Latest news with #R18m
TimesLIVE
26-05-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
'R500K unaccounted for monthly': McKenzie terminates Silapha Wellness Programme over spending concerns
Minister of sport, arts and culture Gayton McKenzie has terminated the Silapha Wellness Intervention Programme after concerns emerged over financial accountability and the programme's overall impact. The decision follows a departmental investigation into allegations that more than R400,000 per month could not be properly accounted for in the programme's spending. The programme was launched in 2022 by the department as a three-year initiative to support the wellbeing of South African artists and athletes. The project was aimed at providing critical services, including mental health support, financial counselling, grief support and performance anxiety management. According to the department, the service provider, Workforce Healthcare, was awarded a tender valued at R18m over three years with the department paying R507,000 per month for its services. However, recent reports and investigations have revealed troubling discrepancies. 'With serious questions raised about where and how the bulk of the money was being spent, as well as concerns about the actual impact of the programme, the minister decided the money could be better spent elsewhere,' the department said in a statement on Monday. McKenzie, who has been vocal on social media about tightening financial controls within the department, stated in a tweet last month: 'I am the one who is stopping all these funny payments. I have asked the finance team to explain every payment made in the last financial year, and we are putting a stop to many of these payments immediately. Legal is looking at many, like Downtown Studios, certain beneficiaries with no offices, etc.' A Sunday World investigation revealed that despite the substantial monthly payments to Workforce Healthcare, only R76,690 of that amount could be properly accounted for. In response to the programme's termination, McKenzie emphasised the need for more targeted and transparent interventions. 'We are exploring innovative ways of ensuring that we do more, and better, for our artists and athletes as a government. We are already seeing that impact and change in sports like boxing, which was badly neglected, but we also need to be more proactive with issues like the families of our legends needing support when they pass away,' he said. 'We should be intentional about our plans and know how we will respond in these cases, to offer our athletes and creatives the kind of practical support that's needed, when it's really needed.' Despite its cancellation, some maintain that the Silapha programme had merit. Workforce Healthcare's executive director for wellness Nevania Naidoo, said on the department's website that the initiative offered counselling services and was poised to expand its digital outreach. 'There is a significant need for support around mental wellbeing, substance abuse, preventable illness, financial and legal advice, gender-based violence and discrimination. The programme offers intervention and counselling but also, education to ensure prevention,' said Naidoo. Former minister Zizi Kodwa, under whose leadership the programme was initiated, had previously hailed Silapha as 'a critical tool for artist and athlete support'. 'Our artists and athletes are valuable members of our communities and are so often heroic in their ability to uplift and inspire others. At the same time, they are extremely vulnerable to life challenges due to the nature of their work. I hope that our creative and sporting community will make full use of this service and that those who face challenges receive the support and guidance they need to thrive,' Kodwa said at the time.
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN humanitarian braves drone strikes to help war victims in Ukraine
Chris Lomas from Salt Rock on the Dolphin Coast, KZN, risked his life to deliver aid just 400m from Russian forces in war-torn Kherson, Ukraine. According to The North Coast Courier, the 54-year-old founder of British NGO Hope4 braved drone strikes and frontline shelling to reach devastated communities, determined to remind the world that the war – and its victims – have not disappeared, even if media coverage has. Hope4 responds to poverty, human trafficking, conflict and natural disasters across Moldova, Ukraine and Turkey. Despite being a small team of just five, Hope4 has raised nearly £30m (R725m) in aid and more than £750 000 (R18m) in cash donations over the past four years. In 2021, Lomas and his wife Zoe, a language teacher, moved from England to Moldova with the initial goal of caring for orphans. At the time, Lomas ran a business supplying office equipment, but when Covid-19 struck, demand collapsed – igniting a shared passion to launch Hope4. In March this year, the couple relocated to Salt Rock, with plans to extend their mission into South Africa and tackle the deeply rooted issues of poverty and human trafficking. Just days later, Lomas returned to recently liberated Kherson – a journey many described as a 'suicide mission' – navigating missiles and drone strikes to deliver aid to some of the most affected communities. Soldiers at Kherson's checkpoint warned him and his team that entering the city could cost them their lives, with Russian forces launching up to 2 000 drone attacks a week. Lomas believes they survived only because of heavy mist that unexpectedly descended over the city, momentarily halting the assault during their visit. 