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IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Keeping up with the Peters
Ravi Govender, third from left, with Paul Peters, Govender's wife, Marsh, and Jessie Peters. Image: Supplied ON FRIDAY, May 16, 2025, I went to Phoenix. Not the one in Arizona in the US, the one right here in KwaZulu-Natal. So, what is so special about that, you may ask? Hundreds of thousands of people do that daily. Well, it was unusual for two reasons. The last time I had visited the suburb was perhaps five years ago, when I used to travel every Friday evening to present the evening music programme on Phoenix FM. It was around the same time too as I painfully recalled the traffic congestion on the freeway and the long wait to get on to the Mount Edgecombe off-ramp. 'By the time I get to Phoenix' (1967 song by Glen Campbell), I would have had spent a whole hour driving. My visit this time was for a beautiful reason. It was to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of my godparents. You see I was a child when Paul met Jessie. It was love in the air and marriage soon followed. They were family friends of ours and we belonged to the same religious faith as well. It was a given that when my parents died, I took them as my mentors and substitute parents. I only learned later on that my father and Paul had made a pact that if either of them passed on, the survivor would look after the other's family. Even before the marriage, Paul had been an integral part of our family. He shared the same passion for movies as did my late brother, Rajin, and I. On a regular basis he would pick us up and take us to the cinema. We never missed the latest releases. It was not surprising that Paul became like a second dad to my brother and I. He drove a Morris Minor and thereafter a white Volkswagen Beetle and it was our transport to a myriad beach outings and picnics and other social functions. Suffice to say, my father and Paul became firm friends and both also served as elders in our Christian congregation. With role-models like that it was inevitable that Rajin and I also became elders when we reached adulthood and what an honour it was to serve God alongside these two stalwarts. When my dad passed on, I leaned quite heavily on Paul for emotional support and guidance and I am surprised that he did not topple over as he is a man of slight build and thin. This was the pivot for many a ribbing from my brother and I at Paul's expense. He had worked and retired at Ninian and Lester whose big brand was Jockey underwear. This led to us teasing him that, due to his small build, he was born to be a jockey. He also did boxing in his young days, as did my father who trained as a heavyweight. When asked which weight division did Paul train in, my ever-witty brother would opine: 'paper weight'. To his credit, Paul always, to this day, takes this ribbing of him good-naturedly. Back to the love story. After marriage the couple settled down in Phoenix and until present day, reside in Foresthaven, where Paul still serves the local congregation faithfully. The school hall in the area served as the venue for the grand 50th anniversary. And grand it was. The function was compered by the oldest of their two sons, Wayne, who did an admirable job. The occasion was wonderful. I relished meeting old friends who I have not seen in many years and spending time with them was precious. The food was outstanding. Not surprising as Jessie is an exceptional cook. She did not cook the anniversary meal, but you can be sure she tested and tasted extensively to choose the evening ended with dance and here Paul showed the young attendees how to 'burn' the dancefloor. He is amazing for his age. When he was getting 'down' on the dancefloor, we were worried whether he would be able to get back up again. We had no need for concern. The old man still has the moves! My reason for writing this subject is not just to praise my godparents. Rather, their story is testament to the sacredness of marriage. Their marital longevity is a sterling example to young one contemplating getting married. It is also proof that two people can gel for 50 years through thick and thin, and make a go of the union. I am proud of them and I hope their community is too. They are definitely an asset to them. In a world gone crazy, where a marriage certificate is treated as not worth the paper it is signed on, we have the Peters. Paul and Jessie showing how it can and should be done. Ravi Govender Image: Supplied Ravi Govender is a former POST sub-editor and Lotus FM radio presenter. He is a published author, a freelance editor and film producer in training. He can be contacted at: [email protected] ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. THE POST
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs help push U.K. auto sector to worst production figures in more than 70 years
The U.K.'s auto sector is reeling from its worst month for production since 1952—when the Morris Minor ruled the country's roads and Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne—as Trump's tariff war added to a bearish environment for the country's biggest carmakers. U.K. plants producing cars like Range Rovers, Bentleys, and Toyotas pumped out 59,200 models in April, marking the lowest monthly output figure in more than 70 years, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Carmakers are set for their worst start to the year in production terms since 2009 and the depths of the Great Recession. Commercial vehicle exports fell by more than 75% in April as automakers digested the fallout of Donald Trump's tariffs on the car industry and his more sweeping plans announced on 'Liberation Day.' Cars bound for the U.S., which took around a sixth of the U.K.'s car exports, experienced a slight decline in