Latest news with #Hattingh
The Citizen
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Greenside celebrity shares her life lived in poetry and trees
André Hattingh, once a Parktown North resident and now happily settled in Greenside, has released My Leaves Stay Green, a book of poetry she calls her: 'Biogratree'. It is a deeply personal collection where her love of trees becomes the thread that weaves together her life's story. Read more: Amazing opportunity up for grabs in high school poetry slam Best known as a stage and television actress, singer-songwriter, and dress designer, Hattingh's latest creation pairs her poems with artworks by award-winning artist Bronwen Findlay. The two share a friendship that began at school and has now blossomed into a creative partnership, with Findlay's paintings offering a visual echo of Hattingh's words. Her bond with trees began in Thorn Country, at the foothills of the Drakensberg, where she climbed their branches with her sisters and spoke to them as friends. Now, living in Johannesburg, which she fondly calls the 'City of Trees', her passion has only grown. During the pandemic, she began writing uplifting verses for friends on Facebook, a style her sister dubbed: 'Pop-up Poetree', instant poetry for a busy world. The encouragement she received led to the creation of this book, which is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the soul. She now performs My Leaves Stay Green at venues across the country, blending poetry, music, and storytelling in a forty-minute show. The book is available directly from Hattingh for R350, with nationwide postage for an additional R100. For orders or performance bookings, email her at [email protected]. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
Eyewitness News
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
DA pursuing urgent review after 'uncovering evidence' SANDF spent R34m on charter flight to Cuba for graduation ceremony
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding answers after it obtained evidence the party says shows the South African Defence Force spent R34 million on a charter flight to transport over 200 SANDF personnel to Cuba. The passengers, including senior generals and students, allegedly went to Havana to attend a graduation. This ceremony was of no operational or strategic value to South Africa, says MP Chris Hattingh, DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans. Documents in the party's possession 'confirm' that the trip was undertaken via Cobra Aviation with two legs between OR Tambo and Havana from 13–20 July 2025. Hattingh tells John Maytham the DA obtained the documentation from a source in the Defence Force. "I am convinced the figures are accurate - I've got the documents in front of me and it's official SANDF documentation, as well as from the contracting company in their colours." Chris Hattingh, DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans "They asked for a charter aircraft with at least 25 business class seats. They also specified what they need inside, for instance soft cushions and a variety of hot and cold meals on board, gourmet snacks, continental breakfasts...: Chris Hattingh, DA Spokesperson on Defence & Military Veterans
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- The Citizen
Women's month: Vital safety tips for women and girls in Merafong
Women in Merafong continue to face serious safety threats, both at home and in public spaces. In one of the latest incidents, a 29-year-old Mozambican woman was kidnapped from her home in the Elijah Barayi mega housing complex near Carletonville on Thursday evening, July 25. Unfortunately, Merafong is not alone in these struggles. National crime statistics consistently show that women are disproportionately affected by crime, including kidnapping, gender-based violence, and theft. As South Africa marks Women's Month this August, it's more important than ever to have open conversations about safety and equip women with practical tools to protect themselves. 'We cannot ignore the everyday challenges women face when it comes to personal safety,' says Charnel Hattingh, Group Head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity Services Group. 'We need to continue shining a light on this issue and provide women with empowering tools – not only this month but all year round.' Top safety tips for women this women's month Tell someone where you're going: Always inform a trusted friend or family member of your whereabouts. It's a simple habit that can save your life. Be cautious at ATMs and public places: Avoid isolated or dimly lit ATMs, especially after hours. Stay alert in malls, parking lots, and banks. Stay alert while driving: Keep your doors locked and be aware of your surroundings, especially at intersections or when stopped in traffic. Hide your phone while driving: Avoid handling your phone in the car. Rather wait until you're safely parked to respond to messages. Be aware when arriving home: Scan your surroundings for suspicious people or vehicles before entering your property. If unsure, drive around the block or call for backup from your security provider. Keep emergency numbers on speed dial: Program emergency services and trusted contacts into your phone. In a crisis, every second counts. Use technology to stay safe Hattingh also highlights the importance of mobile panic buttons and security apps offered by Fidelity and other providers. These tools allow women to call for help instantly when facing danger. 'Safety is not just a women's issue – it's a community responsibility,' Hattingh adds. 'Let's use Women's Month to start meaningful conversations, raise awareness, and stand united to protect the women and girls of South Africa.'
