Pitso Mosimane has been lauded by Egyptian and Zamalek legend Mido for the positive changes he brought to Al Ahly.
Former Tottenham, Ajax and Roma striker Mido believes Pitso Mosimane’s touch on Al Ahly is highly visible while going as far as comparing Pitso’s Red Devils to English Premier League champions Liverpool FC.
Mido’s praise will be a bitter pill to swallow for certain Al Ahly legends who have been tarnishing the reputation of Pitso Mosimane in Egypt during recent weeks by questioning his tactics and ability to lead a team of Al Ahly’s magnitude.
Al Ahly moved top of the table following an easy 4-1 victory over Entag El-Harby on Tuesday night and the victory has earned former Mamelodi Sundowns mentor Pitso Mosimane lavish praise.
“During the first-half, Al Ahly appeared very poorly against Entag El-Harby. Their opponents had the advantage over them,” Mido told KingFut.
“However, Al Ahly under the leadership of Pitso Mosimane is distinguished by some specific details and the South African’s touch can be seen. Mosimane’s Al Ahly play from the back and are very quick in applying the pressure. They became like Liverpool.
“Before Hussein El-Shahat’s goal, the ball was possessed by Entag’s players, before four or five players from Al Ahly applied high pressure and managed to intercept the ball. This is Mosimane’s touch that we didn’t see with former head coach René Weiler,”
Pitso Mosimane and Al Ahly next turn their attention to National Bank who they face on Sunday afternoon in an Egyptian Premier League clash that will conclude match-week seven.
Al Ahly lead the log standings in Egypt over arch rivals Zamalek courtesy of a superior goal difference. A victory on Sunday is a must for Mosimane and his men should they wish to maintain their lead atop the Egyptian Premier League standings.
This is an amazing track from South African Upcoming producer, Sinny Man’Que and he titled this fresh entry Trip To Sgija (Oxford mix).
Download and listen to the song below, enjoy
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Check out this new release from South African Disc Jockey, DJ Jaivane as he introduces a rare mix which he gave the title Simnandi Vol 24 Mix (Welcoming 2021).
Let’s know what you think after you listen and download below.
DOWNLOAD MP3 DJ Jaivane – Simnandi Vol 24 Mix (Welcoming 2021)
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The sports betting market is a competitive one and most companies tend to adopt new innovations to improve their customer’s experience and pay-out is one of the innovations that have changed the gaming industry. But while many sports betting sites offer payouts, there’s a vast span of time in which many of them process payout request once they receive one. If you are looking for the best fast-paying betting sites in Nigeria, we understand that most bettors don’t like to wait a long time before they receive their money. And so, this page is dedicated to giving you the best fast-payout sites in 2021.
In this guide to the fast-payout websites, you’ll get details of everything you need to know so that you can find the online bookmaker that’s best for you.
I know you can wait to get started at betting online now, and that’s why we have compiled this list for you to choose from. You can use this list to help springboard your online sports betting experience.
So, here’s our list of recommended fast-payout sports betting website that you can choose from and be sure of getting your cash out almost instantly.
Beyond the payout option, we also considered some other factors to ensure that you don’t end up with a site that has no reputation or where your money and information are not safe.
On the Millionaires Gaming (MG) Sports Betting, bettors can expect an instant payout of their money. Also, players can expect an array of sports betting events across 60 different sports. They have competitive odds, two categories of Welcome Bonuses worth R3 000 in just 1x wagering.
Hollywoodbets is arguably the most famous sports betting site in South Africa. They have tons of features and the largest customer base in South Africa. Hollywoodbets also offers 100% welcome bonus and an instant payout. Depending on your financial institution, you can expect your fund to hit your account in a few hours.
Recommended reading: Hollywoodbets expert reviews 2021
Gbets recently launched a new Gbets 2.0 site that offers some of the most competitive football betting odds in the South Africa market. With Gbets, you can be sure of getting your money immediately upon request. The odds are competitive and bettors are winning big. They have a great service and a 100% welcome deposit up to R1000. Opening account is easy and withdrawing is instantly processed. On Gbets, you can bet on a wide variety of sports including horse racing, soccer, rugby, baseball, cricket, volleyballs and many more.
Supabet is another new betting site looking to join the competition and they have managed to establish themselves among the top betting companies in South Africa. They are really investing and breaking the industry in the country. They offer highly competitive odds in the market and offer a 100% welcome bonus up to R10,000 for new bettors. Not only that… they provide loyalty programs, promotions, and offers for their existing customers.
Bet9ja is a popular sports betting site – a Nigeria online bookmaker company offering a betting opportunity to both young and old in Nigeria and some other countries in Africa such as South Africa.
Traded under the KC Gaming Network Limited, Bet9ja has gained recognition all over the country and Africa for being a former sponsor of the Nigeria National League. And its recent official sponsorship of Big Brother Naija 2020, has seen the brand growing and expanding in the heart of many Nigerians.
Betting experience on Bet9ja is second to none.
They offer an instant payout to their customers with excellent customer support service. Their website layout makes it easy for bettors to open an account with little to no knowledge of computers. Users can deposit and withdraw easily.
Bet.co.za offers sports betting in a wide variety of games packed with welcome bonuses, offers and promotions with easy cash-out. They also offer quick and secure transactions (both deposits and withdrawals). And requesting for payout is attended to immediately.
22Bet, Although new in the market, it comes with lots of modern-day football betting experience by offering exciting and interesting betting options in the market. Their instant payout policy is one of the features that is making them to be loved by many bettors.
Customer’s data is encrypted using a 128-bit SSL encryption. 22Bet is licensed and regulated by the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
It also offers its first-time customers with a welcome bonus of 100%. Depositing funds is easy as well as withdrawing funds. 22Bet join the rest of the betting companies with competitive odds and exciting features like cash out, in-play betting and so on.
Betway is another pan African sports betting site. They offer an instant payout to customers in all countries where they have been able to expand to. Betway also offers competitive odds as well. Plus a welcoming bonus of 100% bonus up to
You can place a bet on an in-play game and an already started game. Betway provides a special package called keno that constantly puts money in customers’ pockets.
There are many outlets in South Africa where bettors who do not have a device or feel like betting on a paper slip can go to and place bets.
888sport offers tons of betting options for new and experienced bettors with an instant payout. Their competitive odds ensure their customers get great odds on sporting events from around the globe anywhere you’re located.
features include but not limited to:
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Ghana is one of the top African countries that support both offline and online gambling. Anybody above the age of 18 can place a bet on their favourite games and receive their cash.
The Ghanaian gambling industry is a huge one and the country is among the most Africa countries where gambling is operated. The Ghanian gambling industry is being regulated by the 2006 Gaming Act, which requires all betting operators to acquire a license at the Ghana Gaming Commission.
The country takes a lead after the likes of Nigeria and South Africa.
Operators in the market keep increasing since the passage of the sports-betting legislation in 2006.
Betting companies in Ghana have many options through which their customers can make a deposit as well as request for withdrawals.
Payment method such as credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are almost universally accepted payment method in the country. Popular options common to most of the betting sites are direct (Including wire transfers) to and from e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill and PayPal.
Mobile-based money transfer methods such as Airtel Money and MTN Mobile Money are also common options – once you have money in your Airtel or MTN account, you can easily transfer funds.
Many bettors, especially the experts, bet on a wide range of games from soccer to horseracing, to hockey, cricket, volleyball, basketball etc.
But one thing is, based on research, the English Premier League EPL does dominate the sports betting market in Ghana. The Ghanian domestic leagues are at the receiving end – suffering as many people hardly consider staking on the games. However, some domestic betting sites are now springing up to ensure that citizen place bets on their home games. In fact, they offer a wager on the Ghanian soccer.
Safety is the most important criteria many bettors consider before choosing a particular betting company. Because, they want to ensure that whichever site they’re betting on has the capability to protect their data – the money and the personally identifiable information.
However, safety depends on the betting sites and this is why it’s always necessary to check online reviews of the betting sites you’re considering betting on.
Gambling industry is one of the fastest-growing industry in Ghana and it many people have depended on it has another source of income.
Ghana has six gambling facilities, 283 online casinos, 18 online poker sites, 34 online sports bookmarkers, four online lottos, and two online DFS. The online games and casinos offered in Ghana feature user-friendly regulations.
Ghana is one of the fastest-growing countries in terms of sports betting. Its market is opening up to accommodate many betting companies and pools of games to bet on. And therefore, expert a long list of betting sites.
Here are a few betting sites in Ghana
Betway Ghana | |
22Bet | |
Bet365 | |
888sport | |
SportyBet |
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As South African healthcare workers struggle to contain the second wave of COVID-19, it appears some hope is at hand with the formal licensing approval of what the developers say is a “simple, efficient, portable, and cost-effective device that delivers consistently high levels of oxygen to COVID-19 patients.”
The proudly South African invention, OxERA – Oxygen-Efficient Respiratory Aid – could be a “game-changer” where there are a large number of COVID-19 patients; a lack of skilled staff; ICU and high care facilities; and a shortage of bulk oxygen supplies.
Dr. Craig Parker, a medical officer, working in anaesthetics with a background in mechanical engineering, says the group was determined to find a solution when they realised that South Africa would face similar patient loads seen in Europe during the COVID-19 pandemic, but would have limited high care capacity and fewer resources to respond.
It effectively bridges the gap between current standard oxygen therapy via face masks and ICU-based non-invasive or mechanical ventilation, while requiring no more oxygen flow than a standard face mask, Parker said.
“As oxygen supply can be adjusted to patient demand, less oxygen is usually required. In our oxygen resource-constrained environment, this is a game-changer. It allows even the most basic facilities, which are dependent on bottled oxygen or small oxygen concentrators, to provide a higher level of care than they are currently able to.”
The developers said they drew inspiration from sources as diverse as scuba diving equipment and 3D printing, and began work in March 2020, producing a working prototype within two weeks, and a 3D-printed final design within seven weeks.
Des chercheurs ont conçu OxERA, un respirateur pour les patients souffrant de Covid-19 en Afrique du Sud. Le dispositif comble le manque d'oxygène dans les centres de santé, dans ce pays où le nombre de contaminations au virus a dépassé le million de cas… https://t.co/VHJyRFtvL0 pic.twitter.com/UMP2n10eIF
— Agence Ecofin (@agenceecofin) January 15, 2021
The overwhelming need of COVID-19 pneumonia patients is oxygen, says Dr. Parker.
OxERA’s key components are an anaesthetic mask and an adjustable mechanical valve, known as a positive end respiratory pressure (PEEP) valve.
Oxygen supply is via a hose and accumulator bag, with the hose connected to any available oxygen source. A viral filter removes viral particles from expired air, which is a safety benefit for health practitioners using the device.
“The high oxygen level delivered by the device ensures that maximum oxygen content is available to diseased lungs. The valve on the device maintains slight pressure to prevent the lungs from collapsing when the patient breathes out and reduces the amount of work it takes to breathe.”
Dr Carolyn Mason, a specialist physician in internal medicine in East London in the state sector, has personally used over 40 devices, mainly selecting patients aged 40 to 70 years which, due to comorbidities, would not have been ICU candidates.
“Their baseline oxygen saturations were all horrific and terrifying, even to the point of 20%. What was so amazing to myself as a health care professional was to see the saturation improve to 90% and to eventually even successfully discharge these patients home was a blessing as they would not have survived.”
The device has been used successfully in environments ranging from rural clinics to specialist hospitals, and by all levels of staff. These include the Volkswagen COVID-19 field hospital, Frere and Cecilia Makiwane Hospitals, and many of the academic hospitals in the country.
Hundreds of OxERAs have already been distributed to 25 hospitals from Cape Town to Pretoria, says Umoya Project Manager Trevor Rossouw, a civil engineer with a background in project and business management.
Many rural hospitals such as Zithulele on the Wild Coast and Madwaleni near Elliotdale have benefited from the devices.
“As oxygen supply can be adjusted to patient demand, less oxygen is usually required. In our oxygen resource-constrained environment, this is a game-changer. It allows even the most basic facilities, which are dependent on bottled oxygen or small oxygen concentrators, to provide a higher level of care than they are currently able to.”
They have also been used by GPs for home and clinic treatment. Devices have also been distributed as far as Zimbabwe, DRC, and the Central African Republic.
The device is SAHPRA-approved for use during the COVID-19 emergency period.
Medical personnel say they are impressed by its simplicity of use, oxygen efficiency and clinical effectiveness.
Dr. Warren Gregorowski, working in Internal Medicine at Frere Hospital in East London, said the device is very simple to assemble and user friendly.
“I have witnessed this device saving lives, and I think that it could be used to great effect in hospitals throughout South Africa.”
Reiner Gabler, MD of Gabler Medical who will manufacture and distribute the device, says industrialisation and licencing have been a lengthy process, but now that the company has obtained SAHPRA approval for the device they can focus on scaling up production.
“We can produce over 15,000 units a week, so capacity is not an issue. This will definitely create jobs during the pandemic and, if the product achieves general acceptance, also after the pandemic. The device holds export potential too.”
Photographer Nocebo Bucibo explores the role of photography in the production of the Thokoza hostels as spaces
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Fred Khumalo’s contribution to Niq Mhlongo’s ‘Joburg Noir’ opens with a scene of five gangsters chilling around a braai
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Mpumie Moholo (1947-2021), who passed this week, was the engine driving the success of her husband, jazz drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo
The post Nompumelelo Ebronah Moholo: The first lady of jazz appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
A builder of networks and a tactical freedom fighter, Violet Molebatsi Gwangwa nurtured not only the liberation movement, but also the creative spirit within her family
The post Violet Gwangwa: Natural class, nurturing brass appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
The life of blues pioneer Gertrude ‘Ma’ Rainey and her song Black Bottom have been turned into a film. Bongani Madondo laments its anticlimax
The post Ma Rainey robbed of complexity on a ‘Negro’ path leading nowhere appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
TODAY’S MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters, in the end. — Ursula K. LeGuin
TODAY’S WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
Examine what is said, not him who speaks. — Arab Proverb
TODAY’S CHINESE PROVERB:
Do not hope to reach a destination without leaving the shore.
FOR THOSE OF US BORN ON THIS DAY:
Happy Birthday! The months ahead will start with bundles of potential, but you will need to seize the opportunities. Being on the brink of some major planet shifts expect some changes at the beginning of the summer in terms of renewed interests and reviving energy levels, although sometimes you’ll need to burn off the excess! However, you are likely to feel less erratic and more inclined to sticking at the things you start. Later in the year contentment for you will come in the form of excitement and fun. Romance will go through the usual hiccups as you waver between wanting intimacy and needing independence, but you are likely to find a happy medium if you choose, especially in the fall, when romance and fun begin to go hand in hand.
Want to know what the future holds? Get a FREE tarot card reading.
CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY:
Famous people born on your birthday include: Debbie Allen, A.J. Foyt, Sade, Kate Moss, Mason Gamble, John Carpenter, Jim Stafford, Marilyn Horne, Ethel Merman
CELEBRITY GOSSIP:
Kylie Jenner is hoping that 2017 will continue to see her fame and fortune increase, but the chances are that a negative influence from Saturn will see some significant obstacles coming her way!
A beneficial surge of earth and air energy brings the best of both worlds. You’ll be both a thinker and a doer and projecting enough confidence for others to follow your lead. As an extra bonus, friendly, fun-generating influences may throw in one or two minor surprises this evening!
Today’s Numbers: 3, 14, 21, 25, 32, 46
Be careful about what you say to whom. Being a little garrulous or indiscreet may not have huge consequences, and the downside of any indiscretion may not become immediately apparent today, but the planets suggest that you may well feel a minor twinge of regret before the week is out!
Today’s Numbers: 1, 8, 17, 27, 33, 41
Generally speaking, the dominant influences are mainly positive, but there are some ham-fisted aspects around. This is a day where any errors or lapses on your part are more likely. Your best strategy is to either confess immediately or deal with them straightaway. Don’t leave them to develop and grow out of control!
