Latest news with #PowerFM
News24
6 days ago
- News24
Newsreader now minister's spokesman after road rage drama
Video footage from 17 April shows Sampear shouting at student Laricia Augusto (20) after their vehicles collided in Randburg. In April 2020, Sampear admitted on Power FM that he had assaulted two previous girlfriends and claimed his mother 'provoked' his stepfather leading to her being abused, drawing criticism for promoting a victim-blaming culture around gender-based violence. Patricia de Lille says Sampear passed the vetting process with 'no adverse findings' and wasn't charged over the road rage incident, arguing he was sharing his childhood trauma to warn about cycles of violence rather than justifying it. A well-known television presenter has been appointed to a senior government position after he was previously involved in a road rage incident with a young female student. A video of the incident on 17 April between Aldrin Sampear, former newsreader for Newzroom Afrika, and Laricia Augusto (20) in Randburg spread like wildfire on social media. In the video, Sampear shouts at Augusto that she showed him the middle finger while she repeatedly screams: 'Why are you hitting me?' In the recording, it appears that a black Mitsubishi Pajero SUV and a white Toyota Aygo hatchback collided with each other. Augusto laid a charge of assault with the police against Sampear, and Newzroom Afrika took him off air for about a month Upon his return to work in May, after his suspension, Sampear said on air: 'I want to take full responsibility for my actions, although I did not assault the other driver, I believe I should have been more composed and found a way to de-escalate the situation.' He apologised, expressed his regret and said his actions did not meet his own high standards. Sampear was also in the news in April 2020. This after he admitted as a presenter on Power FM that he had assaulted two of his previous girlfriends. This was part of a conversation about gender-based violence in which he said his stepfather had abused his mother and that she had 'provoked' him, News24 reported. Sampear also said he had outgrown such violent behaviour because he had seen how his father always knew 'how to hold back'. Critics said at the time that Sampear had promoted a culture with that conversation, where victims of domestic violence get blamed for the situation. Meanwhile, Sampear announced on air on 31 July that his career at Newzroom Afrika was coming to an end and that he would be joining the department of tourism. He has been appointed as spokesperson for Patricia de Lille. De Lille said on Saturday that all proposed appointments go through a vetting process. There were no adverse findings against Mr Sampear. Patricia de Lille Regarding the allegations against Sampear around the road rage incident, De Lille said: 'Mr Sampear was not charged.' About his revelations on Power FM, De Lille said Sampear had shared his experiences as a child of violence. 'He and his mother were victims of physical abuse. He was not defending or condoning violence, but was instead warning the public through his personal reflections of how the vicious cycle of gender-based violence reinvents itself. It's through (the) children.' De Lille said she trusts that Sampear's talents will strengthen the department to create jobs, among other things.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Is the dtic sabotaging its minister?
Parks Tau appears to prefer the audacity of hope rather than the practicality of reality. The minister needs to position the dtic as the engine room for growth, but challenges abound – as does scepticism. Picture: GCIS In an interview last week, PowerFM's Mbuyiseni Ndlozi quizzed Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau about his department's plan to create 6.4 million jobs and support a million small and medium-sized enterprises and 441 000 subsistence farmers through a variety of initiatives it plans to roll out. Ndlozi's proposition to Tau was that members of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) who allow Tau to publish documents stating ambitious and completely unrealistic targets are sabotaging the minister since none of the numbers is remotely feasible. Tau's response centred on the audacity of hope rather than the practicality of reality. ALSO READ: Proudly SA launches online store – here's how to list your business on it The reality … The poor and declining state of various industries in South Africa has contributed to the poor growth and employment outcomes seen over the last two decades. Part of it has been attributed to the natural shifts inherent in some industries on the local and global landscape, and part to the policy and regulatory frameworks which – when well executed – are meant to help affected industries stay ahead of the curve. When they don't work well, such policies contribute to the decline and fall that impacts the nation at large. The dtic's mandate places it at the epicentre of ensuring continuous competitiveness and the creation of support mechanisms for new industries responsive to the issues of our time. ALSO READ: Transformation Fund offers second chance for inclusive reform The hope … Tau's hope for the reindustrialisation of the country lingers on the department's ability to resolve a few difficult conversations, both internally and internationally. On the international front, he has found himself vaulted to the forefront of the frankly impossible conversations regarding South Africa's trade relations with the US. US President Donald Trump has managed to lump his universal disdain for global trade with his now-defunct brotherhood with Elon Musk – who harbours personal disdain for the South African policy framework – in order to launch a tariff and ideological war on the country. Resolving this requires the dtic to navigate through the noise and lead the negotiation towards something resembling a settlement. South Africa's trade relationship has