Morning Newsletter

Top News of the Day: City of Tshwane wants to claim back R17 billion, Minnie and Quinton headed for divorce 

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 16, 2022

The City of Tshwane has taken a strident attitude in its pursuit of R17 billion in unpaid municipal services. According to News24, “Mendo Properties, which houses SAPS, owes the City R5.1 million. Other businesses have not been spared, with a debt collection company owing R4 million. The Gautrain station in Hatfield owes R10 million.”

In the last week, the City of Tshwane run a social media #TshwaneYaTima campaign to call out businesses and government departments that owe them money. Ever since the start of the campaign, “420 disconnections of businesses had taken place”. The #TshwaneYaTima campaign aims to take back over the credit and claim back at least R5 billion of debt before the end of 2022.

“By Monday, we calculated that we collected more than R200 million. You have to remember that what is happening now is the disconnected people who are making payment arrangements and want themselves reconnected. It is also people who have yet to be approached who are also making payments,” commented City of Tshwane’s mayor, Randall Williams.

It’s official, Minnie Dlamini and Quinton Jones are separated and heading for divorce. After being married for nearly 5 years, Minnie and Quinton announced a joint statement on Instagram yesterday that they are seperated. “After months of separations and consultations with our family and a counsellor, we have taken the decision to officially file for divorce.” The couple shares a son Netha Makhosini Jones and will remain business partners, friends and parents to Netha.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Pay up or be switched off: Tshwane, Joburg mayors embark on aggressive mission to claw back billions – News24 (for subscribers) 

Headline: ‘We remain friends, business partners and loving parents to our son!’ – Minnie Dlamini, Quinton Jones file for divorce – African Insider

Headline: R1.8bn Unemployment Insurance Fund monies lost in PIC’s Zweli Mkhize-linked Bounty Brands bet – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Kuli Roberts’ memorial service to be held on Wednesday – SABC News 

Headline: Man City on brink of Champions League quarters after Sporting rout – EWN 

Headline: Kaizer Chiefs and Cape Town City settle for a share of the spoils – Sowetan Live 

Headline: Oscars adds ‘fan favorite’ prize voted by Twitter – EWN 

Headline: OPINION | Vivienne Mentor-Lalu: What SONA tells us about government’s appetite to fight GBV – News24

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Top News of the Day: SCOPA to discuss Ramaphosa’s leaked recordings, Bridgeton season two release date

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 15, 2022

Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa confirmed Parliament will meet on Wednesday to discuss leaked recordings of President Cyril Ramaphosa. In the leaked recording, EWN confirmed that Ramaphosa was aware of public monies being used for the ANC’s political contests.

According to EWN, “Ramaphosa said that he had no direct information regarding his own comments of state funds being used for party contests. He instead pointed Scopa to the commission of inquiry into state capture, saying that it should be able to shed more light on the matter.”

Ramaphosa also used the opportunity to reiterate his views of anti-corruption and said the leaked audio recording was taken out of context.

Following the success of season 1, Netflix has announced that Bridgerton season 2 will be released on 25 March 2022. According to Maria Claire, the second season will focus on “Sidelong glances! Sword fights! Balls! Courtship! Drama! Anthony bathing! A shocked Daphne!”.

“The one minute clip teases the romance between Anthony and Kate and some steamy scenes and ends with a shot of Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan), who was revealed to be Lady Whistledown at the end of season one.” Bridgerton season 1 received 82 million views in the first month and was also renewed for seasons 3 and 4.

