Latest news with #Pienaar
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
MES faces explosive claims of violations and financial misconduct
Top charity MES accused of breaking BEE rules, discriminating against staff and diverting donor funds. One of South Africa's oldest non-profit organisations, Mould Empower Serve (MES), is facing collapse as allegations of racism, corruption, financial misconduct and abuse of power rock the faith-based charity. In a detailed anonymous media statement released this week, self-identified MES employees accused suspended CEO Leona Pienaar of 'engineering a financial meltdown' in retaliation for her suspension earlier this year. The employees claim Pienaar manipulated donor reports, misused funds, spied on staff, and created a racially exclusive management circle. 'The very soul of MES is at stake, and may already be lost,' the statement reads. Top leadership walks out On Monday, the acting chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer (CFO), and the national finance manager resigned. This followed the exit of the national communications manager, reportedly in protest over the board's failure to inform donors about Pienaar's suspension. The anonymous staff member stated that this allowed her to 'spread misinformation' and further erode donor confidence. In total, six senior executives have now left the organisation in recent weeks. The branch manager in Kempton Park appointed by Pienaar after a black predecessor was dismissed, also resigned under a cloud, with insiders alleging inconsistent disciplinary action along racial lines. ALSO READ: Ex-Denel chairperson, former CEO to study docket of corruption Claims of financial misconduct According to the staff statement, Pienaar is accused of falsifying donor reports, issuing invalid section 18A certificates, and diverting programme funds to consultants, including a firm owned by MES board member Willem Eksteen. The company, Stone, Strategy, Communication and Consulting, allegedly terminated its relationship with MES just before investigations began. 'Funds were instead diverted to pay consultants… further clouding accountability,' staff alleged. There are also claims that Pienaar authorised unlawful surveillance of staff emails and transferred control of the MES Khula Trust to her husband, a former MES CFO, without board transparency. The Trust has not been activated despite the organisation's financial crisis. Speaking to The Citizen, Pienaar confirmed she had been suspended but said she could not comment further. 'According to my suspension agreement, if I get media enquiries, I need to refer them back to the board till after the investigation,' she said. ALSO READ: Sars official testifies against company linked to blue lights corruption case Board denies cover-up In response, speaking to The Citizen on Thursday, MES Board Chairperson Hannes Windell confirmed that the organisation had launched an independent investigation into the allegations. 'The board takes the allegations and threats very seriously,' Windell said. 'The MES CEO has been suspended from her operational duties, with full remuneration, pending the outcome of the investigation.' The board denied accusations that MES funds were paid to Stone, saying the company had 'never received any payment' and had only provided pro bono services. It also said the MES Khula Trust had issued a cash loan to MES 'to avoid delaying staff salaries'. However, the board warned that several statements in the leaked staff document were 'severe factual inaccuracies' and that it may consider legal action. 'This accusation of corruption is devoid of any truth […] It is not only harmful but also slanderous,' the chairperson said. ALSO READ: NPA lacking in lottery probe 'Humanitarian disaster' Staff say the organisation, which provides support services to homeless people, children and struggling families, is now paralysed. With no CEO, CFO, finance manager, communications head or fundraising executive, operations have all but ground to a halt. Delayed salaries and donor withdrawals are pushing the 37-year-old organisation towards financial ruin. 'This is no longer just a leadership crisis. It's a humanitarian disaster,' said the anonymous statement. The initial findings of the independent investigation are expected on Friday. NOW READ: More than 200 000 will experience Sassa grant delays — here's why
The South African
05-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Where is Springbok captain Francois Pienaar now?