Today’s Numbers: 9, 16, 24, 35, 42, 46
It’s not your typical Monday morning, thanks to a string of dazzling aspects and a little extra dash of luck or guidance or both. That said; even though it may be a great day, with various encouraging signs, your best strategy will be to stick to what you know rather than branching out. Avoid untested risks!
Today’s Numbers: 4, 7, 15, 22, 39, 43
There’s a good combination going on for you today. The bolder influences are likely to give you a boost of confidence, while the thoughtful ones should provide high levels of insight. It’s possible that an apparently negative or taxing situation at work/school will actually trigger a useful opportunity for you!
Today’s Numbers: 3, 12, 25, 32, 37, 48
It’s a mixed day. A fabulous sun/moon aspect is likely to fan the flames of romance, and yet a prickly Mars/moon combination almost guarantees poor communication. This is a day where certain things said may be taken out of context. Being outrageously flirty may lead to some unnecessary misunderstandings!
Today’s Numbers: 5, 14, 21, 30, 45, 49
Glorious lunar influences are very likely to extend the weekend mood for another day and there may be a trace of carelessness too. It’s not a day to be unreliable or too fickle. It’s certainly not a day to test your luck, either. Try to avoid saying anything that you won’t be able to back up or accomplish!
Today’s Numbers: 7, 11, 23, 36, 39, 42
A slightly reckless moon/Mars combination could have an undesirable impact on your finances and you will need to bear this in mind when planning any spending. If a friend urges you towards your favorite store, be ready to suggest an alternative and cheaper option. You’ll be glad you did!
Today’s Numbers: 4, 15, 19, 23, 34, 45
Your inner voice may not be entirely reliable, and sticking to the moderate, middle-of-the road position may well be almost impossible. Try not to give in to gut feelings. Employ as much common sense as you can. You may even benefit from dismissing something you hear!
Today’s Numbers: 3, 8, 12, 24, 31, 47
A dazzling sun/moon aspect is just what you need on a Monday to get the ball rolling in one key area of your life. This could be one of those effortless, graceful days. And since you’ll be more of an adept problem-solver, there may be something from the recent past which could benefit too!
Today’s Numbers: 5, 19, 23, 27, 34, 44
You gain some much needed guiding light from Saturn. You’ll have some incredibly good ideas, but you may not be as proactive as you could be. Be a little bolder: suggest changes that you know will work. Don’t hang around in the background waiting for your opinion to be asked!
Today’s Numbers: 3, 16, 22, 36, 39, 48
Yesterday’s stresses may well linger and rattle your patience levels. There’s also a slight tendency to be a little too resistant to any suggestions; even good ones, which could be down to a temporary case of sour grapes. Don’t automatically assume that others are working against you!
Today’s Numbers: 7, 19, 26, 34, 38, 45
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3cc6c1a1-libra
9761d580-gemini
eb6cb279-cancer
c685ecab-leo
4d59d1b7-virgo
04ecfb2a-libra
7cdf0c53-scorpio
70e60771-sagittarius
cf58ba61-capricorn
b882e2c7-aqaurius
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Maybe lockdown wasn’t such a bad experience after all.
Why? you might ask. Well, for one, nature flourished while we were all cooped up in our rooms. Our earth looked greener when we weren’t outside polluting it and and animals returned to spaces formerly dominated by us.
And while the world scurried and struggled to make sense of the ‘new normal,’ it was heartening to hear how the planet healed while we were isolated.
At the same time, the world scored, as Covid-hit 2020 saw 9 new species earning their place in the science journals around the world.
The Trachypithecus Popa, more commonly known as the Popa langur belongs to the monkey clan and is found only in Myanmar, Southeast Asia.
What makes this find so rare is that this species are actually Primates, making it unusual to have found them.
Disappointingly, there are only 200-250 of these creatures left out there rendering it endangered.
However, with their unmistakably naughty charisma, there’s never a dull moment.
The T Popa have grey-brownish and white bellies with black hands that makes it seem like they have gloves on, plus, they are so friendly, their interactions can hardly be differentiated from that of men.
These exceptionally adorable, human-fist size furry creatures have been discovered in in the protected Mananara National Park in Northeastern Madagascar. This 60g primate’s scientific name is Microcebus jonahi.
This snake, with its mesmerizing shiny appearance, was found, ironically, underground like a jewel.
It was discovered in Vietnam, more specifically, in the province of Ha Giang. It is a species that belongs to a rare genus of snakes that have evolved from trees.
It appears to have skin on the dark side with scales switching from green to blue.
It was named in honor of George Zug, the Smithsonian National Museum’s retired curator of reptiles and amphibians, and his wife, Patricia Zug.
It also forms part of a genus of snakes called Achalinus which means odd-scaled snakes.
This plant was discovered in the arid Karas region of Namibia and resembles kale, brussel sprouts, and broccoli (people are actually calling it desert broccoli).
However, it is a family in the plant order, Brassicales.
This species was discovered with just 6 mushrooms down by the river at the end of the Heathrow Airport runway and was named after the discoverer’s wife, Heather. Three mushrooms belonging to the same family, Cortinarius, were discovered in Scotland.
The Trimeresurus Salazar was found in Arunachal Pradesh a North-Indian state named after the Harry Potter character Salazar Slytherin.
Salazar is the founder of the Slytherin House where the symbol is a snake making it the perfect find… One for the Potter heads!
The species are nocturnal and are bright green with genders distinguished by whether or not they have an orange stripe on their foreheads, with males being lucky to have that stripe.
This large, 10 cm scorpion has been found in Sri Lanka, named the “Yala Giant Scorpion” after being discovered in the Yale national park. The females of the species are larger and the males have a more colourful appearance.
But here’s the kick, these scorpions are not venomous, the bigger the scorpion the less harmful they are.
The Heterometrus yaleensis is the 6th new scorpion species to have been found in Sri Lanka by scientists.
This spider was found in Iran is part of the Velvet Spider genus. Usually, these spiders are found in Mediterranean climates, so this is the first one found beyond that region.
The 8mm spider was named after the actor Joaquin Phoenix who played the comic book character, The Joker in the 2019 film, with its rich and bold red and white color combination resembling the Joker’s face paint.
Check out this beautiful *giant* siphonophore Apolemia recorded on #NingalooCanyons expedition. It seems likely that this specimen is the largest ever recorded, and in strange UFO-like feeding posture. Thanks @Caseywdunn for info @wamuseum @GeoscienceAus @CurtinUni @Scripps_Ocean pic.twitter.com/QirkIWDu6S
— Schmidt Ocean (@SchmidtOcean) April 6, 2020
This strange looking 47m creatures, the Praya Dubia, looks somewhat like an elongated jellyfish.
It is the longest animal ever discovered and was found in the deep-sea canyons near Ningaloo.
They are covered in venom-filled nematocysts used to paralyze and kill their prey.
It is not deadly to humans, but their stings are said to be excruciatingly painful.
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Image: manhatian.com
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Image:Twitter@lonelytieflinger
Fresh Unique Article to increase your trading knowledge: WhatsApp update on its terms of service – All that you should know
Founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum after having left employment at Yahoo!, WhatsApp started due in response to a need for democratising phone-based communications.
With no ads, no games, and no gimmicks, WhatsApp has grown to become one of the most popular messaging applications in use for over a decade. The app has kept up to date with all new developments, from push notifications, encryption, and numerous others.
However, this also means that to ensure continuous evolution, there are changes to be made. Facebook, Inc. acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, which is a staggering price for an app that made very little money and was predominantly popular outside of the United States.
At first, no one could understand why the tech giant invested in the messaging app, but it later became clear when confidential emails and charts were published, showing precisely why CEO Mark Zuckerberg spent a small fortune on the acquisition.
WhatsApp had been tracked for months through Onavo, a VPN as well as data analytics app. The data showed that the messaging app was not only a rising competitor but also a threat to Facebook itself.
The charts which were published showed that WhatsApp was a growing juggernaut in the wars between messaging apps which started early in the 2010s.
Even though both Facebook, and Instagram which was also acquired by Facebook, showed that both Facebook and Instagram topped the Onavo US mobile apps, WhatsApp was growing at a steady pace.
In 2014, after WhatsApp was acquired, it promised its users that it would not collect names, addresses, internet searches or any location data, as private communication was valued above all. However, this promise was broken two years later as result of capitalism when WhatsApp revealed that it would coordinate more with Facebook.
Users were provided with the choice of opting out of data sharing in 2016. Yet, four years later, this is all about to change yet again.
WhatsApp is updating its new terms of service for all users. These will take effect from February 8 and any users who do not accept these, will lose their accounts, and be forced to turn to other messaging apps.
A lot of users may already have been prompted by a notification when they open WhatsApp and although, for now, it is possible to ignore the pop-up, users will be prompted repeatedly until they accept, or until the last day when the terms take effect.
There has been mass criticism regarding the new terms and where most people accept the sharing of such data as a part of the digital age we live in, others are concerned that it eliminates any privacy.
There are three key changes in the privacy policy that take effect namely how the app processes user data, how businesses can use services hosted by Facebook to store and manage WhatsApp chats, and how WhatsApp partners with Facebook to offer various integrations across products of the company.
WhatsApp will collect the following:
· Usage as well as log information
· Phone numbers
· Mobile operator information
· ISP data
· Browser information
· Hardware model information of the device
· Operating system information of the device
· Battery level
· Location
· Cookies
· Transaction information and payment data
However, it should be noted that WhatsApp has stated that user messages, once they have been delivered, will be deleted from its servers and that messages will remain encrypted.
WhatsApp has stated that it works with third-party service providers as well as Facebook subsidiaries. As a part of Facebook, WhatsApp receives information from, and shares information with, numerous other companies under the Facebook umbrella.
This enables it, and Facebook subsidiaries, to operate, provide, improve, understand, customise, support, and market its services.
Privacy policy changes like these are primarily centred around the sending of messages to business to obtain answers and support. There will be no change in data sharing with Facebook where non-business chats and account information is concerned.
This is due to organizations being provided with the option to make use of Facebook’s infrastructure to host as well as manage their WhatsApp conversations should they not store the messages of people themselves.
In late 2019, WhatsApp received approval from the National Payments Corporation on India (NPCI) to roll-out the WhatsApp payments feature in India. This means that WhatsApp users could make UPI transfers from one account to another using the application.
Only a selected number of users had access to this feature during the beta testing phase, but it was rolled out to all users, starting with around 20 million users initially.
Users who make use of Facebook-owned payment services such as that available on WhatsApp, when it is rolled-out to the rest of the world, or any other service which is intended for financial transactions, will have additional data collected such as information about the payment account and transaction information.
Although a lot of people are extremely concerned about this, it is easy to forget that payment information is already shared across numerous platforms such as online shopping, banking applications, and numerous others.
The payment account and transaction information which will be collected under the new terms therefor include information about the payment method, shipping details, and transaction amounts.
Under no circumstances will this allow WhatsApp to transact on behalf of its users, it is an extension of its services to have an all-encompassing solution within one application.
In sharing information with other companies owned by Facebook, WhatsApp is likely to share information with, and receive information from Instagram, Facebook Payments, Onava, Oculus, and CrowdTangle, amidst numerous others.
WhatsApp has already seen a lot of users move to smaller messaging applications due to the updates in its terms and privacy policy. The new changes are to accommodate business accounts more easily, and to enable users more flexibility within one application.
These changes are also paving the way for more features to be added in future.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will step down should he be charged with corruption.
He was responding to accusations by former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe who told the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture that Ramaphosa was heavily involved in the irregular awarding of contracts at Eskom during his time as deputy president.
“If I’m charged with corruption, my own orientation is that, yes, [I will],” Ramaphosa said in an interview with News24 on Friday afternoon.
Molefe said Ramaphosa had a conflict of interest when, in his role as deputy president, was appointed chairperson of Eskom’s so-called ‘war room’ whilst a shareholder at Glencore, an Eskom contractor.
Ramaphosa, in an interview with Power FM, denied that there was a conflict of interest, saying he had relinquished all his business positions at the time.
The president added that he would clarify this when he testifies at the state capture inquiry.
Ramaphosa also described Molefe’s version of events as being “far from the truth.”
“I think there is a level of untruth in saying I got shares because I wanted to advance the interests of Glencore, It’s far from the truth – people will say things to tarnish either people.”
A netizen took to Twitter to solve the Brian and Cyril showdown with a tongue-in-cheek maths equation.
“I hear Cyril Ramaphosa and Brian Molefe stories.. Maths made it simple:
If x = y and y = z therefore x = z (Use Formula ANC = Corruption)
Solution : If Brian = ANC and Cyril = ANC therefore Brian = Cyril and both are = ANC Deduce from above statement.”
Molefe is one of the executives named in a R3.8 billion lawsuit by Eskom and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) filed final year.
Ramaphosa also faces questions by the ANC’s Integrity Committee over fundraising for his campaign to be elected party president in 2017.
The ANC president has been emphatic on the party’s position that those members facing serious criminal charges, like corruption, should step down from their positions until matters are resolved.
The Integrity Committee has also ordered corruption-accused ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule to step down amid a litany of criminal charges related to an asbestos eradication tender in the Free State while he was premier.
Magashule has stubbornly refused to do so, insisting that he’s innocent.
'I will step down if charged with corruption' - Ramaphosa
Brian Molefe, once the highest authority at Eskom, told the Zondo commission into state capture that Cyril Ramaphosa was targeted for political influence – and that he ran a ‘secret war room’ at the power utility when he was deputy president.
The Better Now hitmaker teamed up with the Musicians on Call initiative — a non-profit organisation which “brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities” across the country — to provide the hospital staff with the popular shoe in appreciation of the sacrifices they are making every day to care for their patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
#PostMaloneXCrocs Available now. Shop in link https://t.co/Wz0lzPPu0x pic.twitter.com/pKXDmJSG6S
— Crocs Shoes (@Crocs) December 10, 2019
Wow. Post Malone’s latest collab with @Crocs Australia sold out in 12 minutes online. #PostMalonexCrocs @PostMalone pic.twitter.com/qp8kYES0G9
— Madelaine Burke (@Madelaine_Burke) May 9, 2019
Musicians on Call president and CEO Pete Griffin said in a statement: “The stress of the pandemic on staff in all areas of the hospital has been unrelenting and we have been doing what we can to continue bringing them the joy of live music. We are so grateful to Post Malone and Crocs for joining us in providing even more relief when they need it the most through this generous donation.
“Thanks to them, caregivers at 70 hospitals nationwide will have the added support of their Crocs to help them through their day.”
Also Read: Watch: Post Malone releases ‘Goodbyes’ featuring Young Thug
The generous music star recently gave every student at his old school a pair of the custom Crocs.
The Circles hitmaker’s fifth collaboration with the footwear brand swiftly sold out last month, but pupils at Texas’ Grapevine High School were treated to a pair each personally gifted to them by the Grammy-nominated star himself.
The school’s principal, Alex Fingers, took to Twitter to thank the Grapevine alumni for the generous gift and to congratulate him on his success.
He captioned pictures of some of the kids with their new Crocs: “Thank you @PostMalone for always giving back to your community! Your fellow @Grapevine_HS Mustangs are so proud of your success!”
Thank you @PostMalone for always giving back to your community! Your fellow @Grapevine_HS Mustangs are so proud of your success! #ThanksPosty #Posty pic.twitter.com/a71tqvEAAO
— Alex Fingers (@AlexFingers7) December 8, 2020
The Post Malone x Crocs Duet Max Clog II collection comes in pink and black.
The 25-year-old star had also done a giveaway of 5,000 pairs of the shoes to say thank you to his fans.
He said at the time: “Giving away 5,000 shoes is how I’m saying ‘thank you,’ to my fans.
“Each time Crocs and I partner, we make something better than before and I’m excited about what we came up with this time around. Drop 5 is going to be one my fans remember.”