shifted from the favourable model of Agoa (the US's African Growth and Opportunity Act) – which enabled some South African goods to access the US market without tariffs. It now lies at the opposite extreme where tariff rates of 30% to 40% are proposed, with exceptions only made for those items that happen to matter to Trump. Tau's problem is that he is tasked with creating an economic and trade policy solution to a problem whose genesis has little to do with the trade relationship but is premised on various factors and issues far from the ambit of the dtic. President Cyril Ramaphosa's interventions, which have included a visit to the White House and the appointment of an envoy to manage the relationship, have so far borne little fruit. As Trump moved from the erratic tariff model unleashed on his 'Liberation Day' – which saw South Africa hit with a 34% tariff rate that was suspended pending direct negotiations – to the adjusted rate of 30%, it has become increasingly difficult to figure out if South Africa can present anything that placates the Trump administration. The fallout from the tariffs is expected to hit South Africa's exports and, in the absence of a structured solution, decimate some companies whose business models are highly dependent on the US market. ALSO READ: Is government's R100 billion Transformation Fund a pothole or highway to growth? Locally … On the local front, Tau is juggling a few balls on the policy and governance front. Pursuing an industrial policy framework fit for the problems of the day and enabling enough to unleash the country's industrial revival that Tau (and everyone else) covets requires the collaboration of many stakeholders within and outside the state. Finding the right model for collaboration is a difficult task that requires a meeting of the minds between those with an inclination to defend the practices and ideologies of yesteryear – the bureaucrats and politicians – and those with an eye to the future who require instruments that enable them to innovate fast enough to stay ahead of the competitive curve. Instances of delayed approvals or rejections that are subsequently overturned do not assist anyone. Take the proposed transaction between Peermont and Sun International that was abandoned because bureaucrats apparently could not convene a meeting on time to deliberate on the deal, or the Vodacom-Maziv deal that was on and off again. Tau's flagship programme aimed at growing the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMME ) sector – the R100 billion Transformation Fund – is currently subject to public consultation and deliberations. If it sees the light of day, it might make a dent in the SMME sector, but it is unlikely to get us anywhere close to the employment numbers that underpin the department's mission. ALSO READ: Government called to take the lead in restoring the steel industry Own goals What also doesn't help the department is the range of own goals that keep popping up. In recent days, the dtic decided to refresh the board of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), submitting a list to cabinet that was approved. Only after the approval did it emerge that one of the recommended board members happened to not only owe the IDC but is also subject to litigation with the IDC itself. Quite how the vetting process could have missed this glaring anomaly, or why anyone with such a history with the institution would make himself available for a board seat to begin with, remains unclear. But someone has to explain it all if there is to be any sense of faith in the institutions that Tau oversees given their critical role in aiding the country's economic prospects. ALSO READ: DTIC and organised business can improve the business environment – BLSA The messy national lottery situation The fate of the national lottery licence – where Tau eventually announced a winner after a long process of deliberation – is even more murky as losing bidders insist on getting an explanation of how the adjudication was completed. The tender is one of the most lucrative ones in the country and, uniquely, is one of the tenders where there is an explicit expectation to deliver on social responsibility programmes. Any interruption to the continuity of the lottery system disrupts existing social responsibility programmes and creates an opening for more loosely-regulated online options to capture the gambling rands. The complexities of running a lottery are such that deep pockets are needed – and few have the combination of financial resources and technical expertise to get it done. Getting the lotto decision right is one of the processes the dtic should be expected to exercise with a much greater sense of vigilance. The current turn of events, however, indicates that such a threshold has not been met. While a new operator has been appointed, its confirmation as the winner was so late that it simply could not take up the job on the projected date. Such a delay means that the incumbent – Ithuba – has been informed that its term is over, yet the country depends on it to continue running the lotto until the new operator is ready. ALSO READ: GNU: Tau describes 'a new era of collaboration' with big businesses The difficulty with this turn of events is that the dtic – having set the rules for transition – should be explaining how it imagined it could reconcile the late announcement with the transition date if all bidders had explained how long their transition period needed to be either as continuing incumbents or new operators. In the absence of a cogent explanation, the courts have had to intervene and endorse an interim arrangement, which works on the premise that the new operators will be able to start at the end of the interim period. The adjudicators and evaluators appointed to run the process seem to have underdelivered for the dtic and the country. What happens now is that losing bidders are demanding an explanation of how the decision was made and whether it all