Morning Newsletter -

Top News of the Day: Chips and Kota lovers are going to pay the price, AKA wins case against The Braai Show

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 15, 2022 March 15, 2022

Sorry slap chips and kota lovers, you’re going to pay the price for Russia’s invasion on Ukraine.

A price hike is expected for “potato goods that require a lot of cooking oil, such as fries and chips”, Potatoes South Africa told Business Insider South Africa. The Russian invasion has caused an increase in commodities, especially in areas where South Africa relies upon.

“Over the past five years, South Africa imported up to 250,000 tons of sunflower oil from mostly Russia and Bulgaria,” according to Business Insider.

The price increase will have an inverse effect on goods such as french fries, slap chips, or any goods that rely on cooking oil. Restaurants will have to start introducing price hikes.

“Although South Africa produces vegetable oil, it does not make enough to meet local demand, and imports (about 20% above local production) are heavily dependent on the Black Sea region.”

Meanwhile, in local entertainment news, AKA announced on his Instagram account that he won “50% of the show’s intellectual property”.

“This morning, justice was finally served. I received confirmation of what I have always said: That I own The Braai Show!”, AKA stated in his post on Instagram.

Channel24 reported that “the arbitration proceedings between the rapper and the production company over the long-standing legal battle over the copyright of The Braai Show on SABC1, concluded on 11 March in Sandton.”

Following the death of his fiancée Anele Tembe, AKA was kicked off the program for the second season and replaced by Cassper Nyovest.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Russia’s war is going to make South African kotas and slap chips more expensive – Business Insider South Africa

Headline: AKA claims The Braai Show legal victory – Channel24

Headline: Naspers loses R100 billion in value in single day as Tencent woes bite – News24

Headline: Govt expected to make decision on lifting of National State of Disaster – EWN

Headline: England should drop Woakes for overseas tours, says Boycott – Sowetan Live

Headline: Crystal Palace 0-0 Man City: Better to be in our position than Liverpool’s, says Bernardo Silva – BBC

Headline: Mihlali’s Generations cameo reignites calls to ‘open up the industry’ – Citizen

Headline: Kanye West’s feud with Pete Davidson intensifies with shocking text exchange – Channel24

Image credit: Commons Wikipedia

Top News of the Day: SACAA: Comair’s operating license suspended, Pirates secure first place in Group B

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 14, 2022 March 14, 2022

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) believes it will be difficult to allow Comair to fly as long as it does not get assurances from the airline. Thousands of customers have been stuck after Comair’s operations were halted indefinitely on Sunday due to the airline’s failure to effectively address safety concerns. “The airline will remain suspended until they are able to close all of the findings that we have raised, so they still have two of those outstanding. But there has been active engagement between the regulator and the airline in the sense that they have been submitting the evidence but so far we have not reached a point where we are able to close the case,” says Phindiwe Gwebu, SACAA spokesperson. Once all the safety issues are addressed, flights will commence.

In local soccer news, Orlando Pirates secured a 3-0 triumph over the Royal Leopard at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday. Fortune Makaringe scored a spectacular goal for Orlando Pirates, followed by Kabelo Dlamini and Zimbabwean Terrence Dzvukamanja the other scorers for the 2015 Confederation Cup runners-up.

According to Sports24, the three points earned by Pirates placed them back in first place in Group B, with nine points after four games.

Pirates dominated possession of the ball for most of the game but took their time to score the 3 goals. “Leopards looked to fight back but where being frustrated by a compact Bucs defence, that was able to break out quickly and feed their frontmen.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Comair not taking to the sky until it meets guarantees: SACAA – SABC News

Headline: Pirates thump Royal Leopards to top CAF Confederation Cup group – News24

Headline: Orlando Pirates midfielder charged by police – News24

Headline: How Ukraine is the biggest loser in the new Cold War and it can’t just blame Russia for that – First Post

Headline: Gauteng remains at forefront of Covid-19 cases in SA – Times Live

Headline: Obama tests positive for COVID, encourages vaccines – EWN

Headline: Selena Gomez and Issa Rae Got the Red Memo at the Critics’ Choice Awards – Pop Sugar

Headline: D.L. Hughley Responds After Kanye West Threatens to ‘Hurt’ Him – Complex

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: SACAA: Comair’s operating license suspended, Pirates secure first place in Group B

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 14, 2022 March 14, 2022

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) believes it will be difficult to allow Comair to fly as long as it does not get assurances from the airline.