The shoes costs $59.99 (R911.70) and the Wow star – who first worked with the brand in 2018 — also designed some Jibbitz charms for the clogs which cost $11.99 (R182).
can’t believe i was surprised with these beauties on christmas eve 😭😭❤️❤️ #PostMaloneXCrocs @PostMalone pic.twitter.com/6EdJuGIEeG
— tanya 🎄 (@tqnyqg) December 25, 2018
😈 @PostMalone's collaboration with Crocs is already sold out: https://t.co/Csm4bElqh7 pic.twitter.com/gHj6cMsWsx
— Complex (@Complex) November 1, 2018
Nomawethu Ma’Bhengu Sompeta, whose funeral will be held this weekend, was unequivocal in calling out the government for its response to the Marikana massacre
The post No apology or comfort as another Marikana mother dies without justice appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
Digital games can provide forums for diverse groups of people to come together, which is especially important while our physical activities are restricted
The post Children may benefit when parents share their digital gaming space appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
Allegations of racism against the Capitol Police are nothing new: Over 250 Black cops have sued the department since 2001. Some of those former officers now say it’s no surprise white nationalists were able to storm the building
The post ‘No one took us seriously’: Black cops warned about racist Capitol police for years appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
A high-level probe has begun into hundreds of millions of rand spent by the Gauteng health department to refurbish a hospital that is now seven months behind schedule – and lying empty
The post Covid-overflow hospital in ruins as SIU investigates appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
Africa’s largest subscription television operator says it is under threat amid the emerging popularity of global platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime
The post Pay-TV inquiry probes the Multichoice monopoly appeared first on The Mail & Guardian.
The final two rounds of group matches in rugby union’s European Champions and Challenge Cups will be cancelled, with both tournaments now moving straight into the knockout phase, the chief executive of England’s Premiership Rugby said Thursday.
This month’s concluding pool matches were postponed on Monday after the French government said the COVID-19 pandemic made it too risky for French teams to play at a time when a new variant was becoming increasingly widespread in Britain and Ireland.
But Premiership Rugby chief executive Darren Childs said European Professional Club Rugby, the organisers of the European events, had now decided to do away with the remaining group games given the difficulty of rescheduling fixtures in an already congested schedule.
EPCR is set to decide on what format their competitions should now take, with a round of 16 one widely touted option when it comes to a restart.
“The decision was made very quickly by the executive at EPCR that we would not try to reschedule those games,” Childs told a conference call.
The British and Irish Lions are meant to tour South Africa following the end of the European campaign and Childs added: “There’s no space at the end of the season because of the Lions and we have no spare weekends in our season once we resume.”
Childs added: “To play European rounds when the Lions is taking place would have been very damaging to the European tournaments.
“Everyone is managing their domestic and international calendars to the best of their ability. The exact structure has not been agreed and we’ve already started those discussions.”
Earlier this week, French sports minister Roxana Maracineanu said she needed further “guarantees” from other governments to allow France to face Ireland and England in the upcoming Six Nations.
France are set to open the tournament by hosting Italy on February 6 before heading to Dublin a week later and Twickenham on March 13.
Britain has been one of the countries hardest hit by the virus outbreak, with more than 83,000 people losing their lives after testing positive for COVID-19.
It is currently mired in its third, and worst, wave of the virus, registering record daily case numbers and death tolls blamed on a new strain of the disease.
“We keep the first match. On the other hand, against Ireland and England we absolutely need to have the necessary guarantees from these countries,” Maracineanu said.
The post European rugby matches cancelled over virus fall-out appeared first on Who? SA.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is amongst the long line of organisations and individuals that have handed Bellville police a tongue lashing after a water cannon was used to enforce social distancing at the South African Social Security Agency’s (SASSA’s) Bellville office on Friday, 15 January.
The incident has elicited widespread condemnation from the public because those in line are recipients of temporary disability grants who are suffering from a range of chronic illnesses and injuries.
With rain pouring down throughout most of the country on Friday, some of them had braved the adverse weather conditions to head to the SASSA offices, only to be sprayed with water by authorities in what has been deemed a cruel twist of events.
A young woman has had a fit on the pavement outside Sassa Bellville. Her mom is stroking her hair and a policeman is helping keep space while medical help arrives. Metres away Lindiwe Zulu explains there is no money to extend the temporary disability grants. @TeamNews24
— Jenni Evans (@itchybyte) January 15, 2021
The DA in the Western Cape vows to engage the Provincial Police Commissioner, Yolisa Matakata to find out which senior official authorised the usage of water cannons at the SASSA Bellville office.
“The situation involving excessive use of police force at SASSA venues is deplorable – that the police have been instructed to use water cannons against vulnerable residents, many of whom are disabled persons, is an abuse of power. This once again shows the inefficacy in the use of policing resources.
Reagan Allen DA’s provincial spokesperson on Community Safety
The facility in Bellville and to a lesser degree, others in different parts of the country, have been overwhelmed in recent days, following SASSA’s decision to suspend temporary disability payments due to financial constraints.
As previously reported, about 210 000 recipients were informed in January that they would have to apply in person at the SASSA offices to get their disability grants renewed.
Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu, paid a visit to the Bellville SASSA service point on Friday and could be heard from inside an armoured police vehicle calling for recipients to adhere to social distancing protocols. Her presence did more harm than good.
Now THAT'S how you address #SASSA beneficiaries who stand in the sun for hours! Maintain your distance, hold the higher ground, shout instructions. Because they are not worthy and you are so awesome and special. Fortunately @MYANC can never be accused of being #TONEDEAF! https://t.co/0QXoWIzIFs
— Jack Devnarain (@JackD157) January 15, 2021
Following the water cannon incident, Social Development Minister, Lindiwe Zulu and Sassa CEO Totsie Memela, held a joint media briefing, in which Zulu said SASSA’s service points are immensely challenged due to positive COVID-19 cases in the Western Cape.
Zulu says she probed why these people were coming to the Bellville service centre when there are quite a few centres offering the same service in the area and she was informed that COVID-19 cases had led to the temporary closure of the other service points.
“yes the buck stops with SASSA and the mandate stops with us but due to COVID-19 we are under strain,” says Zulu in the presser.
The Social Development Minister says Memela and the SASSA District Manager will come back to her on Saturday, 16 January regarding a way forward for all involved.
Cape Town Spurs have terminated the contract of Serbian head coach Vladislav Heric following a delay in his recovery from Covid-19.
Spurs released a statement on Thursday indicating that the Vladislav Heric had tested positive for Covid-19 on December 28 last year and served the mandatory 14-day quarantine period, but remained positive upon a retest.
The team’s position in 16th place, bottom of the GladAfrica Championship table after seven matches, did not help Vladislav Heric’s case either.
‘Although the coach would have preferred to stay on and lead the team through this difficult period, he understands that the ongoing delay in returning to the helm is not to the benefit of the team and future performances,’ read part of the statement.
‘Due to the NSL protocols, it’s still unclear when the coach would have been able to return. The club has accepted and supports the coach’s decision on the matter as his health is equally a priority.’
“We wish coach Vlad a speedy recovery,” Cape Town Spurs CEO Alexi Efstathiou added.
MUST READ | NEDBANK CUP ROUND OF 32 DRAW
The Urban Warriors will announce Heric’s replacement in due course. Ian Taylor will lead the team in their next match away to JDR Stars on Saturday.
Taylor will be assisted by Nathan Paulse.
The post Cape Town Spurs coach Vladislav Heric tests positive for Covid, loses job! appeared first on Who? SA.
Percy Tau rocking the English Premier League is definitely a positive way to start 2021. The former Mamelodi Sundowns ace finally made his debut in arguably the world’s best league but how did it go?
*** MUST WATCH *** | PERCY TAU LEAVES MAN CITY DEFENDER ON HIS BACKSIDE!
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were probably the worst possible team for Percy Tau to make his debut against given their dominant possession game however Tau certainly didn’t disappoint.
Pacey, tricky and glue-like ball control, Tau showed glimpses of his brilliance against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Ukrainian fullback Oleksandr Zinchenko won’t forget Percy Tau anytime soon with the Bafana Bafana star giving him a torrid time down the right wing. Watch Tau’s debut in full below
“Every pass makes sense. Their movement between the lines up front makes sense. Every player is in his position to get the ball and be free. The people up front are so fast, with Tau, Maupay, until the last minute.” – Guardiola said regarding Percy Tau’s Brighton following the match.
“They are struggling to score goals, that’s why they are in the position. Last season, when we played away, we had already qualified for the Champions League. We were relaxed, they were struggling and felt the pressure. We won 4-0 at home [last season] but 1-0 today at the end was good.”
Brighton and Hove Albion are next in action against Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. Leeds’ open game-plan may leave Percy Tau with enough space to cause the havoc we’ve become used to seeing from the diminutive attacker.
The post Pep Guardiola praises ‘pacey Percy’: Watch Tau’s EPL debut in full appeared first on Who? SA.
Following the cancellation of their final round-robin clash against Western Province and the subsequent week-long postponement of the semi-finals, Sharks coach Sean Everitt has confirmed his squad is fully fit, healthy and available for selection for next Saturday’s semi-final.
READ | DOES ‘BEAST’ MTAWARIRA’S FUTURE LIE IN A WWE RING?
The Sharks will, ironically, be in action against the self-same WP side at Newlands on Saturday, 23 January.
Kick-off is scheduled for 16:30.
After their final round tie was cancelled, the Sharks and WP shared the points, meaning the KwaZulu-Natal side finished third in the final standings and had to travel to the second-place finishers, WP.
The match could well be the final one for WP at their hallowed Newlands stadium.
Sadly, the match will be played without spectators in attendance due to Covid-19 protocols, a real shame given the atmosphere the Newlands faithful has created over the years.
READ | DID SIYA KOLISI JUST TURN DOWN THE SHARKS AND PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO WP?
Following initial fears of the Sharks may have to withdraw from the clash due to a spate of players in isolation, Everitt said “All our results from Tuesday’s testing have come back negative so we have been able to get the show on the road and prepare really well”.
That was welcome news for Sharks fans given that several players had tested positive for the coronavirus last week.
“Some of those guys will only start their return-to-play process from tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday,” Everitt confirmed.
“They will have to test negative; tests will be conducted again on Sunday but so far, every player has tested negative with nobody ruled out.”
The winner of the WP v Sharks clash will play the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 30 January should the Pretoria side beat the Lions in their semi-final.
Failing that, the WP v Sharks winner will host the final.
IN CLOSING | JAKE WHITE: I BATTLED COVID-19 AND LOST CLOSE FRIENDS
The post Sharks report clean bill of health ahead of WP Currie Cup semi-final appeared first on Who? SA.
Bafana Bafana star Percy Tau made a memorable English Premier League debut for Brighton & Hove Alboin against giants Manchester City on Wednesday.
READ | GAVIN HUNT’S KAIZER CHIEFS BEAT BENNI MCCARTHY’S AMAZULU
Percy Tau put in a memorable performance, but a performance Manchester City’s Ukrainian left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko would like to forget!
Tau gave Zinchenko a first-hand taste of diski football at its finest when in the 32nd minute he turned him inside-out (watch below) and left the defender sprawling on the Etihad Stadium turf.
Post-match, Brighton coach Grahm Potter lauded Percy Tau for his performance.
“It is a difficult game for him [Tau] to start for a forward because they make you defend as a team. So that takes away a little bit of his attacking qualities, along with Leo [Trossard],” Potter said.
“They both work so hard for the team, they work so hard and were fantastic in that regard. They grew and grew. He [Tau] has only been with us for a week, we have to make sure he is available for the coming games, good first game, he will get better and he will get a better understanding with us.”
READ | PITSO MOSIMANE’S AL AHLY JUST CAN’T STOP WINNING!
Percy Tau started the match and was substituted in the 67th minute as City won 1-0 thanks to a Ben Foden goal in the 44th minute.
Following Wednesday’s defeat, Brighton are now just two points above the relegation zone.
Brighton are next in action in a clash away against Leeds United on Saturday, 16 January.
Kick-off is at 17:00 SA time.
The post Diski magic! Watch Percy Tau leave City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko on his backside appeared first on Who? SA.
The fixtures for the Nedbank Cup Last 32 round have been confirmed following Thursday’s draw.
HIGH PRAISE! PEP GUARDIOLA HAILS ‘PACEY’ PERCY TAU
There has been a significant change to this season’s tournament after the Premier Soccer League (PSL) confirmed there will be no teams from the ABC Motsepe League and SAFA structures included.
As a result, the Round of 32 will be made up of 16 DStv Premiership teams and the 16 GladAfrica Championship outfits.
The fixtures for the Last 32 will take place in the first week of February, with the PSL set to announce the dates and venues in due course.
But who got the toughest – and easiest – draw?
There were four ‘all DStv Premiership’ ties, with the Cape Town City v Bloemfontein Celtic clash standing out as a tough result to predict.
Elsewhere, Tshakhuma TM will be at home to SuperSport United, while Golden Arrows and AmaZulu lock horns in another mouth-watering KwaZulu-Natal derby.
Finally, Mamelodi Sundowns will have to get past Stellenbosch FC if they are to progress to the Last 16.
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS WILL NOT BE RELEGATED!
The Nedbank Cup has undergone several name changes over the years.
From 1971-1975 it was known as the Life Challenge Cup.
In 1976 and 1977 it was called the Benson and Hedges Trophy, while between 1978-1987 teams contested the Mainstay Cup.
From 1988-2002 the tournament was called the Bob Save Super Bowl before ABSA stepped in as headline sponsors of the ABSA Cup between 2003-2007.
Finally the knockout tournament became known as the Nedbank Cup in 2008 until present day.
Kaizer Chiefs have won the title on 13 occasions with Orlando Pirates next best with eight victories.
Mamelodi Sundowns are the defending champions having beaten Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in last season’s final.
Bizana Pondo Chiefs v Cape Town All Stars
Cape Town City v Bloemfontein Celtic
JDR Stars v University of Pretoria
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila v SuperSport United
Orlando Pirates v Uthongathi FC
Chippa United v Free State Stars
Jomo Cosmos v Black Leopards
Baroka FC v Cape Town Spurs
Golden Arrows v AmaZulu
Maritzburg United v Sekhukhune United
Polokwane City v Steenberg United
Pretoria Callies v Royal AM
Swallows FC v Cape United
Mamelodi Sundowns v Stellenbosch FC
Kaizer Chiefs v Richards Bay FC
TS Galaxy v TS Sporting
The post Nedbank Cup draw | Which teams got lucky – and which didn’t! appeared first on Who? SA.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, on Friday 15 January, announced that the confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa had risen to 1 311 686. Mkhize also reported a staggering daily increase of 14 880 since the last report.
An updated death toll of 36 467 was also reported with 615 new deaths reported. A total of 7 498 780 tests have been conducted to date with 65 209 new tests reported. There have also been 1 062 690 recoveries thus far, representing a recovery rate of 80.9%.
In terms of active cases, KwaZulu-Natal is leading with roughly 69 000. Gauteng follows with 49 000 active cases and thereafter the Western Cape with 39 000 active cases.
As of today, the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 1 311 686, the total number of deaths is 36 467 and the total number of recoveries is 1 062 690. pic.twitter.com/vvjk94mwjm
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 15, 2021
#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 15 January .
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) January 15, 2021
Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Start using this privacy preserving app today. Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/nlXSXGtmqT
The following COVID-19 cases have been detected in each province as of Friday:
The following confirmed COVID-19-related deaths have been detected in each province as of Friday:
Mkhize announced the latest COVID-19 recoveries as follows:
As reported by WA Beta Info earlier this week, WhatsApp recently submitted a new update through its beta program which includes a Read Later feature. This is allegedly to replace the Archived Chats feature.
All chats on this list will remain muted, meaning you get to cut down on those frequent interruptions. Here’s what you need to know.
WA Beta Info explains that users can move unimportant chats and groups to the Read Later section as a way to clean up WhatsApp’s main app page. The beta update is currently available to Android users.
The new WhatsApp for Android beta v2.21.2.2 features will roll out the public in future updates. WhatsApp has not yet confirmed when the feature will be available on a larger scale.
The Read Later features was first mentioned back in November 2020 but we’re happy to report that it’s now officially under development. WhatsApp is still working on multi-device support, and no official updates have been shared as yet.
WA Beta Info explains that “you will find a new persistent cell at the top of your chat list called ‘Read Later’”; once the feature is enabled for the general public. By “unarchiving” a chat, you will reverse this process.
