Miss South Africa 2025 postponed due to global events
This is to ensure greater alignment with international and other global events.
'The organisation, through its affiliated companies, aims to broaden the reach and impact of the pageant and its contestants,' spokesperson Kenneth Makhanya said.
'The pillars of the organisation will be expanded to include entrepreneurship, job creation, cultural awareness and social cohesion.'
The Miss SA pageant typically takes place in August. Entries for the 2025 pageant opened on April 2 and closed on April 11. Concerns have been raised about the prolonged announcement of the top 30 contestants.
'The organisers of the Miss South Africa contest are making good progress with the preparations for the contest, which will be a huge success,' the organisation said.
The postponement comes after Miss SA CEO Stephanie Weil stepped down from her role earlier this month. Creative director Werner Wessels also resigned earlier this year. In May, the organisation pulled out of the Miss Supranational international competition.
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The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Debt amnesty deal announced for struggling ratepayers
Cash-strapped businesses and residents drowning in municipal debt have been thrown a lifeline — a new amnesty deal that could see half their overdue bills wiped out if they settle the balance within a year. The arrears rate has steadily increased over the past year, climbing from 64.8% in July 2024 to 67.6% in July 2025. Since June 2024, household debt has surged from R12bn to R16bn. Unpaid water bills alone account for R9bn. The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has launched a programme to write off 50% of debt on all residential and business accounts that are in arrears, offering much-needed breathing room. The applications for the revenue enhancement programme opened on July 1 and will close on September 30. It is open to residential, business and registered NPO accounts. Applicants must pay 2.5% of the balance upfront, and the rest must be cleared within 12 months, in monthly instalments. Those unable to meet the payment terms within the stipulated period would no longer qualify for the amnesty and their accounts would instead be handled through the municipality's standard credit control procedures. The programme has been initiated as a result of the crisis in which the metro finds itself, with two-thirds of Bay ratepayers in arrears. With the mounting debt, the city's debtors' book is sitting at R18bn — closing in on the metro's R21.58bn 2025/2026 budget. Compounding the issue is the age of the debt, with 69.2% more than a year old. The decline in revenue collection has hit municipal finances hard. The collection rate dropped from 75.6% in June 2024 to 72.6% by June 2025, resulting in a R1.1bn revenue shortfall. Referring to the new programme to help lessen the burden, budget and treasury political head Khanya Ngqisha said it was not a handout but a one-off deal designed to help residents recover . 'The council resolution applies to everyone, whether it is a business or private household, and if you are in arrears,' he said. 'Whether someone earns R100 or a million rand, a person must come and apply, and they will be considered.' The council approved the programme in June. 'This was a political decision which started at the budget and treasury committee and was adopted by the council,' Ngqisha said. 'With the debt escalating to nearly the R21bn budget of the municipality, I foresaw that this was going to be a problem. 'Therefore, we had to make a political decision.' It does not extend to government entities, municipal employees and councillors. As of June, the government owed the metro R23.5m while metro departments owed R1m. Ngqisha said some residents owed about R1m — a situation that should never have been allowed. 'This is a lifeline, and those people must thank us because this was a political decision deliberately taken to benefit residents,' he said. 'The programme also brings relief to hundreds of small businesses, particularly in township and peri-urban areas, which form the backbone of the local economy but have been crippled by municipal debt. 'This programme is more than just a financial intervention. 'It is an opportunity to rebuild trust between the municipality and its people.' Debtor management and suspension of services manager Joel Swartz said the lower-value property segment was hardest hit and that revenue collection in the municipality faced several challenges. These included a decrease in the number of assistance to the poor (ATTP) re-registrations and access to municipal meters. 'Access to our meters remains a problem, as well as non-responsive customers,' Swartz said. 'Many residents are tampering with electricity, and that has directly had an effect on the financial sustainability of the institution. 'The rapid debt increase of the debt book was also due to the punitive water tariffs, an unintended consequence of the drought period we were in, and that led to lingering debt in our books ...' For the 2024/2025 financial year, the council opted to remove the punitive Part C water tariffs after the relaxation of the drought regulations. To apply, households must submit a copy of their ID, a payslip, and three months' bank statements. Business account holders must provide a letter of authority, the ID of the authorised person handling the financial arrangement, a one-month bank statement, and their latest audited financial statements. 'It is a requirement of our credit control credit policy for specific financial information to be provided by a customer that concludes an arrangement,' Swartz said. The Herald
The Herald
an hour ago
- The Herald
Academy has passion for building cricketers for the future