Thousands of customers have been stuck after Comair’s operations were halted indefinitely on Sunday due to the airline’s failure to effectively address safety concerns.

“The airline will remain suspended until they are able to close all of the findings that we have raised, so they still have two of those outstanding. But there has been active engagement between the regulator and the airline in the sense that they have been submitting the evidence but so far we have not reached a point where we are able to close the case,” says Phindiwe Gwebu, SACAA spokesperson.

Once all the safety issues are addressed, flights will commence.

Pirates were kicked out of the Nedbank Cup as a result of their losses in the previous two matches.

According to Sports24, the three points earned by Pirates placed them back in first place in Group B, with nine points after four games.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Comair not taking to the sky until it meets guarantees: SACAA – SABC News

Headline: Pirates thump Royal Leopards to top CAF Confederation Cup group – News24

Headline: Orlando Pirates midfielder charged by police – News24

Headline: How Ukraine is the biggest loser in the new Cold War and it can’t just blame Russia for that – First Post

Headline: Gauteng remains at forefront of Covid-19 cases in SA – Times Live

Headline: Obama tests positive for COVID, encourages vaccines – EWN

Headline: Selena Gomez and Issa Rae Got the Red Memo at the Critics’ Choice Awards – Pop Sugar

Headline: D.L. Hughley Responds After Kanye West Threatens to ‘Hurt’ Him – Complex

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: Chris Hani Hospital staff set for retrenchment, Kim K faces backlash over advice to women

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 11, 2022 March 11, 2022

By the end of March, more than 800 medical staff at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital would be unemployed. According to eCNA, the Gauteng Health Department recruited them on a contract basis to deal with Covid-19 patients. Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital is the largest public hospital in South Africa.

“But the department says it doesn’t have the money to keep them on. Those picketings say the hospital is already short-staffed and under-resourced and getting rid of these doctors will put a burden on the permanent staff.”

Video Credit: eCNA

In addition to funds running out to pay medical interns, the hospital has reached a ‘crisis point’ and cannot afford to pay food suppliers and waste disposal contractors either. As a result, doctors are “bringing lunch for patients at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto”.

The “Random Act of Kindness” initiative, run by Khan and his team delivered “400 cheese and polony sandwiches to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon.” The sandwiches were handed to patients in the psychiatry and oncology wards, among others, commented Khan.

In entertainment news, Kim Kardashian is facing criticism for the advice she’s given to women.

The Kardashians recently sat down for an interview with Variety magazine discussing their business ventures. Kim was asked to share advice for women in particular.

“I have the best advice for women in business. Get your f***ing a** up and work. “It seems like nobody wants to work these days,” said Kim Kardashian.

Twitter users claimed that because Kim had a head start in life and comes from a background of financial privilege, she shouldn’t be lecturing the general population on what it takes to succeed, as her words were tone-deaf and indicated a lack of understanding.

Video credit: Variety

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Over 800 Bara doctors, nurses face unemployment – eCNA

Headline: Kim Kardashian Is Being Called “Out Of Touch” For Her “Offensive” “Advice” For Women In Business. Here’s Everything You Need To Know. – Buzz Feed

Headline: Ramaphosa backs Zondo to serve with distinction as SA’s new chief justice – EWN

Headline: Putin’s war: Did Russia make a mistake by invading Ukraine? – News24

Headline: Chelsea sale blocked after sanctions against Abramovich – Sowetan Live

Headline: Leeds 0-3 Aston Villa: Philippe Coutinho is in ‘magical form; – Steven Gerrard – BBC

Headline: Jussie Smollett slapped with prison term, probation for staging hate crime – Times Live

Headline: Cassper Nyovest ecstatic over his sneaker line’s first billboard in Joburg – African Insider

Image credit: Getty Images

Top News of the Day: Bathabile Dlamini pleads for leniency, Travis Scott launches Project HEAL

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 10, 2022 March 10, 2022

The Johanessburg magistrate court found ANC Women’s League president Bathabile Dlamini guilty of perjury on Wednesday.

