag on her phone. The same picture was also on one of the suspect’s phones.
The court is figuring out if the confession statements can be used as evidence. Two of the people accused say they were forced to confess.
Ms Khumalo and Mr Meyiwa had a baby.
But Mr Gininda said the two had a disagreement.
He said that Ms Khumalo really didn’t like him and wanted to make him go away.
He said that messages between Ms Khumalo and her sister from early 2013 showed that she wanted to get rid of him.
Renowned South African photographer and anti-apartheid activist Peter Magubane has been praised for his contributions to South Africa’s liberation struggle after his death on Monday. He was 91 years old.
Magubane covered key events in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, including the 1976 Soweto uprising, in which hundreds of black student protesters were killed.
Magubane’s work pitted him against the apartheid government, leading to his arrest and solitary confinement for 586 days and a five-year ban on photography.
South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, praised Makubane as “an outstanding photojournalist and freedom fighter who courageously documented the injustices of apartheid. ” clan”
“Dr Magubane used his camera as a means of protest, never backing down from an oppressive regime,” Mr. Kodwa added
“Magubane’s indomitable spirit, courage and exceptional contributions to journalism will be greatly missed,” the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) said.
Magubane also served as liberation hero Nelson Mandela’s official photographer for four years after Mandela’s release from prison in 1990.
Zahara, a famous singer from South Africa, has passed away, according to the country’s culture minister.
She was in the hospital with liver problems and the government had been helping her family for a while, according to Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa.
The singer became famous in 2011 with her album Loliwe, which was popular all over Africa.
In 2019, Zahara talked about her struggle with drinking too much alcohol.
“Zahara and her guitar made a big and long-lasting impression on South African music,” Mr Kodwa posted on X, which used to be called Twitter.
The family said the musician is in the hospital and asked people to pray for her.
She died on Monday night in a hospital in Johannesburg at 36 years old, according to SABC, a public broadcaster.
Zahara’s family wrote on her Instagram that she was a kind and loving person. A symbol of hope, a present, and a thing that brings us and many people around the world good fortune.
Fans are feeling sad and remembering good times with her on social media.
“One X user posted that she left us with really nice music. ”
Zahara released five albums and won many awards from all over the world, as well as in her own country. In 2020, she was chosen for the BBC’s 100 Women list.
The person who writes songs used her opportunity to talk about violence against women in South Africa. She said it happened to her too.
Last year, Zahara said in a radio interview that she makes music not to be famous, but to help people feel better when they are sad.
Ten years after Nelson Mandela, a famous person who fought against apartheid, passed away, a South African TV station called eNCA went to the house where he lived before he died. They found that the house had been left empty and was not in good condition.
Famous people like Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and Michelle Obama visited former President Mandela at his house in Houghton, Johannesburg.
On Friday, they showed parts of the run-down home, like the garden covered in weeds and the dusty ceiling in the bedroom where Mandela passed away.
Mandela’s grandchildren used to live in the house, but they had to leave because the city turned off the electricity because Mandela’s trust didn’t pay the bills. eNCA told the media.
“I left because my family trust was causing problems. ” Mandela’s grandson, Mbuso Mandela, said that we had to keep asking the trustees to pay the water and electricity bills. He moved out around 2019.
Some people in South Africa are very sad and upset on social media. They want Mandela’s family and the government to fix up his old house to remember and honor him.
The Johannesburg home where Mandela first lived after he was released from prison has been turned into a fancy hotel called Sanctuary Madiba. It is very different from how it used to be.
South African police stopped lots of buses with 443 young kids from Zimbabwe.
This happened after the BMA and the police conducted a covert operation at the Beitbridge border post on Saturday night.
Michael Masiapato, the commissioner of BMA, said that more than 40 buses carrying children were stopped at the North Gate of the border post with Zimbabwe before they could enter South Africa.
He said the kids were traveling without their parents or guardians and without permission letters, even though they had passports like they were supposed to.
The bus drivers said the kids were going to play sports, but the reports said their Zimbabwean grandparents sent them to their parents in South Africa.
Mr Masiapato said that the children were being taken against their will. They got in touch with authorities in Zimbabwe and sent the children back to their home country.
He said that the problem of moving people against their will is getting worse and he promised to keep doing missions during the holiday season.
More than one million people from Zimbabwe live and work in South Africa. It is thought that the kids were going to visit their parents in South Africa for Christmas break after their schools closed.
South Africa has been dealing with a lot of people entering the country illegally from Zimbabwe in the north.
Jonathan Oppenheimer, son of South African billionaire Nicky Oppenheimer, has acquired complete control of GZ Industries Ltd., Nigeria’s largest beverage can manufacturer, in a strategic move to capitalize on the potential revival of Africa’s largest economy.