The chat will show up in your list of other chats, and you’ll receive notifications for that user again. If you open a “Read Later” message, you’ll see a banner notifying you that “Archive is now Read Later”.
From the “Read Later” settings (as can be seen in the image below), you’d be able to move new messages to the archive section. Or move it back to the main chats list as you please.
In essence, Chats will stay in this section and “you won’t get any notifications”, until you manually disable the feature.
in other news, WhatsApp turned five years old on 15 January 2021. The developers team might have some joy in their lives, following the drama generated around the recent Terms of Service debacle.
Users will not be able to opt-out of the new privacy policy, as its terms and conditions must be accepted to continue using the app. Users must agree to the new terms by 8 February or lose access to their chats and contacts.
There will be even greater integration between WhatsApp and Facebook’s other products like Messenger and Instagram. This means they will share data like your phone number, transaction data, IP address, and information on how you interact with others (including businesses).
@WABetaInfo is 5 years old today. 🥳
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) January 15, 2021
Also read: Telegram blocks channels promoting hate as mass exodus from WhatsApp continue
Tragic scenes outside the Bellville SASSA office in Cape Town quickly turned into headlines on Friday 15 January. Videos of SA police using water cannons on frail grant beneficiaries — most of whom were collecting disability grants — began to spread like wildfire on social media. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have since labelled the police “cowardly thugs” itching to mimic the behaviour of apartheid law enforcement. According to reports, the police were trying to enforce social distancing amid snaking queues.
The EFF did not take lightly to the scenes that played out at the SASSA office. The party lambasted police, as well as, Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu for “addressing grant recipients from inside of a police van”.
“There is absolutely no logic or rationale for using brute force to ensure social distancing by the elderly who went to SASSA to speed up the process of receiving much-needed relief to alleviate the painful impact of poverty,” it said in a statement.
As previously reported by The South African, some 210 000 recipients were told they would have to apply in person at the SASSA offices to get their disability grants renewed.
“All of the police officers involved in the despicable act must be suspended with immediate effect, lest SAPS thinks it can operate with impunity in this country,” it added.
The party said it comes as no surprise that the police, who were seen firing water cannons at the elderly outside SASSA, are in Cape Town.
“Police are too cowardly to fight crime in Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and to enforce regulations in the leafy suburbs of Waterfront and Camps Bay yet can target the weak and vulnerable,” it said.
“[We] commit once again to retaliate to SAPS with the full force of community activism that resembles the brave generation of the anti-apartheid movement if they [police] want to behave like apartheid machinery,” it added.
The EFF said the patience of our people is wearing thin with South African police and the “God-complex” they inherited from Police Minister Bheki Cele.
“If they continue to test us, under the supervision of Ministers in this country who are failing at delivering basic services such as grants, there must never be outrage when we treat them with the same disdain.”
When The South African contacted the Police Ministry for comment regarding the remarks made by the EFF but there was no response at the time of publication.
A former Sars customs official who was bust for fraudulently issuing Sadc certificates has been sentenced to an effective six years in jail.
Lesedi misinterprets an intimate moment between two friends. Nontle might be grounded, but she won’t let that mess with her plans. Kgosi is terrified by what Gadaffi wants him to do.
The latest episode will appear here when it becomes available.
If you missed any other episodes, find more Generations episodes to watch here.
The bullet did serious damage and blood is pouring out. What are they going to do?! Two estranged exes share a moment.
Read all about what’s happening in Generations: The Legacy in January over here.
A place where drama, suspense and intrigue are the name of the game when you’re up against enemies you don’t even know you have. A place where people will stop at nothing to get their lovers even if it means resorting to violence, seduction and even murder.
Actor | Role |
---|---|
Katlego Danke | Dineo Tlaole |
Thami Mnqolo | Senzo Dhlomo |
Menzi Ngubane | Sibusiso Dlomo |
Seputla Sebogodi | Kenneth Mashaba |
Sophie Ndaba | Queen Moroka |
Mandla Gaduka | Selwyn “Choppa” Maithufi |
Maggie Benedict | Akhona Griffiths |
Winnie Ntshaba | Khethiwe Ngcobo |
Nambitha Mpumlwana | Mawande Memela |
Zenande Mfenyana | Noluntu Memela |
Zolisa Xaluva | Jason Malinga |
Anga Makhubalo | Bandile ‘MJ’ Memela |
Zikhona Sodlaka | Priska Dlhomo |
Slindile Nodangala | Ruby Dikobe |
Thato Molamu | Nicholas Nomvete |
Patrick Shai | Patrick Tlaole |
Atandwa Kani | Samora Lembede |
Episodes air on SABC1 Mondays to Fridays at 20:00, DSTV Channel 191. If you’re unable to catch the latest episode when it airs, we’ll be publishing full episodes from the SABC. Stick with us, and you’ll never miss an episode again.
2b2ed492-generations-available-later-tonight-
Left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen was on Friday named as a late replacement in the Proteas Test squad which was due to depart for Pakistan later in the evening.
READ | PAKISTAN AXE MISFIRING REGULARS FOR PROTEAS TEST SERIES
Marco Jansen, 20, replaced right-arm fast bowler Ottneil Baartman, who was withdrawn for undisclosed medical reasons.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the 21 players had been cleared for travel after undergoing Covid-19 tests on Tuesday and Thursday.
READ | ‘HOME OF CRICKET’ LORD’S HOPES TO HIT COVID-19 FOR SIX
A CSA statement said Baartman’s withdrawal was was due to “medical reasons of a separate nature”.
South Africa will play two Test matches in Pakistan, starting in Karachi on January 26 and Rawalpindi on February 4.
Following that, the sides will clash in three T20Is on February 11, 13 and 14.
STAT ATTACK! HIGHEST PROTEAS SCORES IN PAKISTAN
Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Wiaan Mulder, Lutho Sipamla, Beuran Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Tabraiz Shamsi, George Linde, Daryn Dupavillon, Marco Jansen
Babar Azam (captain), Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan
READ | JACQUES KALLIS IS A MASSIVE LOSS, I’D LOVE HIM BACK – MARK BOUCHER
Local scientists have made a new discovery that could wipe out the deadly malaria.
It’s Friday night and that can only mean one thing; cash dollar bills (not really) are ready to be won in the Powerball draw.
But if you really want your share of the jackpot, you have to play the Lotto! You know what they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it.
TheSouthAfrican.com brings you the Powerball results as soon as they happen
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Are you ready for the Daily Lotto draw on Friday, 15 January? It’s yet another chance to find out whether or not you’re one of South Africa’s latest Daily Lotto winners.
If you’ve decided to Phanda, Pusha, Play then you might just strike gold here.
Let’s have a look at the jackpot and Good luck!
Results are all updated and loaded on this page on or after 21:15 and if you can’t see the results refresh your browser.
WINNING NUMBERS | |
15/01/2021 | 06, 14, 15, 27, 29 |
Click here for all | Daily Lotto Results |
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Click here for all | Lotto and Lotto Plus Results |
See more previous daily lotto results here.
For more details and to verify the winning numbers visit the National Lottery website.
You need to always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results.
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Cape Town City coach Jan Olde Riekerink has praised Justin Shonga for his work-rate in the couple of days he has been training with the club.
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS WILL NOT BE RELEGATED!
However, the former Orlando Pirates striker, who was announced as a new signing for the Mother City side earlier in the week, is unavailable for Saturday’s mouth-watering home clash against Kaizer Chiefs as he waits for his registration to be cleared.
“We have Shonga with the team but also not available for this game. So, that’s how we have to deal with it,” Riekerink told the media on Friday.
“He’s been with the team for only four days and it’s still very early to judge. But I saw him play and sometimes as a 10 but that’s not the position he will play with us. I think he is a striker and he can score goals. He is a very mobile player and I like mobile players very much.
“If we are to have our whole squad together we have a team that can play very good on the transition and he will be one of the guys that can contribute to the end game of the transition because he can score goals and I have seen that already in training. I’m very happy he has joined the team; he has a nice personality and he has the experience. I see he integrates very well in the group,” Riekerink added.
READ | NEDBANK CUP DRAW: WHICH TEAMS GOT LUCKY – AND WHICH DIDN’T
In further bad news for Cape Town City, Riekerink confirmed that Edmilson Dove, Aubrey Ngoma and Abbubaker Mobara are all out of the match injured, while Tashreeq Morris and Taariq Feilies are suspended.
In some good however for fans of Cape Town City, Mpho Makola, Thabo Nodada and Craig Martin have all recovered from Covid-19 and will be available for selection for the match.
Kick-off at the Cape Town Stadium is at 17:00 on Saturday, 16 January.
Cape Town City are currently fifth in the DStv Premiership standings after 10 matches, while Kaizer Chiefs are down in 10th place, six points behind their rivals on Saturday.
IN CLOSING | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS STAR ‘FINE’ AFTER CAR CRASH – MAY PLAY THIS WEEKEND!
Weekend Mood 🤩👌
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) January 15, 2021
Thabo Nodada, Mpho Makola and Craig Martin have successfully recovered from #COVID19.
The trio will be available for tomorrow's clash vs Kazier Chiefs!#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/kA8vVAI63m
As Cyberpunk 2077 continues to stir controversy, we take a walk down memory lane and look back at some of the most iconic games. You could say these games changed the world.
You might disagree with this list, but you would be wrong. Let’s take a look.
Pacman is still considered to be the biggest cultural phenomena of the 1980s. The franchise released the popular Ms Pac-Man two years later, which racked up a lifetime revenue of $1.2 billion by 1987.
It was created game designer Toru Iwatani, when he was 24, and was inspired by the phrase paku paku meaning “chomp chomp”. The kanji symbol for the word taberu meaning “to eat” also influenced Iwatani’s creative process.
Fun fact, did you know the ghosts have distinct personalities? Yep, they are called Clyde, Blinky, Pinky, and Inky and have their own personalities based on AI routines.
Look, let’s be real, the seventies wasn’t the best time for gaming. Spacewar! happened and then they mucked that up, but eventually, the more simplistic Pong came along, proving that sometimes less is more.
The table tennis-themed arcade video game was first released on Atari back in November 1972. It featured two paddles and a ball, and you had to defeat your opponent by being the first one to gain 10 points.
Developed by Tomohiro Nishikado and released in 1978 in Japan, Space Invaders is a classic among classics. It’s is a fixed-shooter game which pits a horizontally-moving cannon against an ever-descending army of invaders.
It expanded the video game industry in ways that could not even be imagined back in the seventies and is, therefore, no surprise that Space Invaders is considered one of the most influential games of all time.
No list would be complete without Final Fantasy the first game to truly bring Japanese role-playing games to the masses. Not only did it help to develop the idea of skill trees but boosted inspired some of the biggest RPGs ever made.
From World of Warcraft to Super Mario Brothers, it all started with Final Fantasy. This is turning into a fun little exercise, so let’s compare the first-ever Final Fantasy, to the upcoming Final Fantasy 16.
The ultra-popular Japanese fighting game – also known as Street Fighter II: The World Warrior – was released in 1991 and came to Nintendo’s GameBoy in 1995; it has been released in multiple forms over the years.
It is the second installment in the series and the sequel to Street Fighter, released in 1987.
Grand Theft Auto was first released in 1997 by Rockstar games (wow, where does the time go) and continues to be one of the most-played and well-loved games to this day.
Little known fact, it’s the first game which truly popularised the open-world concept. One simply has to compare the first GTA to GTA 6 trailer to see how far it has come and why it remains a solid favourite.
Another classic; who doesn’t know the hyperactive little plumber in one iteration or another. We’d go as far as to say that Mario is the best-known character (with the most well-known theme song) in all of video game history.
Super Mario debuted in one of the world’s first games that allowed the character to move horizontally through an evolving landscape. Watch the video below only if you dare, the nostalgia might get you.
Speaking of World of Warcraft, it was a trailblazer for the Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG), we can all agree. From its initial release, Blizzard’s WoW has grown inactive player base to 4.88 million as of 2020.
By 2014, WoW had more than 100 000 000 registered accounts and had grossed over $9.23 billion in revenue just three years later.
Minecraft deserves a spot on this list – even though I might disagree for purely personal reasons. At 200 million copies, it’s without a doubt one of the bestselling video game of all times.
While many love it’s Lego-like charm, I’ll be honest, I simply don’t get it.
We’re going to go ahead and Tetris to this list too and there’s nothing you can do about it. Often copied but never successfully replicated, Tetris marked the beginning of the modern puzzle genre of games.
Did you know there’s an X-rated version as well? But we digress. Tetris showed that you didn’t always need a protagonist or NPCs to have fun. Join is the anxiety of waiting for the one long piece:
Fortnite needs no introduction. The cooperative survival game is so popular, the launch of its fifth season generated five times more online web traffic than Donald Trump winning the US election back in 2016.
It has more than 250 million users worldwide, give or take a few, and can be played across several different devices, all offering the same game experience (for the most part, at least).
I’m going to add this one right here at the bottom, more for personal reasons than anything else, if I have to be brutally honest. This, folks, this right here is where my gaming journey started: playing Prince of Persia on MS-DOS.
And it’s still going strong! Ubisoft announced a full remake of the 2003 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. A release date has been set for 21 January 2021. We’ve come a long way, just compare these two trailers:
The 12 iconic video games that changed the world
Decades before 'Cyberpunk 2077' broke the internet, these 12 iconic games forever changed the gaming industry.
Arranging juicy meat on a grill over hot coals can really lift one’s spirit. Ask any South African and they will confirm that there is something so exciting about sizzling meat on an outside grill. But a braai without tasty side dishes is just not complete. This ultimate braai salad by The Cousin, Barry Hilton, is eye-catching, wholesome and simply delicious!
This side dish takes the word “salad” to a whole new level. With this ultimate braai salad, you actually need no other salad to complement the meat. This colourful salad is a feast for the eye and topped with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing. There is of course no limit to the ingredients so you could really get creative and add avocado, olives or anything else you feel will go well with this ultimate braai salad.
You do need a bit of planning to prepare this salad as it needs to rest overnight in the fridge. So, if you plan to braai over the weekend, make sure you prepare this mouth-watering salad the day before, wrap it in cling film and refrigerate it overnight.
15
minutes5
minutes20
minutes¾ head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves and core removed
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
¾ cup chopped red onions
chopped cucumber
cherry tomatoes, cut in half
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
1 cup grated cheddar
1 cup mayonnaise (Hellmans)
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
salt and pepper
Tag @the.south.african on Instagram and hashtag it #recipes
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Looking for more winner side dishes to complement your braai? We have excellent suggestions for you to try, just check out our recipes.
The ultimate braai salad
Mining companies have thrown their weight behind SA's Covid-19 vaccination programme.
The disciplinary hearing reveals surprising information for Lehasa and Cindy. After seeing Noah flaunting his new car, Koloi’s wounds are reopened. Malebana and Babeile reflect on how challenging their work is as policemen.
The latest episode will appear here when it becomes available.
If you missed some episodes find more Skeem Saam Episodes to watch here.
Fanie throws someone else under the bus to save his own skin. Noah tells Mokgadi he wants to start afresh somewhere else. John has a solution for Nimza’s predicament.
Read all about what’s happening in Skeem Saam in January over here.
The story follows the lives of the residents of Turfloop who face daily trials and tribulations as they climb the ladder to success.
The show first aired in October 2011. It has gone on to become one of South Africa’s most beloved dramas. By thrusting teens into adult scenarios, it’s become a hit with TV viewers of all generations. It’s ‘coming of age’ premise continues to set it apart from rival soapies, too.
It airs on SABC1 Mondays to Fridays at 18:30, DSTV Channel 191. If you’re unable to catch the latest episode when it airs, we’ll be publishing full episodes shared on SABC’s YouTube channel. Stick with us, and you’ll never miss a show again.
806276d6-skeem-saam-available-later-tonight-
The Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) will take national government to court for the ongoing alcohol ban. As many restaurant staff continue to suffer during COVID-19 and under the subsequent restrictions, it is their hope that the ban will be lifted.