Dlamini is accused of lying under oath during the Constitutional Court’s investigation into the South African Social Security Agency’s 2017 social handouts fiasco (Sassa), comments Masechaba Sefularo for EWN.

The article further states that during the inquiry into the Sassa grants scandal, Dlamini disputed under oath that she designated parallel work streams at the agency and that they reported to her. “The inquiry found Dlamini had concealed the extent of her involvement in the debacle and she was charged with perjury after the apex court forwarded the inquiry’s report to the director of public prosecutions.”

Advocate Tshepiso Mphahlane pleaded with the court not to send her to prison. Dlamini is expected to appear in court on 1 April 2022 to receive her sentence.

Following the Astroworld event that killed 10 concertgoers in December 2021, Travis Scott announced a $5 million initiative called “Project HEAL” to honour the victims of the tragedy.

Project HEAL will assist fans with scholarships, event safety and mental health resources.

“Over the past few months I’ve been taking the time and space to grieve, reflect and do my part to heal my community. Most importantly, I want to use my resources and platform moving forward towards actionable change. This will be a lifelong journey for me and my family,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Be lenient on me … I only earn R110,000 a month, pleads Bathabile Dlamini – Times Live

Headline: Travis Scott announces new initiative that will ‘honour the victims of the Astroworld tragedy’ – Channel24

Headline: Ukraine war: Two more hospitals hit by Russian airstrikes in Zhytomyr – Sky News

Headline: R500k bail for Sandton ‘Tinder Swindler’ who allegedly defrauded Johannesburg woman of R3m – News24

Headline: Kim Kardashian Slammed Over Her Business Advice to Women: ‘Get Your F*cking Ass Up and Work’ – Complex

Headline: Real Madrid 3-1 Paris St-Germain (3-2 agg): Does PSG’s Champions League exit spell the end for Mauricio Pochettino? – BBC

Headline: Penalty shootout win sees Gallants past Pirates in Nedbank Cup – News24

Headline: South Africa most unequal country in the world: report – EWN

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day: Disaster Strikes as the ‘Holiday Swindler’ disappears, load shedding moves to Stage 4

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 9, 2022 March 9, 2022

A group of angry customers is determined to do whatever it takes to reclaim their hard-earned money from Hello Darlings, a travel firm that failed to deliver on its promises.

Social media users and clients refer to her as the ‘holiday swindler’. Tasneem Moosa, CEO of Hello Darlings travel agency has disappeared after defrauding more than 2000 clients from their dream holiday.

News24 confirmed that a Telegram group was created on Tuesday afternoon with 2500 “disgruntled members” trying to get hold of Moosa. She has deactivated all her social media accounts and no one can reach her.

“Several clients in the group indicated they have opened cases with the police, but were waiting for their case numbers,” writes Iavan Pijoos for News24.

A few clients have gone to the SAPS to open a case and are hoping to recover the money.

Meanwhile, Eskom has announced that load shedding will move to stage 4 from 09h00 on Wednesday (9 March) until 05h00 on Friday (11 March).

“In a media briefing on Tuesday, the power utility warned that the unpredictability of its units meant that load shedding might have to be extended this week,” and is “due to a further breakdown of units” reports Business Tech.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: SA’s ‘holiday swindler’? Clients lose thousands of rands dished out for 5-star getaways – News24

Headline: Eskom moves to stage 4 load shedding – here is the new schedule – Business Tech

Headline: UKRAINE UPDATES | Hospital treats Ukraine’s youngest war victims – Times Live

Headline: Apple unveils 5G versions of iPad Air and low-end iPhone SE – Daily Maverick

Headline: Pitso Mosimane concludes new deal as Al Ahly coach – Times Live

Headline: Jurgen Klopp frustrated as ‘slapstick’ loss ends year-long unbeaten Anfield run – The Independent

Headline: Bridgerton Season 2 Soundtrack Brings Harry Styles, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, & More Into The Mix – Essence

Headline: ‘The only effect our sides have is a full stomach’ — Nando’s chimes in on Pfizer vaccine ‘side-effects’ frenzy – Times Live

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: “I’m not hiding. And I’m not afraid of anyone” says, Ukrainian president, #BreaktheBias on International Women’s Day

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 8, 2022 March 8, 2022

Today we celebrate women.

