Latest news with #Madlala
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The Hollywoodbets Durban July countdown: A celebration of culture, fashion and equine excellence
As excitement mounts, all eyes will be on the Greyville Racecourse this weekend, where the fusion of tradition, fashion, and a festive spirit will create an unforgettable Madlala (right), in a Kheta Thango outfit which is a finalist in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award competition, and Shenal Zulu in a DFF Rising Stars outfit designed by Mbasa Ndongeni, with Madison Valley As excitement mounts, all eyes will be on the Greyville Racecourse this weekend, where the fusion of tradition, fashion, and a festive spirit will create an unforgettable Madlala (right), in a Kheta Thango outfit which is a finalist in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award competition, and Shenal Zulu in a DFF Rising Stars outfit designed by Mbasa Ndongeni, with Madison Valley As the anticipation builds for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, this year's affair is expected to showcase a blend of tradition, innovation, and unmissable fashion flair, cementing its status as a highlight on Africa's social calendar. Scheduled for 5 July at the Greyville Racecourse, this prestigious gathering is set to welcome approximately 45,000 attendees, promising both glamour and economic vitality for the host city of Durban. The eThekwini municipality has been proactive in its preparations, with multidisciplinary teams diligently working to clean and enhance the precinct surrounding the racecourse. 'This included cutting grass and pruning trees as well as street sweeping. Teams consisted of officials from iTRUMP Area-Based Management, the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit, the Metro Police, the Roads Department, and the Parks Department, as well as volunteers from Ensure Security and Ensure Ubuntu Cleaning.' This year marks the 128th edition, and the event is poised to dazzle not only with its races but also with the vibrant theme of 'Marvels of Mzansi'. Designers, both professional and amateur, are eager to showcase their creative talents, making this aspect of the event as thrilling as the races themselves. It is explained that the fashion component will feature three official elements: the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designers Showcase, and the 10 finalists from the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer competition. Renowned and emerging designers will also display their creations, while the student designers await the announcement of winners for incredible prizes and the coveted title of the year. Fashion enthusiasts will have the chance to showcase their own attire in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Awards, while ticket holders can enter categories such as classic racewear for men and women, best dressed couple, and the standout raceday hat or fascinator, further adding an element of competition to the day. Adding a modern flair to the cherished traditions, the cutting-edge automotive manufacturer Omoda has joined the celebration, backing renowned designer Khosi Nkosi. The dynamic duo of Nobukhozi and Thabo Mukwevho leads the design house, which has garnered attention at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Their collaboration with the brand, encapsulated in the Ndlovukazi campaign, is a tribute to African royalty and beauty, where it serves as a canvas for their innovative vision. Shannon Gahagan, Brand and Marketing Manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa, expressed pride in the partnership, stating,'Our collaboration with Khosi Nkosi is a celebration of cultural power and creative expression. Through the Ndlovukazi campaign and this bespoke Omoda C7 wrap, we're proud to honour heritage in a way that moves the story forward.' Saturday Star
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
The Hollywoodbets Durban July countdown: A celebration of culture, fashion and equine excellence
As excitement mounts, all eyes will be on the Greyville Racecourse this weekend, where the fusion of tradition, fashion, and a festive spirit will create an unforgettable Madlala (right), in a Kheta Thango outfit which is a finalist in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award competition, and Shenal Zulu in a DFF Rising Stars outfit designed by Mbasa Ndongeni, with Madison Valley As excitement mounts, all eyes will be on the Greyville Racecourse this weekend, where the fusion of tradition, fashion, and a festive spirit will create an unforgettable Madlala (right), in a Kheta Thango outfit which is a finalist in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer Award competition, and Shenal Zulu in a DFF Rising Stars outfit designed by Mbasa Ndongeni, with Madison Valley As the anticipation builds for the Hollywoodbets Durban July, this year's affair is expected to showcase a blend of tradition, innovation, and unmissable fashion flair, cementing its status as a highlight on Africa's social calendar. Scheduled for 5 July at the Greyville Racecourse, this prestigious gathering is set to welcome approximately 45,000 attendees, promising both glamour and economic vitality for the host city of Durban. The eThekwini municipality has been proactive in its preparations, with multidisciplinary teams diligently working to clean and enhance the precinct surrounding the racecourse. 