April, with EU exports fuelling the biggest drop. U.K. luxury carmakers, including Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, were regarded as being particularly vulnerable to a trade war because much of their appeal comes from keeping most production from its historic local plants. Jaguar Land Rover said in early April that it would be pausing U.S. shipments while it assessed the fallout from Trump's tariff announcements. The carmaker sold more than 128,000 cars to the States, its biggest market, in 2024. The end of March also marked the closure of Stellantis-owned Vauxhall's factory in Luton, where the carmaker employed more than 1,000 workers. Employees at the 120-year-old factory faced a stark ultimatum: a 140-mile relocation north or accepting a redundancy package. A calendar quirk of the Easter break falling later in 2025, which accordingly shuttered production for an extra two days over the bank holiday, also contributed to depressed production figures, the SMMT said. Indeed, March production figures showed nearly 80,000 vehicles being produced in the U.K. that month. April's awful production figures are likely to be an anomaly, and not just owing to the quirk of the calendar. Earlier in May, the U.K. and U.S. hammered out a landmark trade deal that would see import tariffs on cars to the States reduced from 25% to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles. The development is expected to prevent a lot of pain in the U.K. auto market, and SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes is taking a victory lap after demonstrating the sector's influence on the U.K.'s international relations. 'Government has recognised automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month,' said Hawes. 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.' This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK vehicle manufacturing plummets to lowest since 1952 in April
Car and van manufacturing in the UK slumped to its lowest level in more than 70 years last month. Latest figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed the number of cars made in Britain fell by 8.6% in April while production of vans and other commercial vehicles was down by 68.6%. Overall UK car and commercial vehicle production fell by 15.8% to 59,203 units in April. Excluding the first covid lockdown in 2020 when virtually all manufacturing ceased, that is the the lowest output total for the month since April 1952, when the late Queen Elizabeth II had just ascended the throne and the Morris Minor was the best selling car in the UK. While output was limited by the timing of Easter, model changeovers and temporary plant closures the figures will nonetheless sound alarm bells. The SMMT said 'urgent action' is required to reboot one of the country's most important manufacturing and exporting sectors. The first four months of the year have been the slowest for production since the 2009 recession caused by the global financial crisis. Car exports declined 10.1% during a month of intense international trading volatility, while commercial vehicle exports fell 75.8%. Shipments to the UK's two largest global markets, the EU and US, fell by 19.1% and 2.7% respectively, although the EU still took more than half of all exports while the US received 16.5%. But exports to China and Turkey rose by 44.0% and 31.2% respectively. Commercial vehicle export volumes, meanwhile, fell sharply by 75.8%. The decline was driven by a 78.9% drop in shipments to the EU, but the bloc retained the lion's share of exports at 84.9%. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, 'With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness. 'Government has recognised automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month. 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.' Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
UK vehicle manufacturing plummets to lowest since 1952 in April
Car and van manufacturing in the UK slumped to its lowest level in more than 70 years last month. Latest figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed the number of cars made in Britain fell by 8.6% in April while production of vans and other commercial vehicles was down by 68.6%. Overall UK car and commercial vehicle production fell by 15.8% to 59,203 units in April. Excluding the first covid lockdown in 2020 when virtually all manufacturing ceased, that is the the lowest output total for the month since April 1952, when the late Queen Elizabeth II had just ascended the throne and the Morris Minor was the best selling car in the UK. While output was limited by the timing of Easter, model changeovers and temporary plant closures the figures will nonetheless sound alarm bells. The SMMT said 'urgent action' is required to reboot one of the country's most important manufacturing and exporting sectors. The first four months of the year have been the slowest for production since the 2009 recession caused by the global financial crisis. Car exports declined 10.1% during a month of intense international trading volatility, while commercial vehicle exports fell 75.8%. Shipments to the UK's two largest global markets, the EU and US, fell by 19.1% and 2.7% respectively, although the EU still took more than half of all exports while the US received 16.5%. But exports to China and Turkey rose by 44.0% and 31.2% respectively. Commercial vehicle export volumes, meanwhile, fell sharply by 75.8%. The decline was driven by a 78.9% drop in shipments to the EU, but the bloc retained the lion's share of exports at 84.9%. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, 'With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness. 'Government has recognised automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month. 'To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.'