passes the muster for integrity. Additional questions regarding the evaluation of bidders and the assessment of potential conflicts of interest will naturally emerge as part of the process of discovering how such complex tenders are assessed and whether South Africans get the best value for money. As we wait for the court processes to unfold, Ithuba will continue to run the lottery, which addresses the risk of interruption. ALSO READ: GNU: Tau describes 'a new era of collaboration' with big businesses Can the dtic explain and defend itself? What the dtic does in explaining its processes and defending the integrity of its systems will be an important reflection moment for the dtic: Can it subject its processes to external scrutiny; Will the bidders be able to make peace with how it all happened; and Will the country get to understand how those tasked with critical decisions that bind the nation in such large value contracts actually perform their jobs? If it turns out – as other bidders allege – that much of the processes leave a lot to be desired, Tau's mission to position the dtic as the engine room for the turnaround in the country's fortunes, will unfortunately invite more sceptics for the key future projects that underpin the dtic agenda. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Beaded tribute: Artist gifts Thabo Mbeki a 77 558-bead portrait for his birthday
The portrait depicts a young Thabo Mbeki and was crafted entirely from beads — 77,558 of them, to be exact, by artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo. Artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo took more than 700 hours to create the handcrafted bead portrait of Mbeki. Picture: @Powerfm987/X After working on a Thabo Mbeki portrait for three months, dedicating more than 700 hours of her time, artist Lindiwe Hlatshwayo presented the former president with a handcrafted bead portrait for his birthday. 'We hope this portrait serves as a lasting reminder of the impact you've made,' said artist Hlatshwayo in her brief speech before revealing the portrait to loud cheers on Sunday. The portrait is a photo of a younger Mbeki, which was made solely from beads — 77,558 to be exact. Hlawtwayo said it wasn't just a portrait, but a symbol. 'Each bead represents the countless lives touched, the inspiration given and the legacy created by Mr Thabo Mbeki. This isn't just a picture, it's a symbol,' said Hlawtwayo. 'It's unique, vibrant and unforgettable,' just like Mbeki she said. The portrait was unveiled at the end of the night of Mbeki's 83rd birthday on Sunday evening at the Joburg Theatre, hosted by radio station Power FM. Hlatshwayo is the artist behind Beads by Lindiwe, where she creates customary portraits similar to the one gifted to Mbeki. ALSO READ: Saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane shares special moment with Thabo Mbeki at birthday party Mbeki's love for art Although the theatre was filled with politicians and dignitaries, there was a presence of art—a display of Mbeki's appreciation for it. In 2023, during his 81st birthday celebrations, Mbeki shared an intimate moment with young saxophonist Linda Sikhakhane. After cutting the birthday cake, Mbeki gave the first piece to Sikhakhane. This was after Sikhakhane made mention of how jazz and politics were in tandem in the fight against apartheid during his set, which the former president quoted when he made his speech. 'We've lost sight of the role of the arts in terms of the formation of the nation. That we see music just as entertainment, so you stand up and jive and all of that. As we heard from the saxophonist who was saying that it would be a mistake to separate jazz from the politics of this country,' Mbeki said at the time. 'We have to attend to this matter, of bringing back the arts as part of the making of the nation.' Simphiwe Dana took the song "Malaika" to the next level tonight! Mama Miriam Makeba is definitely smiling. — Zwelinzima Vavi (@Zwelinzima1) June 22, 2025 At the celebrations on Sunday, singer Simphiwe Dana mesmerised guests through song. In his address, Mbeki described the Zandisile singer as a 'revolutionary militant.' Dana was part of a group that travelled with Mbeki to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for his 15th Thabo Mbeki Africa Day Lecture. NOW READ: Trombonist Siyasanga 'Siya' Charles excited to come back home for the National Arts Festival
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki calls for a reassessment of South Africa's national interests in a multipolar world
Navigating global power dynamics: Former President Thabo Mbeki's insights on US foreign policy Image: Picture: Armand Hough/Independent Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has called on the nation to critically assess and articulate its national interests in an increasingly multipolar world and the evolving foreign policy of the United States. In an interview with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on Power FM on Monday, Mbeki reflected on recent diplomatic tensions, including the controversial meeting between President Cyril Ramaphosa and former US President Donald Trump—an encounter many observers described as a diplomatic misstep. Mbeki pointed to a February statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which shed light on Washington's post-Cold War worldview. Rubio stated that 'after the Soviet Union's collapse, the global political landscape changed,' a shift Mbeki sees as emblematic of US foreign policy. 'The norm now should be a multipolar world where countries pursue their interests,' Mbeki emphasised. "When Trump spoke of 'Making America Great Again,' he wasn't advocating isolation. He asserted America's right to define and pursue its interests—controlling resources, influencing regions, shaping global institutions—regardless of others' opinions.' Power Politics in a Multipolar World Mbeki highlighted that this focus on self-interest isn't exclusive to Trump's administration. 