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Chinese, Japanese, does it matter? Of course it does, and all the more so when it's your wife!

Chinese, Japanese, does it matter? Of course it does, and all the more so when it's your wife!

IOL News3 days ago
Lawyer and political visionary Anton Lembede (1914-1947), and after whom a main street in Durban is named, was the founding President of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, formed in 1944 to counteract the 'passivity' of the ANC's older leadership. He was born near Pietermaritzburg on the white-owned farm where his father worked. His mother was a teacher, and she home-schooled him until age 13. On entering formal education, Lembede achieved exceptional results and eventually qualified as a teacher himself. In the 1930s, while stationed in the Orange Free State (and studying through Unisa), he encountered Afrikaner nationalism. Employing his training in philosophy, he espoused a rival modernised African nationalism, which advocated independence from white liberalism and international communism. Lembede's spirit underpinned the ANC's new militancy and the formulation of its 1949 Programme of Action. But Lembede did not live to enjoy the movement's successes of the 1950s (including the Defiance Campaign) – he died in 1947 aged 33
Image: Unisa.co.za
On this day in history, July 30
1870 The diggers on the diamond fields between the Vaal and the Harts Rivers proclaim Klipdrift a republic, with Stafford Parker as first (and only) president.
1930 Uruguay wins the first Fifa World Cup.
1935 The first Penguin book is published, starting the paperback revolution.
1945 A Japanese submarine sinks the USS Indianapolis – which ferried the atomic bomb from the US to an airbase on a Pacific island from where it was loaded on a bomber and dropped on Hiroshima – killing 883 seamen. Most die during over four days; some by sharks, others by dehydration. The loss of the ship is a great embarrassment for the US Navy – it is the greatest loss of life at sea from a single ship in the history of the US Navy which only noticed that the ship was missing three days later. Captain McVay, the ship's commander, is vilified and dies by his own hand. In 2000, Congress passes a resolution, signed by president Bill Clinton, that McVay's record should state that he be exonerated for the loss of Indianapolis. Although several hundred US Navy ships of the were lost in World War II, McVay was the only captain court-martialed for the sinking of his ship.
1947 Anton Lembede, teacher, lawyer, politician, and principal architect of Africanism, dies in Johannesburg, aged 33. He was the first president of the ANC Youth League. His family listed the cause of death as cardiac failure linked to a blocked intestine. However, some speculate he may have been poisoned, but he did have a history of intestinal problems and surgery in 1940 and 1941.
1966 England beat West Germany to win the World Cup at Wembley, after extra time.
1969 An All Nippon Airways Boeing 727 and a Japanese Air Force F-86 fighter collide over Morioka, Japan, killing 162 people.
1975 Mobster Jimmy Hoffa disappears from the parking lot of a Detroit restaurant.
2018 British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt mistakenly calls his Chinese-born wife 'Japanese' in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing.
2024 Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated by Israeli secret agents in Iran's capital, Tehran.
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New parties fuel apartheid-era divisions, warns Jeff Radebe
New parties fuel apartheid-era divisions, warns Jeff Radebe

