Morning Newsletter

Top news of the day: R190m bill to repair KZN hospitals and clinics | Top Gun tribute song by Lady Gaga is a love letter to the world

Morning Newsletter / April 29, 2022

In response to the floods in KwaZulu-Natal, health minister Joe Phaahla says his department will have to spend close to R190 million to repair health infrastructure that was damaged by the floods.
Phaahla shared this information with the media in parliament on Thursday as part of a report-back on the provincial government’s initiatives.

According to Times Live, Phaahla said that 24 buildings in eThekwini, including health centres, hospitals, and clinics, were damaged by the floods.

“Fortunately there has been minimum disruption in terms of the core services for health.”

He said that the repair costs are estimated to be just under R190 million. There is still work being done to see how true this figure is. “But this is what has been arrived at between our national health and the provincial health infrastructure teams.”

To date, 435 people have died and 54 are still missing from the KZN floods. 

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Lady Gaga has just confirmed a new song release, titled “a love letter to the world during and after a very hard time”.

Hold My Hand will be featured in in the film, Top Gun: Maverick due to release on May 3.

The 36-year-old posted a black-and-white snapshot of herself leaning against an airplane on Instagram. “When I created this song for Top Gun: Maverick, I had no idea how deeply it reflected the film’s heart, my own psychology, and the character of the world we live in.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day:

Headline: R190m bill to repair KZN hospitals and clinics damaged by floods: Phaahla – Times Live

Headline: Lady Gaga teases Top Gun song, says it ‘is a love letter to the world‘ – Channel24

Headline: US not attacking Russia but aiding Ukraine’s defence – Biden – BBC

Headline: Pete Davidson gets his own comedy TV show – Channel24

Headline: Chiefs coach Arthur Zwane confirms Njabulo Ngcobo has apologised for untoward behaviour – Sowetan Live

Headline: WATCH | Trading spanners for spatulas – Soweto food truck owner ‘repairing tastebuds’ one burger at a time – News24

Headline: Senzo Mewiya trial: Gun expert in Oscar Pistorius case to testify – Mail & Guardian

Headline: Megan Fox on why she and Machine Gun Kelly drink each other’s blood – The Citizen

Image: Lady Gaga, John Bauld

Top News of the Day: Joburg: No working speed cameras since 2021 | Elon Musk wants to “put the cocaine” back in Coca Cola

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 28, 2022

On Wednesday evening, the spokesperson for Johannesburg Metrolpolitan Police Department Xolani Filhla confirmed that the city has not been conducting any speed prosecutions or processing of fines since 2021. This is due to the department’s absence of a service provider capable of assisting with high-speed equipment and speed processing.

The contract with the previous service provider ended in May 2021.

Fihla confirmed that the tender to repair and replace speed cameras in the city closed, and they’re hoping to have the problem solved by the end of June in order to resume speed enfocements. As a result, the city of Johanessburg has lost millions in revenue, and will “continue to do so.”

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Elon Musk tweeted on Wednesday that he would want to purchase Coca-Cola in order to “put the cocaine back” to the beverage.

Days after acquiring Twitter in a $44 million deal, many users have been making suggestions for other companies that Musk should buy.

According to Business Insider, one Twitter user wrote: “@elonmusk should buy the History Channel and make it about history,” to which Musk replied with a laugh-crying emoji.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: No working speed cameras in Joburg since 2021 – eNCA

Headline: Elon Musk tweeted that he’d like to buy Coca-Cola to ‘put the cocaine back’ in the soft drink – Business Insider

Headline: Die Antwoord’s ‘secret artist’ speaks out about abuse: ‘I sold out’ – News24

Headline: Heartbreak as search goes on for missing and dead in KZN – Times Live 

Headline: Hailey Bieber Opens Up About Recent Hospitalization After Suffering Mini-Stroke: ‘Scariest Moment Of My Life’ – Complex

Headline: Kanye West Privately Retrieved All of Kim Kardashian’s Sex Tape Back in October – Elle Magazine

Headline: Ncikazi happy with clean bill of health as Bucs prepare for CAF semis – Sowetan Live

Headline: Liverpool roll over Villarreal to close in on Champions League final – EWN 

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: Elon Musk – An “unorthodox, aggressive leader” | Umgeni board chair says plans are in place to return bulk water

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 26, 2022

On Monday afternoon, Twitter announced that Elon Musk has won his unusual attempt to acquire the social media platform for $44 billion.

In a recent article for Business Insider, Marguerite Ward argues that the Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s newest unconventional action is indicative of how he works. “From reimagining the car industry and trying to colonise Mars to flouting government laws and tweeting whatever is on his mind despite market backlash, Musk shows complete disdain for convention in his personal and business interactions.”