Every year on March 8th, International Women’s Day honours women’s accomplishments in numerous professions. The day also emphasises what further has to be done to attain gender balance in all aspects of life.

The goal of International Women’s Day is to raise awareness about the prejudice and biases that women suffer daily. The day also aims to generate donations for groups that seek to address issues that impact women’s lives.

Meanwhile, in global news, Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine shared a video on Monday evening from his presidential office in Kyiv saying he is not afraid. “I stay in Kyiv. On Bankova Street. I’m not hiding. And I’m not afraid of anyone.”

The video was posted 12 days after Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Zelensky offered words of encouragement to every Ukrainian citizen fighting the invasion. “Every Ukrainian man and woman who protested against the invaders yesterday, today, and will protest tomorrow are heroes,” Zelensky said.

He also assured citizens that everything will be rebuilt after the invasion. “Hatred is not about us. Therefore, there will be no trace of the enemy. We will rebuild everything. We will make our cities destroyed by the invader better than any city in Russia.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: ‘I’m not hiding and I’m not afraid of anyone’ says Ukrainian President Zelensky in latest video – Business Insider

Headline: International Women’s Day is coming and Human Rights Commission to host summit on whistle-blower protection – Daily Maverick

Headline: Untangling the narrative web surrounding South Africa’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict – Daily Maverick

Headline: EXCLUSIVE | Pistorius’ lawyers head to court over parole delay, Reeva’s parents question eligibility – News24

Headline: Frank Lampard: Everton boss has ‘no fear’ about what lies ahead following heavy defeat at Spurs – BBC

Headline: Sundowns coach Mokwena: We need to talk about mental health issues – Sowetan Live

Headline: Maison Valentino Pink Is Clearly The New Black – According to Zendaya – Essence

Headline: Australian floods force tens of thousands to evacuate – EWN

Image credit: Internation Women’s Day Org

Top News of the Day: Gift of the Givers plans humanitarian relief in Ukraine, DJ Dimplez dies of brain haemorrhage

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 7, 2022 March 7, 2022

On Monday, Russian soldiers bombarded Ukrainian cities from the air, land, and water, hinting that an assault on Kyiv was forthcoming.

Over 1.5 million people have crossed Ukraine’s borders as refugees, while terrified citizens are trapped in Mariupol. According to EWN, many Ukrainians have been internally displaced or are stranded in cities that have been reduced to ruins by the Russian bombing.

Many Ukrainians are stranded in cities that have been reduced to ruins by the Russian bombing.

After the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power facility on Friday, there are also concerns about the safety of Ukraine’s nuclear installations.

In a separate article for News24, Gift of the Givers, a South African non-governmental organization (NGO), plans to give humanitarian relief. “The charity’s intervention will include providing emergency medical and non-medical assistance to front line facilities and internally displaced civilians in Ukraine. The NGO will also contribute to funding the repatriation of South African students wanting to return home rather than stay in Europe.”

The South African entertainment industry is in mourning following the sudden death of Tumi Mooi, professionally known as DJ Dimplez.

His family has released a statement on Sunday afternoon confirming that the hip hop artist died at 1.15pm from a brain haemorrhage. Tributes continue to pour in for the “We Ain’t Leaving” hitmaker.

“We would like to be given time to grieve as the family is still coming to terms with the news. We confirm that he succumbed to a brain haemorrhage, unfortunately we can’t share any more details as we are requesting privacy during this difficult time,” said family spokesperson Shekeshe Mokgosi.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Russia hits Ukraine from air, land and sea with civilians trapped – EWN

Headline: Family confirms death of DJ Dimplez, saying he had a sudden brain haemorrhage – Drum

Headline: Gift of the Givers to provide humanitarian assistance in Ukraine – News24

Headline: LIVE | Russia declares ceasefire in Kyiv and three other cities to allow evacuations – News24

Headline: Shane Warne death: friend describes final meal of Vegemite toast at Thailand resort – The Guardian

Headline: Kanye West Says ‘Art Is Not a Proxy for Any Ill or Harm’ Amid “Eazy” Video and Pete Davidson Controversy – Complex

Headline: Sir Lewis Hamilton fanboys over Zendaya and cheekily tries to land Euphoria role at Paris Fashion Week – Metro

Headline: Netflix Suspends Service In Russia Over Ukraine Invasion – Huffington Post

Image credit: Gallo Images

Riky Rick’s Memorial Service Sold Out, What if SA takes sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022

The official memorial service honouring the late Riky Rick, is set to take place today at Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. Limited tickets (1500) were made available to book through Webtickets and are sold out.