Oppenheimer Partners Ltd., the investment firm, purchased the remaining shares from Affirma Capital (formerly Standard Chartered Private Equity), which previously held a 37.5% stake in GZ Industries. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
This acquisition positions Oppenheimer to influence GZI’s growth in the sub-Saharan African region, where research indicates high consumption of sugary drinks among urban, educated adults.
The Oppenheimer family, known for founding mining giant Anglo American Plc and transforming De Beers into the world’s largest diamond producer, initially invested in GZI in 2018 when the canmaker established a factory in South Africa, achieving a 20% market share.
GZI competes with Nampak Ltd., which has faced losses, leading to asset sales and debt restructuring. Affirma Capital had initially invested in GZI in 2012.
GZ Industries Ltd. produces 3 billion aluminum cans annually in Africa. The Oppenheimer family’s investment aligns with Nigerian President Bola Tinubu’s 2024 spending plans of 27.5 trillion naira ($34 billion), focusing on job-rich economic growth, macroeconomic stability, and an improved investment environment.
Affirma Capital, with investments in 11 African companies since 2008, has successfully exited eight, delivering over $800 million in returns to investors.
The Oppenheimer family holds a combined net worth of $9.4 billion, primarily from the 2012 sale of their De Beers stake for approximately $5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Three people involved in the case of a criminal who ran away from prison after committing rape and murder no longer have any legal charges against them.
Thabo Bester successfully escaped from a South African prison last year by pretending he was dead. He did this by starting a fire in his jail cell.
The incident made many people in South Africa very angry. The local media called him the “Facebook rapist” because he used the website to trick women by offering them jobs and then hurting them.
Twelve people, including Bester, were originally accused of escaping from prison. However, on Wednesday, three of them had their charges dropped.
The government did not say why the accusations were dropped, but people think that the charges against Nastaja Jansen, Thabang Mier, and Moeketsi Ramulula were canceled because there was not enough evidence.
During the court hearing, Bester’s lawyers claimed that the Department of Correctional Service had secretly recorded his phone calls. The state said they don’t know about this.
The court was told that the case was ready to be moved to the high court for pre-trial procedures on 21 February next year.
The popular song “Water” by Tyla, a 21-year-old singer from South Africa, has entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart this week. This achievement comes after the song gained a lot of attention and became trendy on TikTok for several weeks.
This is the first song by a musician from South Africa to reach the US singles chart by themselves since Hugh Masekela’s song “Grazing in the Grass” in 1968.
I am a girl from South Africa who was born and grew up in Johannesburg. “This is nuts,” Tyla posted on Twitter Monday evening.
The musician’s song first appeared at 67th place and has caused the TikTok water dance challenge to become popular. As a result, the song has been used in over 500,000 videos on the app.
Amapiano is a type of music from South Africa that you can dance to.
The Billboard Hot 100 is a list of the most popular songs in the US that is published every week by the magazine called Billboard.
Billboard revealed that Tyla is joining the list on Monday night, before the complete list for this week comes out on Tuesday.
Water has already made a lot of achievements on Spotify and YouTube.
The former South African Airways board chair has been detained and is facing corruption charges in court.
The corporation Bosasa is suspected of providing Dudu Myeni with bribes, including home security enhancements.
Throughout Jacob Zuma’s administration, it has been connected to multiple corrupt transactions.
Bosasa received government contracts of more than $100 million (£82 million) last year, according to a Commission of Inquiry, which found that Ms Myeni had pressured Mr. Zuma to promote the company.
Trevor Mathenjwa, a director of a Bosasa subsidiary, was also accused of wrongdoing. They were both granted bail and are scheduled to appear in court once more in November.
He claimed that the shootout, which lasted 90 minutes and resulted in the deaths of 16 males and 2 women who were the suspects, and the critical injury of one police officer.
Additionally, the police claim to have discovered explosives at the location that were supposed to be utilised in a crime.
South African firefighters are going back inside the Johannesburg building that caught fire on Thursday to search for any more bodies.
The fire happened in a crowded and unsafe five-story building. 74 people, including 12 children, died in the fire.
The fire department wants to make sure that nobody has been forgotten or left alone.
We don’t know what caused the fire yet, but forensic investigators are looking at the burned building to find clues.
People whose family members might have died in the fire are being requested to go to the mortuary and help identify the bodies.
President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the area in central Johannesburg on Thursday evening. He said that the tragedy was a warning for us to start dealing with the issue of housing in the inner city.
The building used to be a safe place for women and children who were mistreated, but when the rental agreement ended, it was taken over without permission, as explained by President Ramaphosa to the press.
Several homes near the fire location have been declared unsuitable for habitation.
However, these old buildings are left behind by their owners or the city authorities. They are occupied by families who pay rent to criminal gangs that control them.
Some of the people who use the buildings are undocumented migrants, mainly from other African countries.
Pieter Malan left Middlesex earlier than expected to go back and play in the South African domestic league.
The batter, who is 34 years old, joined the club in the middle of the previous season and played a big role in helping them move up to Division One of the County Championship.