Ward further explains that Musk has a remarkable capacity to rally customers, investors, and staff. “His defiance of the status quo, coupled with other key attributes, like his ability to sell his vision and solve problems in innovative ways, provides lessons for other CEOs”.

While Elon Musk promises to improve the app, we all wonder what that may look like.

Meanwhile, in local news, Umgeni Water says bulk water supply to Durban and its surrounding areas was nearly full before the devasting KZN floods.

“The board’s chair Gabsie Mathenjwa briefed the media at the Umgeni Water offices in Hillcrest on Monday, providing updates on water supply and damage to infrastructure in the city.”

Mathenjwa says that plans are in place to get bulk water supplies back on track this week.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: What other CEOs can learn from Elon Musk’s aggressive, unorthodox Twitter takeover – Business Insider 

Headline: KZN floods: Bulk water supply in Durban could return to normal this week, says Umgeni Water – News24

Headline: 5 SHOCKING Moments From Johnny Depp & Amber Heard Trial – E! News

Headline: Lawyer of Meyiwa murder accused plans to go to equality court over alleged assault – Times Live

Headline: Megan Thee Stallion Addresses Shooting on TV for the First Time: ‘I Was So Scared’ – Elle Magazine 

Headline: Smith grateful to have name cleared of racism allegations – Sowetan Live

Headline: Villarreal’s Coquelin promises confidence vs Liverpool: We’re not going there just to look at Anfield – Goal 

Headline: Russia warns of WWIII ahead of Western summit on arms to Ukraine – EWN 

Image credit: Getty Images

Top News of the Day: The cost to fix KZN’s infrastructure after the floods | Macron pledged to unify a divided France

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 25, 2022

It will cost taxpayers almost R17bn to fix the infrastructure in KwaZulu-Natal after this month’s devastating floods.

In a media briefing on Sunday, Premier Sihle Zikalala described the KZN floods as “the greatest disaster in the life of our country, directly affecting 17 438 households, translating to 121 687 people.”

To date, 435 people were killed and 54 remain missing.

According to EWN, the South African Weather Service says parts of KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Free State “will see more torrential rainfall as dangerous flash flooding risks hitting already drenched areas.”

Certain regions have been cautioned about the possibility of more thunderstorms, flash floods, and severe winds.

“The number of those who remain in shelters is 7 245 people in eThekwini, 245 people in KwaDukuza shelters, and the rest in Umzumbe, Ray Nkonyeni [and] Umdoni [local municipalities],” said Zikalala.

Meanwhile, in international news, Emmanuel Macron, a pro-European centrist, won a second term as French president. According to The Guardian, Macron said that he would work to unite a divided France.

After 20 years, Macron became the first French leader to win a second term. He got 58.54 percent of the vote, while the other candidate, Le Pen, got 41.46 percent.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: R17bn — That’s the estimated cost of KZN floods damage – Times Live

Headline: Victorious Macron vows to unite France after fending off Le Pen threat – The Guradian

Headline: Former South African captain Smith cleared of racism allegations – EWN 

Headline: KZN floods: Just over 7 000 people remain in shelters after ‘greatest disaster’ in the country – News24

Headline: Rihanna Seen Dining With ASAP Rocky Days After His Arrest – Complex

Headline: Chris Rock’s Mom SPEAKS OUT on Will Smith’s Oscars Slap – E! News

Headline: ‘Mzansi’s last hope’ — SA celebrates Pirates booking a place in Confed Cup semis – Times Live

Headline: Spanish challenge stands in way of Man City-Liverpool final showdown – EWN

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day- Earth Day 2022: “Invest in our planet”

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 22, 2022

Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. The day is meant to raise awareness about issues like pollution, deforestation, and global warming.

The theme for Earth Day 2022 is “Invest In our Planet”.

We’ve recently seen the devasting impact of climate change in South Africa. Last week, KwaZulu-Natal and part of the Eastern Cape was hit by devastating floods and heavy rains. Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said that climate change played a big part in the floods. Flooding in the province has gotten worse over the last five years.

“This also tells us that climate change is here with us. The scientists have been telling us that the eastern side of the country is going to be wetter and will have frequent floods; the western parts of the country will be drier and have frequent droughts. We thought it was something in the distant future, but if we look at what has happened in the last five years …clearly, climate change is with us and we are beginning to feel the effects of that.”

Dlamini-Zuma added that government needs to rebuild KZN in a “better way” that’s “geographically right for residential areas.”

What can be done to prevent climate change and global warming in South Africa?

Governments can create a green economy via legislation, incentives, and public-private partnerships. “Through regulations, incentives, and public/private partnerships, governments hold the keys to transform and build the green economy.”