While the alcohol ban, which was reinstated by government in December, has helped a severely strained healthcare system, it has also caused great suffering for the establishments. With a strict curfew and not being able to serve alcohol, revenue has taken a severe blow, leading to the untimely closure of some restaurants.
RASA CEO Wendy Alberts sent out a letter of sorts to restaurant owners. The first line read; “High Court action, urgent supporting information required”.
“I truly understand the hardships you are facing. I have huge sympathy and need you to be strong now. RASA needs your support now to help fight the liquor ban,” she said.
Alberts said RASA is currently busy with a high-level structured plan with major industry stakeholders so that restaurants may be assisted in fighting the alcohol ban. How, you ask? Through an application to the high court.
“We urge you to please look out for surveys we are going to be sending out through the course of today and to please give your support and respond urgently. Through these surveys, we collect data which is imperative to fighting our cause,” said Alberts.
“We will be creating the link between the loss of alcohol sales to restaurants closing their doors driven through the result of the alcohol ban and secondly the impact of curfew.
Should you receive the survey, please pass it on to as many restaurateurs as possible,” she added.
DA Shadow Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Dean Macpherson called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and his government to end the “economically crippling” alcohol ban with immediate effect.
“After today’s announcement by South African Breweries (SAB) that they have cancelled another investment of R2.5 billion along with their earlier cancelled investment of R2.5 billion, all being a direct result of the ban on alcohol sales, it is abundantly clear that this ill-thought ban is having devastating economic consequences for South Africa,” Macpherson said.
“So far it is estimated that 165 000 people have lost their jobs due to successive alcohol bans,” he added.
“For how much longer do wine farmers, craft gin and beer brewers, restaurants and so many other people and industries that rely on the alcohol industry have to suffer because of this government’s incompetencies?”
Macpherson said it’s time to end the ban, get MPs back to work to finalise liquor legislation and to increase hospital capacity.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola acknowledged the scrutiny the Premier League is under to comply with coronavirus protocols, but warned politicians against scapegoating players for goal celebrations.
The Premier League’s chief executive Richard Masters has urged players to set the “right example”, while English Football League chief executive Trevor Birch warned football would come under “extreme governmental pressure” if players continued to flout the rules.
Julian Knight, the MP who chairs the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, labelled some of the scenes at matches “brainless”, saying they give out an “awful message”.
Guardiola accepted the privileged position afforded to elite sport to continue, while the UK is under a nationwide lockdown to curb spiralling infection rates, puts football under the spotlight.
But he defended the players who are trying to combine doing their job with a wave of protocols to follow.
“A lot of businesses cannot do their job, they are closing. We are fortunate we can play football, fortunate we can do our job,” said Guardiola on Friday.
“Honestly all the clubs, the managers, doctors, players want to follow the rules and the protocols because we know how difficult the situation is in the UK. A lot of people dying every day, a lot of people being infected every day and we have to do it.
“But please the situation in the UK is not because of the players so don’t blame the players. At the end (of the day) it is a pandemic situation all around the world.”
On the field, City appear to getting to grips with the issues presented by a season in empty stadiums and with precious little time for rest bite.
Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in 14 games to close in on Manchester United and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and reach a fourth consecutive League Cup final.
While United and Liverpool do battle against each other on Sunday, City host Crystal Palace with the chance to make more ground in the title race.
After impressive away wins against Chelsea and United, City edged past struggling Brighton 1-0 on Wednesday, but Guardiola said ups and downs are to be expected this season.
“If you look at the results for the top teams, every game is complicated and difficult,” he added.
“When you win away against two incredible teams like Chelsea and Man United the headlines are nice but the reality was Brighton and we knew it.
“Every game is difficult and Sunday will be no exception.”
If you’ve got a ticket then you stand as good a chance of winning a huge amount.
Tonight’s EuroMillions draw has £49 million up for grabs and you can get the results right here as soon as the draw is made.
Results of the draw is available around 8.20pm GMT.
The National Lottery EuroMillions draw launched in 2004 and nine countries across Europe take part.
To play, you simply select five numbers between 1 and 50, plus two Lucky Star numbers from 1-12.
EuroMillions draws take place on Tuesday and Friday evenings from approximately 8.30pm.
Ticket sales for both Tuesday and Friday EuroMillions draws close at 7.30pm GMT on the evening of the draw.
EuroMillions Winning Numbers for Friday 15th January 2021!
Draw Date | FRIDAY’s Numbers |
15-01-2021 | 4, 10, 27, 38, 40 Lucky Star Numbers: 3, 11 |
View more | EuroMillions Results |
To confirm your numbers and if you are lucky claim your prize go to the National Lottery or EuroMillions website.
It seems that the owners of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila have overstretched in their acquisition of a PSL franchise as senior players refuse to train in protest over unpaid wages.
TTM’s Lerato Lamola, Mogakolodi Ngele missed the match against Orlando Pirates due to their ongoing protest over failure to pay them. While Edgar Manaka has also taken issue with the top brass.
This comes as former Orlando Pirates winger Justin Shonga departed the club to join Cape Town City having also not been paid by TTM.
The club say they are working on rectifying the matter. According to SA Football Players Union (Safpu) president Thulaganyo Gaoshubelwe, TTM have given assurances that the players will be paid in due course.
“Yes, we know about players who have not received their monies, and we’ve spoken about that and attended to it,” Gaoshubelwe told Sowetan.
“We spoke to the chairman of the club with regards to that. We’ve referred to the matter of Lamola and those who have brought the case to us.
“Shonga also launched a one-man protest in the first match of the year. He told them he was still in Zambia but he was back in the country.”
The situation at TTM has left coach Joel Masutha frustrated as he is unable to utilise his full squad leaving him short in key positions.
“I believe the management has assembled a good team. Yes, we are limited in certain positions, and like any other team, when you are limited, you have to beef up,” Masutha told SuperSport TV after the match against Orlando Pirates which TTM lost 3-0.
“Where we are, we are not safe but we are lacking in crucial positions. If you check the team against Pirates, we only had one defender.
“Those are the areas we have to look at if we want to compete. The management knows that these are the areas we need to beef so we can compete with other clubs.”
TTM, who bought their way into the top-flight before the end of the 2019/20 season are languishing in 12th place just three points above bottom clubs Chippa United and Black Leopards. They have recorded just one win in their first ten matches in the PSL.
The Limpopo club face a tricky assignment away to unbeaten Golden Arrows this weekend and could be without a number of key players for the encounter.
A report released by the Human Rights Watch group this week has identified several significant shortfalls in the South African response to COVID-19. Some lockdown measures were branded as ‘failures’, with a number of government interventions being called ‘negligent’ by the respected watchdog.
In the extensive study, South Africa gets something of a tongue lashing. Everything from the infamous ‘food parcel distribution scandal’ to the lack of support for our disabled citizens has been mercilessly torn apart by HRW:
“The government’s COVID-19 aid programs, including food parcels, overlooked refugees, and asylum seekers. Many LGBT+ African asylum seekers and undocumented migrants were also overlooked. Sex worker rights groups also noted that this vulnerable population had been left out of relief planning.”
“The government did not sufficiently consult with people with disabilities in its Covid-19 policies, leaving many at serious risk of Covid-19 infection, hunger, and other harms. Authorities failed to take urgent steps to facilitate support, including from donors, for refugees and asylum seekers whose access to food and other basic necessities were limited.”
Human Rights Watch
The group was also scathing about the mismanagement of children and their education throughout the pandemic. There were more flaws regarding food distribution, and certain learning platforms allegedly ‘excluded the vulnerable’:
“The South African government’s responses to the pandemic worsened the plight of children across South Africa in 2020. This included the closure of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) without contingency plans to feed nine million economically vulnerable children during the national lockdown. “
“The government also closed schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers with inadequate plans to keep children learning in lockdown. They also neglected to ensure that learning platforms were inclusive for disabled learners.”
Human Rights Watch
All of this has spurred the DA into some more tough talk. Cilliers Brink, the shadow minister for COGTA, confirmed that his party would campaign for the decentralisation of lockdown authority from the ANC, ensuring that everyone in Parliament gets a fair say on what rules could be introduced – before they are actually enshrined in law:
“The risks of SA being governed under a perpetual state of national disaster, with little parliamentary oversight and no parliamentary veto, go beyond the Covid-19 pandemic. The health and wellbeing of ordinary South Africans should never again be made to depend on the whims and mercies of a corrupt and incompetent governing party.
“The power of government to impose and prolong states of national disaster, on full display in 2020, has to be curtailed in 2021. This issue should also be brought to the floor of Parliament, and depending on our timelines, the DA will this year prepare draft legislation to amend the Disaster Management Act – to bring a future lockdown under Parliamentary control.”
Cilliers Brink
If you are keen on keeping up with all the fever-pitch drama at Hillside, you have come to the right place. A warning though – there are 7de Laan spoilers ahead.
Ludo gets a boost of confidence when his dating service signs up a new client. Lana is saddened when a message reminds her of her new status quo.
The latest episode will appear here after once it becomes available.
If you missed other episodes, find more 7de Laan Episodes to watch here. All caught up and want to know what is coming next during January? Take a look at the soapie teasers right here.
Alexa and Lesedi face off. Is Mariaan back to her old ways?
Catch the latest episode every weekday at 18:00 on SABC 2 – or check TheSouthAfrican.com for the episodes after they have aired.
7de Laan is a South African Afrikaans soap opera created by Danie Odendaal and produced by Danie Odendaal Productions. The series focuses on the lives of residents staying in and around the community of 7de Laan (7th Avenue), in the suburb of Hillside. The programme’s dialogue is primarily in Afrikaans and is subtitled in English with some English and Zulu dialogue in between. The street and shopfronts which are featured on the opening visuals, are that of Seventh Street in Melville, Johannesburg.
The main cast includes the following characters (and the actors who play them):
7de-laan-available-later-tonight
Manchester United and England great Wayne Rooney ended his illustrious playing career on Friday to take up the job of managing Championship side Derby on a full-time basis.
READ | NEDBANK CUP DRAW: WHICH TEAMS GOT LUCKY – AND WHICH DIDN’T
Derby confirmed the 35-year-old former forward had agreed a permanent deal until 2023, having succeeded Phillip Cocu on an interim basis in November.
The club statement confirmed that in accepting the manager’s role, Rooney had “elected to call time on his illustrious playing career to fully focus on his job”.
Wayne Rooney was in charge for nine matches as interim boss, winning three and drawing four.
“We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager,” said Derby County chief executive officer Stephen Pearce.
“Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances.”
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS WILL NOT BE RELEGATED!
Wayne Rooney said he was “blown away” by Derby’s potential when he arrived at the club in 2019 after a spell playing for the DC United in the United States.
“To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour,” he said.
“And I can promise everyone in involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.”
Manchester United were quick to congratulate their former player on social media.
A captain.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 15, 2021
A goalscorer.
A legend.
And now, 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿.
Happy retirement, @WayneRooney — thank you for the memories ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZGxe1xr3tR
Argentinian golfer Angel Cabrera, wanted by Interpol on domestic violence charges, was arrested in Rio de Janeiro and will be extradited to his home country to stand trial, Brazilian police said.
FRIDAY READ | BAD WEEK FOR GARY PLAYER
Winner of two major tournaments – the US Open in 2007 and the Masters in 2009 – the 51-year-old is accused by Argentina police of “bodily injury, theft, repeatedly disobeying authority and threats,” the Brazilian federal police said in a statement.
He was arrested in Rio’s upscale Leblon neighborhood, and will remain in custody until his extradition to Argentina, it added. No date has been announced.
Interpol in September issued a red notice for the golfer – a request for police forces worldwide to locate a wanted person and send them back home.
Angel Cabrera has been a fugitive in Argentina since August 14, when he failed to show up to the prosecutor’s office for a meeting as scheduled, after being accused of violence against his partner, Cecilia Torres Mana.
Cabrera was last seen at a tournament in August in Ohio in the United States.
Mana filed an abuse complaint against the golfer in 2016, saying he had punched her in the face.
Two other women have previously also filed complaints against him – his ex-wife Silvia Rivadero, mother of his two children, and Micaela Escudero who was his partner from 2014 to 2016.
KZN premier Sihle Zikalala visited a 5G tower site at eThekwini Primary School in KwaMashu on Friday.
The global death toll pushed past the 2 million-mark on 14 January 2021, just little over a year since the virus started making headlines. At the time of publishing, COVID-19 claimed the lives of 2 005 446 individuals.
Meanwhile, the world is still gripped by the pandemic, with second and third waves and spikes in infections rippling across the globe. Currently, the total caseload for infected cases stands at 93 664 040 and 66 955 467 recoveries.
In addition, the UK, Brazil and South Africa are now dealing with widespread outbreaks, driven primarily by mutated strains.
Closer to home, our health department said it would finalise accords to import millions of coronavirus vaccines within a month. Furthermore, 270 million vaccine doses have been secured for Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the additional vaccines would be beyond those from the COVAX facility and would include Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
Of those 50 million would be available from April to June 2021. Ramaphosa said, “there is a long road ahead, but as Africa, we are now seeing progress in our shared effort to defeat this disease”.
“We have not only campaigned vigorously for changes through all the available international forums, but we have taken the additional step to independently secure vaccines using our own limited resources as member states”.
Sadly, the virus also claimed the lives of 4 South African journalists this week. According to the Press Emblem Campaign, more than 600 journalists have died from COVID-19 since March 2020.
More than half (303 fatalities, to be exact) were from Latin America, PEC Secretary-General Blaise Lempen this week called for journalists to have “priority access to immunisation”.
“Because of their profession, journalists who go into the field to testify are particularly exposed to the virus. Some of them, especially freelancers and photographers, can’t just work from home.”
Read more here: COVID-19 claim lives of 4 SA journalists in one week
The situation is pretty grim in the US of A as of now. To date, more 23 862 138 citizens contracted the virus, which resulted in a total of 398 185 deaths while 14 116 546 patients recovered, as per the info from Johns Hopkins University.
India currently has a caseload of 10 528 508, along with 151 954 total deaths and 10 162 738 recoveries. The top five countries with the biggest caseloads also include Brazil (8 326 115), Russia (3 520 531) and the UK (3 260 258).
# | Country | Total Cases | Total Deaths | Total Recovered | Serious / Critical |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
World | 93,664,040 | 2,005,446 | 66,955,467 | 111,809 | |
1 | USA | 23,862,138 | 398,185 | 14,116,546 | 29,230 |
2 | India | 10,528,508 | 151,954 | 10,162,738 | 8,944 |
3 | Brazil | 8,326,115 | 207,160 | 7,339,703 | 8,318 |
4 | Russia | 3,520,531 | 64,495 | 2,909,680 | 2,300 |
5 | UK | 3,260,258 | 86,015 | 1,406,967 | 3,496 |
6 | France | 2,851,670 | 69,313 | 206,802 | 2,726 |
7 | Turkey | 2,364,801 | 23,495 | 2,236,938 | 2,512 |
8 | Italy | 2,336,279 | 80,848 | 1,694,051 | 2,557 |
9 | Spain | 2,211,967 | 53,079 | N/A | 2,849 |
10 | Germany | 2,006,450 | 45,658 | 1,641,200 | 5,230 |
11 | Colombia | 1,849,101 | 47,491 | 1,683,835 | 3,482 |
12 | Argentina | 1,770,715 | 45,125 | 1,549,490 | 3,634 |
13 | Mexico | 1,588,369 | 137,916 | 1,185,621 | 5,270 |
14 | Poland | 1,422,320 | 32,844 | 1,164,650 | 1,628 |
15 | Iran | 1,318,295 | 56,621 | 1,107,011 | 4,415 |
16 | South Africa | 1,296,806 | 35,852 | 1,049,740 | 546 |
17 | Ukraine | 1,146,963 | 20,542 | 847,391 | 177 |
18 | Peru | 1,048,662 | 38,564 | 976,202 | 1,550 |
19 | Netherlands | 895,687 | 12,774 | N/A | 693 |
20 | Indonesia | 882,418 | 25,484 | 718,696 |
Bafana Bafana and Mamelodi Sundowns left-back / left-winger Tebogo Langerman was involved in a car accident recently, but escaped without any serious injuries.