He made 200 runs and two scores of fifty runs each in their last five four-day matches. In one-day matches, he scored 394 runs, which includes one century and four scores of fifty runs each.
However, in the eight matches he has played this season, he has not been able to perform at the same level as before.
Malan has made 221 points in a game, with his best hit being 66.
“According to Middlesex director of cricket Alan Coleman on the club’s website, Pieter is an amazing person who works incredibly hard. ”
Rewrite this text in simpler words:
It’s hard to find a player who works as hard as him to stay fit and improve his skills. But he would agree that this season has been tough for him on the field.
Pieter is leaving Middlesex and he has made lots of friends. We hope he does well in the future, and we are pretty sure it won’t be long until he is playing for Boland again. Malan will lead Boland in the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series.
Middlesex, who are currently in eighth place in Division One, need to find a new player to help them in their four upcoming matches. Their first match is against Essex at Chelmsford on Monday 4 September.
Brics, which stands for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is sometimes viewed as a replacement for the G7 group of industrialised nations.
After a state visit to Russia in March, Mr. Xi will be travelling abroad for the second time this year.
It comes as the heads of the Brics states are scheduled to meet next week and discuss prospective membership expansion. Several African nations, including Algeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia, have previously expressed a desire to join the union.
Questions about whether the president of Russia would personally attend the conference initially cast a shadow over it; however, the presidency of South Africa later clarified that he would not.
Because South Africa is a signatory to the ICC and is consequently obligated to assist in his arrest, if Mr. Putin had left Russian territory, he would have been subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest order because of the war in Ukraine.
A 21-year-old man from South Africa, who stands accused of the murder of six sex workers, including one who was pregnant, now faces an additional charge of rape.
As reported by Eyewitness News, Sifiso Mkhwanazi was arrested and charged last October after the authorities discovered the decomposed bodies of the victims at a workshop belonging to his father.
Mkhwanazi appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on Tuesday for the proceedings.
Initially, the prosecutors had indicated their intention to transfer the trial of the 21-year-old suspect to a high court. However, during the court session, prosecutor Tshepo Mahange kaMzizi informed the court that they had obtained additional details regarding the case.
“There is a matter which is not a part of this prison case that the directive from the director of Public Prosecutions in the south is asking that we also pursue – which is a matter of Sexual Offenses Act which happened prior to the events of this present situation of the six dead bodies,” kaMzizi said.
kaMzizi also said they will review Mkhwanazi’s rape docket and likely add it to his murder trial.
The 21-year-old was initially accused of killing one of the six sex workers, however, Eyewitness News reported he has since been charged in connection with the five other murders.
The suspect’s trial has been adjourned to August.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of sexual violence against women. Per the National Institute of Health, “South Africa is considered to be the rape capital of the world with 10 818 rape cases reported in the first quarter of 2022.”
The institute also states that the “rate at which women are killed by intimate partners in this country is five times higher than the global average.”
Cesvi also states that 40% of men in South Africa have “beaten their partners and one in four has committed sexual crimes.” “Even if only 2% leads to charges being laid, violence against women is a growing phenomenon and as many as one woman in four has undergone beatings or abuse,” Cesvi adds.
The organization said poverty was the main cause of the staggering rate of violence against women in the country.
A prominent South African tennis player, Hoosen Bobat, who experienced exclusion from competing at Wimbledon in the 1970s due to apartheid, is now requesting a public apology from the tournament organizers and the sport’s international governing body.
Bobat had qualified for the junior tournament in 1971, a significant achievement during a period when apartheid was severely enforced in South Africa. However, his invitation to participate was unexpectedly revoked merely one week prior to the event, leaving him deeply disappointed.
“After all those years of training and practice, I had the opportunity to play in the greatest stage in the world. When my entry was accepted – there was great joy in Africa among black players… It would have been a gateway to my future tennis career,” he tells BBC Newsday.
He firmly believes that racism was the underlying reason for his exclusion from participating in Wimbledon when the British government continued to support the apartheid regime despite growing international opposition.
In that era, non-white players in South Africa were prohibited from competing against their white counterparts. Matches held at all-white tennis centers were segregated, with non-white spectators confined to caged sections, symbolizing the deep racial divisions and discrimination of the time.
This week, two British Members of Parliament and anti-apartheid activists, Peter Hain and Jeremy Corbyn, raised Mr. Bobat’s case in parliament, lending their support to his demand for an apology.
Both the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), the organizers of Wimbledon, and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the sport’s international governing body, have stated that they are currently reviewing the information provided by Mr. Bobat. This suggests a willingness to address the matter and assess the historical context surrounding his exclusion.
The involvement of British MPs and the growing recognition of past injustices in the sporting world indicate a shift towards acknowledging the impact of racism and discrimination. The responses from the AELTC and ITF will be closely watched to see if they lead to a formal apology and further action to rectify the harm caused during that period.
