Morning Newsletter

• Judge rules that Dubul Ibhunu is not hate speech.
• Amakhosi goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune not fit to play.
• DNB Gogo joins the Spotify Radar.

Judge in Afriforum case singing Dubul Ibhunu struggle song not hate speech – EWN 

According to EWN, Judge Edwin Molahlehi of the Johannesburg High Court said on Thursday that designating the fight song Dubul’ Ibhunu (shoot the boer) as hate speech would restrict freedom of expression.

“Molahlehi has dismissed AfriForum’s hate speech case against the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) over its use of the song, as well as of Biza Ama Fire Brigade (‘call the fire brigade’), by the party’s Mbuyiseni Ndlozi at the Brendin Horner murder case in 2020.” Read more here

‘Itu is in a programme,’ Zwane says on Khune’s absence from Chiefs’ XI – Sowetan Live

Some Kaizer Chiefs supporters have requested that veteran goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune be reinstated to Amakhosi’s starting lineup. However, Kaizer Chiefs head coach Arthur Zwane has said that Khune is not yet fit to play, Sowetan Live reports. Read more here

Dbn Gogo Reacts To Being On The Times Square Billboard In New York – The Yanos

Mandisa Radebe, as DBN Gogo, has been recognised by Spotify for her efforts in the music industry. Durban’s music producer joins Spotify Radar, a programme that identifies rising musicians worldwide. She’s currently on a Times Square billboard, a significant milestone in her music career. 

It is so important that we continue to identify and find ways to offer developing artists a fair chance at success on and off platform. We have six outstanding ones from the region, to begin with, and look forward to sharing in their journey while we provide the resources to elevate them to the next level of their respective careers, and hopefully make thousands more Spotify fans around the world,” says Phiona Okumu, head of music Spotify Africa. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: No, MEC Ramathuba, poor management is killing Limpopo hospitals – not immigrants – News24

Headline: Golden Arrow bus attacks in Nyanga carried out by syndicates-City of Cape Town – EWN

Headline: Premier League: 10 things to look out for this weekend – The Guardian

Headline: England v South Africa: James Anderson praises ‘brilliantly intelligent’ Zak Crawley – BBC

Headline: Robot Boii and Mpho Popps to join SAMA28 as hosts – African Insider

Weather: Fine and warm day on the cards, with some showers in KZN – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• Saftu and Cosatu present a list of demands to the government.
• Orlando Pirates is on top of the DSTV Premiership after 1-0 win over Marumo Gallants.
• Jennifer Flavin has filed for divorce from Sylvester Stallone.

Cosatu, SAFTU hand over memorandum of demands to Gungubele at Union buildings – EWN

On Wednesday, at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) presented a list of requests to the government, EWN reports. 

According to EWN, some of the requests include a request for a reduction in fuel costs, stronger laws controlling layoffs in the public sector, and more rigorous efforts to combat gender-based violence. Read more here

Mako strike sends Pirates top of the league as Xoki, Sibisi crack heads – TimesLIVE

On Wednesday night at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Paseka Mako’s first-half goal sent Orlando Pirates to the top of the DStv Premiership early in the season. The Buccaneers beat Marumo Gallants 1-0.

“Lepasa could have doubled the lead for Pirates on the stroke of half time when he was through one-on-one with Gallants’ veteran keeper Washington Arubi, but narrowly missed the target.” Read more here

Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin Divorcing After 25 Years of Marriage – E! News

Jennifer Flavin, the wife of Sylvester Stallone, has filed for divorce after 25 years. 

According to court documents acquired by E! News, the former model filed for divorce from the Rocky star in a Florida court on August 19.

On August 24, Stallone’s representative quoted the actor in a statement: “I love my family. We are amicably and privately addressing these personal issues.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Malema believes Mashatile would make a ‘better’ ANC leader than Ramaphosa – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Dirco hit with another legal blow over its controversial R50m donation to struggling Cuba – News24

Headline: Barcelona and Manchester City share six goals in thrilling charity match – The Guardian

Headline: Vanessa Bryant Awarded $16 Million in Lawsuit Over Kobe Crash Site Photos – Complex

Headline: Meghan Markle says son saved from nursery fire by Zimbabwean nanny during SA tour – TimesLIVE

Weather: Strong winds expected to batter parts of Western Cape – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• A warning for public servants ahead of a planned nationwide protest on Wednesday.
• Banyana Banyana receives a R15m homecoming bonus.
• Kim Kardashian is ready to start dating again.

‘No pay, no leave’ – govt warns civil servants who want to take part in Wednesday’s stayaway – News24 

According to News24, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) said in a statement that personnel who provide critical services are not permitted to engage in any protests during work hours on Wednesday. 

“Leave will be strictly managed, and no leave will be granted unless under extreme and compelling situations,” News24 adds.

The protest will take place in all major cities but Santaco, the South African National Taxi Council, will not participate in the strike, which may reduce its effect. Read more here

Ramaphosa bumps Banyana’s reward from government up to R15m – TimesLIVE

Banyana Banyana will get R15 million from the South African government and the department of sport for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. (Wafcon), TimesLIVE reports. 