Watch the trailer here:

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Scopa to deliberate on Ramaphosa audio on use of state funds for ANC activities – EWN 

Headline: Netflix teases Bridgerton season 2 – News24

Headline: ‘Don’t suffer from amnesia now’ — Inside Tito Mboweni and Fikile Mbalula’s spicy pothole exchange – Times Live 

Headline: Kanye Asks Fans to Not Do Anything Physical to Pete After Sharing Kim Texts: ‘Going to Handle the Situation Myself’ – Complex

Headline: Remembering Kuli Roberts: She would say, ‘The one thing I know I did right, is when I look at my kids’ – Times Live 

Headline: Neymar in line to make PSG comeback against Real Madrid – EWN 

Headline: Newcastle’s Trippier faces spell on sidelines after breaking foot – News24

Headline: Mzansi mourns Citi Lyts as police launch manhunt for musician’s killers – Times Live 

Image credit: Netflix

Top News of the Day: Coega Development Cooperation to assess Parliament Fire, Riri explains why she hid her pregnancy

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 14, 2022

Following the fire that occurred at Parliament Buildings last month, Public works and infrastructure minister Patricia de Lille has appointed an independent team to assess the damage and recommend restorative measures.

According to EWN, de Lille announced on Sunday that they’ve “chosen the Coega Development Cooperation to provide a detailed assessment on the damage.”

The fire caused structural damage to the old and new National Assembly building. “The professional team’s visual assessment started with the old National Assembly and then proceeded to assess the structural damages to the new National Assembly. On the basis of the preliminary visual inspections, there was evidence of severe structural damage (major spalling) to the slabs. The slabs affected by the damage are the second, third and fourth floor. In addition, there were major cracks in the walls on the second and third floor. The professional team advised that the new Assembly building is unsafe and should be cordoned off and closed in order to restrict access.”

The National Assembly building is currently closed with restricted assess.

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Rihanna admits it was hard to keep the pregnancy news a secret from her close friends. According to Entertainment Tonight, the pop star and businesswoman “worked hard to keep her pregnancy a secret as her friends questioned her changing habits”. After accepting her pregnancy and the new journey ahead, Rihanna finally announced it to them.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Independent specialist team appointed to assess parliament fire damage – Times Live

Headline: Rihanna Explains She Kept Her Pregnancy A Secret Even From Friends – Elle Magazine 

Headline: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg Lead Super Bowl Halftime Show Packed With Hip-Hop Legends – Huffington Post 

Headline: Beyoncé Was Filmed in the Super Bowl Stands, Looking Flawless in a Tan Jacket – Elle Magazine 

Headline: Fabinho strike helps Liverpool grind out victory over Burnley – The Independent 

Headline: Orlando Pirates players ratings after JS Saoura win: Lorch and Ndah dazzle in Caf Confederation Cup – Goal 

Headline: WATCH | Checkers jumps on the ‘Tinder Swindler’ bandwagon for Valentine’s Day, and its hilarious – Times Live

Headline: 8 Podcasts About Black History To Add to Your Queue RN – The Every Girl 

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day: SONA summarised, Tributes pour in for Kuli Roberts

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 11, 2022

Last night President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Cape Town City Hall. Due to a fire that destroyed the National Assembly last month, this is the first time in history that the SONA was held outside Parliament.

Here are a few highlights that President Ramaphosa mentioned in the SONA:

  • Eskom has set up a separate transmission company “to reverse many years of neglected maintenance and underperformance of existing plants”.
  • To combat cable theft and vandalism on the freight rail network, Transnet will soon offer its terminals to commercial partners.
  • After two years of lockdown, the Covid-19 committee is finalising the plan to end the national state of disaster.
  • The R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant has been extended to March 2023.

In entertainment news, tributes continue to pour in as the nation mourns the loss of media personality and journalist Kuli Roberts. Roberts passed away on Wednesday evening in Johannesburg. She started her career as a journalist in the fashion and beauty industry. In 2005, she made her TV debut in the reality show What Not To Wear. Later, she co-hosted The Real Goboza and TrendingSA. The details and cause of Kuli’s death have not been confirmed.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Something new, something old and something in the making — Ramaphosa carefully balances interests – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Kuli Roberts: ‘I don’t want to be remembered. I want you guys to just look after each other’ – News24

Headline: New regulations to help end load shedding in South Africa – Business Tech 

Headline: FRIDAY BRIEFING | The next Chief Justice: Who’d want to put on these robes after last week? – News24