IOL News

time11 hours ago

  • IOL News

New parties fuel apartheid-era divisions, warns Jeff Radebe

JEFF Radebe, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Convenor, issued a warning to South Africa's political landscape, explicitly challenging entrenched power structures, political opponents, and high-profile figures undermining the nation's constitutional progress. Image: Sizwe Dlamini/Sunday Independent JEFF Radebe, ANC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Convenor, this week, issued a warning to South Africa's political landscape, explicitly challenging entrenched power structures, political opponents, and high-profile figures undermining the nation's constitutional progress. In his Freedom Charter Lecture delivered at Unisa on Thursday, Radebe made a call to resist those seeking to dismantle the gains of decades of struggle for justice, and a clarion for radical reform rooted in the ideals of the Freedom Charter. 'These formations, which mushroomed in the aftermath of the 2024 electoral outcomes, seek to construct a society that is the antithesis of the Freedom Charter,' Radebe said, criticising emerging political entities that 'mobilise on the basis of racial exclusion and chauvinism'. He cautioned that these groups aimed to 'reverse the gains of constitutional democracy' and 'restore elements of apartheid logic', particularly 'the pursuit of parliamentary supremacy'. 'They are building 'Black Parties' as a counterweight to the vision of non-racial unity,' he said, calling their actions 'an attempt to undo the progress we have made as a nation'. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Radebe's critique extended beyond domestic politics into foreign policy, where he condemned those 'who once spoke for the state', now supporting actions that threaten South Africa's dignity. 'The position of the Republic of South Africa, not any political party or former official, is the custodian of its foreign policy,' he emphasized. 'Silence is not neutrality—it is complicity. 'It is profoundly disturbing,' he continued, 'that some within our own country, who once occupied high office and bore the constitutional duty to speak on behalf of the Republic have chosen to undermine our principled foreign policy positions,' especially regarding the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara. 'We must state unequivocally: the position of the Republic of South Africa is to reaffirm unwavering solidarity with Western Sahara,' he said, condemning individuals who 'support rogue actions that undermine our principled foreign policy positions'. In his broader internal critique, Radebe condemned what he saw as a betrayal of revolutionary ideals. 'Supporters of newly established political parties that vehemently oppose the ideals of the National Democratic Revolution… seek to construct a society that is the antithesis of the Freedom Charter,' he said. 'They attempt to reverse the gains we fought so hard for, and we must resist with every ounce of our revolutionary spirit.' He made it clear that these political moves threatened 'the democratic, non-racial, and inclusive future envisioned by the Charter', and cautioned that, if these trends were not stopped, 'we risk turning back the clock to worse than apartheid'. Recalling the revolutionary origins of the Freedom Charter, Radebe stated: 'The Charter was born from the collective dreams and demands of ordinary South Africans. It was adopted by the people, and only later endorsed by the ANC as policy. That endorsement marked a major ideological shift: from resistance to reconstruction, from protest to programme. 'It is vital to remember that the Freedom Charter was not initially an ANC document. It was adopted by the people,' he reiterated, underscoring its grassroots origins and moral authority. 'It remains the moral compass of our post-apartheid state… these principles continue to guide us in our efforts toward justice and equality.' Shifting his focus to governance, Radebe took a sobering stance on systemic failures across the country. 'Over 90% of our municipalities are financially distressed or failing,' he noted, describing the situation as 'systemic decay'. 'In too many towns, water has not flowed in months, electricity is unreliable… and waste goes uncollected. These are not isolated failures; they signal systemic decay.' He warned that: 'When local government fails, it is not simply a service failure — it is a breach of the Constitution. The collapse of local government is the collapse of legitimacy,' he emphasised, framing current shortcomings as a betrayal of revolutionary principles of service and justice. In economic terms, Radebe denounced the ongoing inequality entrenched by the legacy of apartheid. 'Wealth is still largely controlled by those who benefited under apartheid,' he said, condemning the continued influence of 'corruption, elite capture, and institutional failure'. He highlighted the plight of skilled professionals, noting: 'South African pilots, among the most skilled professionals in our society, must plead for fair wages from foreign shareholders who extract profits from our skies but invest little in our country.' He also slammed the devastating impact of illicit financial flows (IFFs), which 'bleed our continent and our country dry to the tune of R80 billion to R100bn annually,' according to estimates. 'These flows are orchestrated theft from the public purse. IFFs are acts of betrayal against the developmental aspirations of our people. 'We must adopt a binding anti-IFF strategy, strengthen the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), criminalise corporate tax avoidance, enhance cross-border transparency, and repatriate stolen assets through multilateral partnerships. It is not anti-business to demand accountability; it is pro-development.' The speech also addressed systemic inequalities and inefficiencies in public service, citing the 2024 Auditor-General's report, which revealed that 'more than 90% of our municipalities are in distress or failing', with water not flowing in months and waste uncollected. 'These failures are a breach of the Constitution,' Radebe said. 'Local government is the frontline of our democracy… its failure is a failure of the social contract.' He called for a new, inclusive national dialogue — 'a modern-day Kliptown' — to reshape South Africa's future based on participation and collective ownership. 'This dialogue must not be a technocratic conference for the privileged few. It must be a radical forum where the people speak and shape the future… much like the process that led to the Freedom Charter, the dialogue must reflect the radical democratic spirit of collective authorship, not elite consensus.' Radebe urged the South African youth to lead this effort: 'Today's youth must lead in reimagining these frontiers of freedom… They must not be left behind but be the drivers of our future.' In closing, Radebe advised: 'Democracy is not inherited; it is built, and rebuilt, by every generation that refuses to accept injustice as normal.' He reaffirmed his commitment to lifelong resistance to corruption and inequality, and warned: 'If we fail to confront this fiscal injustice, we surrender the economic sovereignty that our freedom demands.' His words serve both as a warning and an appeal: 'The time has come for us to choose: Will we allow the Freedom Charter's dream to fade into history, or will we seize it anew and forge a Just and free South Africa?' Get the real story on the go: Follow the Sunday Independent on WhatsApp.