We have the power to have our voices heard and build a better future.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Zikalala: ‘It’s time to act on climate change’ – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: How the African rainforest is helping fight climate change – BBC

Headline: KZN will adapt to climate change, Premier Zikalala assures Durban residents – SABC News

Headline: Putin’s environmental crimes – Earth Day 

Headline: Manchester United look to return to youth under Erik Ten Hag – Times Live

Headline: Stuart Baxter, Kaizer Chiefs reach mutual agreement to part ways ‘with immediate effect’ – Times Live

Headline: Do the Kardashians Need Reality TV Anymore? – Complex

Headline: Johnny Depp and Amber Heard face off in court – BBC

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: Heavy rains trigger Eskom load shedding | Johnny Depp denies abusing ex-wife

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 21, 2022

Eskom said on Wednesday that it was working to end rolling blackouts by the weekend, even though its power system is “vulnerable and unpredictable”.

“The embattled power utility announced that the power cuts would be reduced to stage three until Friday.”

Over the Easter long weekend, the country was hit by heavy rain. Eskom blames this round of power cuts on the heavy rainfall, which they say is a bad sign for the winter unless they can figure out how to deal with unplanned outages.

“Eskom has seen a slight recovery in generating capacity in the last 24 hours, moving the country from its crippling stage four blackouts to stage three power cuts.”

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Johnny Depp has taken the stand in the $50 million defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard. The actor from Pirates of the Caribbean said that he never hit a woman. “There were arguments and things of that nature but never did I myself reach the point of striking Miss Heard in any way. Nor have I ever struck any woman in my life,” he said.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Eskom says it’s working on lifting power cuts by weekend – EWN 

Headline: Johnny Depp calls Amber Heard allegations ‘heinous’, says he never struck her – Daily Maverick 

Headline: What’s behind KZN’s flood disaster – EWN 

Headline: Rapper A$AP Rocky taken into custody in LA in connection to shooting – Sowetan Live 

Headline: Explosion at Joburg substation could lead to another week of electricity woes – News24

Headline: Manchester City regain lead while Arsenal upset Chelsea – Sowetan Live 

Headline: Injured Wayde van Niekerk pulls out of SA championships – Sowetan Live

Headline: ‘Everyone grieves differently’ – YoungstaCPT pays tribute to Ricky Rick with a new song – African Insider

Image credit: Getty Images

Top News of the Day: KZN Floods: Residents will be moved to new land | Netflix loses 200,000 members

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 20, 2022

The government said on Tuesday that residents displaced by the KwaZulu-Natal floods will be relocated to new land. It is estimated that 40,000 residents have been displaced.

According to EWN, the spatial planning dilemma has been brought to light as South Africans come to grips with the devastation caused by the province’s extraordinary rains.

Over 400 people were killed and hundreds of houses were destroyed in the tragedy, “which also rendered some roads unusable while destroying thousands of homes”.

On Tuesday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said: “Most of those whose homes have been washed away were in places where we shouldn’t send them back. So we had to identify permanent areas whilst they are in temporary areas.”

Meanwhile, in international news, Netflix lost 200, 000 members between January and March. According to the company’s quarterly financial report issued Tuesday, it’s the first decline in Netflix subscribers since the service became accessible outside China six years ago. Netflix withdrew from Russia to protest the conflict against Ukraine, resulting in a 700,000 subscriber loss.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: KZN floods: 84 health facilities damaged, R184m needed for repairs – News24

Headline: Govt to move residents who lost homes in KZN floods to new land – EWN 

Headline: Netflix Shares Plummet As Service Loses 200K Subscribers – Huffington Post

Headline: How eThekwini staffers tried to hijack food meant for rescuers of the dead and displaced – Daily Maverick 

Headline: China is keen to help build a Johannesburg to Durban high-speed train – Business Insider 

Headline: Liverpool thrash miserable Man United to go top of Premier League – News24

Headline: WATCH | Liverpool fans show support for grieving Ronaldo – News24

Headline: Singer Lira suffers stroke; ‘ability to communicate’ affected, says family – EWN 

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day: Ramaphosa calls for more climate adaptation | Coachella Weekend 1 done and dusted

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 19, 2022

In his state of the nation address on Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the heavy rains and floods in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape as a national state of disaster (days after it had been declared as a provincial disaster). 

To date, 443 lives have been lost. 

Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of using the national disaster as an opportunity to reconstruct and rehabilitate certain parts of the country with no corruption or mismanagement. 

The incumbent president said that South Africa must invest more money in climate change to protect residents. He also confirmed that a relief fund will be made available “via the Solidarity Fund and a special structure is being set up to guard against corruption.” 

“These floods are a tragic reminder of the increasing frequency of extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change,” he said. “We need to increase our investment in climate adaptation measures to better safeguard communities against the effects of climate change.”