Headline: Jub Jub says ‘sorry’ to Kelly Khumalo over ‘muti’ remarks – African Insider 

Headline: Snoop Dogg sued for sex assault – EWN 

Headline: Liverpool 2-0 Leicester: Jurgen Klopp praises ‘incredible talent’ Luis Diaz after he makes full debut – BBC

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

Image credit: Gallo Images

Top News of the Day: Ramaphosa expected to address corruption in SONA speech, Kim K opens up about divorce from Ye

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 10, 2022

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, 10 February at 7 pm. The much-anticipated SONA will focus on “the back of security concerns, rampant corruption and fraud, rising unemployment and a strained fiscus”.

According to News24, “President Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to take an active interest in the State of the Nation Address so that they can play their part in helping South Africa grow.”

In a separate piece for The Daily Maverick, experts believe “corruption is the biggest concern of South Africans, and Ramaphosa is likely to highlight the completion of the Zondo Commission’s work, the successes of the Special Investigating Unit and the recapitalisation of the National Prosecuting Authority.”

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Kim Kardashian finally opens up about her divorce from Ye. In an interview with Vogue magazine, she comments about choosing herself and prioritising her happiness. “For so long, I did what made other people happy. And I think in the last two years I decided, I’m going to make myself happy. And that feels really good. And even if that created changes and caused my divorce, I think it’s important to be honest with yourself about what really makes you happy. I’ve chosen myself. I think it’s okay to choose you.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: SONA 2022: Ramaphosa expected to give timelines for reforms, urged to address state capture report – News24 (for subscribers) 

Headline: Exclusive: What Cyril Ramaphosa will say in his 2022 State of the Nation Address – Daily Maverick 

Headline: Checkers’ Sixty60 app taps into the popularity of Netflix’s ‘The Tinder Swindler’ -Business Insider 

Headline: Kim Kardashian Reveals What Really Led to Her Divorce From Kanye “Ye” West – E! News 

Headline: ‘From the sublime to the ridiculous’ – Watch Wilfried Zaha’s amazing strike and terrible penalty – BBC

Headline: Wayne Rooney documentary: Record England goalscorer feared drinking could have led to death – BBC

Headline: When could Adele start her Vegas residency? Here’s what Caesars’ event calendar tells us – USA Today 

Headline: I Drink Wine – Adele’s Brit Awards Performance is Going Viral! – Good Things Guy 

Image credit: Pixabay

Top News of the Day: Government to cap foreign employment, all the Oscar nominations released

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 9, 2022

Government will move forward with a proposed plan to introduce a quota on the number of foreign employees a company may hire says Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. Three other pieces of legislation dealing with immigration and refugees are also currently under review.

In an interview, Motsoaledi said there is an issue with unemployment and a lack of quotas for foreign nationals seeking work in South Africa. “If you are a South African business person who opens a restaurant or a factory, there is no law that tells you what to do, you can bring 100% foreign nationals or 100% South Africans”

Motsoaledi said because there were no restrictions in place, government is concerned about the number of foreigners being employed while the local unemployment rate ticks ever higher and currently stands at a whopping 35 per cent.

In entertainment news, the slow and suspenseful western film, The Power of the Dog, led the Oscar nominations announcement with 12 nods including one for director Jane Campion. The Academy has often been criticised for the lack of female nominations in the Best Director category and this year Campion is the only female to crack a nod in the category following on from Chloé Zhao’s win last year when she became the first woman of colour to take home the golden statue. Campion’s nomination sees her become the first woman to be nominated for Best Director twice after she was first recognised in 1993 for The Piano.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: South Africa Plans Employment Quotas for Foreign Nationals – Bloomberg

Headline: Oscars 2022: The Power of the Dog leads nominations – BBC

Headline: Nick Cannon gifted condom vending machine after revealing he’s welcoming his eighth child – Channel24

Headline: State capture in South Africa: how the rot set in and how the project was rumbled – The Conversation