On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa asked for the award to be increased by R9.2m, Mthethwa said.

“The sports minister said national government had added R9.2m to the amount.” Read more here

Kim Kardashian Is Ready to Date Again After Pete Davidson Split – E! News

Kim Kardashian is ready to start dating again. A few weeks after the news came out that Kim and Pete Davidson had broken up, an insider told E! News that Kim told them she was ready to date again and was “asking who she should date next.”

“Kim’s expressed she’s ready to date someone older but it has to be the right person who understands her life.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: R350 grant: New rules mean beneficiaries cannot ‘unreasonably refuse’ employment or training – News24

Headline: SA SHUTDOWN LIVE UPDATES | These are the routes to avoid – TimesLIVE

Headline: Rihanna Drops Fenty Beauty Collab With…Ketchup? – E! News

Headline: Liverpool’s early-season woes have variety of factors behind them – The Guardian

Headline: Disjointed Kaizer Chiefs suffer third away loss of the season against City – TimesLIVE

Weather: 24 August 2022

Image credit: Gallo Images

• SAFTU calls for a national shutdown.
• One of the robbers behind Kim Kardashian’sParis robbery says he doesn’t feel guilty.
• Manchester United fans express anger against owners over the club’s poor start to the season. 

#NationalShutdown: Vavi says only solution to high cost of living is a fightback – TimesLIVE

According to TimesLIVE, on Monday afternoon, Zwelinzima Vavi, the general secretary of Saftu, said that the decision to have a national shutdown was made because of worsening economic conditions for the working class and “marginalised communities”. 

 “The cost of living is rising. Corruption and the neoliberal policies of the ANC have compromised the provision of public services. Unemployment has soared. And the government is accelerating the offensive on public corporations in the form of commercialisation, outsourcing and privatisation,” said Vavi. Read more here

Man Allegedly Involved in Kim Kardashian Paris Robbery Says He Doesn’t Feel Guilty: ‘I Don’t Care’ – Complex

One of the robbers who is suspected of taking part in the armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris in 2016 says he doesn’t feel bad about it, but he does acknowledge the pain he and the other suspects caused her.

“Since she was throwing money away, I was there to collect it, and that was that,” Yunis Abbas said. “Guilty? No, I don’t care. I don’t care.” Read more here

Man United fans take aim at the Glazers in protest march – News24

Manchester United fans marched to Old Trafford in protest before Monday’s Premier League game against Liverpool. They blamed the club’s owners, the Glazer family, for the bad start to the season, reports News24. 

Hundreds of fans marched behind a sign that read “United for $ale” and chanted, “We want the Glazers out!” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Tembisa Hospital’s R500 000 skinny jean spending spree… and the soccer star who scored – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Woman kills grandmother, buries body in garden then goes on spending spree with her cards – News24

Headline: Can Caf’s Super League rescue Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates? – TimesLIVE (for subscribers)

Headline: Man Utd 2-1 Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp sees positives but how concerning is Reds’ poor start? – BBC

Headline: Nicki Minaj makes history as ‘Super Freaky Girl’ soars to No. 1 spot on Billboard Hot 100 – USA Today

Weather: Cool day for most of SA, but fire warning for parts of Northern Cape – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• A police officer is expected to appear in the East London Magistrate’s court on Monday for raping a 17-year-old girl at the police station. 
• Orlando Pirates dominate Supersport United but fail to score.
• Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez hold a second wedding in Georgia.

Cop arrested for allegedly raping teenager at police station – News24

News24 reports a police officer in Eastern Cape is accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl during an investigation concerning an assault report she filed against her boyfriend.

“According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), the police officer, 45, from Kei Mouth police station in East London, was arrested on Friday after he allegedly raped the victim on 6 August.” Read more here

Pirates spurn chances and SuperSport miss out on a smash and grab – TimesLIVE

According to TimesLIVE, Orlando Pirates controlled SuperSport United for the duration of Sunday night’s 0-0 DStv Premiership match but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.

“Matsatsantsa, still seeking a win under Gavin Hunt four games into the 2022-23 season, spurned two excellent opportunities to snatch a smash and grab at the end at Lucas Moripe Stadium.” Read more here

Inside Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s Lavish Wedding Celebration in Georgia – E! News

On Saturday, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez remarried in a magnificent ceremony in Georgia, attended by their family and friends. E! news reports that Affleck and Lopez, as well as their guests and wedding party, wore white.

An eyewitness for E! News described the ceremony as “romantic and classic” and confirmed that J.Lo was overjoyed, and there were many tears of happiness and joy. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Inside the KZN construction mafia, which has rebranded itself as a legit business lobby – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: My Name Is Reeva: ‘New series gives Reeva and other nameless victims a voice’ – EWN

Headline: Comrades makes timely return to heal wounds and provide huge R500m+ economic injection – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Scare for Orlando Pirates as they waste chance to go top – African Insider

Headline: Drake Crowned The Most Shazamed Artist Of All Time – Huffington Post

Weather: Fine and cool Monday across SA – News24

Image credit: Pixabay