Latest news with #IndependentNewspaper
IOL News
23-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
REST WELL AUNTY GIGI
Aunty Gigi of Ontario Court, Hanover Park, who was a Daily Voice legend, and truly lived by the slogan: 'Ek Skrik Vir Niks', has passed away. Radio 786, announced that, Aunty Gadija 'Gigi' Richards had passed away this morning. As one of the newspapers' most loyal and longest-serving readers and supporters, she knew every editor and reporter's name by heart and wasn't bang to call a spade a spade or to take on politicians, grootkoppe in parliament or gangsters and would rek her bek about it. She fed many in need and opened her doors to everyone who was looking for a listening ear or advice. A loyal subscriber, she attended a Daily Voice breakfast more than a decade ago at the V&A Waterfront and continued to talk about how the aunties were treated like celebrities years on. As former Daily Voice reporter, Robin-Lee Francke, now with IOL news said, she was the aunty you had to make a visit to when you visited Hanover Park for a storie. Independent Newspaper's marketing department's Olwethu Bhozo, said: "She supported the newspaper loudly and unapologetically.' Former Voice reporter Mandilakhe Tshwete now with Independent Newspaper's National Hub said would be missing her phone calls from her. Mandi said: 'At the time when no one was using the land lines for the Daily Voice, up until we took out the land lines, she would call and say she did not receive the newspaper. 'She was a chatterbox, you could never just speak to her for five minutes, she would want to make her point and we will miss her.' Former News Editor and Editor of the Daily Voice Elliott Sylvester reflected on her contributions to the newspaper. He added: 'One of the great things about the Daily Voice is that it reflects the voice of the people of the Cape Flats. And few voices were clearer or more compelling than Aunty Gigi. "Always welcoming, and ready to have a chat about the latest happenings in her neighbourhood, she cared about her community and was in her own way an activist bringing to light stories we as journalists needed to cover. "Her dedication to the Voice, her outspoken nature and sense of humour will be missed. "When I started at the Voice, she would not hesitate to call us with her opinion and often advice on what we could do better. And always with a kind word and a laugh." Another former reporter for the newspaper, Vincent Cruywagen said: 'She was a walking encyclopedia of Hanover Park. Both friends and gangsters held her in high regard and I felt completely safe as I strolled with her through the treacherous flats of Hanover Park.' Rest well Aunty Gigi.
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
DA criticises Defence Minister Angie Motshekga for missing vital SANDF withdrawal meeting
The DA criticises Defence Minister Angie Motshekga for missing a key meeting on SANDF's DRC withdrawal, questioning government transparency and accountability after 14 soldiers died in the mission. Image: Tracey Adams/Independent Newspaper The Democratic Alliance has criticised Defence Minister Angie Motshekga for failing to attend a critical meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence, where the recent withdrawal of SANDF troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was set to be addressed. Despite the meeting being held virtually, the Minister was reportedly travelling in Russia and instead delegated the responsibility to her Deputy. The DA has highlighted the gravity of this issue, particularly after 14 South African soldiers lost their lives during the mission in the DRC. DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, criticised the Minister's absence, saying, "After 14 South African lives were lost during the mission in the DRC, it is appalling that the Minister is somehow unavailable to account to the people of South Africa." The party is also raising alarm over the withdrawal of SANDF troops and equipment from areas in eastern DRC controlled by the M23 rebel group, a region known for its volatility and strategic importance. According to Hattingh, "The lack of detail and transparency around this withdrawal raises serious questions about the government's crisis management and strategic planning."