'It was important we reported from the front lines,' said Lomas. 'People think the war is over just because it's no longer on TV. I met families who'd lived through absolute hell. There would be a knock at the door, and people would just disappear. It's scary and surreal.' The couple are no strangers to danger. From their home in Moldova, they experienced the early days of the war as Russian missiles pounded targets just across the border. Death threats soon followed, including a chilling warning from someone claiming to be a former Russian scientist, who told them they were on a Russian watchlist and should flee the country. 'When the war began, we started delivering aid to the front line. Our first major stop was President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy's hometown of Kryvyi Rih. We stayed at the same hotel several times, and I remember lying awake at night listening to air-raid sirens – it became normal. 'Every place we stayed or worked was targeted by missiles or drones. That hotel has since been destroyed, and all the staff we knew were killed. It's sobering.' For more information visit Hope4 on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube or to donate go to Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
05-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Rabada free to play after drug shock; DA leader killed: Today's top 7 stories in 7 minutes
News24 brings you the top stories of the day, summarised into neat little packages. Read through quickly or listen to the articles via our customised text-to-speech feature. DA Mayco member and councillor gunned down in Stellenbosch - DA councillor Xolile Kalipa was shot and killed in Stellenbosch on Sunday night. - Kalipa was a proportional representation councillor and mayoral committee member for community services. - Police are investigating the murder and searching for the suspects. SANITISED | How City of Johannesburg failed to act on 'unlawful' R18m tender by top official - The SIU rejected a legal opinion that dismissed its findings of corruption in a Johannesburg Covid-19 cleaning tender. - The City of Johannesburg used the legal opinion to disregard the SIU's recommendation of disciplinary action against acting COO Helen Botes. - The SIU maintains its findings and recommendations despite the City's decision. 'There were no secrets': McKenzie says he delivered amid R3m Central Karoo fundraising probe - Gayton McKenzie claims he fulfilled service delivery promises as Central Karoo mayor despite a dispute over R3 million raised at a gala dinner. - McKenzie's report to the council states R1.82 million was paid, while the council speaker says R1.182 million was later deposited after the meeting. - The council chose not to formally acknowledge McKenzie's report, which is now part of ongoing legal proceedings. Eskom supplier Exxaro parts ways with its suspended head of coal - Exxaro Resources and its former head of coal operations, Kgabi Masia, have reached a mutual separation agreement. - Masia was suspended in November 2023 pending an independent probe into issues including alleged coal cost increases and theft. - The separation agreement comes after the resignation of former CEO Nombasa Tsengwa, who had overseen Masia's suspension. Supplied Employment Equity Act: Ramaphosa backs reform as most top jobs still held by white males - President Ramaphosa defended the Employment Equity Act, highlighting its purpose to combat unfair discrimination and address historical inequalities from apartheid. - He argued that worker protections and economic growth are not conflicting goals, citing studies showing worker rights improve productivity. - The DA is challenging the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court, arguing its race-based quotas negatively impact jobs and rights, while Ramaphosa contends the Act is necessary to address persistent racial disparities in the economy. Rabada free to play after drug shock as possible 'substances of abuse' listed - Kagiso Rabada's one-month suspension was due to a positive test for a "substance of abuse", as confirmed by the South African Institute for Drug Free Sport. - The positive test occurred on 21 January after an SA20 match, and the suspension, which has now been served, began on 1 April. - Rabada is now eligible to play for the Proteas in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June. OPINION | Volvo EX90: The new electric flagship that's lovely, but at what cost? - Volvo's new all-electric EX90 is a technologically advanced and luxurious SUV with impressive range and safety features, but its high price point may be a deterrent in the South African market. - While the EX90 boasts a powerful electric drivetrain, sustainable interior, and advanced safety technology, it faces stiff competition from established luxury brands offering more traditional options. - The article questions whether the EX90, despite its merits, is the right vehicle to revitalise Volvo's presence in South Africa given the country's limited EV infrastructure and the vehicle's high cost.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SIU takes aim at Hlaudi Motsoeneng for challenging court findings