Ramaphosa remains hopeful in US tariff negotiations
Ramaphosa remains hopeful in US tariff negotiations

IOL News

time16 hours ago

  • IOL News

Ramaphosa remains hopeful in US tariff negotiations

President Cyril Ramaphosa is still hopeful that South Africa can find a way out of the US tariffs within the next seven days. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed hope that his administration will still be able to find a way out of the 30% tariffs that US President Donald Trump implemented on Friday, but to be effective within the next seven days from the deadline. In case South Africa fails to convince Trump, the Presidency said in a statement released on Friday that the government was finalising a package to support local companies affected by the tariffs. 'The package consists of a number of measures to assist companies, producers, and workers affected by the tariffs on SA exports to the US,' read the statement. Ramaphosa's office will announce the details of the measures in due course. The office said, according to Trump's Executive Order published late this week, the products affected by the tariffs when exported to the US market include copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, lumber articles, certain critical minerals, stainless steel scrap, and energy products. Addressing the media after the inauguration of Firoz Cachalia as the acting police minister on Friday, Ramaphosa said the seven days were the window period for the continuation of the engagements with the US. He stated that South Africa was not the worst affected among many countries by Trump's tariffs, although some countries fared slightly better. He said his government was in the process of holding discussions with the United States, as some local companies were dealing with the US customers. 'We export vehicles, steel, aluminum, and citrus, so we have to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. So, within the window that is still open, we are hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. 'So intensive negotiations are under way,' said Ramaphosa. After his private meeting with Trump at the White House on May 21, Ramaphosa expressed hope that he had mended the relationship. The visit was prompted by allegations that South Africa was mistreating its Afrikaner citizens and that it was in support of US enemies. However, it became clear this week that Trump was still hostile when he told journalists that he thought he would send someone to represent him in the G20 Summit to be held in Johannesburg in November because he had problems with South Africa's 'very, very bad policies, where lots of people are being killed'. As the country was still counting days before the tariff deadline, Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen announced that the country was swiftly expanding its global trade partnerships as a strategy to mitigate the impact of the US tariffs on its exports. He called on the country not to waste time by being overly reliant on the US market. Steenhuisen said the country was already strengthening its trade alliances with the likes of Chile, Peru, and New Zealand 'to jointly lobby for fair and stable trade treatment of fresh produce' through the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters. He also said the state had finalised new phytosanitary protocols for the export of avocados to China, table grapes to Vietnam and the Philippines, and maize to India. Ramaphosa's administration said during its engagements with the US, it submitted a Framework Deal to enhance mutually beneficial trade and investment relations between the two countries. Ramaphosa was still optimistic that all channels of communication with Trump would remain open. 'Our negotiators are ready pending an invitation from the US. South Africa and the US trade relations are complementary in nature, and South African exports do not pose a threat to US industry,' read the statement. The government was using its diplomatic channels with the US to safeguard its national interests for ensuring that companies keep producing high-quality products destined for the world, to prevent job losses. The latest Executive Order stated that products that were already on their way to the US via vessels before 12h01 am, Eastern Daylight Time, seven days after Friday, and entered for consumption, or withdrawn from a warehouse for consumption, before 12h01am Eastern Daylight Time on October 5, 2025, will not be subject to the tariffs. In a joint statement issued on Friday, MPs DA MPs Toby Chance and Ryan Smith blamed Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and International Relations and Cooperation's Ronald Lamola for failing to secure a trade deal with the US. 'An executive order from the White House last night makes clear that US-imposed tariffs are now a certainty, to be levied on South African goods and produce from 07 August 2025, due to the negligence and ineptitude of two ANC ministers and their departments. 'Both the departments of Trade, Industry & Competition (DTIC), and International Relations & Cooperation should hang their heads in profound shame today,' said the MPs. On July 29, the DTIC said the government was not going to retaliate against the tariffs, but was preparing itself for any scenario. 'We have put our best foot forward, bringing together the subject specialists within our ranks who have dug deep to ensure that our country is adequately prepared for a number of potential scenarios. We have planned for these scenarios and have not sat idly. 'We are working with other government departments on a response plan, which includes a support desk within the DTIC. Our response package also focuses on demand-side interventions in the impacted industries,' read the DTIC statement.