When he was four years old, Elnathan Meiri held a cricket bat for the first time and since then, he has been hooked on the sport. Fast forward a few years later, Meiri is now a passionate cricket coach and qualified educator. He started the Unicorn Academy in 2020 to give young cricketers the opportunities he was fortunate to have growing up. Having represented provincial teams such as the Eastern Province Colts and Northern Cape Heat Colts, he says his journey in the sport has been long and meaningful. The Unicorn Cricket Academy (formerly known as the Old Grey Cricket Academy) was established in 2020 during Covid, offering young cricketers a place to play cricket matches and train while school sport could not be played. The academy also creates a revenue stream for the Old Grey Cricket Club. What is your core service? We provide private and group coaching as well as match practice for young cricketers to play in a safe, fun, and educational environment and enjoy their cricket. This has enabled us to provide young cricketers with a unique cricket experience and fulfil our mission to foster a love and excitement for cricket in young cricketers. What makes your business unique? What truly sets us apart is that our coaches genuinely care about each player's development, both on and off the field. Every coach in our team has played cricket at a high level and brings valuable insight into what it takes to succeed at various stages, especially within school systems. We understand the specific skills required at each age and ability level, and tailor our approach accordingly. As an academy, we offer a full spectrum of cricketing opportunities: from skills training and mentorship to competitive match play, net sessions on turf pitches, and real-game experience that mirrors school and club structures. This holistic approach ensures that every cricketer's needs are met, whether they're just starting or aiming for provincial selection. How did you navigate your business during the pandemic and load-shedding? At our academy, we offer young cricketers the unique opportunity to play night matches, which are a highlight of our programme. However, load-shedding has often forced us to postpone or reschedule these games. We've learnt to adapt by planning flexibly, communicating clearly with parents, and making the most of available daylight hours. Like many small businesses, we've had to stay agile and solution-focused to keep operations running smoothly. If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start? They'd need a deep understanding of cricket coaching, a passion for youth development, strong community ties and a plan that balances professionalism with heart. Starting with one-on-one coaching to build trust and reputation is a good foundation. What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground? One of the biggest challenges was learning how to operate a business while already being deeply involved in cricket as a player and coach. I had to learn many aspects of running a business on the job — from admin and finance to communication and planning. Another major hurdle was time management, as I was juggling my own playing career, coaching commitments and academic studies at the same time. It was a steep learning curve, but one that helped shape the academy's foundations. Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners? My biggest advice is to pursue what you love — passion fuels perseverance. When you truly enjoy what you're doing, it becomes easier to show up consistently, even during the tough times. Consistency is key: small, focused efforts every day compound into long-term success. What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry? Weather plays a massive role in our operations, as outdoor training is at the core of what we do. Maintaining high coaching standards every single day is another priority that requires careful planning. Communication with parents is also essential, as we need to confirm sessions, manage changes and keep everyone informed. On top of that, planning future bookings, organising matches, and developing new ideas to keep our offering fresh and exciting are ongoing challenges that require constant attention. What is the best advice anyone gave you on success? 'Birds of a feather flock together' — surround your environment with people who want to move forwards and add value. . How do you measure or define success in your business? For me, success is seeing our players improve — not just technically, but also in their confidence and love for the game. The true indicator is long-term: if our cricketers continue playing the sport and stay passionate as they grow, then we know we've had a positive impact. Our motto is 'Building Cricketers for the Future,' and everything we do is aligned with that vision — developing not just skills for today, but foundations for a lifelong journey in the game. What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful? One of our core practices is always being available for our customers — building trust with both parents and players is essential. We also focus on instilling 'gold medal behaviours' in our young athletes: discipline, respect, effort, and a winning attitude both on and off the field. Lastly, consistency in our coaching standards and in the way we operate has helped us build a strong, reliable reputation over time. What kind of advertising do you do? We advertise mainly through our social media platforms — Facebook and Instagram — under the handle @unicorncricketacademy. We also use WhatsApp broadcast lists to communicate directly with parents and clients. And of course, being based in Gqeberha, we rely heavily on word of mouth, which has been incredibly powerful in growing our community. What is your company's vision? Our vision is to build a wholesome cricketing community in Gqeberha — one where we support and guide players throughout their entire journey, from as young as five through to life after school, helping them reach the highest level of the game. We aim to create an environment where cricketers have access to quality coaching, the right equipment, and opportunities to learn from and shadow professional players. It's about developing well-rounded individuals and building a sustainable cricket culture in our city. What is your target market? Our target market is young schoolboys and girls between the ages of five and 13. This is a crucial stage for building fundamental skills, developing a love for the game, and setting the right habits early on in a cricketer's journey. What have some of your highlights been in running your business? One of our standout highlights was hosting our first eight-a-side tournament on March 21. The event was a huge success — we accommodated more than 100 young cricketers across 12 teams and three different age groups. It was an incredible day of fun, competition and community spirit. Another ongoing highlight is seeing our players grow in confidence and skill, playing the game with joy and purpose. Watching their development over time is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. We're also excited to announce that we'll be hosting another tournament on September 24, and we look forward to welcoming even more young players to experience competitive cricket in a fun and supportive environment. How important is social media and an online presence for your business? We've recently started placing more emphasis on building our social media and online presence, as we recognise the value it brings in terms of visibility and engagement. However, up until now, much of our growth has come through word of mouth — which speaks to the trust and satisfaction of our clients. Going forward, we aim to strengthen our digital footprint to reach more families and showcase the work we do. How many people do you employ? We currently have four dedicated coaches. Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this? Yes, we're excited to introduce a membership programme soon. This initiative will help us improve the quality and consistency of our Friday matches, host pop-up coaching clinics with professional cricketers and provide parents with discounts on cricket equipment. It will also allow us to give away prizes for our members — adding excitement and value to their experience. Most importantly, the membership model will help us keep coaching and match day prices as low as possible, ensuring the game remains accessible to more families while continuously raising the standard of our offering. 21. How did you acquire funding for the business? I initially used my personal savings to purchase cricket equipment and get the academy off the ground. Over time, we've also received support from local businesses — most notably ONE GOLF PE, who generously supplied our coaches with professional coaching shirts. Their contribution has helped us maintain a strong, unified image and continue delivering quality sessions. What is the biggest lesson you've learnt from your business journey so far? The biggest lesson I've learnt is that if you take care of your product and always give your best, the rest will take care of itself. Consistency, effort and staying true to your purpose go a long way in building something meaningful and lasting. What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in Gqeberha? I love Gqeberha, and one of the things I appreciate most is how 'small' and connected it feels — word spreads quickly, and people notice when you're being genuine. That sense of community can be incredibly powerful. The greatest advantage of running a business here is definitely the people. If you offer a good product and stay consistent, the trust and support you receive from the community is unmatched. That said, Gqeberha being a smaller city means that our numbers can fluctuate depending on the season, especially with school schedules, holidays and weather. It requires flexibility and planning, but the supportive nature of the community makes it worthwhile. What would you say are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur? Passion, consistency and a strong work ethic. What would you say are the key traits of a successful employer? A successful employer is empathetic and leads by example. They should never ask employees to do something they wouldn't be willing to do themselves. Being hands-on, approachable and always willing to assist where needed builds trust, respect and a positive working environment. What should people know about your industry? Cricket is a lifelong sport that teaches young players valuable life skills such as patience, discipline, resilience and teamwork. What many people don't realise is that the best way to succeed in cricket is to play for the love of the game — passion fuels growth. It's also a mentally challenging sport, where failure is part of the process. That's what makes success in cricket so rewarding — because it's earned through perseverance in a game built around overcoming setbacks. The Herald
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Kenya ramps up tourism push as wildebeest migration begins
A herd of wildebeest in Kenya. Image: VCG Kenyan President William Ruto said on Thursday that the government will intensify a campaign to boost tourist numbers in the country. Ruto, who opened the 2025 Great Wildebeest Migration global livestream at the world-famous Masai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya, said the campaign aims to attract 5 million foreign tourists by 2027. "We are focused on tourism that enriches both the visitor and the host, and transforms travelers into ambassadors for Kenya, a country proud of its wild beauty, conservation achievements and unbreakable spirit," he said. Kenya's Tourism & Wildlife CS Rebecca Miano speaks on the wildebeest migration, tourism growth In this exclusive interview, CGTN reporter @mariongachuhi_ speaks with Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, about the impact of the Great wildebeest… — CGTN Africa (@cgtnafrica) July 27, 2025 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 ✕ The president, who urged domestic and international tourists to take advantage of the country's attractions, said the campaign seeks to promote Kenya as the home of human origins and a top travel destination for innovation, sports, conference tourism, adventure, wildlife, culture and beach holidays. Kenya's international tourist arrivals increased by 15 percent to 2.4 million in 2024, up from 2.09 million in 2023, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife. Inbound tourism earnings rose to 452.20 billion shillings (about $3.5 billion) from $2.92 billion in 2023. Ruto said Masai Mara, which welcomes more than 400,000 visitors annually, is the crown jewel of Kenya's tourism offerings. "Sustainable tourism is a living reality in Masai Mara, where communities thrive, ecosystems flourish and travelers leave enthralled." The Great Wildebeest Migration is the annual movement of millions of wildebeest, zebras and other herbivores from the Serengeti in Tanzania to Masai Mara in Kenya, primarily between July and October. A Nile crocodile ambushes wildebeest in the Mara River, Kenya. Image: VCG A Nile crocodile ambushes wildebeest in the Mara River, Kenya. /VCG The largest herd movement of animals on the planet, which is visible from space, is driven by the search for fresh grazing land and water following seasonal rains. The dramatic river crossings of the Mara River, where wildebeest face predators like crocodiles, are widely regarded as the highlight of this spectacular wildlife event. Ruto said Kenya's efforts to protect biodiversity, restore habitats and involve communities in stewardship have made Masai Mara not only a wildlife haven, but also a global symbol of sustainability. "To all watching around the world, I invite you to explore our treasures from the thundering hooves of Masai Mara to the calm shores of our coast, from snow-capped peaks to sunlit savannahs," he said. CGTN / Xinhua
