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South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has sparked controversy after old tweets resurfaced showing him using racial slurs, including the K-word, The South African reports. While McKenzie claims he is “not guilty of racism” due to his personal history and fight for coloured community rights, he admits to making “stupid” and “hurtful” remarks years ago as a self-described “troll.” He apologised for his words but defended some tweets as efforts to “call out racism.” Many on social media remain unconvinced, accusing him of insincerity, hypocrisy, and interfering with any investigation.

According to News24, Dr. Nandipha Magudumana has lost her latest appeal in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to challenge the legality of her deportation from Tanzania. This clears the way for the Thabo Bester prison escape trial to proceed as scheduled from 21 July to 19 September 2025 in the Free State High Court. Magudumana and her co-accused face 38 charges, including fraud, corruption, assisting an inmate to escape, and defeating the ends of justice. Although a minority in the SCA supported her case, the majority ruling went against her. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it is now focused on avoiding any further delays in the high-profile trial.

According to The South African, U.S. President Donald Trump granted refugee status to 49 white South Africans, known as Afrikaners, citing what he called a “genocide” against them in South Africa—a claim strongly rejected by South African officials. The group was welcomed in Virginia, despite Trump’s broader halt on refugee admissions. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other leaders deny that white citizens are being persecuted, emphasizing that crime affects all races equally and that the Afrikaners do not meet international refugee criteria. Critics argue the move is politically motivated and tied to Trump’s anti-DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) stance rather than grounded in fact. Many believe the Afrikaners who left were driven by economic motives and discomfort with post-apartheid South Africa, where white citizens still hold significant wealth and land.

Viu, a leading pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service available across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, has added a captivating Brazilian telenovela to its extensive library, dubbed in isiZulu to engage South African viewers.

Uthando Lukama (A Mother’s Love) initially captivated audiences in Brazil, amassing 35 million viewers. It has received multiple accolades, including “Best Telenovela” at the 2021 Venice TV Awards and a nomination for Best Telenovela at the 2021 International Emmy Awards.

The story follows the intertwining lives of three women as they navigate the complexities of motherhood: Lurdes, who has spent 26 years searching for her kidnapped son; Thelma, who faces terminal illness while preparing her son for a future without her; and Vitória, who unexpectedly finds herself pregnant as she begins the adoption process.

This will be the first time this Zulu-dubbed title is accessible in South Africa, with the show being exclusive to Viu South Africa. The telenovelas is produced by Globo, a company renowned for its high-quality productions that have received international acclaim.

“Brazilian telenovelas reflects many of the socioeconomic and multicultural dynamics present in South Africa. We believe these themes will deeply resonate with our audience,” says Elouise Kelly, Country Manager, Viu South Africa.         

This new story is part of a growing selection of both local and international content that will be added to Viu’s library in the coming months. Viu is known for its diverse programming, featuring popular South African shows such as Skeem Saam, Uzalo, Generations: The Legacy and Muvhango, alongside an exciting array of titles from Korea, Turkey, Scandinavia, the United States and beyond.

Viu-ers can catch all these series on the Viu app. Download it for free from App Store, Google Play, Huawei App Gallery and selected smart TVs, or watch on the web at www.viu.com.

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Uber South Africa has been in the spotlight after TV personality Anele Mdoda reported that an Uber driver allegedly threatened her after she selected the “no conversation” option, News24 reports. Uber reviewed her video footage and ride data but has not confirmed if the driver was removed, citing privacy laws. The company also denies links to a recent attempted kidnapping in Hyde Park and faces legal action from a victim of an alleged “Uber gang.” In response to safety concerns, Uber SA has introduced features like a panic button, AI-powered face verification, and stricter driver identity checks. While Uber maintains it actively cooperates with law enforcement, concerns remain over rented driver profiles and criminal incidents linked to the platform.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget, which includes a proposed 0.5% VAT increase, faces significant opposition in Parliament, where the ANC no longer holds a majority. The DA, a key partner in the Government of National Unity (GNU), has rejected the Budget due to the tax hike, forcing the ANC to seek support from other parties. Godongwana and his team will present the fiscal framework and revenue proposals to parliamentary committees, which have the power to amend or reject the Budget under the 2009 Money Bills and Related Matters Act. With most opposition parties, except for the IFP, UDM, and Patriotic Alliance, rejecting the Budget, the ANC faces challenges in securing the necessary votes. President Cyril Ramaphosa and senior ANC members have defended the Budget as a difficult but necessary measure to address economic constraints, while opposition parties argue that alternative revenue options, such as a wealth tax, should be considered. The outcome of the parliamentary process will determine whether the Budget is passed or amended (News24).