US tariffs LATEST: Cyril Ramaphosa negotiating with Donald Trump
US tariffs LATEST: Cyril Ramaphosa negotiating with Donald Trump

The South African

time16 hours ago

  • The South African

US tariffs LATEST: Cyril Ramaphosa negotiating with Donald Trump

Home » US tariffs LATEST: Cyril Ramaphosa negotiating with Donald Trump South Africa remains committed to finding a resolution with the United States following the recently imposed reciprocal tariffs. Image: Wikimedia Commons South Africa remains committed to finding a resolution with the United States following the recently imposed reciprocal as government intensifies efforts to protect jobs, support affected companies and diversify trade markets. This according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed members of the media at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Friday. RELATED | FULL list of Donald Trump's tariffs: South Africa hit HARD The President's comments follow the imposition of a 30% tariff by the United States on all goods imported from South Africa. The move forms part of a broader US tariff policy affecting multiple trade partners across the Ramaphosa said South Africa had already tabled a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade proposal to the United States and that negotiations are ongoing.'We put on the table a package, which would deal with our trade relations with the United States that contained what we were offering and what we wanted them to offer us. We wanted a number of trade items to be exempted, and we wanted to offer them the ability to invest in our economy, as well as South African companies to invest in the United States. 'That package is still to be fully negotiated. What they want to do now is to deal with the trade issues that have got to do with what they are going to be imposing (sic)… Our negotiations with the US are continuing,' the President said. The President stressed that South Africa was not alone in facing these challenges. 'Let's be clear. South Africa is not the only country that is dealing with these crises. Many other countries are, some of which are in a much worse situation than we are. Others are slightly better off.'All of us are involved in a process of having discussions and negotiations with the United States. It should also be clear that the US has come up with a unilateral tariff imposition on many countries in the world.'They are the biggest economy in the world, so we have to respond to the US tariff proposal. Many of our companies deal with US customers. We export vehicles, steel and aluminium and citrus. We have to engage with them and find a way to reach a settlement. Within the window that's still open, we are hoping that we will find a way to settle this matter. 'On our African continent, we are the largest economy and the most industrialised economy. So obviously we will be a target, because we export more than many other countries,' the President said. Government is working on a support package for South African companies that are likely to be hit hardest by the new tariffs. 'That for us is the main objective, but at the same time, we are saying to our companies that we are going to come up with measures to support our companies through negotiations. There are other interventions that we are working on, which will lessen the blow to our companies,' President Ramaphosa said. Government's approach is two-pronged: to negotiate both globally and at the sectoral level, while also offering direct support to industries most exposed to the US market. 