Mr Bobat says the sport still has a long way to go in South Africa, telling The Guardian: “Even now, nothing much has changed. There are less black – which we define as Indian, coloured and black – tennis players now than then.”
Patrice Motsepe, a billionaire from South Africa, has seen a nice improvement in his financial situation, recovering some of the losses he sustained earlier this year.
Thanks to an increase in the market value of his private investments, including his stakes in the digital-only bank TymeBank, Motsepe’s net worth has surged by $200 million in the past 19 days from $2.3 billion to $2.5 billion, according to data tracked by Forbes.
Motsepe, who made history in 2008 as the first black African billionaire on the Forbes list, saw his net worth decline by $100 million between May 12 and June 2, resulting in year-to-date losses of $900 million.
However, the recent $200-million uptick in his fortune has narrowed his losses to $700 million, making him one of the few African billionaires to witness a decline of over half a billion dollars this year.
Despite the setback, Patrice Motsepe remains one of Africa’s wealthiest businessmen and retains the title of the richest Southern African black billionaire.
His 39.7-percent stake in ARM, a South African mining and minerals company with strategic positions in various metals, including iron, coal, copper, gold, and platinum, contributes significantly to his wealth.
Although ARM’s share price has fallen by more than 28 percent since the start of the year, Motsepe’s stake is still valued at a substantial R19.33 billion ($1.05 billion).
Motsepe’s success extends beyond mining, as he also controls TymeBank, South Africa’s leading digital bank, through his investment firm African Rainbow Capital (ARC).
TymeBank recently celebrated a major milestone, surpassing more than 7 million customers. Bolstering its expansion plans, the bank four weeks secured a significant investment of $77.8 million during its pre-Series-C funding round.
Motsepe’s multimillion-dollar recovery demonstrates his resilience in navigating volatile markets and highlights the potential of digital banking in Africa.
With his diverse portfolio, the billionaire is poised to capitalize on future opportunities, reaffirming his status as a prominent figure in South Africa’s business landscape.
A disclosure made by Forbes Magazine, says South African Johann Rupert has surpassed Nigerian billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote to become the wealthiest person in Africa.
Rupert’s net worth is currently $12 billion according to Forbes Real-time Global Billionaires Ranking, while Dangote trails behind him with a net worth of $10.8 billion as of Friday.
Dangote’s net worth dropped due to the recent operational charges on the foreign exchange market carried out by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which led to the depreciation of the Naira against the US dollar.
Consequently, Forbes and Bloomberg had to recalculate the fortunes of all Nigerian billionaires leading to the significant drop in the wealth of Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the founder of BUA cement, and Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of telecommunications giant Globacom Limited.
Meanwhile, with the expected kickoff of the $20 billion Dangote refinery commissioned last Month, Aliko Dangote is expected to bounce back.
An airport spokesperson informed the BBC that a South African Airlines (SAA) jet carrying President Cyril Ramaphosa’s security detail and media personnel that has been stranded in Poland since Thursday will remain there until Sunday.
The SAA chartered flight was part of the delegation of the African peace mission to Ukraine and Russia. President Ramaphosa flew on a separate plane, and then travelled to Ukraine on Friday via train from south-eastern Poland.
The Polish foreign ministry said some of the passengers on board the security and media aircraft were not notified to the Polish authorities ahead of time as being on board.
The Polish Border Guard said some of the president’s security detail did not have permits to carry weapons in Poland and were told they could not disembark while carrying their firearms.
Warsaw Chopin Airport spokesman Piotr Rudzki told the BBC that some of the passengers, including journalists, had now got off the plane and gone to a hotel.
“We’ve received information that they have decided to stay in Warsaw until Sunday. The journalists have disembarked, we don’t know about the other passengers,” Mr Rudzki said.
He said the aircraft had refuelled and had started to move when the cockpit informed airport staff that take-off had been cancelled and the plane would stay in Warsaw.
Earlier a South African official had said the plane would fly to Russia, where President Ramaphosa is due to meet Vladimir Putin on Saturday.
Mr Rudzki said there were passengers on board without the necessary paperwork to carry their firearms in Poland, whilst others had photocopies of their permits.
“We cannot let passengers with illegal firearms into the EU,” he said.
He said he had received information the South African authorities were in the process of sending the necessary paperwork to Warsaw.
“Some of the delegation didn’t want to be separated from their firearms. They were given the chance by the Border Guard to disembark without their firearms,” he added.
“The firearms would have remained on the plane, they were not going to be confiscated as some reports in South Africa have said.”
The South African Grand Prix’s eagerly anticipated return to the F1 schedule has been postponed due to the nation’s relations with Russia.
While refusing to criticise the invasion and taking a neutral posture on the conflict in Ukraine, South Africa has recently been accused of arming Russia, a charge that President Cyril Ramaphosa has vehemently refuted.