Headline: Pfizer sees Covid-19 drug sales topping $50 bn in 2022 – AFP

Headline: Eskom ‘in better shape’ as it suspends load shedding – Fin24

Headline: Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher were legally appointed by the former board, CSA admits – Daily Maverick

Headline: Connie Ferguson ‘triggered’ by viral video of ‘prophet’ claiming she has cancer – TimesLIVE

Image:  Wikimedia Commons

Top News of the Day: Can the country afford a permanent social relief of distress grant, Pete Davidson refers to Kim Kardashian as his girlfriend

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 8, 2022

Can the country afford a permanent R350 Social Relief of Distress? Anti-poverty activists and experts believe it is possible but not without “tax increases and higher economic growth.”

Treasury says 46 percent of South Africans receive a social grant from the government. According to eNCA, extending the R350 Social Relief of Distress would “cost the country R35-billion per year”.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday. In his address, Ramaphosa is expected to announce whether the Social Relief of Distress will be extended for another year or made permanent.

Meanwhile, in entertainment news, Pete Davidson has officially referred to Kim Kardashian as his “girlfriend”. In a recent interview with People magazine, Pete commented on how he handles fame. “I don’t have Instagram or Twitter or any of that stuff. So, most of my daily life is getting into cars and showing up to a set,” Pete said in the interview published on Monday, Feb. 7. “Or, if I’m off, I just either hang with my friends or chill with my girlfriend inside.”

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Ramaphosa expected to extend R350 grant – eNCA

Headline: Pete Davidson Officially Calls Kim Kardashian His “Girlfriend” – eNews

Headline: ‘Send money now’: SA stars do the ‘Tinder Swindler’ challenge – The South African

Headline: July unrest: ‘Factional battles in the ANC have become a serious source of instability’ – expert panel – News24 (for subscribers) 

Headline: Eskom says steps will be taken against some executives as it warns of more load shedding – News24

Headline: Radiopane brace helps Pirates rout Royal AM – Sowetan Live 

Headline: Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick warns players to settle disputes in private – The Independent 

Headline: Raised By Wolves! Series Filmed in Cape Town Gains More SA Cast Members! – Good Things Guy 

Image credit: Pixabay 

Top News of the Day: Back to full-time schooling, Senegal triumph over Egypt in AFCON Final

Morning Newsletter / February 7, 2022

Pupils across the country will return to fully in-person schooling today with many having taken part in rotational learning since the Covid-19 pandemic began nearly two years ago. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga says all systems are a go for the big day and pupils from primary to secondary and special schools will be back to full attendance.

Learners have been adhering to the rotational learning timetable since June 2020 and while there have been concerns about returning to school on a full-time basis, Motshekga says there is “overwhelming” support for the return.

In a press conference on Sunday, she said, “Medical science has informed the decisions that have been made; and as a Sector, we will follow the advice from our public health experts. On Friday, 04 February 2022, CEM convened to consider the state of readiness for the full return of learners.  We are confident that schools are ready for the new normal.”

Meanwhile, on the sporting front, Senegalese superstar Sadio Mane scored the decisive penalty as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Final at the Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Sunday evening. The game failed to produce any goals in the regulation 90 minutes while a further 30 minutes of extra time couldn’t separate the two nations.

Egyptians Mohamed Abdelmonem and Mohanad Lasheen couldn’t convert their spot-kicks while Mane slotted home Senegal’s fifth penalty after his teammate Bouna Sarr failed to convert his penalty.

The victory is Senegal’s first AFCON triumph after previously losing the final on two occasions, in 2002 against Cameroon and 2019 against Algeria. Mane was also named the player of the tournament.

Here are the top trending stories of the day.