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
China's robust counteraction to US tariffs: Aiming to protect global trade
The Chinese Consul General, You Wenze, speaks to Independent Newspaper's journalist, Theolin Tembo, about trade tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers 'China has hit back hard against the United States' tariffs, not only to safeguard our own interests and legitimate rights, but also to safeguard the international trade system with fairness and justice.' This was how Chinese Consul General in Cape Town, You Wenze, articulated China's strong response to the United States' significant escalation in its ongoing trade conflict with not only China, but also other key trading partners. On April 2, 2025, the United States (US) imposed a sweeping set of "reciprocal tariffs", including a 34% tariff hike on Chinese imports. In response, China firmly rejected these measures, reaffirming its commitment to free, fair, and multilateral trade practices that benefit all nations. Wenze explained that the imposed tariffs severely infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, severely undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupt the global economic order. He said that the Chinese government has strongly condemned such a move, calling out the US 'reciprocal tariffs' as not being true 'reciprocity' but rather a bargaining tactic of the US to force other countries to accept the trade terms unilaterally set by them. 'China is committed to opening even wider to the world. We're confident, we're determined, and we have the ability to do the things that are good for Chinese interests, and that are good for the interests of developing countries,' Wenze said. The Consul General added that it is precisely because of China's resolute countermeasures in the face of the escalating tariffs that the administration of US President Donald Trump has been changing its mind. 'By adopting firm countermeasures, China not only safeguards our own interests, our own development, but also safeguards international trade and order, international fairness and justice.' The Chinese Consul General, You Wenze, speaks to Independent Newspaper's journalist, Theolin Tembo. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers 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 ✕ Recently, Trump made headlines stating that he has been in communication with China regarding the tariffs, but this was quickly dispelled by the Chinese government. 'We've heard a lot of misinformation from the Trump administration, including how China and the US have undertaken dialogue on this trade war, but so far, there is no such meeting to discuss the reduction or elimination of the tariffs. 'President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Foreign Ministry have denied this irrevocably. No such phone conversation has occurred as of this stage,' Wenze said. 'We do not make trouble, but we're not intimidated by it. We'll fight to the bitter end, and when it comes to negotiation and dialogue, the door is wide open.' Wenze explained that China is an ancient civilization, being a land of propriety and righteousness, and that the Chinese people value sincerity and good faith. 'Since the beginning of trade friction between China and the US in 2018, China has been committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation, and has engaged in multiple rounds of economic and trade consultations with the US to stabilise bilateral economic and trade relations. 'In contrast, the US has continuously tightened export control, escalated sanctions against Chinese enterprises, and repeatedly violated its obligations under the agreements between the two sides,' Wenze said. 'Recently, the US has imposed tariffs on China under various pretexts, with the cumulative tariff rate reaching as high as 145%. For some individual Chinese goods exported to the US, the cumulative tariffs under various designations have even reached 245%. The US has instrumentalised and weaponised tariffs to a completely irrational level. 'We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Pressuring and threatening are not the right way in dealing with China,' he said. The Chinese Consul General You Wenz. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers Wenze added that although the US has announced a 90-day pause on high reciprocal tariffs on some of its trading partners, it is only a small symbolic step and does not change its essence of seeking its gains through trade blackmail. 'Appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise cannot earn respect. No one can remain unscathed in the face of the impact of unilateralism and protectionism. 'Developing countries should stand on the side of fairness and justice on the issue of 'reciprocal tariffs', stand on the historically correct side, and defend international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system,' Wenze said. 'Tariff conflicts are not the end of the world. Developing countries should seize the opportunity to reduce their dependence on foreign countries and cultivate and enhance their domestic innovation capabilities.' He added that countries need to stand together and work together. The Consul General commended South Africa for how it has handled the matter. 'China and South Africa are two great nations. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries, our relationship has developed very, very fast. 'China has made significant investments in South Africa, like the First Automobile Works (FAW) South Africa plant that has added an investment of R200 million in the Coega Special Economic Zone of the Eastern Cape Province, and the Longyuan De Aar Wind Power Project has cumulatively produced 5 400 gigawatt-hours of clean energy. 'In 2024, the total trade volume between China and South Africa reached $52.46 billion, accounting for nearly 20% of the total China-Africa trade volume. South Africa is one of the top destinations for Chinese investment in Africa.' The Chinese Consul General You Wenze. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
