Morning Newsletter

• The EFF condemns the government for its lack of response to crucial national issues.
• Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson aren’t ready to start a family yet.
• Banyana Banyana qualifies for Fifa Women’s World Cup of Nations. 

EFF calls for national shutdown over Eskom, fuel prices, Phala Phala farm sage – EWN 

Thursday, EFF party leader Julius Malema called for a countrywide shutdown, citing the government’s incompetence and lack of direction.

Malema told the media, according to EWN, that the ANC is no better than a “criminal organisation” and that South Africans can no longer stay inactive while unemployment, crime, and the cost of living continue to grow.

“The EFF will also form part of all the progressive formations and the organisations in South Africa to plan and engage a national shutdown, which will seek to remove Cyril Ramaphosa from office.” Read more here

Where Kim Kardashian Stands on Having Kids With Pete Davidson After His Comments – Elle Magazine 

Elle Magazine reports that in the nine months that Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson have been dating, their relationship has become more serious, but they aren’t ready to start a family together just yet. In a recent interview with Kevin Hart, Davidson said his dream is to become a father soon.

“Kim is getting more and more serious about her career as a lawyer, and she’s not necessarily thinking about having more kids at the moment.” 

Kim and Pete are only “enjoying themselves” and taking each day as it comes, according to the article. Read more here

Banyana heroines slay Tunisia to reach Wafcon semis and 2023 World Cup – TimesLIVE

With Thursday night’s 1-0 win over Tunisia, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana women’s football team qualified for their second Fifa Women’s World Cup and kept their hopes alive for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).

“Banyana, unlike a flat performance in their 1-0 win against Botswana that made it three wins from three for SA in Group C on Sunday, controlled the quarterfinal. SA, though, will be aware that they still have a gear or two to go up if they are to lift a trophy in Morocco.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Soweto tavern manager ‘haunted’ by souls of 16 who died at the premises – TimesLIVE

Headline: A silver lining: Hope, despite SA’s dark times – News24

Headline: Kaizer Chiefs have to spend R100m to compete with Sundowns: experts – TimesLIVE (for subscribers)

Headline: Third Test breakdown battle: Teamwork will make dream work to tame Tommy Reffell – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Demi Lovato’s Angry New Song & Video for ‘Substance’ Are Here: Watch – Billboard

Weather: Choppy seas expected between East London and Port St Johns – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• The Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane misled the courts about the SARS report.
• The owner of the Enyobeni tavern in East London and two employees were arrested on Tuesday.
• African skies lit up for the supermoon on Wednesday night. 

Mkhwebane ‘rogue unit’ recording exposes alleged SSA abuses by her former boss Arthur Fraser – News24 (for subscribers)

According to News24, in a recorded conversation between Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the Inspector-General of Intelligence (IGI), serious alleged abuses by the State Security Agency (SSA) were talked about. This conversation was played at the inquiry into Mkhwebane’s ability to do her job.

“As former SA Revenue Services (SARS) official Johann van Loggerenberg told the Section 194 committee tasked with investigating, among other things, Mkhwebane’s conduct in compiling her invalidated SARS Rogue Unit report, the recording raised a number of serious concerns about the conduct of the SSA’s Special Operations Unit.” Read more here

Enyobeni tavern owner, 2 staff arrested for selling booze to children – TimesLIVE

The owner of the Enyobeni tavern in East London and two of his employees were arrested on Tuesday for selling alcohol to children under the age of 18. In June, 21 children died at the tavern. According to TimesLIVE, the “Eastern Cape Liquor Board laid charges for contravention of the Liquor Act”. 

“The owner is expected to appear in the East London magistrate’s court on August 19 in connection with these charges.”

Two employees have been given the option of paying a fine. If they don’t pay, they will have to go back to the same court. Read more here

Five facts about tonight’s supermoon, the brightest of the year – TimesLIVE

Around 8:27 pm on Wednesday, stargazers were in for a treat as the moon appeared to be 14% bigger and 30% brighter. 