Few Mzansi moments are as iconic and culturally significant as Francois Pienaar lifting the Web Ellis Cup alongside Nelson Mandela after the Springbok's 15-12 victory over the All Blacks. It's an image that speaks a thousand words – a symbol for a new, integrated South Africa. Mandela knew the importance of sports and boy, did it deliver. 'It's impossible to describe how important that victory was to everybody in South Africa,' said the former Springbok captain. Pienaar was inducted to World Rugby's Hall of Fame in 2011 and will go down as one of the greatest ever to don the green and gold. It's not only on the pitch where the 58-year-old has made a long-lasting impact, Piennaar founded the Varsity Cup, which has become a melting pot for Springbok talent. '50% of the players from the Boks 2023 World Cup played in the varsity cup' and added that it has been incredible to see the development of talent,' he noted. 'The varsity sports initiative now includes football and netball, offering a stage for young talent across various sports and not only rugby.' Additionally, the Vereeniging-native has veered towards charity work and philanthropy; 'As sportsmen we're blessed to represent our country on the international stage and to see the power of sport,' Pienaar mentioned while participating in Gary Player's player invitational which raises money for Blair Atholl Pre-Primary School. 'But this weekend you also see the love Mr Player has for giving back and the love [Player's late wife] Vivienne had for giving back. The school they founded is remarkable and that is what you want to see with greats like Mr Player. 'But all any of us here are trying to do is a little something to help. We have a debt incurred in life to help people.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Eskort expands its retail presence with new stores across South Africa
A South African tucks into pork ribs, which are among the products sold at Eskort's 30 retail stores across the country. The company plans to open four more stores this year. Image: Supplied Eskort is not just about bacon or Viennas; the food processing company behind the brand has added four retail stores across the country in a growth spurt at the end of last year, with more planned for the future. As the manufacturer and processor of iconic antibiotic-free pork products, growing a retail chain may not seem like an obvious path to profit. However, for Eskort, it has proven a successful strategy. The company now operates 30 stores nationwide, with the first one opened in the Western Cape among the four new locations recently launched. Most of these are owned and operated by Eskort, while a handful are run by franchisees. In an interview with BR, Eskort's marketing director, Marcelle Pienaar, said that the company opened its first retail store in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1951, near its first manufacturing facility. The second store followed in the 1970s in Heidelberg, where a second manufacturing plant was established. Pienaar explains that establishing these stores requires careful consideration, as the intention is not to compete with existing retail stores that stock Eskort products. The stores aim to cater to both high and low-income consumers, necessitating strategic positioning. Additionally, production must be scaled up at the manufacturing facilities to supply the stores effectively. High-end shop fittings and colourful packaging create cheerful environments, but a striking aspect is the range available in their open fridges. Pienaar said that while the average supermarket shopper may be familiar with about 40 Eskort products, the Eskort stores carry over 300. 'They're the result of our investment in world-leading technology, as well as the innovative efforts of our in-house team of food technologists and recipe developers,' she said. One of the store favourites are the hampers, particularly among small and medium-sized businesses. As expected from a company founded by a group of farmers in a KwaZulu-Natal "bacon factory" in 1917, bacon remains a staple alongside sausages and Viennas. The stores also offers fresh and braai pork cuts, many targeting the premium market. Pienaar said that Eskort's convenience foods have significantly contributed to driving retail revenue and attracting repeat customers. She adds that pork ranks fourth in the lineup of meat proteins consumed in South Africa, following chicken, beef, and lamb. In contrast, pork is the primary protein in many parts of Europe and most of Asia, which indicates that there is still big potential for increased pork consumption among South Africans. 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 ✕
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Below Deck' Cameraman Brent Freeburg, Who Saved a Cast Member in 2018, Is in a Coma After 2 Strokes and a Subdural Hematoma
Below Deck cameraman Brent Freeburg is in a coma after he suffered two strokes and a subdural hematoma on Saturday, Feb. 15, in Redondo Beach, Calif., according to a GoFundMe created by his family. Freeburg has worked as a camera operator on several reality TV shows, including Dance Moms and Below Deck. During Below Deck's sixth season in 2018, Freeburg made headlines for saving cast member deckhand Ashton Pienaar, who was pulled overboard when a tow line wrapped around his ankle. Pienaar shared the news of Freeburg's health on Instagram on Tuesday, Feb. 25, adding, 'Some people leave an impact on your life that you can never repay. Brent is one of those people for me.' 'If you have a moment, please keep him in your thoughts," Pienaar continued. "Wishing him strength, healing, and a full recovery. 💙.' Freeburg's mother, Cheri, announced on the GoFundMe page that her son had a subdural hematoma and was admitted to the hospital for emergency surgery. (A subdural hematoma is a 'buildup of blood on the surface of the brain [and] in a space between the protective layers that surround your brain,' per Cedars-Sinai.) In an update the following day, Cheri said her son suffered a stroke and 'is weak on his left side.' On Saturday, Feb. 22, 'the neurologist explained the damaged part of his brain from the stroke appears to be just his left side of the body and nothing else, so far," Cheri wrote. Related: 'Below Deck' Star Gets Pulled Overboard in Scary Accident: 'We Were Within 30 Seconds of Him Dying' The next day, he underwent a successful percutaneous tracheostomy, which 'is a surgically created airway that is kept open with a breathing tube,' per The New England Journal of Medicine. Then, on Monday, Feb. 24, he was administered a feeding peg out of his nose and into his stomach. The Monday update also said he does not have any more upcoming procedures, but he will remain at the hospital for 'a few more days at least' and then move to a rehab facility. As of Tuesday, Feb. 25, Freeburg had an infection, but doctors have not identified its source. The GoFundMe noted that day that Freeburg does open his eyes 'every once in a while.' On Thursday, Feb. 27, his cousin posted an update to Instagram, sharing "good news" that he "did move his toes and squeeze his hand on command." The GoFundMe also chronicled Freeburg's life for donors. The description highlights how Freeburg became a camera operator and saved Pienaar on the job. 'Brent had no passion to be on camera, but quickly found his way to the forefront during one pivotal and life changing moment. Ashton was quickly whisked away to sea trapped, and drowning. Brent made the decision to break the dreaded fourth wall and quickly went from spectator to hero,' the statement described his heroic act. 'However, [he] was always our hero.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The family explained that they 'are desperate to transport him' to an east coast hospital. "Without medical insurance currently, we are asking for your help,' read the update. 'Please spread the word so Brent, our cameraman, our hero, can be at home with his family by his side.' Read the original article on People
