Latest news with #Pretoria


Russia Today
an hour ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Trump to skip G20 Summit in South Africa
US President Donald Trump has said he will probably not attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, citing Pretoria's 'very bad policies' as the reason. Speaking on Air Force One on Tuesday, Trump said he will send someone else because of the 'problems' he has with South Africa. 'I think maybe I'll send somebody else because I've had a lot of problems with South Africa. They have some very bad policies,' he said. 'They have some very bad policies… A lot of people are being killed. I'd like to, but I don't think I will.' This remark reflects Trump's ongoing criticism of South Africa, particularly his repeated references to unsubstantiated claims that Pretoria has targeted white farmers—a narrative the South African government has consistently and categorically rejected. Further signalling strained diplomatic ties, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not attend the July G20 finance ministers' meeting in Durban, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio similarly opted out of a G20 foreign ministers' summit in Johannesburg earlier this year. During the early months of his second term, Trump amplified allegations of systematic discrimination against white citizens, a narrative promoted by Elon Musk, a South African-born entrepreneur and then-ally of Trump. The White House has also expressed formal concerns over South Africa's policies, notably the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) framework and controversial land expropriation legislation, the latter of which was enacted in January 2023. Although South African authorities maintained that the law would not be used to unjustly seize white-owned land, it has sparked significant concern in international policy and investment published by IOL


News24
2 hours ago
- General
- News24
A delectable passionfruit bake for National Cheesecake Day
Cheesecake in all its guises is the perfect treat for afternoon tea or morning coffee. You just can't go wrong with this delicious, creamy cake – whether it's baked, refrigerated, chocolate, Basque, New York-style, topped with whipped cream, fruits or coulis on a short crust pastry or biscuit crumb base. National Cheesecake Day on 30 July is a day dedicated to this delicious dessert. Pretoria's Time Square's sous chef Cynthia Bombe has shared her recipe for passionfruit cheesecake in honour of the day, although you can indulge in it any time you please. 'When I was a child growing up in Diepkloof, Soweto, I used to help my mom bake scones and jam tarts, which she sold. So, that is where my passion for baking comes from and I decided to pursue it as a career,' Cynthia says, who holds a chefs certificate in food preparation from the HTA School of Culinary Art. Try Cynthia's baked cheesecake recipe and impress your friends and family. Ingredients Base 200g coconut biscuits, crushed into crumbs 80g melted butter 25cm springform pan Filling 625g cream cheese 375ml condensed milk 4 eggs 40ml lemon juice 30ml vanilla essence 32g Maizena corn flour 250g passion fruit (granadilla) purée Method Preheat oven to 150°C Mix the biscuits and butter together. Press firmly into the bottom of a springform pan. Refrigerate while making the filling. In a bowl, add cream cheese and beat until smooth. Add condensed milk, lemon juice ,vanilla essence and mix well. Beat in the Maizena and mix well until smooth. Add in eggs one at a time mix well until smooth. Pour the mixture onto the chilled crust and smooth the top. Tap the tin on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake at 150°C for one hour. Allow cheesecake to cool for two hours and refrigerate overnight. Remove cheesecake from the springform pan. Garnish as desired. Serve and enjoy!


Zawya
2 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Empowering MSMEs, How financial excellence drives lasting economic transformation?
At Exxaro, a thriving Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme isn't just a corporate obligation—it's a powerful catalyst for economic enhancement. Fostering entrepreneurial talent and strengthening aspiring and existing suppliers through ESD, South African businesses can build resilient industries and even uplift the communities they serve. Exxaro Resources, a leading force in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) development, continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainable MSME development through its ongoing partnering with Saica Enterprise Development (Saica ED). At the heart of this collaboration is their Financial Excellence Programme, a transformative initiative designed to empower MSMEs with essential financial management skills. Beyond equipping entrepreneurs with the tools to navigate financial complexities, the financial excellence programme also enhances operational efficiency and cultivates long-term sustainability, which are key ingredients for thriving in today's competitive market. Tangible results: A proven track record The impact of the financial excellence programme speaks for itself, with the success of its previous three cohorts. Some of the key achievements from the 87 MSMEs that participated in the programme over the last three years include: - Over a 65% increase in turnover and a 55% rise in net profit across all businesses. - 102 new jobs created, further fuelling economic expansion. - 16 MSMEs secured new contracts, enhancing their business reach. - 17 MSMEs increased their market share, solidifying their presence in their respective industries. - 4 MSMEs obtained loan funding, providing additional resources for growth. These impressive milestones underscore the programme's far-reaching influence and undeniable success in empowering entrepreneurs and fostering financial sustainability. A programme that transforms businesses: Participants have shared enthusiastic testimonials about the programme's invaluable impact. 'The programme helped us introduce structured accounting systems, align our company with Sars regulations, and address VAT challenges. Our accountant was always available, ensuring our financial framework remained robust.' — Bonginkosi Clement Mashinini and Ntando Gratitude Mashele from Leaders in Business, a business that specialises in transportation of explosives, mining and drilling equipment. 'I've learned the importance of tracking performance, recording relevant data, and processing information for better decision-making.' — Molangoane Chuene Eric from Video production and photography. 'The program has taught me the importance of monitoring the company financial performance and to be always compliant.' Hendrick Seleka from Mahendy Trading Enterprise (PTY) LTD that specialises in supplying mine equipment and pest control services. The journey continues: Cohort 4 takes flight: With such proven success, Saica Enterprise Development is proud to announce the launch of Cohort 4 (Exxaro 4) of the Financial Excellence Programme to offer a group of entrepreneurs the opportunity to sharpen their financial acumen and build prosperous futures. As this long-term collaboration flourishes in 2025, Exxaro Resources and Saica ED remain dedicated to driving meaningful economic transformation, empowering MSME, and paving the way for sustained business success.

The Herald
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald
Department trains ECD practitioners to 'rescue' foundation-phase learning
'The minister and the department remain committed to ensuring every child has access to a qualified practitioner and a curriculum-rich early learning environment. Improving the quality and reach of ECD is central to ensuring children who enter Grade 1 are cognitively, emotionally and physically ready to learn, and forms the foundation of a more equitable and effective basic education system.' This year finance minister Enoch Godongwana announced an additional R10bn investment in ECD over the next three years. The funding will raise the daily subsidy from R17 to R24 per child and is expected to increase access for about 700,000 more children up to the age of four. Speaking at the Bana Pele (Children First) summit in March, President Cyril Ramaphosa reinforced government's commitment to early learning. 'As South Africans we have a clear goal for all our children, access to quality learning opportunities for an additional 1.3-million children by 2030. I think it's possible,' he said. Investment in ECD provides substantial returns, he added.. 'Studies have shown every rand spent on ECD can save up to R7 in future costs associated with remedial education, social services and criminal justice. 'ECD is critical for developing foundational skills such as language, literacy and numeracy,' he said, citing a study that estimated an investment of 2.1% of GDP in universal childcare could enable 10.5-million women to join the workforce over three years. Ramaphosa also addressed the literacy crisis, pointing to data that shows 80% of grade 4 pupils cannot read for meaning. TimesLIVE


News24
3 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Nearly R7 million earned at home: Senior cop's future at risk as SAPS seeks her removal
The police leadership has recommended that Lieutenant-General Francinah Vuma, the suspended deputy national commissioner for support services, be retrenched. Supplied