TimesLIVE reports that a supermoon happens, “when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to earth in its elliptical orbit”. 

The article further states that the term “perigee-syzygy” or supermoon is a straight-line configuration of the earth, moon and the sun. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Eight years of whistle-blower trauma – former SARS executive Johann van Loggerenberg – Daily Maverick

Headline: Katlehong tavern patrons fear shooters may come back – TimesLIVE

Headline: Khloé Kardashian Having Second Baby With Ex Tristan Thompson – Huffington Post

Headline: Nick Cannon Says He Would Be Open to Getting Back With Kim Kardashian and Mariah Carey – Complex

Headline: Draft PSL fixture list sent to clubs for new season – Sowetan Live

Weather: More rough seas predicted between Saldanha and Plettenberg – News24

Image credit: Gallo Images

• A year later: How has KwaZulu-Natal recovered from the July unrest
• ​Banyana Banyana booked a spot in the quarterfinals with a victory over Burundi. 

The July riots, a year later, but no justice for the 237 people murdered – TimesLIVE

In KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, rioting and protests began a year ago after the arrest of former president Jacob Zuma. 354 individuals died during the protests.

News24 reports that 354 people died, 150 000 people lost their jobs and damage totaled to R50 billion. 

“The deaths of the people during the unrest paints a horrific picture of bodies piling up in government mortuaries as many were violently killed during those dark five days of looting and protests, with police often nowhere to be found.”

According to Thanduxolo Jika and Orrin Singh, in March Bheki Cele identified 19 instigators of the July unrest who had been arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and the Free State. As investigations continue, the relatives of those who died have not yet received justice. No convictions have been made yet. Read more here

Banyana books women’s Afcon quaters spot with Burundi victory – EWN

Banyana Banyana advanced to the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Burundi 3-1 on Thursday.

According to EWN, Thembi Kgatlana gave Banyana the lead in the 20th minute for Banyana. 

“Burundi equalised in the 30th Aniella Awimana as the South Africans seemed to ease off the pressure a bit.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: July looting: One year later and there are more questions than answers – News24

Headline: Former Japan PM Abe Unconscious After Shooting; Man in Custody – Daily Maverick

Headline: One year on, SA still doesn’t know who masterminded the chaos – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Ronaldo will not travel with Man United for pre-season tour – News24

Headline: Listen to Burna Boy’s new album ‘Love, Damini’ f/ Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ed Sheeran, J Balvin, J Hus and more – Hype Magazine

Weather: More fine, cool conditions across SA on Friday – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Eskom has resolved its labour dispute, but load shedding will continue.
• The mass funeral is to be held for 21 young adults killed in the tavern incident.  
• Rihanna is the youngest woman on Forbes’ list of America.

Eskom: Signing wage deal doesn’t immediately end load shedding – EWN

On Tuesday afternoon, Eskom, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) reached an agreement that Eskom workers would receive a 7% salary increase.

“Over and above the 7%, workers will receive R400 housing allowance increases.” In addition to the increase, EWN reported that conditions of service will be brought back which includes getting paid double for overtime, accommodation, and transport when moving to a new power plant. Read more here 

WATCH | Inside Enyobeni tavern, where carefree teens partied until tragedy struck – News24

“Traces of blood, a strong alcohol smell, broken bottles, weaves, abandoned handbags, discarded shoes and shattered glass portray a scene of great panic and chaos.”

This is what News24 journalists saw when they visited the Enyobeni tavern in East London where 21 youngsters died tragically on Sunday, June 26. The symbolic funeral will take place at 9 am today. President Cyril Ramaphosa will attend and deliver the eulogy during the funeral. Read more here 

Rihanna Is America’s Youngest Self-Made Billionaire – Billboard

Forbes has just released its 2022 list of “America’s Richest Self-Made Women,” the publication’s yearly ranking of the nation’s most financially successful female entrepreneurs, CEOs, artists, and others.