In entertainment news, the first weekend of Coachella 2022 may be over, but fans are still buzzing from the unforgettable performances from Harry Styles, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion and Swedish House Mafia x The Weeknd.

Saturday, Billie Eilish made history and renowned K-pop duo 2NE1 reunited onstage. On Sunday, Karol G and Doja Cat closed the festival with star-studded, spectacular performances.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: JUST IN | Load shedding jumps to Stage 4 – News24

Headline: SA must spend more on climate adaptation, says Ramaphosa, as KZN floods become national disaster – Business Insider

Headline: The cute, the hot, the freaky | Best of Coachella 2022 – eNCA

Headline: Tragedy as Cristiano Ronaldo announces death of newborn son: ‘The greatest pain a parent can feel’ – News24

Headline: Defending champ Steyn thanks supporters with record win – Sowetan Live

Headline: The Best-Dressed Performers From Coachella 2022 – Nylon

Headline: No trust in SA government: KZN flood aid commitment met with cynicism & derision – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Jaden Smith Reacts to Being Mocked Over Resurfaced Clip of Comments About People His Age With His Own Joke – Complex

Image credit: Getty Images

Top News of the Day: “Sorry Durban, the ANC has failed you again (and again)”

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 14, 2022

Qaanitah Hunter claims in her newest column for News24 that the ANC is more interested in its “internal hunger games” than “actually doing their jobs” and assisting residents in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Hunter attended the ANC’s eThekwini conference days before disaster struck and was surprised by the lack of commitment to improve services since the July unrest.

“All the conference was obsessed with was who would be in charge and who would control the purse strings of the municipality.”

Days later, floods began causing devastation and destruction in many areas and yet again, Durban was not prepared or warned. Residents were left to pick up the slack for the state’s mistakes again. The response from local authorities was “dismal and pathetic”, she adds.

“There has been no effort to improve infrastructure, despite almost yearly flooding.”

In a separate piece for the Daily Maverick, Shaun Smillie confirms that the death rate has risen to above 300. Residents are still searching for their loved ones with little or no support from rescue services.

“Two days later and the community is searching along the Nthungwane River for the five missing people. They say they have had no help from the rescue services. On Wednesday morning, paramedics arrived and provided medical care to some of the injured. Then they left.”

There are plenty of stories similar to this.

News24 reported how a “father waited hours next to his dead six-year-old, after walking 10km with his lifeless body onto the main road, to seek help from emergency services who just drove by.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Qaanitah Hunter | Sorry Durban, the ANC has failed you again (and again) – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Devastated KZN communities search for family members swept away by floodwaters – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Food, blankets, plastic, clean water and clothes — here’s how you can help relief efforts in KZN – Times Live

Headline: Nationwide bus strike averted – For now, at least – EWN 

Headline: OPINION | Africa can’t afford to depend on Russia for wheat imports – News24

Headline: New York subway shooting suspected arrested after day-long manhunt – EWN 

Headline: Pep Guardiola: Man City ‘in big trouble’ despite ‘deserved’ win – BBC

Headline: Druski’s Now-Deleted Comedy Skit Sparks Debate on Social Media – Complex

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day: Flood Deaths Climb to 59

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / April 13, 2022

At least 59 people have died in floods and mudslides caused by rainstorms that hit the South African port city of Durban and other areas in the KwaZulu-Natal province, including two babies.

Poor residents are desperately seeking humanitarian assistance. According to News24, some residents went to the police station to ask for help because their loved ones were either still under the rubble or had been washed away by the rain.

In a separate article for the Daily Maverick, Greg Nicolson explains how the poor are hit the hardest by every disaster, from the hard lockdown to the riots, fires, and floods, which are all things that happen there.

Residents in KZN have also spoken about the lack of support from the government.

“Since 2005 we have been saying that the conditions under which we are forced to live in a repressive society are dangerous as well as undignified,” said one resident.

Meteorologists said that the “rainfall system” was going to weaken “significantly” on Wednesday. President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit KZN today.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Tragedy in KZN as floods cause devastation, mostly for the poor in informal settlements – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Indignity in life and death: KwaNdengezi residents line up their dead on the road desperate for help – News24

Headline: Pirates defender Paseka Mako rushed to hospital after colliding with Richard Ofori – News24

Headline: Chukwueze goal helps Villarreal match Manchester City’s Champions League mark – Goal 

Headline: Banyana Banyana arrive with song and dance, but Netherlands claim stunning victory – News24

Headline: Hailey Bieber Asks Trolls to ‘Leave Me Alone’ Seemingly in Reference to Selena Gomez Comparisons – Complex

Headline: Rihanna Says Her Next Album Is “Completely Different” From Past Projects – Nylon

Headline: Brooklyn shooting – live: Police name Frank R James as person of interest as mayor’s security boosted – Independent 

Image credit: Gallo Images

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