Metro
25-05-2025
- General
- Metro
I never cried after my near-death crash - then I found a box
I briefly woke up from a coma in the ICU and heard two nurses discussing something about the World Trade Centre and a plane. Then everything went hazy and I passed out again. When I finally woke up, I was told I was at Central Middlesex Hospital and I'd missed one of the biggest moments in recent history – because I almost died. Nine days earlier, on September 2, 2001, I'd put on the first ever gig by British rock band The Darkness at the club night I used to run in Kings Cross. I'd organised it as I knew their guitarist Dan Hawkins – I was simply putting my mate's new band on as a favour. I was driving home to Staines in my 1968 Morris Minor when, at 4:44am, my mate James and I were hit head-on at 99mph by teen joyriders being chased by police. I was in a coma for two weeks. Luckily for us, not only were the police already there, there was a fire station nearby and we were cut out of the car in four minutes. I was told by doctors that if they hadn't been so quick, we would have died. We were literally bleeding to death in a car that resembled a crushed bean can. We were rushed to hospital and both put on life support. We had broken almost every bone and both had serious head injuries. Initially, they thought they might have to amputate my right arm and right leg, but luckily I got to keep both. It's a miracle we survived. In fact, my wife Helen was told to prepare for the worst – but James and I pulled through. We were both in hospital for six months and I had more than 80 hours of operations. The first to save my leg took eight hours. Even The Darkness came in and visited me in hospital but I can't remember it – I wish I could, but I've got huge amounts of amnesia both before and after the crash. I do have a vivid memory of screaming in pain during my first physio though. I don't get any flashbacks. My brain saved me from PTSD by immediately erasing the crash, my rescue, and being in the ICU. My wife and brother went through it, not me. They still have nightmares to this day. I was out of action for a year and was lucky not just to have support from family and friends, but The Musicians' Union too. I was signed to Sony as a solo artist at the time, having created and written the songs for Sophie Ellis-Bextor's band theaudience in 1996. As I was incapable of playing any instruments, I couldn't earn a living and the Musician's Union gave me essential financial support, since it took years for compensation from the accident to come through. But my career took a new turn. Once my injuries had healed enough, a friend of mine, BBC Radio London's Gary Crowley, invited me to go onto his show to talk about the latest music releases. I'd done stuff like that before as a guest on shows and I really enjoyed it. Gary said I was a natural and encouraged me to do a post-grad degree in Broadcast Journalism, which I did in 2004 at the University of Westminster. After that, I got a job producing music programmes at the station. I'm now the station's travel presenter and Brentford FC commentator and I love my job. But I remain a musician at heart. So it was serendipitous that during a clear-out in the Covid lockdowns, my family found The Box – a gruesome keepsake of the night of the crash, containing photos, police statements, and court reports – and asked if I'd like to see it. It was the first time I cried over the whole event. I've still not seen the photos of my beautiful car, crumpled to nothing, and I don't want to – everything else inside the box was bad enough. But among the paperwork, there were two blood-splattered mini-discs that had been in the car. One wouldn't play, but the other was full of demo songs with me singing. I had no idea where I'd recorded or what they were about, bar vaguely being about love and capitalism. Then last year, my old friend Nigel Butler, who's now a top record producer, agreed to work on them. I was chuffed since he's worked with everyone, from One Direction to Aerosmith. He isolated my vocals and turned it into a solo album called 'When Lord God Almighty Reads The News', which is out on green vinyl on June 6, the day before my 60th birthday. I'm in esteemed company. Scottish indie label Last Night From Glasgow, who just released an LP by Peter Capaldi, are putting it out. So far, the singles have had lots of play on BBC 6 Music but it's strange to hear yourself, from the past, singing songs you don't remember writing. People are often filling in the gaps for me before and after the crash, as I don't remember much of 2001 at all. More Trending After all, memory is a shared experience and songwriting is a precious part of that – these songs are almost a time capsule from that year. But I'm so proud of this record. It's proof good things can come out of the worst situations and that you've got to cherish life. View More » These songs and I both survived that crash – I know I'm lucky to be alive. So I absolutely cherish every moment. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I've been prevented from divorcing my abusive estranged husband for 20 years MORE: My cousin sent a text that devastated me – I wish he'd called MORE: This Japanese walking trend can make you live longer — it's a shame it's so annoying