IOL News
23-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Building for tomorrow: addressing climate change in South Africa's construction landscape
Climate change impacts vulnerable areas like townships as poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has warned that climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. On Tuesday afternoon, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a Yellow Level 2 Warning for Disruptive rainfall resulting in localised flooding of susceptible formal/ informal settlements or roads, low-lying areas and/or bridges, slippery roads leading to minor vehicle accidents, and difficulty driving conditions on dirt roads along the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. In construction alone, adverse weather delays are said to delay 45% of construction projects globally, costing billions each year, according to Research Gate. In South Africa, the industry faces mounting pressure to adapt, not just through resilient materials and design, but smarter labour practices. The Building Industry Bargaining Council (BIBC) believes that collective bargaining can help to keep construction safe, viable, and economically sustainable. "Climate change is impacting our industry now," says Danie Hattingh, business spokesperson for the BIBC. In the first six months of 2024, natural disasters cost Africa US$ 0.5bn (approximately R9 billion). "From floods that damage transport infrastructure to droughts that halt water-dependent operations, the construction sector is exposed on multiple fronts," Hattingh said. Weather disruptions impact every phase of construction, from damaged ports and rail lines to delayed supply chains. In vulnerable areas like townships, poor infrastructure turns delays into costly, sometimes indefinite setbacks. For workers, these disruptions translate into safety risks and potential job insecurity. "Our Collective Agreement acknowledges the reality of these challenges," says Hattingh. "It includes provisions that allow contractors to temporarily lay off workers when weather or material delays make it impossible to continue safely. This gives both parties a framework to manage disruptions without dismantling the entire project team." Some regions and project types are said to be more exposed than others. Low-lying coastal developments are vulnerable to rising sea levels and flooding, while inland projects are often constrained by water and energy shortages. Sites in areas lacking proper drainage or stormwater management infrastructure were said to be particularly prone to disruption. Hattingh said the consequences of failing to adapt are severe. "If the industry doesn't embrace climate-resilient practices, we'll see more failed projects, higher insurance premiums, and growing reputational and regulatory risk. Clients and investors are already scrutinising construction firms through an environmental lens." The BIBC said forward-thinking design and material innovation are emerging as critical tools in the industry's climate response. It said passive design strategies (such as optimising building orientation, increasing ventilation, and incorporating shading) help to reduce dependence on energy-intensive cooling systems. "It added that in flood-prone regions, elevated structures and permeable surfaces are mitigating water damage and reducing surface runoff, while non-combustible materials and buffer zones help to mitigate fire spread in high-risk fire regions. 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 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 council, technology is also playing a role, helping construction happen quicker and in smarter ways and not just with the building itself but throughout the whole process. It said modular and prefabricated structures reduce waste and allow for rapid reconstruction after extreme events. Renewable energy technologies, including solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, offered off-grid resilience and water security, it said. "These aren't just aesthetic upgrades, they're economic imperatives," says Hattingh. "By integrating sustainable design into their projects, it promotes economic inclusion, job creation in green technologies, and compliance with international sustainability goals such as the UN's SDGs and the Paris Agreement." BIBC said adapting to climate realities does come at a cost, but the cost of doing nothing is far higher. It said firms that continue using traditional materials and processes face escalating operational expenses, insurance liabilities, and reputational damage. Unfit buildings may become uninsurable, energy-inefficient, or even dangerous to occupants. Fortunately, sustainability and profitability were mutually exclusive. Certifications like those offered by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) are helping firms unlock tax incentives, enhance resale values, and demonstrate leadership. "We're seeing more businesses embrace this shift, not just to reduce risk, but to remain competitive," Hattingh notes. In addition, green-certified buildings often command higher rental or resale values, particularly in the commercial sector. Historically, the industry could plan around fairly predictable seasonal weather. That is no longer the case. "We're witnessing increasingly erratic weather patterns, with devastating consequences," says Hattingh. "You can't always foresee a flood that will wipe out access to a building site or a heatwave that makes work conditions unsafe." This unpredictability directly impacts workers across all provinces. High and low temperature extremes can compromise material performance and endanger crews, making it difficult to schedule projects or maintain consistent employment. While the BIBC's collective agreement provisions offer some protection through structured