'Our objective really is to save jobs. We want to preserve the jobs at those companies that are going to be adversely affected.'Those who deal with citrus, we will be assisting them with those negotiations, and those who deal with vehicles, we will be [assisting them as well]. The second approach is precisely that of assisting our companies and giving them as much help as we can,' he said. President Ramaphosa said South Africa is taking active steps to reduce its dependence on any single trade partner by encouraging companies to explore new international markets.'The whole process of dealing with countries on a trade basis requires that we should be multidimensional. We should not just focus on one country, and we've been encouraging our companies to look out to export their products to various markets because it is too risky just to focus on one market. 'When I travel overseas, I usually take a business delegation so that they can go and search for new markets wherever we go. The same thing happens with the Deputy President and other Ministers as well,' the President said. He emphasised that South Africa must intensify its efforts to expand international trade.'For us to grow our economy, we need to be much more vigorous and robust with our international trade, and it must be as 'international as the word international means'. 'There are quite a number of countries that we need to reach out to, countries that want to deal with us, that want to trade with us, and this moment gives us that opportunity,' the President said. Following the address, The Presidency released a statement confirming that South Africa will continue negotiating with the United States on the tariffs which are expected to come into effect seven days after 1 August 2025. 'South Africa will continue negotiating with the US regarding the 30% tariff announced by the US, which will come into effect on or after 12h01 eastern daylight time, seven days after 1 August 2025,' the statement clarified that previously exempted items under a US Executive Order, such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and stainless-steel scrap, remain excluded from the new tariff measures. The statement confirmed that South Africa has submitted a Framework Deal aimed at fostering mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. 'All channels of communication remain open to engage with the US and our negotiators are ready pending invitation from the US,' it the interim, government is finalising a support package for affected sectors, with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) set to announce further details. An Export Support Desk has also been established to provide exporters with updates, guidance and market assistance. 'South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests. It is important that as a country, we keep our people at work and our companies producing some of the high-quality products destined for many parts of the world,' the statement read. Afghanistan – 15% Algeria – 30% Angola – 15% Bangladesh – 20% Bolivia – 15% Bosnia and Herzegovina – 30% Botswana – 15% Brazil – 10% Brunei – 25% Cambodia – 19% Cameroon – 15% Chad – 15% Costa Rica – 15% Côte d`Ivoire – 15% Democratic Republic of the Congo – 15% Ecuador – 15% Equatorial Guinea – 15% Falkland Islands – 10% Fiji – 15% Ghana – 15% Guyana – 15% Iceland – 15% India – 25% Indonesia – 19% Iraq – 35% Israel – 15% Japan – 15% Jordan – 15% Kazakhstan – 25% Laos – 40% Lesotho – 15% Libya – 30% Liechtenstein – 15% Madagascar – 15% Malawi – 15% Malaysia – 19% Mauritius – 15% Moldova – 25% Mozambique – 15% Myanmar (Burma) – 40% Namibia – 15% Nauru – 15% New Zealand – 15% Nicaragua – 18% Nigeria – 15% North Macedonia – 15% Norway – 15% Pakistan – 19% Papua New Guinea – 15% Philippines – 19% Serbia – 35% South Africa – 30% South Korea – 15% Sri Lanka – 20% Switzerland – 39% Syria – 41% Taiwan – 20% Thailand – 19% Trinidad and Tobago – 15% Tunisia– 25% Turkey – 15% Uganda – 15% United Kingdom – 10% Vanuatu – 15% Venezuela – 15% Vietnam – 20% Zambia – 15% Zimbabwe – 15% Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.

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