The scenario has placed the African country in a challenging political position, which F1 chiefs have apparently acknowledged and are now supposedly addressing.
According to RacingNews365, plans to revive the race that was last held in 1993 have been abandoned, news that will no doubt disappoint fans who have been calling for its return for years.
This will include Sir Lewis Hamilton, who has repeatedly stated his desire to race in Africa, saying back in April 2022: ‘We’re pretty much on every other continent, so why not? Ultimately, my ancestors are from there so that’s why it is important for me personally.’
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed this sentiment, adding that an African race would be their next priority once they had sorted the additions of the Miami and Las Vegas Grand Prix.
And though there have been many difficult financial hurdles to overcome, there was confidence that a deal could be struck soon for the event to be held at the newly renovated Kyalami circuit.
The South African Grand Prix was first held back in 1962 and moved to Kyalami five years later where it remained until the mid 1980s when it was removed from the calendar because of Apartheid, before returning in 1992 only for financial issues to see it cancelled just a year later.
Had South Africa made it onto the 2024 calendar, it would likely have taken the place of the Belgian Grand Prix which has been under threat for some time despite its popularity among fans and drivers.
But with F1 chiefs determined to have a record-breaking 24-race calendar, they will now likely strive to renew its contract for at least another year.
2023 was meant to have been the first 24-race season in the sport’s history, only for China to be cancelled because of COVID while the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was also called off due to major flooding in the Italian region.
In the meantime, this season continues with the Canadian Grand Prix on 18th June.
South Africa’s largest opposition party has made claims on Tuesday May 30 that it has taken legal measures to ensure that Vladimir Putin is arrested if he enters the nation for a summit in August.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is asking the courts for “an order” stipulating that if Mr Putin arrives in South Africa to take part in the Brics summit (a group of countries comprising South Africa, Brazil, China, India, and Russia), the government must arrest him, as required by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin in March for the war crime of “deporting” Ukrainian children as part of Moscow’s offensive against Ukraine.
As South Africa is a member of the ICC, it is theoretically supposed to arrest the Russian president on his arrival in the country.
But Pretoria, which maintains close diplomatic relations with Moscow and insists on its “neutrality” in the conflict in Ukraine, has not yet indicated whether it will do so.
The DA explains that it has launched a “pre-emptive” judicial application to ensure that the government “respects its obligations” and hands Mr Putin over to the ICC if he comes to South Africa. No “judicial ambiguity” should persist, the statement said.
Kremlin spokesman Boris Peskov confined himself to saying on Tuesday that Russia would be “duly represented” at the Brics summit, without specifying whether Mr Putin planned to attend.
Moscow “assumes, of course” that its Brics partners “will not be guided” by “illegitimate decisions”, namely the ICC arrest warrant, he added.
The DA’s legal action comes as the government granted diplomatic immunity to officials attending a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers this week, followed by a summit of heads of state in August.
Some read the decision as a preparatory step to provide legal cover for Putin’s visit, but Pretoria insists it is standard procedure for the organisation of international conferences.
“These immunities do not cancel an arrest warrant issued by an international court against any participant in the conference”, the foreign affairs ministry defended itself on Tuesday morning.
South Africa has been criticised since the start of the war in Ukraine for its proximity to Moscow. In April, Mr Ramaphosa said that the ICC’s arrest warrant against Mr. Putin was putting a “spanner in the works” for South Africa.
Authorities in South Africa have reported that they have detained a guy who is accused of sharing and distributing pornographic materials containing images of the wives of Police Minister Bheki Cele, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and Cele.
According to an Associated Press report, The South African police launched an investigation when the images were first published on social media and distributed to police officers.
He was traced to the eastern city of Pietermaritzburg, where he was arrested on Sunday, May 21, 2023, with a device and SIM cards used.
The 34-year-old man will appear in court in Pretoria on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, on the charges of contravening the Cyber Crimes Act, which relates to unlawfully accessing or processing computer data.
Pornography is not illegal in South Africa but its distribution is restricted.
Following the discovery of what is thought to be a weapons factory within an industrial unit by National Crime Agency detectives, a man has appeared in court.
Indicted for violations of the Firearms Act, 47-year-old Evan Girdlestone of Colliers Wood, south London, was remanded in custody by magistrates in Croydon.
Officers discovered what they thought to be a working modified weapon and magazines packed with 9mm ammo from a car when they apprehended him on Thursday morning.
Girdlestone has been charged with possession of a firearm, namely a handgun contrary to Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 and possession of ammunition contrary to Section 1 of the Act.
The defendant, wearing a Napapijri fleece, appeared in the dock for five minutes to confirm his name, date-of-birth and address.
No pleas were entered and he was remanded in custody to appear at Croydon Crown Court on June 16.
Many different weapons were found at the unit (Picture: PA)
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Photos have been released by the NCA (Picture: PA)
Girdlestone was born in South Africa, but has lived in the UK for 27 years, the court was told.