layoffs and reinstatements, it said the long-term solution lies in creating more stable, resilient working conditions through planning, technology, and investment in climate-proof construction. Ultimately, the benefits of climate adaptation extend far beyond compliance; they shape the kind of society they are building. More durable structures mean safer communities. Smarter building systems reduce the environmental footprint. Inclusive green technologies create jobs, drive innovation and build resilience. "The construction industry doesn't just respond to climate change, it shapes how we live with it," says Hattingh. "We encourage industry leaders, contractors, and stakeholders to collaborate on how collective agreements can support greener, safer, and more resilient building practices. Together, we can build a future that withstands both environmental and economic pressures." The UN's latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report predicts more frequent extreme weather with rising financial costs, posing a serious threat to South Africa's already climate-vulnerable, semi-arid regions. Meanwhile, drought that has been intensified by global warming and compounded by human action, has taken a devastating toll on wildlife across Africa and the Amazon between 2023 and 2025. According to a sobering new United Nations report, animal populations are being ravaged not just by thirst and starvation, but by human intervention as fragile ecosystems buckle under climatic stress. The Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023–2025 report - released in July by the US National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, with backing from the International Drought Resilience Alliance - catalogues the mass deaths of wild animals as both a direct and indirect consequence of prolonged drought. From East Africa to the edges of the Amazon, the line between ecological collapse and human survival is becoming dangerously thin. El Niño's re-emergence in 2023 brought a global spike in temperatures. This climatic event, part of the broader El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) system, is strongly linked to the spike in extreme droughts recorded over the past two years. In southern and eastern Africa, already brittle ecological balances gave way. Elephants starved in their hundreds, predators strayed into human settlements, and communities responded with lethal force. 'Human-animal interactions are becoming more complex due to climate change, but we must remember that we've fundamentally altered animals' natural migrations,' says Dr Henno Havenga of the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management at North-West University, offering a broader ecological context. 'Droughts have always occurred, but in the meantime, we've put up fences at every turn. Where elephants once migrated thousands of kilometres in search of food and water, they are now trapped in fixed reserves.' The environmental scientists said in a continent where ecological, climatic and economic stresses now collide with deadly regularity, the cost of doing nothing may prove fatal, not only to Africa's iconic wildlife, but to the human communities that have lived alongside them for generations. Independent Media Property
The Citizen
20-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hattingh in top 10 at ABSA Run Your City Durban 10k
Though she's still adjusting to competing with the elite runners in South Africa's premier 10km races – the SPAR Women's 10km and Absa Run Your Series 10k series – Kai Hattingh is happy with her progress. The 14-year old Parkrand distance runner clocked a top 10 finish in the junior women's race at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10k on July 13. Averaging 04:08min/km, the Athletics Gauteng North youngster clocked 41:13 for sixth place in her category and 41st overall in the women's event. 'It was a tough day on the road. It was a little bit different from the SPAR Women's race. I'm still getting used to the fast pace but overall, I'm super happy with my performance,' she said. This performance follows her 40:47 for 15th place in her category at the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban on June 22. 'Both races were my first real test in the 10km. Athletics is in a healthy environment in our country. There's so much competition. It motivates me to run next to all these amazing and hardworking elite runners.' The Nedbank RC athlete attributed her performance to lining up next to her provincial teammate Wiepke Schoeman, Athletics Central North West's (ACNW) and Potch Track Club's (PTC) Alri Verster and women's 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba. 'To run with Glenrose, Wiepke and Alri inspires me to aim for the stars. It makes me strive to give my best in every race. It's my first year in the distance and I'm seeing a lot of improvement,' said Hattingh. The Leeuwenhof Academy learner's rapid improvement started in January when she dipped under 20 minutes in the 5km for the first time in her career when she clocked 19:58 at the Springs Striders Race. Since then, she moved up a distance, making her 10km debut at the Randburg Harriers Valentine's Day 10km in February. She clocked 42:35 before finishing the Qhubeka AC Human Rights Day 10km women's event in a personal best 40:18. 'I am thankful for the opportunity to run. I want to be the best and only hard work can help me get there. Thanks to my parents, Nedbank and SPAR Southern for their continued support. Next up for the athlete is the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane 10km on August 2 and ABSA Your City Tshwane on August 24. Also Read: Kai takes strides to help those in need Also Read: Hattingh hopes for another successful road running year At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