According to Billboard, Rihanna is one of the youngest people on the list to have a net worth of more than $1 billion. The majority of her $1.4 billion net worth comes from the success of her cosmetics company, Fenty Beauty. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Two more arrested for allegedly holding 39 human trafficking victims, including children, on farm – News24

Headline: ANC to ‘review’ its cadre deployment policy – Times Live

Headline: Carlos Santana ‘doing well’ after hospitalization for heat exhaustion, dehydration during show – USA Today

Headline: Excitement builds around F1’s possible move to SA as Kyalami plots compliancy upgrades – News24

Headline: Load shedding is adding to the anxiety, depression and mental health toll among South Africans – Daily Maverick

Weather: Fine, warm conditions to continue on Wednesday – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• The ANC considers accelerating a state of emergency for Eskom.
• Cyril Ramaphosa and Oscar Mabuyane will be attending the funeral service of the 21 youngsters that died in the tavern.
• Big Sean & Jhené Aiko are expecting their first child together. 

Drastic times call for drastic measures: ANC considers state of emergency for Eskom – TimesLIVE (for subscribers)

According to TimesLIVE, the ANC is thinking about putting Eskom and the country’s energy sector in a state of emergency. Eskom said that the industrial strike exacerbated the current “precarious state” resulting in stage 6 load-shedding. 

“There’s a possibility of declaring a state of emergency because of Eskom’s troubles,” an NEC member reported for TimesLIVE 

There isn’t much information about what a state of emergency would mean yet, and today’s meeting with the ANC’s virtual national executive committee is supposed to fill in the blanks. Read more here 

Ramaphosa to attend mass funeral of 21 victims who died at Enyobeni tavern – News24 

President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane will attend the mass funeral of the 21 youngsters who died in the tavern on Wednesday.

“The mass funeral service will take place at Scenery Park Sports Field from 09:00.”

Twelve girls and nine boys died mysteriously during and after a party held in Scenery Park on Sunday, June 26. Read more here 

Big Sean and Jhene Aiko Are Expecting Their First Child Together – Billboard

Power couple Big Sean and Jhené Aiko are expecting their first child together. Big Sean informed his followers on Instagram, while Aiko also gently acknowledged her pregnancy by uploading a picture of herself as a child holding her stomach. 

“Very grateful God continues to bless us, thank you,” he said. “Can’t wait to be a Dad” he added with a black heart emoji. Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Ramaphosa seeks solutions to power crisis outside of Eskom following backlash against the party over rolling blackouts – Daily Maverick

Headline: Govt confirms end of petrol subsidy as prices jump 11% – News24

Headline: SA reacts to Kelly Khumalo saying no-one ‘knew Senzo Meyiwa’ before he dated her – TimesLIVE

Headline: Zondo happy Royal pulled him out of graveyard to coach – Sowetan Live

Headline: Jesus wants to emulate boyhood hero Henry after sealing Arsenal move – News24

Weather: Fine, warm Tuesday across SA – News24

Image credit: Pixabay

• Stage 6 load shedding in South Africa: Eskom announces load shedding schedule for the upcoming week. 
• Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale, says Man Utd, even though reports say the star wants to leave.
• Former SABC board chair Ellen Tshabalala dies of kidney failure.

Stage 6 load-shedding to continue, with Eskom saying it will take time to recover from strike action – Times Live 

In a press release issued on Sunday afternoon, Eskom indicated that load shedding would continue into the next week.

“Depending on several possibilities — including the workforce fully returning to work to conduct much needed repairs to equipment — it is anticipated that load-shedding will gradually be lowered to stage 2 by the weekend.”

In a separate article for EWN, Eskom said that it would take a few weeks for its power generating system to completely return to pre-strike levels, and blamed the rolling blackouts on the recent strike protests by employees. Read more here and here 

Cristiano Ronaldo tells Manchester United he wants to leave – The Guardian

According to The Guardian, Cristiano Ronaldo has told Manchester United that he wants to leave because he doesn’t think the team can win the Premier League next season and he wants to play in the Champions League. 