READ | NEDBANK CUP DRAW: WHICH TEAMS GOT LUCKY – AND WHICH DIDN’T
Rumours on social media that Langerman had in fact died were dispelled and he is in in line to play for the Brazilians on Saturday.
A source confirmed to the Soccer Laduma website that Langerman was in the passenger seat and the car in which he was travelling was not his.
Recent months have proven tragic for Mamelodi Sundowns.
Gift Motupa survived a car accident in November, but Anele Ngcongca, who was due to join AmaZulu on loan, died in a motor vehicle accident the same month. In December, defender Motjeka Madisha also died in an accident.
In Tebogo Langerman’s case, he was back at training with the club this week and is available for selection for the Tshwane derby against SuperSport United on Saturday, 16 January.
READ | KAIZER CHIEFS WILL NOT BE RELEGATED!
Matsatsantsa will host the match at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium.
Kick-off is set for 17:00.
The match represents a battle of the top two sides currently in the DStv Premiership.
After 10 matches this season, Mamelodi Sundowns sit top of the log on 24 points, with SuperSport United second on 22.
Thus, with victory, SuperSport United could be the new leaders of the league come the final whistle.
Langerman, now 34, has five Bafana Bafana caps to his name.
HIGH PRAISE! PEP GUARDIOLA HAILS ‘PACEY’ PERCY TAU
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the money to fund Covid-19 vaccines 'has to be there to save the lives of South Africans. That one will be my bottom line'.
Precious Lee was the first African-American plus-size model to appear on the pages of American Vogue.
Now she is also the newest star of Versace’s spring/summer 2021 campaign alongside Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber. The advertising campaign was revealed on 12 January.
Lee is a fierce advocate for race, diversity and plus-size inclusivity in the fashion industry.
In September 2020, the 30-year old actress and activist, alongside models Jill Kortleve and Alva Claire, became the first plus-size models to walk Donatella Versace’s runway at Milan Fashion Week.
Lee also appeared in New York Fashion Week for designers such as Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Siriano and Matthew Adams Nolan.
For its new campaign the Italian fashion house created the mythical land of Versacepolis which has an under-the-sea theme where the models appear as modern Medusas.
The fresh and thought-provoking campaign was inspired by the vastness and beauty of nature, transporting one to the unexplored depths of the ocean. The spotlight is on the LaMedusa handbag for this one.
Lee is seen in the same colourful and vibrant dress she wore on the runway, but with the addition of a powder-blue Versace LaMedusa handbag, in her first campaign for the brand.
At the beginning of January, Lee posted a throwback clip of her Versace runway walk at Milan Fashion Week with the caption “Less talk, more walk 2021”.
Fashion industry A-list models Jenner and Bieber are also among the beautiful faces of the Versace SS21 campaign. Jenner is seen in black holding up her black Versace LaMedusa handbag.
Bieber is dressed in nothing more than a bright-yellow and orange bustier, and is holding a strategically placed lilac LaMedusa handbag.
Mica Arganaraz, Raphael Balzer and Mona Tougaard also join Versacepolis for the SS21 ad campaign.
#MicaArgañaraz 🔱 Preview the fierce faces of the #VersaceSS21 campaign and our new #VersaceLaMedusa handbag. Learn more: https://t.co/lSaREc3vSq pic.twitter.com/HTdOAnHuYH
— VERSACE (@Versace) January 13, 2021
#RaphaelBalzer 🔱 Preview the fierce faces of the #VersaceSS21 campaign. Learn more: https://t.co/lSaREc3vSq pic.twitter.com/HR9vh5dkyq
— VERSACE (@Versace) January 13, 2021
#MonaTougaard 🔱 Preview the fierce faces of the #VersaceSS21 campaign and our new #VersaceLaMedusa handbag. Learn more: https://t.co/lSaREc3vSq pic.twitter.com/FRPIkf0nKp
— VERSACE (@Versace) January 14, 2021
In a statement, Donatella Versace said: “With these images I wanted to portray the modern Medusa. Or better, to highlight how her many faces can be drastically different from one another and every woman can actually be Medusa.”
“All of us, with our differences and unique characters, we can express ourselves also in the way we decide to dress. The same thing is true for me, of course.
“We live in a world in which gender differences are no longer important and we have been given a kind of freedom like never before. Let’s use it and use it well,” she said.
Styleout Watches carries a wide variety of expensive watch brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and Graff. Although they operate from Dubai, buyers can purchase the watches in a wide variety of currencies, including in US dollars. The company offers a unique way to buy your favorite watch. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for in their online store, you can schedule a time to see the product. You’ll be assisted by a professional concierge who will help you and let you try on the timepiece. If you don’t live in the area, the watch can be shipped. “We wanted to set ourselves apart from the competition,” said Rachid Messaoud, the company’s CEO. “Buying a watch should be an exciting and exclusive experience. We want all of our customers to feel like we’re treating them like family.”
Additionally, Styleout Watches allows timepiece enthusiasts to sell their items using the site. Their experts will give you the best price every time. All you have to do to kick off the process is fill out a form on their site. From there, they’ll provide an estimate for your watch. If you’re happy with their price, you can easily ship the item to them so their experts and horologist can inspect it. You’ll then quickly receive your payment. “If there’s a watch you’re tired of, we can buy it from you and find another enthusiastic owner.”
Rachid Messaoud started the company because he’s always been passionate about watches. He found that customers had to choose between watches that were in great condition and a wide selection of products. They value offering their watches at affordable and fair prices while still displaying luxury products. “We’ve experienced exponential growth in Dubai, and we’re working to expand globally to bring our message to consumers. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for our brand next.”
If you’re looking for your next amazing watch or want to trade an old one in, Styleout Watches is the company for you. No matter where you live, Rachid Messaound and his team can hook you up and help you find your perfect style.
Two radio personalities will both be subject to an official police investigation, after a complaint of rape was laid against the pair on Wednesday. Earlier this week, the DJs – who cannot be named until they enter a plea in court – denied a set of new allegations that had surfaced recently. But they will now have to protest their innocence in a more formal manner.
Primedia Broadcasting CEO Geraint Crwys-Williams – whose media portfolio includes the station that employs the suspects – has released a statement, confirming that both men will be subject to ‘an internal assessment’ by the company:
“We take these matters extremely seriously and apply a rigorous, systematic internal process to assess them. We are awaiting substantiation of the current information from the relevant authorities. Once we have this, we will respond accordingly.”
Geraint Crwys-Williams
On social media, an unnamed woman made her allegations public. She stated that the popular presenters drugged and raped her – alongside three other women. She says further that she is not clear on the details, but the suspects reportedly laughed about it.
“Will you ever acknowledge drugging me & further raping me? I was completed drugged I don’t whether you BOTH raped me, or if one of you did – and you later laughed about it the next morning saying we (me and three girls) were so drunk we kept blacking out but nasidlwengula.”
Accuser on social media
Meanwhile, poet and actress Lebogang Mashile has given her support to the new accuser:
“I believe you Sisi. These two have been named in stories of abuse before. It’s consistent. I am sorry that this is what you went through. No one deserves it. Thank you honey for validating others who may be too scared to come forward right now.”
Lebogang Mashile
Protesters in Pomeroy, KZN, dug up a road in September last year as frustrations over water and electricity boiled over. According to Municipal IQ, 2020 saw a nine-year low in service delivery protests.
The State Capture Commission of Inquiry has been halted due to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo having to self-isolate. He apparently came into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The news comes on the same day former president Jacob Zuma’s lawyers announced that he would not appear before the commission next week.
It also came amid an explosive testimony from former Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe.
The State Capture Commission took to Twitter on Friday afternoon saying that proceedings and hearings could not continue due to Zondo coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. He felt it necessary to take immediate safety precautions.
“Commission cannot continue today, DCJ says he has just received news that somebody who works very close to him has tested positive for COVID-19, therefore he says he will have to self isolate.”
Commission cannot continue today, DCJ says he has just received news that somebody who works very close to him has tested positive for Covid 19, therefore he says he will have to self isolate.#StateCaptureInquiry
— State Capture Commission (@StateCaptureCom) January 15, 2021
A few minutes later, it went on to confirm that Zuma would not appear next week due to matters that have not been finalised;
“DCJ says the former President Mr. Jacob Zuma will not be testifying next week as was expected to, he says this is due to the letter that the commission has received from his legal team related to matters that are not yet finalised.”
Zuma’s lawyer Eric Mabuza furnished the secretary of the commission with a letter on Friday morning stating that it would not be fair for Zuma to appear next week given the fact that his review application is yet to be determined. On 11 January, Zondo said Zuma must appear before the commission from 18 – 22 January or else…
Mabuza, in response to that letter said; “we respectfully disagree with the Commission’s view that President Zuma is obliged to appear on 18-22 January 2021”.
“The Commission is aware that President Zuma has instituted an application to review and set aside the refusal by Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family. The review application is yet to be determined by the court. In our respectful view, President Zuma can only be legally obliged to appear after his review application has been determined,” added Mabuza.
“We respectfully submit that President Zuma will not be appearing before the Commission on 18-22 January 2021. Accordingly, Counsel will not be briefed to appear,” added Mabuza.
Stephane Peterhansel took a record-extending 14th Dakar Rally victory in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The R&B singer and songwriter wrote Wrong Again after having two disagreements with two important people in his life on the same day.
“I remember this day so clearly — it was a mess. As usual, I took it to my songbook as I felt like I was being misunderstood by humans. Needed to tell someone,” Saaiman said.
This uber-confident artist always carries himself with grace and poise. A Sama-nominated recording artist, Saaiman has released three albums, one EP and several chart-topping singles, and has been performing for more than a decade.
A better decade, with more improvements and more growth.
Understanding that it’s fleeting, and using popularity for spreading good music and good energy.
Entertainment shuts down forever.
Work with brands I don’t believe in.
It’s like air to me. It keeps me alive.
Stories, relationships, communication, love.
John Legend.
The ability to control the narrative with the microphone, whether it’s singing a song or on-air on radio, influencing the room and seeing smiles.
My pants broke once as I jumped on stage. I did the set with some extra aircon and ventilation.
Denzel Washington, David Beckham, Pharrell Williams and Jamie Foxx.
David Beckham and my mom, Sandy Saaiman (don’t tell her I put David Beckham before her).
I admire so many different human beings for so many different reasons: My parents for overcoming adversity and breaking boundaries to give us a better shot at life; Black Coffee for breaking through the cracks to make moves globally.
My favourite leather jacket.
A black Americano.
Tiny Desk. (A video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen in Washington, DC.)
My approach to entertainment, my hair and my lyrical content.
CS. C Sizzle. Chado. Chaddy.
I would play football.
Calm. Jovial. Talkative. Thinker. Creative.
The Usual Suspects.
Found Love, a song I wrote for Loyiso in 2007.
My daughter, parents, siblings, partner and friends.
Quintessential.
White sneakers.
We kap aan. It means that, despite the challenges, we keep going.
Visiting the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
A fruitful 13 years in the music and entertainment industry in Cape Town.
Artists who don’t work hard enough and don’t value opportunities.
I don’t really live with fear but, to answer, losing my voice.
Getting to do what you love, impacting people positively and earning a living from it.
Have a lot of fun!
Not everything is urgent.
Yes, I support Spurs. It’s an up-and-down ride of emotions with my football team.
Exactly where I am.
I try to help out with all charities who make contact. Of late, I have performed for The Smile Foundation.
I wish for more fairness and more level playing fields. I dream of a South Africa with no corruption, and no danger to our women and children.
Follow Saaiman on social media @chadsaaiman on Instagram, @chadsaaiman on Facebook and @ChadSaaiman on Twitter.
MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with dynamic duo Saul City
#MusicExchange: Q&A with December Streets frontman Tristan Coetsee
#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with late bloomer Jeremy Loops
#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with rock royalty Jesse Clegg
#MusicExchange: Rapid-fire Q&A with football-mad Chad Saaiman
The musician and entertainment personality from Cape Town channeled a difficult experience to come up with his new single.
chadDEEP
Saaiman has degree in English Literature and Communications, among other qualifications. Image: Supplied
chadBW
Image: Supplied
chadextra
Saaiman says his parents overcame adversity and broke boundaries to give him a better shot at life. Image: Supplied
Matric pupils said the delayed reopening will add pressure to their academic year.
The Sharks have signed a multi-year deal with Irish-based sports technology giants STATSports in a bid to boost performance.
The new partnership will see The Sharks use the STATSports Apex Pro Series and Sonra 3.0 software. The Durban-based outfit hope to aid player development, maximise squad performance and reduce injury risk ahead of the 2021 Rugby season with the technology.
With data analysis and workload management moving forward at lightning speed the Sharks are keen to align themselves with industry leaders.
Global leaders in GPS performance tracking technology, STATSports’ device is worn in a performance vest between the shoulder blades and tracks multiple physical movement metrics including total max speed, running distance, high-speed running distance, intensity, and fatigue.
The data can be collected both post-session and live using iPad and smart watches, allowing the Sharks performance team to make reliably informed, real-time decisions pitch side.
The technology is also available to amateur players through STATSports’ individual GPS trackers and the Apex Athlete Series at statsports.com.
Players, parents, and coaches get real-time data at their fingertips via a smartphone app and establish next steps to enhance their physical performance.
The Sharks High Performance Manager, Michael Horak is delighted with the newly established partnership and sees the tech as an integral part of the team’s plans for the coming campaigns.
Read: British and Irish Lions legend McBride strongly opposed to home series
“It’s fantastic to have a world-renowned organisation like STATSports on-board ahead of the new season,” Horak said in a statement issued by the Sharks.
“The data their technology will provide has a direct impact on our squad and how we manage the players during the campaign.”
“With the accuracy of the data and the sophistication of the software, we can make real-time decisions in complete confidence which will give us an edge against some of the other teams,” added Horak.
Sean O’Connor, Co-Founder of STATSports added, “We’re obviously thrilled to have The Sharks sign on with us. They are not only one of the biggest brand names in South African rugby, but all of South Hemisphere rugby. We’re excited to be working together.”
STATSports are also official suppliers to the Springboks national team, England rugby, Ireland rugby, and a host of top clubs all over the world.
The Sharks are among the four South African teams who will compete in the Rainbow Cup and join the expanded Pro14 for the 2021/22 season, provided certain key restrictions are lifted.
Nobody can avoid or evade the Zondo Commission into State Capture quite like our former President Jacob Zuma. His lawyer Eric Mabuza furnished the secretary of the commission with a letter on Friday morning stating that it would not be right for Zuma to appear next week given the fact that his review application is yet to be determined.
Zuma essentially applied for Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to recuse himself from his hearing as it would be a conflict of interest. He claimed that he and Zondo had some sort of personal relationship, going as far as labelling him as a friend. Zondo denied his claims, especially that he would act with bias, and later refused his recusal bid.
Thereafter a review application was launched to try and overturn Zondo’s decision. It is Mabuza and Zuma’s view that he cannot appear before the commission until the outcome of the review application is determined.
On 11 January, Zondo said Zuma must appear before the commission from 18 – 22 January or else…
Mabuza, in response to that letter said; “we respectfully disagree with the Commission’s view that President Zuma is obliged to appear on 18-22 January 2021”.
“The Commission is aware that President Zuma has instituted an application to review and set aside the refusal by Deputy Chief Justice Zondo to recuse himself from hearing matters concerning him and his family. The review application is yet to be determined by the court. In our respectful view, President Zuma can only be legally obliged to appear after his review application has been determined,” added Mabuza.
“We remind the Commission that it deemed appropriate to approach the Constitutional Court on an extremely urgent basis to compel President Zuma to comply with the very same summons that the Commission now wants to enforce and to forego some of his most fundamental rights. The Commission must therefore await the outcome of the decision of the Constitutional Court,” the letter went on to say.
Mabuza said the application to the Constitutional Court did not only deal with the appearance of Zuma but also included a request for an order that he should not be allowed to exercise his constitutional right to remain silent.
“It is, therefore, obvious that before any suggestion can be made about the appearance of President Zuma, the Commission must await the decision of the Constitutional Court which has a bearing on President Zuma’s appearance,” it added.
