Top 10 stories of the day: Cornal Hendricks remembered
In the news today, the Bulls and Roses United Rugby Club have paid tribute to former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks, who tragically passed away at the age of 37 on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says more than 8 000 healthcare workers in South Africa lost their jobs following the withdrawal of United States (US) funding for HIV/Aids programmes.
Furthermore, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has denied suggestions US President Donald Trump may attempt to make a fool of South Africa when he meets a delegation from our country next week.
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'An infectious smile that brightened our world': Tributes pour in for Cornal Hendricks
The Bulls and Roses United Rugby Club have paid tribute to former Springbok winger Cornal Hendricks, who tragically passed away at the age of 37 on Wednesday, in his home town of Wellington, reportedly due to a heart attack.
Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone said Hendricks was a special player who will be dearly missed.
Formers Springbok and Bulls wing Cornal Hendricks. Picture: Gareth Everett/Gallo Images
'He knew how to deliver just about the right dose of energy to help lift a room. He was an iconic teammate, a friend for many seasons, and an inspirational figure in the locker room,' Rathbone said.
CONTINUE READING: 'An infectious smile that brightened our world': Tributes pour in for Cornal Hendricks
Over 8 000 SA healthcare jobs lost – and more could follow – after US Pepfar aid cuts
More than 8 000 healthcare workers in South Africa lost their jobs following the withdrawal of United States (US) funding for HIV/Aids programmes, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi confirmed on Thursday.
During a media update, Motsoaledi addressed the impact of the funding cuts while countering claims that the country's HIV response has collapsed.
Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi before his keynote address at Sandton Hotel in Johannesburg, 19 March 2025, on the need to prioritise TB during the 'End TB media workshop'. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen
Despite the significant job losses, the health minister emphasised that the vast majority of the HIV/Aids workforce remains intact and operational across affected districts.
'In these 27 districts, there were 271 606 people who are working on the HIV/Aids programmes every day. 15 539 of these were funded by Pepfar , of which, yes, we can confirm today, unfortunately, 8 061 are out of their jobs,' Motsoaledi stated.
CONTINUE READING: Over 8 000 SA healthcare jobs lost – and more could follow – after US Pepfar aid cuts
Will Trump embarrass SA at White House meeting?
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has denied suggestions US President Donald Trump may attempt to make a fool of South Africa when he meets a delegation from our country next week.
On Wednesday, the Presidency confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa would embark on a working visit to the USA from 19 to 22 May 2025.
Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni. Picture: GCIS
Ramaphosa will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, 21 May, to discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of interest.
Despite tensions between the two countries, Ntshavheni said the government expects the 'highest level of decorum' when they meet US President Donald Trump.
CONTINUE READING: Will Trump embarrass SA at White House meeting?
Here's what some of South Africa's SOE bosses earn
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has disclosed detailed information about the remuneration packages of chief executives across state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that fall under his department.
The disclosure came in response to a parliamentary question from DA MP Mergan Chetty, who requested comprehensive details about executive compensation at these entities.
Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. Picture: Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams
According to Mantashe's response, the Central Energy Fund SOE (CEF) Chief Executive Officer, Ishmael Poolo, receives the highest remuneration package among the SOEs, totaling R6 147 526.77 annually.
The CEO also received a performance bonus of R2 839 005.15 for the 2023-24 financial year.
CONTINUE READING: Here's what some of South Africa's SOE bosses earn
'I'm viewing my options,' says Lesufi on availability for ANC's top positions
ANC Gauteng chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said on Thursday that he may not run for election to the party's top seven in 2027.
Lesufi would not limit his options to just the party's top seven positions.
Panyaza Lesufi during the Gauteng ANC media briefing on 15 May 2025. Picture: Gauteng ANC
'I'm viewing my options. I've been in politics since I was 13 years old. If you speak about 2027, it might be far-fetched. Let's wait. It's not about contestation, there might be other opportunities that might be opened,' said Lesufi.
CONTINUE READING: 'I'm viewing my options,' says Lesufi on availability for ANC's top positions
Here are five more stories of the day:
Yesterday's News recap
READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Police probe Fleurhof boy's death | Eskom setbacks | Will Lesufi fire corrupt officials?
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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ According to the minister, as a result, those who are not registered are not illegal but are rather undocumented due to various reasons, which is why assuming that people are illegal is dangerous. "This does not mean they are illegal because they are South Africans who do not have documents as their details do not appear on our database. A prime example of this is Thabo Bester. We found out that most of his relatives were not registered. That is why, if they do it the way they are doing it, you are going to turn away many South Africans. Having worked in Home Affairs, I met such people who are South African but without documents. So, I said to them, they must be very careful and know exactly what they are doing," he added. When asked by the movement if nothing should be done to remedy the situation, he explained that during his tenure as Home Affairs minister, he introduced the Border Management Authority and other legislative reforms, which are meant to address their concerns. "They then asked: Do we just fold our arms? I said no, as a country, we are not saying we must do nothing. When I was at Home Affairs, we launched the BMA to try and make borders safer. 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"We are aware that government inefficiencies have left many South Africans without proper documentation. Our approach is to identify and support these individuals, working with local structures and community leaders to help them secure their papers. The distinction between undocumented citizens and undocumented foreign nationals is critical, and our members are expected to make it. "Lastly, the white paper proposed in 2024 seeks to bridge the gap in national security matters but has yet to be gazetted. It is still outstanding in the Home Affairs minister's office."