The court appearance came after NCA officers searched an industrial unit in the Lombard Road area of Merton, and found an array of tools and machinery, including parts used in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, blank firers, more than a hundred rounds of live ammunition, around a thousand rounds of blank-firing ammunition, and three potentially functioning converted weapons.
They also found several 3D printing machines suspected of being used to print component parts for converted weapons.
The seized weapons are being assessed and analysed by forensic experts.
An international research has revealed that eight out of ten South African schoolchildren struggle to read by the age of ten.
South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries assessed in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, which tested the reading ability of 400,000 students globally in 2021.
Illiteracy among South African children rose from from 78% in 2016 to 81%.The country’s education minister blamed the results on school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Describing the results as “disappointingly low”, Angie Motshekga also said the country’s education system was faced with significant historical challenges, including poverty, inequality and inadequate infrastructure.
In many primary schools “reading instruction often focuses solely on oral performance, neglecting reading comprehension and making sense of written words”, she added.
The study showed that 81% of South African children could not read for comprehension in any of the country’s 11 official languages.Alongside Morocco and Egypt, South Africa was one of only three African countries which participated in the assessments to monitor trends in literacy and reading comprehension of nine- and 10-year-olds.
Based on tests taken every five years at the end of the school year, the new study places countries in a global education league table.
Singapore secured top spot in the rankings with an average score of 587, while South Africa ranked last on 288 points – below second-last Egypt’s average of 378.
The scores are benchmarked against an international average of 500.The study also showed that overall, girls were ahead of boys in their reading achievement in nearly all of the assessed countries, but the gender gap has narrowed in the most recent testing round.
South Africa’s struggles with its education system are longstanding, with significant inequality between black and white students a consequence of the segregation of children under apartheid.
Education is one the single biggest budget expenses for the government, which can lead to disappointment over poor performance in studies like this.A lack of suitable reading materials and inadequate infrastructure in schools, often things like toilets, have contributed to the crisis.
The South African rand plunged on Thursday after the US accused the country of arming Russia. The currency dropped more than 30 cents against the dollar in minutes, reaching its lowest level since the historic slump in 2020, local media reported. The US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety claimed that South Africa had supplied weapons and ammunition to a Russian ship that visited the Simon’s Town naval base in Cape Town in December last year. The allegation sparked concerns that the US would impose economic sanctions on South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa‘s office said a retired judge would lead an independent investigation into the matter.
Thousands of moderators work behind the scenes on Facebook to weed out postings that violate its policies and shield viewers from graphic content. One moderator who is based in Kenya and suing Meta, the parent company of the BBC, has been reached by the BBC.
On his first day of work screening posts, South African Trevin Brownie watched a man take his own life.
“The problem was not [the taking of his own life]. The problem was the three-year-old boy that was in the video with this guy. So the boy was playing on the floor with these toys, like not even understanding what’s happening”.
It took two or three minutes for the child to realise something was wrong and to call out for his dad. He then started crying. Eventually an adult entered the room, and the recording was stopped.
“I felt sick. I, you know, I was vomiting because I didn’t understand why people would even do things like that,” Mr Brownie said.
In the course of his work, Mr Brownie would see the worst of humanity – from child abuse to torture and suicide bombings.
His experience, he believes, deadened his feelings. The tremor in his voice and his sympathy suggests he still cares deeply about others, but Mr Brownie believes part of his humanity is gone.
Image caption,Trevin Brownie
“Because I’m basically so much used to death and seeing death. It became a norm for me,” he says. Deaths no longer affect him as he feels they should.
Mr Brownie sees those who work in moderation as a front line of defence protecting users, especially during the pandemic, when many relied on the internet. The way Facebook connects people around the world also appeals to him.
Last month Sama laid off 260 moderators, including Mr Brownie, as it concentrated on work annotating videos to help train artificial intelligence computer vision systems.
“I sacrificed my human side for this job. I don’t think you can give any more than your soul, and then to be kicked out like this,” Mr Brownie said.
He is concerned about the future, as he and his fiancée hoped to get married, and his family in South Africa rely upon money he sends them.
Mr Brownie says he would have not taken the job if he had known what it involved, but feels it is important work he is good at, and where he earned promotion to a more senior role. He wants his employment to continue, but with more support for his mental health.
He is one of a group of 184 moderators, supported by the campaign group Foxglove, who are taking legal action against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, Sama, and Meta’s new contractor, Luxembourg-based firm Majorel.
Meta has sought to extricate itself from the action, but a ruling on Thursday now means it can be sued for unfair termination.
Cori Crider, a director at Foxglove, called the decision “a milestone” and said that “no tech giant, however wealthy, should be above the law”.
An interim ruling against Meta and Sama already means the moderators contracts cannot be terminated and they must still be paid until the case is decided.
The moderators say they were laid-off in retaliation for complaints about working conditions and attempts to form a union.