Headline: Schools are ready for full-time attendance – Minister Angie Motshekga – News24

Headline: Senegal Clinch First AFCON Title – Soccer Laduma

Headline: WC govt has to explain discrepancies around handling of sexual abuse claims – EWN

Headline: ‘A spit in the face’: Protesters decry West Coast seismic survey – Daily Maverick

Headline: Smoke and mirrors: What you need to know about the hazy world of the proposed vaping tax – Fin24

Headline: DJ Fresh’s wife files for divorce – report – The Citizen

Headline: The Tinder Swindler: Audiences marvel at romantic scammer’s audacity – The Citizen

Headline: Dwayne Johnson Seemingly Walks Back Joe Rogan Support Over N-Word Controversy – Complex

Image: GCIS

Top News of the Day: No power at Kusile plant, Manchester United in an “unusual situation”

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 4, 2022

A week ago Kusile power plant experienced a breakdown, and no power was generated since. According to News24, “Eskom lost 4 000 megawatts of generation capacity as a series of breakdowns pushed the utility into implementing the first load shedding of 2022.”

In a separate piece by Times Live, Alex Patrick delves into the challenges faced at Kusile power plant, one of the country’s largest construction projects. “The challenges at Kusile were related to the axillary steam boilers. Steam from working boilers power other unit boilers. Now that all units are dead it is difficult to get the power station back on again.”

In sports news, Manchester United’s manager, Ralf Rangnick has stated that the football club is in an “unusual situation” following Mason Greenwood’s arrest. During a media briefing, he confirmed that the team will “come together and ensure they have a successful end to the season.” Greenwood was arrested for suspicion of sexual assault and is currently suspended by the Manchester United club. 

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: No money, no skills, no maintenance: Inside the 36 hours of Eskom chaos that led to load shedding – News24 (for subscribers)

Headline: Parliament fire: Judgment in Zandile Christmas Mafe’s bail application looms – News24

Headline: SA’s response to Covid must be independently assessed, says Shabir Madhi – Times Live 

Headline: Which Artists Have Left Spotify Over Covid Misinformation? – Jezebel 

Headline: Kim Kardashian causes surge in demand after Balenciaga campaign breaks cover – The Citizen 

Headline: Kanye “Ye” West Celebrates Julia Fox’s Birthday With MAJOR PDA – E! News

Headline: Egypt suggest delaying AFCON final against Senegal by a day – African Insider

Headline:  Mason Greenwood news: Manchester United left in ‘unusual situation’ says manager Ralf Rangnick – The Independent 

Image credit: Getty Images

Top News of the Day: Next steps for the NPA and Zondo Commission, The Tinder Swindler has everyone talking

Morning Newsletter, Newsroom / February 3, 2022

Since the first Zondo Commission report was released earlier this year, it is clear that drastic measures are to be taken against those implicated in the report.

“It is crucial that key players identified for prosecution by the Zondo Commission and those implicated in violent insurrection are prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to a sufficiently long sentence to rule them out of public office for the next five years (the Constitution says 12 months direct imprisonment without the option of a fine),” writes Jean Redpath for News24.

Redpath believes there are five steps to a “drastic departure from the current approach” and lists a number of solutions. 

In entertainment news, the latest Netflix documentary has everyone talking. The Tinder Swindler tells the story about convicted conman Shimon Hayut who used Tinder to con women. Famously known as the “Prince of Diamonds”, he dates women and tricked them out of millions of dollars to maintain a luxurious lifestyle. It is estimated that he gained $10M between 2015 and 2017.

Here are the top trending stories of the day. 

Headline: Zondo: Probe ‘incoherent’ Gupta-linked ex-Transnet director over multibillion-rand IT deal – News24 

Headline: The Tinder Swindler review – the gobsmacking true story of an internet con artist – The Guardian 

Headline: Rihanna breaks silence on pregnancy with ASAP Rocky – E! News

Headline: WATCH LIVE | JSC Interview – Judge President Dunstan Mlambo – Times Live 

Headline: Federer will know what future holds by April-May – News24

Headline: Sadio Mane seals Senegal victory over Burkina Faso to reach AFCON final – The Independent 

Headline: Monique Muller exposes shocking DMs after Katlego Maboe saga – The Citizen 

Headline: How To Support Artists As They Withdraw From Spotify – Nylon 

Image credit: Pixabay 

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