'This included cutting grass and pruning trees as well as street sweeping. Teams consisted of officials from iTRUMP Area-Based Management, the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit, the Metro Police, the Roads Department, and the Parks Department, as well as volunteers from Ensure Security and Ensure Ubuntu Cleaning.' This year marks the 128th edition, and the event is poised to dazzle not only with its races but also with the vibrant theme of 'Marvels of Mzansi'. Designers, both professional and amateur, are eager to showcase their creative talents, making this aspect of the event as thrilling as the races themselves. It is explained that the fashion component will feature three official elements: the Durban Fashion Fair Rising Stars, the Hollywoodbets Durban July Invited Designers Showcase, and the 10 finalists from the Hollywoodbets Durban July Young Designer competition. Renowned and emerging designers will also display their creations, while the student designers await the announcement of winners for incredible prizes and the coveted title of the year. Fashion enthusiasts will have the chance to showcase their own attire in the Hollywoodbets Durban July Raceday Fashion Awards, while ticket holders can enter categories such as classic racewear for men and women, best dressed couple, and the standout raceday hat or fascinator, further adding an element of competition to the day. Adding a modern flair to the cherished traditions, the cutting-edge automotive manufacturer Omoda has joined the celebration, backing renowned designer Khosi Nkosi. The dynamic duo of Nobukhozi and Thabo Mukwevho leads the design house, which has garnered attention at Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks. Their collaboration with the brand, encapsulated in the Ndlovukazi campaign, is a tribute to African royalty and beauty, where it serves as a canvas for their innovative vision. Shannon Gahagan, Brand and Marketing Manager for Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa, expressed pride in the partnership, stating,'Our collaboration with Khosi Nkosi is a celebration of cultural power and creative expression. Through the Ndlovukazi campaign and this bespoke Omoda C7 wrap, we're proud to honour heritage in a way that moves the story forward.' Saturday Star
TimesLIVE
07-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Nedbank final tickets sold out, thousands to be refunded amid chaos: PSL
Tickets for Saturday's Soweto derby Nedbank Cup final between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban have been sold out, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced in a press conference in Durban on Wednesday. The PSL addressed the chaos surrounding ticket sales since they went up for purchase at 10am on Monday. Scores of supporters have complained they have purchased tickets online with providers Open Tickets and Computicket, but then did not receive them or proof they will. Others were turned away from retailers and told to buy on the internet, but Open Tickets' online system was reportedly overwhelmed and many were unsuccessful. Some supporters who thought they had their purchase confirmed received messages via email or WhatsApp that there had been over-selling and they were in fact not successful. PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala, speaking at a press conference with Stadium Management South Africa (SMSA) CEO Bertie Grobbelaar, said tickets have been sold out for the final. Those who paid online but did not receive their tickets will be refunded. Moses Mabhida Stadium is not overseen by SMSA, but Madlala explained Grobbelaar was roped in to assist resolving the Nedbank final ticket chaos. 'The demand of a Soweto derby is always more than what we can supply,' Madlala said. 'What we did after the ticket sales and problems we experienced because of volumes was we roped in Bertie. He has hosted matches at FNB Stadium using the same companies [Open Tickets and Computicket]. 'We said to him, 'Come as an independent auditor to advise us in terms of what happened because we want the truth'. I don't want to listen to a service provider telling me what they think they should be telling me or telling me things that will please me — I want the raw truth as it is. 'Bertie is not representing SMSA but he's representing me. I said he must analyse this report [on ticket sales] and tell me what is wrong or right and what we can fix.' Grobbelaar confirmed he was not representing SMSA or the companies responsible for selling tickets, but was asked by the PSL to analyse the numbers. 