They also allege they were unfairly discriminated against and refused work at Majorel “on the basis that they previously worked at the [Sama] facility”, the petition to the court states.
Text messages shared with the moderators’ legal team, and seen by the BBC, show moderators interested in applying for a job at Majorel were told by a third-party recruiter that: “The company will not accept candidates from Sama. It’s a strict no.”
Meta has declined to comment, citing continuing legal action. But the company requires its contractors to provide round-the-clock on-site support with trained practitioners, and access to private healthcare from the first day of employment.
Majorel declined to comment while legal action was continuing.
A Sama spokesperson told the BBC that it paid moderators fair, local living wages that were among the top 12 paying jobs in Kenya.
It said it provided “extensive mental health services, including on-site licenced and trained mental health professionals, a 24-hour hotline and virtual consultations. In addition, employees are free to see a mental health professional of their choosing using the healthcare benefits”.
Its wellbeing service will continue for 12 months after the last day of employment.
Sama said accusations against the firm have proved to be untrue, which was why “former moderators are suing to keep their jobs – other companies offer a fraction of the pay and benefits compared to Sama”.
The BBC has also seen emails sent to Sama from a small number of moderators, expressing their frustration that the injunction means the company cannot pay termination benefits such as free flights to home countries. Two emails praise working conditions at Sama, and one person voices their unhappiness at the court action.
In February, a Kenyan court ruled that Meta could be sued by ex-moderator Daniel Motaung over claims of poor working conditions.
Meta also faces legal action in Nairobi concerning allegations its algorithm helped fuel the viral spread on social media of hate and violence during Ethiopia’s civil war.
In the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), city of Pietermaritzburg, gunmen killed ten members of the same family on Friday, including seven women and three men, according to police.
The South African Ministry of Police released a statement on Friday that stated: “According to preliminary police reports, unknown gunmen stormed a Pietermaritzburg homestead and ambushed the family.”
A 13-year-old kid was among those killed by the attackers, according to an amended statement from the police ministry.
The mayor of the area told local media that they needed to bolster capacity of local police stations.
“Two suspects (have been) arrested, one dead, another fled the scene. Police are on a manhunt,” she said, adding that three firearms were recovered from the suspects during a shootout.
South Africa has been rocked by several mass shootings in recent months – some, say police, are related to taxi business violence while others appear to be linked to drug cartels.
There has been no motive yet suggested for Friday’s shooting.
South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, according to police statistics. The rates have been increasing sharply after the temporary lull during the most severe period of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
At least 15 people died after a shooting at a bar in the township of Soweto last July. Four other people were killed in a separate shooting incident in a bar in Pietermaritzburg on the same evening.
The country’s Police Minister, Bheki Cele, is visiting the crime scene of the recent shooting Friday with the top management team of the South African Police Service (SAPS) led by National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, the statement said.
Khosi, the 25-year-old South African journalist emerged the winner of the Big Brother Titans reality show, which ended on Sunday night.
The show brought together 24 Africans – 12 Nigerians and 12 South Africans – under one roof for 72-days and at the end of the show, Khosi Twala was the last one standing and walked away with the US$100,000 winner prize
She was followed by Nigerian model, Kanaga Jnr as the first runner up.
The 2nd-runner up position went to South Africa, Tsatsii.
For the first time, the franchise reality show paired only Nigerians and South Africans, instead of the larger cast of Africans from East, West and South.
Khosi was born in Nata, Central District of Botswana.
As the winner of Big Brother Titans, Khosi walks home with a grand prize of $100,000 cash prize, including endorsement deals and fame.
Khosi is a South African journalist
She had revealed that she was in the Big Brother Titan house for quick fame and the money as well.
She further added that she is an explosive combo of beauty and brains.
Nigeria’s famous OAP and Big Brother Naija serial host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu alongside South Africa’s renowned actor, OAP and Big Brother Mzansi’s host, Lawrence Maleka anchored the show.
They are reputed as two of the finest comperes in the continent of Africa and indeed entertained viewers with their mesmerizing presentation skills.
Despite an arrest warrant being issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a small opposition party in South Africa, has announced Putin is welcome to visit Pretoria.
South Africa is a signatory to the ICC, which has charged Mr. Putin with war crimes, including the kidnapping of Ukrainian children as part of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Putin is scheduled to travel to South Africa for the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit in August.
EFF leader Julius Malema on Thursday said no-one was going to arrest Mr Putin while in South Africa, a country where Russia “played a huge role to support the struggle for freedom”.
Mr Malema said that the South African government should not give in to pressure from the ICC, which he accused of “hypocrisy”.
“Putin is welcomed here. No one is going to arrest Putin. If need be, we will go and fetch Putin from the airport to his meetings. He will address, finish all his meetings, and we will take him back to the airport,” Mr Malema said.