The memorial service will be lived streamed from 10h00 to 14h00 here.

Riky will be honoured for being a “catalyst for change, for poineering the love for the culture and being for voice of the youth.”

In international news, Business Insider analyses the financial implications if South Africa takes sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. “In 2021, South Africa’s trade with Russia and its political allies totalled R15.7 billion. Trade with NATO countries came to R1.131 trillion,” writes Phillip de Wet.

De Wet argues that staying on the sideline will become increasingly hard. Based on the 2021 financial figures, if South Africa takes sides in an economic war, “it has chosen R16 billion over R1.131 trillion in trade”.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Riky Rick’s Memorial Service Details Shared – The Plug Magazine

Headline: If SA is taking sides in an economic war, it has chosen R16 billion over R1.131 trillion in trade – Business Insider

Headline: Zelenskiy says ‘Europe must wake up’ as Russian shelling sparks fire at Ukraine nuclear power plant – The Guardian

Headline: SA’s ‘quiet diplomacy’ on Russia-Ukraine crisis: Why aren’t we taking a stand? -News24

Headline: Julia Fox Says She Felt Like She Was ‘Cast’ to Be Kanye’s Girlfriend: ‘It Really Did Feel Like a Movie’ – Complex

Headline: NIGO and Pusha-T Connect on New Single “Hear Me Clearly” – Complex

Headline: World Cup qualifying: Ukraine seek play-off semi-final with Scotland postponement – BBC

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

Image credit: Getty Images

Trevor Noah calls out racist coverage of Ukraine, Kim K finally a single lady

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / March 3, 2022 March 3, 2022

On 24th February, Russia launched a large-scale military invasion of Ukraine, one of its southwest neighbours. It’s been a week since the invasion occurred and various governments, including South Africa, assisted African students and residents “after reports of racist and unfair treatment of Africans at border crossings”, APR reported.

Trevor Noah, host of The Daily Show voiced his opinion on the racism in the media coverage.

According to The Citizen, Trevor’s segment featured multiple viral videos of journalists commenting on how Ukraine is not a “developing nation” or a “third world country,” but rather a “prosperous middle-class area,” with sights of Ukrainians fleeing violence incomprehensible in comparison to those in North Africa or the Middle East.”

Watch the full video here:

In a separate article for CNN, African Unions have condemned racism at the Ukrainian border. “We ask for the respect of the dignity and for equitable treatment of all people in dire circumstances. It is an opportunity for my country to recall the African Union appeal for respect of international law that requires equal treatment for all people who cross international borders in conflict areas,” commented Michel Xavier Biang for CNN.

In entertainment news, Kim Kardashian is now legally single. On March 2, a judge in Los Angeles Superior Court approved Kardashian’s motion to terminate her marriage to West. The marriage will be ended immediately and further proceedings will determine custody of their children and the split of assets.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Trevor Noah responds to racist media coverage of Russian invasion – The Citizen

Headline: People of colour struggle to escape Russian invasion of Ukraine – Al Jazeera

Headline: Kim Kardashian and Kanye West divorce – The Independent

Headline: Scourge of femicide and GBV continues to plague South Africa – Daily Maverick

Headline: DA lights up City Hall in solidarity with Ukraine, while ANC government abstains from UN vote opposing Russian invasion – Daily Maverick

Headline: Chelsea survive FA Cup scare after Abramovich puts club up for sale – News24

Headline: Unstoppable Mamelodi Sundowns still star-bound as they sink Galaxy – Sowetan Live

Headline: WHO: Anxiety, depression cases up by over 25% globally due to COVID – EWN

Image credit: Screenshot