“Ronaldo, who scored 24 goals for United last season after returning to Old Trafford from Juventus, has a contact to the end of next season which includes an option for a further year.”

Ronaldo hasn’t made a deal to play for another team yet. Read more here

Former SABC chair Ellen Tshabalala dies, allies defend her legacy – News24

On Saturday, former SABC chair Ellen Tshabalala died from kidney failure. She served on the board of the SABC between 2013 and 2014. 

News24 reports, “It was a long illness, and it was the culmination of a disease she had called DVT [deep vein thrombosis], which led to complications later in life and Covid-19 compounded it and it led to kidney failure.” Read more here 

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Treasury working on a credible solution for Eskom’s R400bn debt burden – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Grabouw fire leaves about 200 homeless – EWN

Headline: Twitter Goes Wild After Drake Joins Backstreet Boys To Perform ’90s Classic Song – Huffington Post

Headline: Carlos Sainz savours maiden F1 win in ‘amazing’ British GP: ‘I don’t know what to say’ – News24

Headline: Who brought the honey? Most talked about SA celeb looks from Durban July 2022 – Times Live

Image credit: Pixabay

• If we don’t save energy, Stage 8 will be implemented by Eskom.
• Siyakhangela Ndevu and Vuyokazi Ndevu remove alcohol from the tavern in Scenery Park. 
• Beyonce debuts new album artwork.

SA is 2,000 megawatts away from Stage 8 Load Shedding – EWN  

Eskom has confirmed that stage 8 load shedding would be activated if the national grid had a shortfall of 8,000 megawatts. 

“Eskom will inform you as soon as a need occurs to change the stage of load shedding whether up or down. We, unfortunately, have to go with the dictate of the machines at that point,” reported Eskom spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha for EWN. 

On Thursday, the nation was on stage 6 load shedding- which Eskom claimed was mostly due to continuing protests over a salary dispute. Read more here 

Owner of East London ‘death tavern’ removes alcohol from premises under police guard – Daily Maverick

The Daily Maverick reports that on Thursday afternoon, under police protection, Siyakhangela Ndevu and his wife, Vuyokazi Ndevu, owners of the Enyobeni bar in East London, were seen moving alcohol from the tavern into bakkies.

“Police removed the crime scene tape and handed the tavern back to the owner and her husband, allowing them to remove alcohol from the premises while the police kept guard.”

Last Sunday, twenty-one adolescents and young adults died in the tavern. At this time, the reason for their death is still unclear. Vuyokazi Ndevu expressed her sympathies to the families and stated she was “sorry for what happened at my tavern”. Read more here 

Beyoncé Unveils ‘Renaissance’ Cover & Reveals Her Intention for the New Album – Billboard

In an Instagram post on Thursday, Beyoncé revealed the whimsical cover art for what is sure to be one of the most anticipated albums of all time.

“Set against a completely black backdrop, the Renaissance cover features a mostly bare Bey with long blonde hair, saddled on a glowing silver horse.” 

She wrote, “Making this album gave me a place to dream and get away from a scary time in the world. It gave me a sense of freedom and adventure when nothing else was going on.” Read more here

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Lights out: Business leaders beg Ramaphosa to fix ‘national crisis’ at Eskom – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Stage 6 loadshedding will return at 4pm, slight reprieve – Times Live

Headline: Christian Horner opens up on Michael Masi’s axing after Abu Dhabi fiasco: ‘He made one mistake’ – News24

Headline: Wales seek balanced approach to counter Bok muscle: ‘We can’t get caught playing Sevens’ – News24

Headline: J-Hope Gives Fans ‘More’ With New Solo Single: Listen -Billboard

Weather: Fine day for most parts of the country – News24