“We know our friends. We know the people who liberated us. We know the people who supported us,” he added.
South Africa has close diplomatic relations with Moscow in spite of Western condemnations. Last month, its navy held joint exercises with Russian forces off the coast of South Africa. It has also abstained during UN votes condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In 2015, the South African government was criticised for letting then-Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir leave the country despite an ICC arrest warrant.
The dollar remained near seven-week lows as the U.S. Federal Reserve hinted that its rate hike program might be coming to an end, but the rand rose against the dollar in early trade on Thursday March 23 2023.
The Fed on Wednesday raised interest rates by a widely expected 25 basis points (bps) and indicated it might pause further increases after the recent collapse of two U.S. banks.
At 0630 GMT, the rand traded at 18.1475 against the dollar, 0.89% stronger than its previous close.
The dollar index , which measures the currency against six rivals, was last trading down 0.44% at 101.99.
Headline inflation in South Africa rose slightly in February to 7% from 6.9% in January, data showed on Wednesday, fuelling bets that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) would hike interest rates by 25 bps at its meeting next week.
“The latest headline CPI print corroborates the case for the SARB to remain hawkish next week in an effort to curb inflation,” ETM Analytics said in a research note.
The government’s benchmark 2030 bond was stronger in early deals, with the yield down 14.5 bps to 9.850%.
Twenty people were killed and 61 others injured following a crash between a cash-in-transit armoured van and a bus in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The bus rolled off a bridge into a river below landing on its side at around 20:00 on Monday, local media reported.
Most of the victims reportedly died after being trapped inside the bus.
TRAFFIC UPDATE🚨 Tuesday, 14 February 2023
20 people were tragically killed and 61 injured in an accident, where a cash-in-transit van lost control and collided head-on with an oncoming bus, yesterday on road N1- 29 Mashovhela, towards Musina in Vhembe District.🕯🙏 pic.twitter.com/I1j1Z4MjtQ
— Limpopo Department of Transport & Community Safety (@TransportLimCom) February 14, 2023
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
There have been heavy rains in the area. Emergency services were still on the scene on Tuesday morning, with heavy downpours delaying their work.
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which measures and compares the fortunes of the 500 richest people in the world, Oppenheimer’s net worth has increased by $800 million since the beginning of the year, from $8.03 billion to $8.83 billion.
The $800-million increase in his net worth, which surpassed the $75-million wealth gains he recorded in 2022, placed him among the African billionaires whose wealth has increased by more than $500 million since the year began, despite concerns about a global slowdown in corporate earnings.
For decades, the leading South African businessman has been a private equity investor, with many of his investments taking place after he sold his family’s 40-percent stake in De Beers, the world’s largest diamond producer, to mining conglomerate Anglo-American in a $5.2-billion deal in 2012.
His private equity investments span Africa, Asia, the United States, and Europe, and have proven to be a sound strategy for the billionaire, allowing him to profit from market fluctuations and generate significant wealth gains.
Aside from private equity investments, Oppenheimer, a supporter of wilderness conservation, co-owns Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa’s largest private game reserve, with his son Jonathan.
He is also the owner of the 65,000-hectare Shangani Ranch, which employs 400 people and has kept at least 8,000 cattle for beef export to the United Kingdom since 1937. It is known as a wildlife sanctuary because it serves as a migration route for animals.
At the age of 39, the second-highest Test run scorer in South Africa’s history Hashim Amla, announce his retirement.
Amla scored 9,282 runs – second only to Jacques Kallis’ 13,206 – at an average of 46.64 in 124 Tests.
He amassed 18,672 in all formats for the Proteas from 2004 to 2019, and no-one has scored more than his 27 one-day centuries for South Africa.
Amla’s 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012 remains the highest Test score by a South African.
He was part of the Surrey team that won the County Championship in 2022, having retired from international cricket three years earlier.
Amla averaged 49.46 in 181 one-day internationals and 33.60 in 44 T20 internationals, and ends his first-class career with 19,521 runs at an average of 48.55.
Former England captain Alec Stewart, who worked with Amla at Surrey, described him as “a great of the game”.
He said: “Everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club will be sad to see Hashim retire, but we all applaud what has been a phenomenal career.
“Hashim is a fantastic cricketer and a wonderful person. He has been an incredible resource for the team to learn from on and off the field.”
Threats to sue the government for the damaging its source of power in the nation have been made by opposition organizations, a trade union, and business owners in South Africa.
They have given the government up to Friday to stabilise electricity supply or face legal action for contravening its duty to provide electricity.
They have written a demand letter to the Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and the chief executive of the state utility firm Eskom, Andre de Ruyter, saying the state was in breach of its obligation to provide electricity.
The blackouts have persisted for more than a decade, amid poor management and corruption at state firm Eskom
Recently the country has been having up to 10 hours of power cuts daily.
The problem has prompted the president to cancel a trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos to hold meetings at home with business and labour leaders.