“We respectfully submit that President Zuma will not be appearing before the Commission on 18-22 January 2021. Accordingly, Counsel will not be briefed to appear,” added Mabuza.
The question remains…can he be arrested for this no-show? High Court Advocate James Grant said non-cooperation could be classed as a criminal offence.
“Any person summoned to attend and give evidence before a Commission who fails to attend at the time and the place specified in the summons… shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or even imprisonment that does not exceed six months. Both punishments can be imposed.”
Section 6 of The Commissions Act on who can be arrested
The American actress and singer, Olivia Rodrigo’s first single, Driver’s Licence, broke a new record on 11 January when it set the Spotify record for most streams in a day for a non-holiday song.
The actress, best known for her roles as Paige Olvera on the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark and Nini Salazar-Roberts on the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, released the song on 8 January 2021.
Spotify confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “We’ve never seen anything like this, where you do have a newer artist that just comes out of the gate in such a dominant way, and just continues to grow.”
On Jan. 11, "drivers license" by @Olivia_Rodrigo set the Spotify record for most streams in a day for a non-holiday song.
— Spotify (@Spotify) January 13, 2021
On Jan. 12, the song continued to beat its own record 📈 #SpotifyCharts https://t.co/daLUI4BrYp
It is said that the song is also dominating on Apple Music. Two days after release, it debuted at number three on the iTunes chart below Taylor Swift‘s Evermore. It is said that she is the first artist to simultaneously rank at number one on the US iTunes and US Apple Music singles charts this year.
Responding to the news of the song debuting below her song, Swift praised the young star, saying how proud she is of her.
thinking about legally changing my name to "Taylor Swifts baby" pic.twitter.com/EDn6xo15kW
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 10, 2021
Rodrigo explained the inspiration behind the song, saying she wrote it after listening to music from singer Gracie Abrams.
The debut single from rising star @Olivia_Rodrigo is here and you won't want to miss it. Spin "drivers license" 🚗 now: https://t.co/Uw2M2fvuTA pic.twitter.com/zhyGvNHHxi
— Pandora (@pandoramusic) January 10, 2021
In the lyrics, the 17-year-old pines over an ex who has since moved on from her. Olivia hasn’t specified who the song is about but some fans believe it is about her HSMTMTS co-star Joshua Bassett and his rumoured new relationship with Sabrina Carpenter. Rodrigo sings: “And you’re probably with that blonde girl / Who always made me doubt / She’s so much older than me”.
drivers license is out everywhere. imma cri pic.twitter.com/q6b55QwUpx
— Olivia Rodrigo (@Olivia_Rodrigo) January 8, 2021
Of the news, Rodrigo said: “It’s quite insane. ‘Driver’s License’ is the first single that I’ve put out. So I truly loved the song always. I didn’t really expect it to chart or do anything, I was just so happy with it,” she said. “So the fact that it’s No. 1 in the world right now is absolutely mind-blowing. I can’t believe any of it.”
You’ll struggle to find a scene more depressing than this. SAPS officers in the Western Cape have been criticised profusely – after they were seen using a water cannon on people stood in queues outside of a SASSA office on Friday. Almost all of those who stood in line were temporary disability grant recipients, harbouring some serious medical conditions.
The facility in Bellville has been overwhelmed in recent days, following SASSA’s decision to suspend the automatic rollout of the fleeting disability payments. The CEO of the organisation said that ‘no more money’ could be made available to keep this venture going, arguing that there have already been three extensions for the deadline.
This month, some 210 000 recipients were told they would have to apply in person at the SASSA offices to get their disability grants renewed. The decision has proved to be counter-intuitive to current COVID-19 protocols in force. SAPS patrolling the queues were worried by the lack of social distancing – and they embarked upon a heavy-handed response:
Police warn the SASSA recipients again. Water cannon subsequently used and sprayed again to enforce social distancing. pic.twitter.com/Hw5z8avm6n
— Athi Mtongana (@Artii_M) January 15, 2021
Ramaphosa’s government forces the most vulnerable amongst us to reapply for disability grants in the middle of a pandemic. And when they dutifully line up to reapply, his government opens fire on disabled people with water cannons. A revolting regime. https://t.co/qZq6GwRoUt
— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) January 15, 2021
Events took an even more bizarre turn when Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu arrived on the scene. After briefly addressing the snaking queues, she took refuge in a police van, and urged people to ‘practice social distancing’.
The ANC representative seemingly ignored the fact that water cannons had been turned on some of SA’s most vulnerable citizens. John Steenhuisen’s Tweet on the matter perhaps summed up the chaos perfectly.
“These citizens are actually her customers what is she so afraid of? Why does a minister have to address citizens from an armoured vehicle?”
John Steenhuisen
Lindiwe Zulu
Yes, that's Lindiwe Zulu hiding behind the window... Photo: Twitter screenshot
Basic education deputy minister Reginah Mhaule during a visit to schools in the Amajuba district in KwaZulu-Natal last year.
Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe told the state capture inquiry President Cyril Ramaphosa, who headed the Eskom war room while he was deputy president of the country, was partly to blame for the power utility's woes. File photo.
Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo postponed the state capture inquiry hearings until January 25.
Hlompho Kekana of Mamelodi Sundowns challenged by Daniel Cardoso of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Four Pakistan Test regulars have been made to pay the price for their dismal performance in New Zealand as the squad for the Test series against South Africa was named.
Batsmen Shan Masood and Haris Sohail were given the boot after both endured lean runs of late, bottoming out in the 2-0 series defeat to the Black Caps.
Meanwhile Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah paid the price for Pakistan’s toothless display with ball in hand after a series where Kane Williamson piled on the runs and New Zealand won comfortably.
In all five players who took the field in the second Test against New Zealand have suffered the axe with left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar also left out.
The new Pakistan chief selector Mohammad Wasim has defended the decision to ring the changes, insisting also that players were being rewarded for strong displays in domestic cricket.
Kamran Ghulam (batsman), Saud Shakil (batsman), Nauman Ali (left-arm spinner), Sajid Khan (off-spinner) Tabish Khan (fast bowler) and Agha Salman (batsman) have all been rewarded for excellent showings in the recently concluded Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa batsman Ghulam establsihed a new record for most runs in the domestic first-class tournament with 1249 while teammate Sajid took the most wickets with 67 scalps.
“No, it’s not panic,” said Wasim while announcing the squad.
“We have selected a squad after analysing the performance in New Zealand and areas of improvement are identified.”
Pakistan national selector Mohammad Wasim
Wasim said Naseem and Abbas were not up to the mark in New Zealand.
“Both Naseem and Abbas were lacking that bite so we have not included them in the squad which will be trimmed to 16 before the Test,” said Wasim.
The Proteas will touch down in Pakistan early on Saturday 16 January and after a five-day quarantine followed by intra-squad warm-ups play the first Test in Karachi from 26 January.
The second Test will be in Rawalpindi from 4 February before three Twenty20 internationals on 11, 13 and 14 February in Lahore.
It will be the first time the Proteas play a Test series in Pakistan outside of the month of October.
Babar Azam (capt), Abid Ali, Abdullah Shafique, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan.
Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe.
It’s a beverage so beloved of South Africans that in recent years it’s even been given its own national day. National Rooibos Day is on Saturday January 16 and it’s a good opportunity to celebrate this very versatile beverage.
Seeing that summer is in full swing, we are sharing two recipes using Rooibos as an ingredient and which will help you stay cool on those hot January days.
But first, a little more about the miracle plant that is rooibos!
The plant, Aspalathus linearis, is indigenous to South Africa and only grows in a small area of the country, in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape.
Rooibos has been part of the South African heritage for hundreds of years, with knowledge of the health benefits of Rooibos passed down through generations.
And now scientists are increasingly producing research that backs up many of the anecdotal claims about this superfood.
Here are a few fun facts about this special plant:
BOS Ice Tea is one of many Proudly South African products using Rooibos as a key ingredient. The BOS story began just over a decade ago, with two guys who joined forces to create a fun and healthy Rooibos drink.
Known for its colourful and funky product design, the brand can now be found in the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Rooibos has been embraced the world over. According to the SA Rooibos Council, is exported to more than 30 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US.
Even Starbucks has a Rooibos Latte on their menu!
Enjoyed as a hot cup of tea, or found in a wide range of products from ice tea and health shots to skincare products, Rooibos continues to grow in reputation as a superfood.
For this recipe by Amy Hoppy, author of Love Food, you will need:
Simply blitz the ingredients together and enjoy. Add ice if preferred.
Apart from the healthy Rooibos in this smoothie, peaches and apples are a good way to get more fibre into your diet, and the spinach adds extra fibre and nutrients such as vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, manganese and iron.
Here’s a fruity Rooibos jug for the whole family.
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
cederberg western cape
Rooibos is produced from a shrub unique to the Cederberg Mountains and grows nowhere else in the world. Image: Adobe Stock
BOS
The BOS brand has become popular both in South Africa and overseas. Image: Supplied
rooibossmoothie
Dose up on vitamins with a rooibos and fruit smoothie. Image: Supplied
sangria (1)
No-one says sangria has to be boozy. Try this one made with rooibos. Image: Supplied
Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 15 January, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.
1970 | Muammar Gaddafi is proclaimed the premier of Libya.
1999 | A student at the Tompi Seleka Agricultural College in Limpopo, David Malebane, after failing to graduate a couple of times shot three lecturers he thought caused his failures before shooting himself.
2005 | 12 000 people were left homeless when a Joe Slovo informal settlement outside Cape Town was destroyed by a shack fire.
2013 | 19 Egyptian army recruits were killed and 120 injured when a train carrying them derails near Giza, Greater Cairo.
2019 | The military of Somalia attacked the DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, killing 21 people and injuring 19.
READ: On this Day: What happened on 14 January?
1966 | Former Prime Minister of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (53)
1996 | Paramount chief of Lesotho, King Moshoeshoe II (57)
1918 | Second President of Egypt, Gamal Abdel Nasser
1973 | Egyptian footballer, Essam El Hadary
1981 | Senegalese footballer, El Hadji Diouf
2007 | The Proteas beat Pakistan by 7 wickets in their first Test in Centurion. Hashim Amla is named man of the match.
2019 | Falz, a Nigerian rapper, releases his new album Moral Instruction.
French is the fastest growing language. 50% of the world’s French-speaking population lives in Africa.
South Africa Nets Session and Press Conference – The Oval
South Africa Hashim Amla during a training session at The Oval, London.
Fortune Makaringe and his teammates celebrate a goal.
Ubisoft this week released the first Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla patch of 2021 for, bringing with it a slew of quest fixes and updates. The update became available across all platforms on 14 January 2020.
Update 1.1.1 includes multiple fixes and support for Ubisoft Connect achievements in-game. It comes exactly a month after the previous update, which improved performance and rectified stability issues.
Update 1.1.0 addressed most of the bugs which had kept players from progressing. It also marked the start of the Yule festival and settlement expansion, fixed pesky photo mode issues and reduced freezes during Splash Screen.
The update sizes across various platforms are as follows:
Players will be happy to learn that achievements for quests completed will automatically unlock now and that Ubisoft introduced several accessibility options, such as text-to-speech to letters and colour-blind preview options.
In addition, various quality-of-life improvements included new features such as the Animus Pulse highlighting dead bodies for necessary actions only while the AI detection system had been tweaked.
The complete list of miscellaneous tweaks include:
Apart from improving performance and stability, Ubisoft also rolled out several graphics, audio and animation updates. This includes clipping issues, NCP animation issues and several new photo mode bugs.
Textures for PS4 had also been optimised, while several issues in quests, world events and side activities were attended to. It’s a long list – which can be viewed here – but some of the most anticipated patches include:
Various NPC behaviour issues were addressed, although Ubisoft didn’t go into detail. Some issues which caused players’ line of sight to be blocked using incendiary or Poison traps with the predator bow is now a thing of the past as well.
Ubisoft also addresses an issue where guards would sometimes not react with hostility to watching Eivor burn members of their faction with oil jars, as well as an issue where NPCs could be killed by throwing corpses at them in Vinland.
Ukhozi FM station manager Welcome 'Bhodloza' Nzimande was a 'legend of the airwaves'.
Rugby Australia (RA) chairperson Hamish McLennan said the country was open to hosting a “mini Rugby World Cup” during the southern hemisphere winter to keep the international calendar going amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
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With rugby calendars in Europe and South Africa in particular looking “very sketchy” due to the pandemic, McLennan added that Australia has proved it is well-equipped to host sport in a safe environment.
Australia played host to last year’s Rugby Championship which was reduced to a Tri-Nations involving Argentina, Australia and New Zealand after world champions South Africa pulled out due to travel restrictions and the impact of the pandemic.
France are scheduled to tour Australia in July and Rugby Australia is planning on asking other nations if they would play in a tournament that could run in parallel with the Rugby Championship.
At the same time, Ireland are due to visit nearby New Zealand.
The British & Irish Lions are of course due to tour South Africa.
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“We are still expecting the Rugby Championship to go ahead this year but perhaps we can add to it and create a ‘mini World Cup’,” McLennan told the Financial Times.
“We have the French in July but if anyone else wants to come out, great. We have a significant British and Irish population here and South Africans.
“We are open to creating a new tournament and keeping the international calendar going.”
As it stands, the Springboks haven’t played a Test since winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan on November 2.
SA Rugby is yet to confirm any warm-up Tests ahead of the British & Irish Lions series which is due to kick off in July.
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Liam Neeson is planning to retire from action movies.
The Marksman star has a few more projects in the works but then he thinks he needs to take on less physical movies now he’s getting older.
He said: “I’m 68 and a half. 69 this year. There’s a couple more I’m going to do this year – hopefully, COVID allowing us – there’s a couple in the pipeline and, then I think that will probably be it. Well, unless I’m on a Zimmer frame or something.”
The Taken star still loves making action movies, particularly when he gets to go up against younger actors.
He added to Entertainment Tonight: “I love doing ’em. I love beating up guys half my age.
“I’ve just finished one in Australia and I had a fight scene with a kid – lovely, sweet actor called Taylor – and halfway through the fight I looked up, I was breathless and it didn’t cost him a cent, and I said, ‘Taylor, what age are you?’ He said, ’25’.”
“I said: ‘That’s the age of my eldest son!'”
Neeson’s 2011 thriller, Unknown, in which he played a professor whose identity is stolen, recently became Netflix’s most-watched film and he’s pleased the “pretty cool” movie has had something of a revival – and revealed there may be something new in the pipeline for fans of the project, though he’d executive produce, rather than star.
Neeson said: “I’m glad, because I thought it was a pretty cool film.”
“In fact, we’re trying to get a TV series based on the premise of the story of ‘Unknown’, so, it’s very flattering and it was lovely to hear that people have discovered this film after 10 years.”
In this file picture, police warn defiant beachgoers who continued to visit Muizenberg beach in Cape Town on December 29 2020. Police minister Bheki Cele's spokesperson says the majority of officers have been conducting crime prevention operations.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and Healthcare Central London have opened a Covid-19 vaccination centre at the ‘Home of Cricket‘, Lord’s, in London.
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The MCC has worked closely with local healthcare representatives to convert a space at the world-famous ground, creating the largest vaccine centre in the borough.
The two teams have worked together on the complexities of setting up such a facility including the logistics of staffing, space, equipment, and provisions (especially for the frail and vulnerable) and all within a Covid-secure environment and with health and safety as the priority.
Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, said: “We are fortunate to be able to have the appropriate facilities at Lord’s and we are extremely glad to be able to support the NHS and our community in this way.
“During the pandemic we have been able to provide amenities to local hospitals and we are eager to continue to assist wherever we can with the rollout of the vaccination programme.”
Lord’s is due to host its next ODI match on 10 July when Pakistan tour England.
The United Kingdom has been particularly hard hit in terms of Covid-19 cases and fatalities.
As of Thursday, 14 January, the UK had recorded 3.26 million positive cases and, sadly, in excess of 86 000 deaths.