'Every US government, regardless of party, operates on the principle of pursuing its national interests,' he said. 'They may see strategic value in places like Greenland or Panama and act accordingly.' This, he explained, is a defining feature of contemporary international relations. 'The guiding principle now is what benefits the US, not respect or equality. That's how they see the world.' 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 ✕ Implications for South Africa and Africa Mbeki warned that Africa must understand this global shift to safeguard its interests. 'If we ignore the reality that global powers are driven primarily by self-interest, we risk being manipulated or sidelined,' he cautioned. 'We need to articulate and defend our interests instead of passively accepting external dictates.' He touched on recent diplomatic tensions, notably South Africa's support for Palestine. 'Our stance is rooted in principles of justice and solidarity,' he said. 'But we must also recognise that US interests in the Middle East often conflict with ours.' Dependency and the Role of US Diplomacy Ndlozi criticised Africa's reliance on global powers, pointing to last week's White House incident where Trump accused South Africa of genocide—without evidence. 'That scene—staged videos, prepared images—showed how the US believes it has the right to lecture us,' Ndlozi remarked. 'This is a clear example of structural dependency and diminishing our dignity.' He argued that what is often framed as 'respect' is actually a form of dominance. 'It's not about mutual respect; it's about control,' he said. 'Our relationship with global powers has become asymmetrical—rooted in dependence, not equality.' The Changing Dynamics of US-South Africa Relations Ndlozi observed that US-South Africa relations have worsened under the current administration. 'In the past, even during disagreements—whether with Bush or Obama—there was a certain decorum,' he said. 'Now, the US acts as if it's entitled to dictate to us, regardless of our sovereignty.' He reflected on the diplomatic approach of previous US presidents. 'Visits by Bush or Obama, even amid disagreements, maintained mutual respect. Today's aggressive posture is deeply concerning,' Ndlozi noted. Moving Forward: A Call for Vigilance Mbeki concluded by emphasising that the world is shifting away from unipolar dominance. He urged African nations to be proactive by defining their interests and standing firm. 'Developing the capacity to defend our sovereignty is essential to avoid being passive recipients of Western or US policies. IOL Politics
IOL News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Thabo Mbeki urges African governments to prioritise history education
Reviving African history: Thabo Mbeki's call for educational reform. Image: Boxer Ngwenya Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has called on African governments to take decisive steps to revive and emphasise the teaching of African history in schools to avoid repeating past mistakes. His appeal comes amid concerns that the continent's youth, lacking historical awareness, risks repeating past mistakes that have hindered development and unity. After delivering the annual Thabo Mbeki Lecture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mbeki emphasized the importance of fostering a shared understanding of Africa's struggles, victories, and the lessons learned. In an interview with Dr Mbuyiseni Ndlozi on Power FM on Monday, he highlighted the critical role that historical education plays in promoting African unity and resilience. Mbeki underscored the need for "African unity and solidity," asserting that acting together is essential to confront the continent's ongoing challenges. 'We must collaborate to find solutions,' he said. 'The foundation of this effort lies in understanding our shared history — the struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs that have shaped us.' He praised the role of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation and initiatives dedicated to the continent's renaissance, noting that these efforts are vital for fostering a sense of pride and identity among young Africans. "The Foundation must be committed to the renaissance of Africa and South Africa,' he added. 'This entails capturing and transmitting our history to future generations.' 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 ✕ Ad Loading Mbeki recounted the importance of documenting the history of democracy in South Africa and beyond. 'The actors — those who fought for freedom — must tell their stories directly,' he said. 'We established projects like the South African Democratic Education Transfer to ensure that the history of our struggle is accessible and accurately conveyed.' He also pointed out that this initiative extends beyond South Africa, incorporating the broader anti-apartheid movement and global solidarity efforts involving Cuba, Brazil, India, Russia, and others. 'We've decided to develop textbooks tailored for high school students to make this vast knowledge accessible and engaging for young people,' Mbeki explained. 'It's essential that they understand the history from those who lived it, rather than only through secondary sources.' Mbeki expressed concern that many young Africans, including Tanzanian youth, are unfamiliar with their history. He cited observations from Tanzanian leadership about the forgetting or neglect of key moments in the country's independence and liberation. 'This is problematic,' he said. 'If young people are unaware of their history, they risk repeating past mistakes.' He urged governments and educational institutions to prioritize history education, emphasizing that the issue is not a lack of interest but a failure to provide adequate resources and curricula. 'It's our responsibility to ensure that history is part of public education,' he asserted. 'Young people are not uninterested; they simply need access and engagement.'