'The major concern was the over-issuing of tickets — that was the main concern of the CEO, PSL and the [league] chair [Irvin Khoza],' he said. 'From the data I have obtained the approved capacity of the stadium is 49,307 seats. It's a reduced capacity by the stadium's management and that is the number of tickets that were issued. 'Hospitality are 5,307, complimentary tickets 3,000, which leaves 41,000 that went on sale. According to the preliminary report provided to the PSL, tickets were sole out within 90 minutes [of going on sale]. 'That caused a delay, a glitch or call it whatever you want, but the fact is the tickets went on sale and the system allowed more people to make payments than there is capacity for. 'Computicket stopped the platform from issuing physical tickets but the transactions still went through. At the retail outlets 4,966 tickets were sold and issued across the country. 'Digital tickets on the Open Tickets website, 2,435 [were sold]; and the Computicket website, 44,121 tickets were sold. That immediately tells you there's an issue of over-issuing of tickets. 'Of the outlet sales, 33% went to KwaZulu-Natal, 35% went to Gauteng and 8% Mpumalanga. The Open Ticket and Computicket online sales combined in KZN were 39%, Gauteng 32% and Mpumalanga 12%.' Grobbelaar said more than 10,000 tickets were over-issued, and those purchasers will be refunded. 'All people who paid for the tickets to the capacity of the stadium have received their tickets — hard copy or digital — via different platforms. ' Of the people who paid but cannot be allocated tickets, 80%, as we speak here of those bought online, we have refunded. 'The other 20% is people who paid via EFT or other forms of payment platform. They all received messages that upon receipt of their banking details they will be refunded.' Deputy provincial commissioner responsible for visible policing in KwaZulu-Natal Major Gen Phumelele Makoba said people who do not have tickets must not go to Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday. Moses Mabhida Stadium manager Vusi Mazibuko said there will public viewing areas (PVAs) for those who could not get the tickets. 'The city will provide two PVAs. One is at the beachfront and the other is at Albert Park.'
Reuters
14-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South African businesses on edge as VAT hike looms
JOHANNESBURG, April 14 (Reuters) - For South African beverage company owner, Ndumiso Madlala, the impending value-added tax hike could spell trouble for his small-scale business that makes alcoholic ginger beer and non-alcoholic drinks. The National Treasury plans to raise VAT by 1-percentage-point over two years from May 1, as part of measures to bolster government revenue. Currently, VAT is set at 15%. For Madlala, the increase could force him to raise prices or lower margins, both undesirable options for a business like his in a tough economic environment. "For us as small guys, you first hit a problem of being competitive on price," Madlala told Reuters. "Big companies can just switch prices at any time, they can reduce their price to drive the volume up. For us, that's something that we can't do." The VAT increase comes as the South African economy faces several headwinds including a slow recovery following years of unstable electricity supply, domestic political tensions and global trade wars. Until recently, power cuts had been a drag on South Africa's economic growth for more than a decade, escalating costs for businesses as they resorted to alternative energy sources like diesel-run generators. On top of that, businesses and households are grappling with other rising costs, such as increases in electricity and water tariffs. While the treasury intends to expand the basket of zero-rated VAT items to shield low-income households from the full impact, some economists argue this may not be enough as the wider population - including the middle class - feels the pinch of rising costs. "VAT (hikes) are never a good idea… the ones that are going to be hard hit by any increases in VAT are the middle class to the poor," said economist Nomahlubi Jakuja. "South Africa already has high levels of unemployment... and then adding an additional tax on daily goods, it decreases the purchasing power of ordinary South Africans," she added. The VAT hike, part of revenue measures in the 2025 budget, has also deepened the schism between the African National Congress and the Democratic Alliance - partners in government - threatening to sink South Africa's first attempt at coalition rule in its 30-year democratic era. The pro-business DA, the junior partner in the coalition, voted against the budget and went to court to try to block it. Despite the uncertainty, Madlala remains optimistic, banking on his business's reputation and his popular ginger products. "My comfort is the brand that I own, which is Dragonfire Ginger. It's one of its kind," he said. "So we find that our loyal base of customers comes back for our products all the time."