The SIU to seek costs against former South African Broadcasting Corporation's CEO Hllaudi Motsoeneng for appealing a ruling of the Constitutional Court Image: Picture: Matthews Baloyi / January 28, 2015 The head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Andy Mothibi, confirmed on Wednesday that the agency plans to request appropriate costs against former SABC CEO Hlaudi Motsoeneng following his appeal to the Constitutional Court challenging previous adverse findings made against him. This development comes after Motsoeneng filed an application for leave to appeal to the apex court, subsequent to the SIU successfully overturning a R11.5 million bonus awarded to him, which must now be repaid. Briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Mothibi said Motsoeneng was challenging their findings from lower courts to the Supreme Court of Appeal all the way to the Constitutional Court. 'He is going back to the Constitutional Court to review or rescind their judgment. This is where we will be qualified to say there is abuse of court process. We will ask for appropriate costs,' he said. Mothibi charged that Motsoeneng was really abusing the legal process. 'This is really to show that, to a greater extent, he really believes that either he should not be investigated. I can't just put my head onto it.' However, Mothibi said anyone has the right to legal recourse. 'It is his right to challenge the findings that are adverse to him. In the context of litigation process, I am of the view he is really abusing the legal process, particularly once the Constitutional Court has made a ruling,' he said. Mothibi made the comments when the SIU briefed Scopa about the investigations it has conducted at the SABC. The investigations emanated from proclamations authorised between 2010 and 2024. Chief national investigating officer Zodwa Xesibe told the MPs that a proclamation was issued in 2017 following a parliamentary inquiry into the SABC affairs. Xesibe said the investigation covered contracts, including the sale of the public broadcaster's archives. SIU legal counsel Ntuthuzelo Vanara said one of the matters related to the R11.5 million bonus paid to Motsoeneng as 'success fee' that was set aside. 'The bonus amount increased from R11.5m because of interest to R18m. Of that amount, there has been R6m that would have been paid from his pension benefit. "We finalised this matter,' Vanara said. However, the court had ordered Motsoeneng's legal fees paid by SABC be repaid to the tune of R1.2m. 'He had apparently used SABC to pay his personal matters with a personal attorney. We recovered R851 981 together with interest.' The former CEO lost an appeal bid and SABC pension fund payout to the tune of R6.4m. Vanara also said a R52m contract with Vision View was set aside and R7m contract with Mott MacDonald, among others. In a presentation to the Scopa, the SIU reported that Mjayeli Security was appealing a court decision that set aside the contract it was awarded after it was found to have come second in the winning bidders.
Zawya
20-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Applications open for landmark $1mln startup pitch in SA
The Startup Club ZA has announced the launch of The Big Pitch 2025, a $1m (R18m) startup pitch event. The Startup Club ZA says: "Over the next six months, twenty of South Africa's most promising startups will compete live on stage for an unprecedented investment in their business—subject to due diligence and terms—alongside invaluable media exposure and access to top-tier partners," The competition will take place in key phases: - Regional qualifiers: Ten startups will compete in each of the two regional qualifiers in Johannesburg (April) and Cape Town (August). - The finale: The top five startups from each qualifier will advance to The Grand Finale at this year's South African Future Trust Summit, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre in October. "Core to our mission is spotlighting the exceptional startups, founders, and solutions that are emerging across South Africa," says Mathew Marsden, founder of Startup Club ZA. "The Big Pitch 2025 is more than just a pitch event for significant investment—it's a platform to showcase our country's most promising tech entrepreneurs and uncover the immense untapped potential within our innovation ecosystem.' To qualify, businesses must demonstrate disruptive innovation, commercial scalability, and the ability to solve significant problems using technology. Startups from anywhere in the world are encouraged to apply, provided they meet the application criteria. Applications for the first qualifier in Johannesburg close on 8 April 2025. Interested applicants can visit for full eligibility requirements, FAQs, and application details. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
