By Lerato Mutlanyane
Hailing from Bloemfontein, the City of Roses, Palesa “Lisa S” Sentso is stepping into her own spotlight — and bringing a sound that refuses to be boxed in. First known as part of the duo Harmonic Squared, which made waves on the Bloem music scene in 2018, Lisa S has since evol...
*This is an opinion piece by Khotso Morapela - Chief of Staff in the Office of The Premier.
General Mkhwanazi successfully managed to get the nation on attention this passed Sunday. His obnoxious revelations has stunned and left us in awe. Dawned his combat apparels, to warn the nation about politicians, business people and law enforcement officials machinations. A very strong worded presser and damaging allegations against all those mentioned. The image of our government was immediately brought to serious questioning. One wondered if South Africa is degenerating into a banana republic or coup was imminent.
Unpleasant reports were laid bare by General Mkhwanazi, for us to pass judgments and comments as South Africans, indeed it was shocker.
Looking forward to a positive day, after General Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell. I drew strength from my hardworking Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae that our province is moving towards a right direction.
Let me just recount on a number of things that compels me to comment the work of FSPG, under her leadership.
Most of the people criticized her for terminating contracts workers in OTP that were not properly done according to the regulations as dictated by DPSA. Now, majority of those who were terminated are back at work and some are permanently employment consistent with regulations, after working between 10 to 12 years on contract. If it was not of her being decisive, OTP was not going to comply with the regulations by the DPSA
Her visit to Nyakallo/Allenridge to engage with Harmony, Matjhabeng and Human Settlements on the challenges of that area and finding a lasting solutions, it is a testament of a caring leadership and government.
She took on our Provincial Entities, to identify four major economic projects, which will immediately create jobs for our people.
Premier Maqueen, is on a mission to promote good governance under this 7th Administration. Implementation of consequence management and her desiciveness in taking a decision it is an indication of a leader who wants to see changes in our province.
Last week she met with all our Municipalities, for them to account on service delivery and identify areas of challenges, with the view of developing strategies that will assist our Municipalities to be economically sustainable and deliver as expected.
In the SOPA you clearly spelled out your plans in turning around the Free State government, indeed you are on the right path.
We are aware results may not be immediate, but there are positives that are coming out of your initiatives, working together with your Executive Council.
As a caring leader, she is found everywhere were there's a tragedy, to show compassion to the affected families.
Some of us we understand and do know the kind of a leader she is, very much hands-on and can make significant interventions when need arise.
Leadership is not immune from criticism, it is expected in society that there will those who will applaud your interventions and there are also those who will look down on your initiatives and capabilities.
Press on to work for the people of Free State. None, has said is going to be a smooth sailing.
* This article was first published by Kgotso Morapela
An 18-year-old Russian tourist was rescued after spending a cold and wet night alone in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch, following an emergency during a solo hike on the challenging Panorama Circuit Trail.
The teenager, who had researched Cape Town hiking routes online, began his hike at 10am on Thursday, Wilderness Search And Rescue (WSAR) said.
“While he was equipped for the trail under normal conditions, he did not anticipate the intensity of the rainfall or how significantly it would transform the landscape.”
By late afternoon, worsening weather had turned paths into shallow streams and rendered some sections of the trail impassable. His route was ultimately blocked by a torrent of water surging down the mountain. Unable to proceed, he attempted to retrace his steps. At about 4pm, he managed to send a message to a friend saying he was tired and in trouble. His phone battery died before he could share more details.
With no shelter and temperatures dropping overnight, the resourceful hiker sought refuge among rocks, using the natural cover to protect himself from the harsh conditions.
WSAR Western Cape, along with members from CapeNature, mobilized more than 20 volunteers and professionals when the alarm was raised on Friday morning. Using GPS data from his last known phone location, a search team was dispatched into the reserve.
Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi says he will act in due course on recommendations contained in a report on medical aid schemes.
The Section 59 Investigation Panel into allegations of racial discrimination by medical aid schemes against black healthcare providers concluded that the right of procedural fairness of some individual practitioners was violated.
Dr Motsoaledi has confirmed that Discovery, Gems and Medscheme are among the medical aid schemes implicated in the report.
“Today they were now releasing the final findings that indeed they found it to be true that there’s racial profiling and racial action taken against black doctors, Africans Indians and Coloureds. They concentrated mostly on three medical schemes that is Discovery, Gems and Medscheme. The three of them constituted 80% of all the members of medical schemes in the country and if you are able to make findings on 80% statistically it means the other 20% will fall in place.”
The ANC says Mkhwanazi's allegations must be investigated fully as they paint the country as 'lawless' and a 'banana republic'.
The African National Congress (ANC) says it's expecting a report from its deployee, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, on the corruption allegations levelled against him.
On Sunday, KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi made startling allegations against Mchunu, saying he is working with a syndicate to cover-up high profile investigations.
The ANC said Mkhwanazi's allegations must be investigated fully as they paint the country as 'lawless' and a 'banana republic'.
ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula, said Mchunu will have to appear before the party's integrity commission soon.
"We have not met with comrade Senzo in this particular instance. I am fully confident he will engage with the leadership of the ANC and in particular, Luthuli House on the allegations that have been made. He owes it to the ANC, he doesn't have to be commanded. The ANC itself has its own processes, integrity commission and all of that. There is officials of the ANC, so he will brief us."
*This article was first published by Eye Witness News
The illicit alcohol industry is a R25-billion industry, operating in the shadows, and threatening public health while robbing the fiscus of much-needed revenue.
This is according to the latest report from EuroMonitor termed Understanding the Illicit Alcohol Market in South Africa.
The study shows the illicit alcohol market is costing the fiscus a staggering R16.5 billion annually in lost taxes, thriving on poor law enforcement, tough economic conditions and addiction.
The study highlights that illicit alcohol now accounts for 18% of the total alcohol volume consumed in South Africa.
This translates to roughly one in every five alcoholic beverages consumed being illicit.
Illicit alcohol refers to any alcohol not compliant with the laws of South Africa, including counterfeit products, stock that evades duties or that enters the market illegally.
It also includes potentially dangerous products that may be homemade or industrially produced concoctions.
Researcher at EuroMonitor, Benjamin Rideout says the problem extends beyond just financial loss but directly impacts public safety and consumer confidence.
Health implications
Dangerous ingredients that can have serious health implications were found in samples of illicit alcohol that were tested.
Dr Shamal Ramesar of the Drinks Federation of South Africa says chemicals found in tested samples can lead to death.
The study shows that 83% of consumers are unaware that purchasing counterfeit alcohol could lead to health concerns.
About 49% of respondents knew someone who had experienced serious health effects from illicit alcohol and 29% of them knew someone who had died from it.
Unfair playing field
Meanwhile, the illicit trade creates an unfair playing field for legitimate businesses.
South African Breweries CEO Richard Rivett-Carnac says there’s a price difference of more than 30% between legal and illicit alcohol on average.
He says this price disparity, coupled with consumers facing financial pressure, makes illicit alcohol an attractive option.
Unlike legitimate businesses, illicit operators do not pay taxes and do not comply with regulations.
The National Consumer Commission’s Hardin Ratshisusu has urged consumers to report suspicious products and encouraged retailers to empower themselves with knowledge to avoid inadvertently dealing in illicit goods.