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Brian Molefe, once the highest authority at Eskom, has gone to the State Capture Inquiry swinging on Friday. The controversial executive, who was ordered to repay a large chunk of his ‘pension payout’, went on record to state Cyril Ramaphosa was targeted for political influence – and that the president ran a ‘secret war room’ at the firm.
The allegations are extremely serious, and Molefe stunned the panel once he got going:
“Glencore failed to conduct due diligence when buying Optimum. They did something extraordinary. They sold more than 9.6% of shares in the new company to Cyril Ramaphosa and made him chairman. That was a strategic decision. They knew that the profitability of Optimum was dependent on political influence. Ramaphosa was their bet”
“When I arrived at Eskom, I discovered a de facto board operated there, outside of the organisation, called ‘The War Room’. Chairperson of that war room was Cyril Ramaphosa – who at the time was still Optimum board chairperson.”
Brian Molefe
Brian Molefe came out swinging at the #StateCaptureInquiry.
— Sabelo Chalufu (@SabeloChalufu) January 15, 2021
Says Glencore didn’t do a due diligence on the company it bought, Optimum Coal. Instead it roped in Cyril Ramaphosa as shareholder and Chair in order to exert political pressure on Eskom bosses for their own benefit.🤣 pic.twitter.com/BfC8GfPeoM
EFF Deputy Leader Floyd Shivambu has been following proceedings closely on Friday, and praised Molefe for raising ‘valid points’ about Ramaphosa’s relationship with Glencore. The politician is demanding ‘accountability’ from the president.
“There are several valid points raised by Brian Molefe revealing real state capture by the white capitalist establishment using Cyril Ramaphosa as Glencore Chairperson and later chairperson of Eskom war room. It’ll be a travesty of justice if Ramaphosa is not called to account.”
Floyd Shivambu
Brian Molefe will continue to testify at the State Capture Inquiry throughout Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has since responded to the allegations made by the ex-CEO, after he took part in the #CRonEWN event. With the dust still settling from Molefe’s explosive testimony, Cyril says the account “is far from the truth”.
“I think there is a level of untruth in saying I got shares because I wanted to advance the interests of Glencore, It’s far from the truth – people will say things to tarnish either people.”
Cyril Ramaphosa of Brian Molefe’s testimony at the State Capture Inquiry
Let’s face it: The year 2020 is best forgotten. It’s time to start again. The good thing is that it looks like manufacturers have used their downtime to take a breather, re-energised themselves and are ready to dish up automotive delights and surprises that could herald a new golden age for the car.
Clues about what is to come were recently unveiled by BBC Top Gear when they announced their candidates for the most exciting cars for the year ahead. Shock, horror and amazement are the order of the day when you check out the list.
Who would think that the BMW kidney grille would be a goner and that electric would be the flavour of the year?
Think this is an exaggeration, check out what’s happening to hot-hatches, the sedans and an electric market where four-second 0-100km/h times look like becoming routine. To balance things out, however, some great names have reemerged.
Let’s start with the demise of that iconic kidney grille that has been part of Beemers for generations.
It’s still there if you count the slender divider that runs through the centre of a grille that looks more like beer mugs getting ready to be clinked together. They are part of the BMW M3, and M4 Competition models which (shock) only have automatic gearboxes and four-wheel drive.
But, let’s move on…
Think about F1-type performance, a V12, 10,000rpm and a weight of just 1,000kg and that nice 100km stretch between Villiers and Warden in the Free State looks positively inviting…
The word is that the AMG’s 1.6-litre turbo V6 hybrid engine which took its bow in the 2016 F1 World Championship-winning Merc is going into production this year to bring its 745kW into play.
Also Read: From track to street: Lewis Hamilton tests Mercedes-AMG ONE [Watch]
An “entry-level” car with a twin-turbo’d V6 and a bit of hybrid backup added for good measure, this vehicle can be silent or eardrum-shattering depending on the driver’s mood.
It’s enough to get Middle East potentates looking at trading in superyachts, abandoning their fleets of supercars and thinking that the camel is the transport of the future. That’s because electric vehicles are on the rise.
For the poorer mortals ( who failed to find oil in their backyards) the cars have also ended the jokes about going electric, but battling to find a storage spot for a 150km-long extension cord. The list includes many unfamiliar names. Ford, who were they? People will soon be asking. Here are some of the most intriguing cars that will be turning heads in 2021.
It sounds terrifying. The early Evija driven at Goodwood is a true hypercar pushing out 1,470kW and will be available sometime during 2021 for those with deep pockets and a personal sense of immortality.
The second offering by this marque, the Rimac_C Two, makes 1,407kW available from four individual e-motors. The zero to 100km mark is achieved in about two seconds, and only 150 (at a measly £1.7 million each) will be to purchase a seat behind the wheel.
Complete with clinking beer mugs grille, the i4 produces 395kW from a single rear motor and does the standing to 100km bit in 4.0 seconds. Driven sensibly, it is good for more than 500km before you need to start looking for a plug.
Italy’s offering uses Rimac underpinnings and only manages “a pathetic 350km/h” from a 1,416kW e-hypercar. It is being pitched as a car for comfort rather lap times.
The all-electric EQS is the Mercedes plug-in offers 350kW spread across both axles for torque-vectored all-wheel drive and 0-100 km/h in about 4.5secs. Mercedes claims a range of over 600km and says the EQS can achieve an 80% charge in 20 minutes.
The EQS will also be fitted with the MBUX Hyperscreen which stretches almost the entire width from the left to the right A-pillar.
Lucid is a Californian electric start-up that is bringing to market an 850kW hyper-saloon. The limited-edition Air Dream will top the 100km/h mark in 2.5 seconds, cover 748 km on its bespoke 21-inch wheels or 809km on smaller 19-inchers.
As proud South Africans, we can’t exclude our local boy made good. On the boards for 2021 is the angular Tesla Cybertruck slated for production in late 2021.
The Model S Plaid the Tesla sedan offering for the year can cover 836km on its three motors, is suitable for a top speed of 321 kmh and could set new industry trends.
Also Read: Tesla’s Elon Musk challenged on Twitter to run Baja 1000 in Cybertruck
The electric Audi RS, the Hyundai i20N which features a manual gearbox, 0-100km time of 6.7 seconds and the Volkswagen Golf Mk8 R (for Rocket) pushing out 235kW set the pace.
Add into the mix the Peugeot 508 PSE, an all-wheel-drive hybrid sports saloon, stir in a Nissan 400Z, Subaru Mk2 BRZ (170kW) and it looks like a year that is going to be remembered for a long time.
Then, of course, Ford has gone classic and returned the Bronco to the market. With models named the Big Bend, Black Diamond and Badlands, it’s bound to stir things up for all models seeking to capture the 4×4 mantle.
Whatever happens, and whatever your fancy, it promises to be a year among years, a year when choice is only limited by the power of a buyer’s wallet.
Also Read: Need for speed: Nissan keeps Z-car heritage alive with new 400Z
Motoring mindshift: What the world of wheels will look like in 2021
Naturally aspirated, electric and hybrid vehicles are on the cards for 2021. Some are wild, some eccentric but most are beautiful.
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The BMW M3 and M4 Competition. Image: Newspress UK
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Image: hwastonmartin.co.uk
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Image: cars.mclaren.com
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Image: Sam Moore/ Newspress UK
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Image: Newspress UK
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Image: Newspress UK
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Image: Newspress UK
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The prototype of the Mercedes EQS. Image: mercedes-benz.com
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Image: lucidmotors.com
Tesla cybertruck
Image: Supplied
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The Volkswagen Golf Mk8 R. Image: vw.coza
Eskom’s former CEO Brian Molefe has taken issue with the State Capture Commission’s summons issued for him to appear.
Molefe took the stand at the Commission on Friday, 15 January 2021, to answer for a flurry of allegations linking him to dirty dealings at Eskom. He was implicated in former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s state of capture report, being accused of allowing the Gupta family access to lucrative contracts at the power utility.
Molefe has questioned why the summons was issued, despite him having numerously volunteered to take the stand.
“In December, to my surprise what I get is a summons. A summons to a person who has been begging to come. The commission has a right to issue summons but I felt like it was unnecessarily hostile…even if I had been sent an SMS message chairperson, I would have been here,” he said.
His testimony is in relation to matters pertaining to Eskom, including two payments of R1.6 billion and R659 million.
Molefe said after receiving the summons, they reached out again to the Zondo Commission, seeking clarity on what his testimony would be in relation to. However his team only received a response on Tuesday, just days before his scheduled appearance.
Molefe said the commission sent through more than 1 400 pages of documents, which he tirelessly sifted through, to avoid seeking a postponement.
“I’ve spent the last few days going through the documents, I did not sleep last night…After all I had said that I had been ready for a very longtime. But it is unfortunate, the manner in which this was done. It is also unfortunate that it may portray me as a person who is not prepared,”
Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe
In light of this, Molefe’s lawyer Thabane Masuku has told the commission’s chairperson Raymond Zondo, that his client would therefore not be able to answer all the questions put to him.
Msuku said Molefe would exercise his right not to incriminate himself at the state capture commission should he need to.
The Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) will now launch first and exclusive to Showmax rather than 1Magic on 29 January 2021, with new episodes following every Friday.
RHOD replaces the Showmax Original reality series Uthando Lodumo, about Babes Wodumo and Mampintsha’s traditional and white weddings, which has been delayed by COVID-19 until weddings are possible again.
RHOD is the 24th international – and second South African – instalment of The Real Housewives franchise, which is distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group. The new show is set to build on the popularity of The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, which was one of the 10 most streamed local series on Showmax in 2019.
Of course, “housewives” is used loosely here: while lavish lifestyles, high fashion and parenting challenges will certainly be on the RHOD menu, these Ethekwini queens have their own business empires too. Nonkanyiso Conco owns beauty brand Laconco Naturals; Ayanda Ncwane is CEO of Ncwane Communications and president of The Africa Gospel Awards; Sorisha Naidoo, a former Miss India South Africa, imports around 25 beauty products through her company SSBO; Kgomotso Ndungane owns an events and floral business called Oak Celebrations and recently launched her own luxury home, body and bath product line, Lelapa; Nonku Williams is founder of Ashes to Beauty Winery and has business interests in construction; and Annie Ludick owns Durban’s luxury beauty salon Annaesthetic, as well as an events and marketing company and a dance agency.
Conco is the bride of former President Jacob Zuma; Ncwane is the widow of gospel legend Sfiso; Naidoo is the wife of billionaire businessman Vivian Reddy; Ndungane is married to former Springbok Odwa; Ludick is planning her white wedding to Durban businessman Kgolo Mthembu in April, and Williams is a divorced mom of three.
“The Real Housewives of Durban is going to feel like Kwa Mam’Mkhize to the power of six,” says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO for General Entertainment and Connected Video. “We know 1Magic viewers were looking forward to this, so the late schedule change was a difficult call to make. We encourage 1Magic viewers who’re not Showmax subscribers yet to sign up to not miss out; there’s a 14-day free trial, subscribers who have DStv Compact get Showmax for R49, and it’s free for Premium viewers.”
Valen’tino Mathibela (Lebo M – Coming Home, The Real Housewives of Johannesburg, Survivor SA, The Voice SA) is directing, with Let It Rain Films producing and Lee Doig creative directing. Doig won an Emmy for his cinematography on Survivor USA and has earned another nine nominations for his work across 34 seasons of the hit show.
RHOD will be available in more than 40 African countries, taking the sassiness, spice and saltiness of Durban to the continent.
“We believe Showmax is a powerful platform for sharing African stories,” says Phahle. “So we’re thrilled that The Real Housewives of Durban will be available across the continent.”
RHOD comes first to Showmax on 29 January 2021, with new episodes following every Friday.
'The Real Housewives of Durban' is coming to Showmax this January
'The Real Housewives of Durban' is coming to Showmax on 29 January 2021, with new episodes following every Friday.
Mozambique has been forced to tighten its lockdown restrictions to curb rising numbers of COVID-19 infections in the country.
As countries across the world grapple with more severe second waves of infections, lockdowns and stricter restrictions are being widely imposed.
Mozambique’s updated restrictions will apply from Friday 15 January and will be in place for 21 days, Travel News reports.
Mozambique is a perennial favourite for South Africans who enjoy diving and beach holidays. The country is known for its unspoilt beaches and idyllic islands.
Under the revised lockdown measures, Mozambique’s beaches are off limits, as are its casinos, nightclubs, bars, gyms, cinemas, theatres, museums and galleries.
The country’s borders, however, have not been closed to international travellers.
International visitors are still allowed to travel to Mozambique, but will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival. This must be obtained within 72 hours of departure.
Under Mozambique’s revised lockdown restrictions, the sale of alcohol is still permitted.
However, outlets selling liquor will be subject to restrictions on their trading hours. Alcohol may be sold from Monday to Saturday, but not on Sundays.
Veteran radio, TV broadcaster, and Ukhozi FM former station manager, Dr Welcome Nzimande has passed away. Ukhozi FM’s Acting Station Manager Sbongi Ngcobo confirmed that Nzimande died in the early hours of Friday 15 January 2020 after a short illness.
“I got a call this morning confirming that Bhodloza is no more. It is the most excruciating pain. I wouldn’t be where I am today had it not been for him, the station wouldn’t be here without him.
“He was very helpful; he always had time to give counsel on matters concerning the station. He helped and guided me a lot,” the emotional Ngcobo said.
Current and former radio presenters, public officials and artists have paid tributes to the veteran broadcaster.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said that played a huge role in promoting traditional music. “We have lost a giant, a very dedicated hard worker who shaped the lives of many young artists who are where they are today because of him. We also worked with him in the office of the Premier and the Department of Arts and Culture. May all those who are affected by his death be comforted during this trying time,” Zikalala said.
Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, also passed his condolences to Nzimande’s family. “Ingulube Encane (as Nzimande was also known) was the face of black excellence. It is because of people like him that groups like Ladysmith Black Mambazo are now world-renowned. He worked hard to identify talent and promote it, whether it was in radio or in music. It really is a sad day for us,” Mthethwa said.
READ: Khuzani Mpungose’s ‘Ijele’ ushers Ukhozi FM listeners to 2021
I'm BROKEN…Bhodloza Nzimande lala ngokuthula. Thanks for everything and I'm what I am because of your leadership. You allowed me to start the slot of the MOTIVATION on Ukhozi fm, Magic tour even advice me on personal things. Mpathi wami – kulungile lala Qhawe. pic.twitter.com/frQxx1ipjQ
— Linda Sibiya (@Linda_Sibiya) January 15, 2021
Nzimande led the brand transformation process of Radio Zulu to the current Ukhozi FM and initiated various community-building activities, including formation of the South African Traditional Music Association (SATMA). He went into early retirement in 2010 after spending 32 years at the SABC. When he joined Radio Zulu, the station had just over 3 million listeners and it currently has over 7 million listeners, making it South Africa’s number one radio station.
At the time of his passing, Nzimande was the Chairperson of the UIF Board which he joined in 2013.
Willem Alberts of Golden Lions jumping for the ball in the line out during the Carling Currie Cup match between Tafel Lager Griquas and Xerox Golden Lions XV at Tafel Lager Park in in Kimberley, South Africa.
Police said the discovery was made at about 6.30am at the corner of Charles and Aliwal Streets.
Stalled traffic snakes into the distance on the Zimbabwean side of the border as drivers wait to cross into SA. Queues were later eased after visits by officials. File image.
Private schools will have to ask for permission to reopen earlier, but the chances are slim.
Former president Jacob Zuma.
Fuel prices are forecast to increase in February as international oil prices continue to rise.
Kganya Rapoo (23) is one of the lucky bachelors vying for Qiniso van Damme's love.
Manqoba Mnqgithi is in charge of Mamelodi Sundowns alongside co-coaches Steve Komphela and Rulani Mokwena.
A man died soon after the driver of a vehicle shot him during an alleged attempted hijacking.
Ugandan presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known as Bobi Wine, reacts after casting his ballot in the presidential elections in Kampala, Uganda, January 14, 2021
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United looks on after the Premier League match between Burnley and Manchester United at Turf Moor on January 12, 2021 in Burnley, England. Sporting stadiums around England remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors.