Latest news with #R3
TimesLIVE
8 hours ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Thembisa residents protest against new electricity tariff surcharge
Residents of Thembisa in Ekurhuleni took to the streets to protest on Sunday night and Monday morning, complaining they cannot afford the latest electricity tariff surcharge. Several major routes in Thembisa were blocked off with stones and burning tyres. The new electricity tariff surcharge of R126 a month was implemented from the beginning of July. WATCH | Protestors in Tembisa block the mayor's convoy as he prepares to address them regarding increased electricity tariffs in the area. Video: @Muchave1Muchave — Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) July 21, 2025 Mithe Mokgotadi, 55, who said he has lived in Thembisa his whole life, told Sowetan: 'In May I was billed R12,000 and this month I've been billed R3,000. That is for everything, from rates to water. And on top of that, I still need to make payment for electricity. 'Paying R250 gets you at least 64 units, but that is not enough. It can last you three days at most, and so I have to keep buying electricity. 'I live in a house where there is more than five of us and I don't have a job. I only sell apples and some vegetables from home to make do with what I have. But it's not enough, because in a month I spend at least R3,000 on electricity — and now they want to make matters worse by increasing the tariff. 'At this point they want us to turn to crime and making illegal connections because we are really struggling — but they don't see that. They are mugging us of the little we have.' WATCH | Tembisa resident Josephina Siboni (62) says she does not understand the newly introduced tariffs and what they mean. She says when buying electricity, the units do not reflect accordingly. Video: @Koena_xM — Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) July 21, 2025 Another resident, Enos Mohlari, 60, said he applied to fall into the indigent category in April and is baffled why he has been billed. 'Just a few days ago, I received a statement saying that I owed the municipality more than R3,000 — I am being forced to pay,' he said. 'My hands are tied because I don't have the money to pay these bills. I don't work at all, but they're billing me amounts that I don't have in my account. And now they want us to pay more for electricity. It's not fair, the units we get barely get us by.'
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Is Bitcoin useful yet? The question explored in ‘Decrypting Crypto: the utility conversation'
Forget speculation – can you buy bread with Bitcoin? Daily Maverick's second Decrypting Crypto webinar tackled whether crypto's promise of real-world use is finally growing roots from South Africa's (SA's) townships and suburbs to shops and remittances. Bitcoin's rocket ride is well known – a single coin, worth around R3,300 at the end of 2014, then called the worst investment of that year, is now worth more than R2-million. While exchanges do exist to turn Bitcoin into fiat currency, the question remains: is Bitcoin gaining real practical utility for ordinary South Africans? The answer is that while it's still early days, cryptocurrency is becoming more practical to use in everyday life, thanks to growing adoption and an expanding range of real-world applications. In this second edition of Business Maverick's Decrypting Crypto webinar series held on 10 July 2025, crypto journalist Lindsey Schutters looked to unpack the issue beyond the hype of the marketplace, in conversation with Larry Cooke, head of legal for Binance Africa, and Hermann Vivier, founder of Bitcoin Ekasi and Chairman of The Surfer Kids. It's about simplicity For Vivier, Bitcoin's usefulness isn't just about whether it works as a payment system. It's about what it represents. 'Bitcoin was created specifically as a response against central banking,' he said. 'Satoshi Nakamoto recognised that the basic problem is the centralisation of control. So the answer to that is decentralisation.' Vivier's motivation isn't profit, but principle. 'Utility is a second-layer conversation. The first layer is ideology,' he explained. 'If my utility application of this thing loses sight of that core question, then I'm not doing it right.''I want to be able to do everything I do with normal money. I want to be able to do that with Bitcoin – in the simplest, most straightforward way possible,' he continued. Building Bitcoin Ekasi But ideals are tested in the real world – which is exactly why he helped launch Bitcoin Ekasi in Mossel Bay. Inspired by El Salvador's Bitcoin Beach, the project is building a circular economy around Bitcoin. Salaries are paid in crypto, and spaza shops are encouraged to accept it. 'We've onboarded about 50 businesses in the community,' Vivier said. 'We currently pay 22 staff salaries entirely in Bitcoin. The coaches at Surfer Kids use that money to buy essentials like groceries and electricity. Where Bitcoin isn't accepted, I sometimes convert to rand – but the goal is for crypto to be used as is.' It's not an overnight transformation, though. 'Adoption is slow. It's gradual. And that's normal,' Vivier said. 'Money changes very slowly. Just look at how long it took to go from gold to fiat, or for credit cards to become mainstream.' Everyday use, and a grocery pocket While Vivier is building grassroots use cases, Cooke sees crypto utility growing both personally and institutionally. At Binance Africa, he focuses on legal frameworks, consumer protection and enabling everyday use. Cooke uses his Binance wallet to pay for groceries at Pick n Pay via the Lightning Network, a fast and cheap transaction layer built on top of Bitcoin. 'Freedom of money – that's our slogan,' he said. 'It's about giving consumers control over their assets and allowing them to choose the tools that work best for them.' He distinguishes between personal utility – how individuals make their money more efficient – and general utility, where a broader ecosystem enables spending and saving with crypto. 'What you're trying to solve for is efficiencies,' he explained. 'How do I get the most out of my money? How do I make it simpler, better, faster?' Taxes, scams and the chain that doesn't lie Crypto may be borderless, but Sars treats it as an asset – every disposal triggers a tax event. 'We do enable tax regimes because we are global… we've created a tax tool that allows individuals to reconcile buying and selling and basically calculate their own tax,' said Cooke. 'It's not a certificate per se, but it's one of the closest things you'll find at this point in time.' And while scams are a persistent risk, the blockchain never forgets: 'Once the crypto transaction takes place, you can't undo it. You can't remove it off the blockchain… Eventually you will get caught.' The conversation repeatedly returned to the need for education and inclusion. 'A lot of people have burnt their fingers in past hype cycles,' Vivier admitted. That's why responsible onboarding and community-building matter. For Cooke, the future isn't about crypto versus banks, but about co-existence. 'We're not here to compete with banks or M-Pesa,' he said. 'It's about interoperability. All technologies are embraced. All systems function together.' He points to mobile money's success in Kenya and explains why SA – with its robust banking infrastructure – hasn't seen the same adoption pattern. 'South Africans weren't desperate for a mobile solution like M-Pesa. But crypto can still be valuable in a strong financial system – especially when it offers new ways to move money or store value.' Volatility bites Of course, Bitcoin's volatility remains a sticking point. But Vivier argued that fiat currencies aren't much better – especially across Africa. 'The value of Bitcoin comes from its decentralised network and its rules. It's run without fail for 16 years.' Cooke agreed, adding: 'Fiat is just as volatile in some African countries. What we offer with crypto is transparency and immutability.' That transparency is also a double-edged sword. While the blockchain can expose fraud, it's also why CBDCs (central bank digital currencies) are raising red flags. 'CBDCs are a surveillance tool,' Vivier warned. 'They represent the final merger of money and state. With that control, governments can switch off protestors' bank accounts. That's dangerous.' 'This is why we're doing this series,' Schutters explained to viewers. 'Crypto isn't just a currency play – it's a community education project too.' 'Even I fall victim to concentrating too much on the investment asset side of Bitcoin, and forget to talk about the everyday-use case,' he confessed. One (big) question at a time 'Is crypto useful yet?' asks Schutters in conclusion. In short: yes, but it's still early days. Crypto is being used in Mossel Bay townships, at retail tills in Pick n Pay, and increasingly in online services and cross-border remittances. But broader adoption hinges on community education, smarter regulation and practical use cases. Both DM guests had advice for crypto newcomers. 'Ask questions,' Vivier urged. 'Don't feel stupid. This is a paradigm shift. Every person you onboard brings us closer.'
The Citizen
2 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Daily Lotto results: Saturday, 19 July 2025
Tonight's jackpot is R525 421! Here are your winning Daily Lotto results for 19 July 2025. Get the Daily Lotto results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen. Daily Lotto results for 19 July 2025: The winning Daily Lotto numbers will appear below after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 How to play Daily Lotto in SA? If you are buying a ticket in-store: Pick up a betslip in any lottery store. Choose five numbers between 1 and 36 or ask for a Quick Pick. Entries cost R3 each. You can play a max of R150, but you are allowed to play multiple boards. Select how many consecutive draws you wish to enter, up to a maximum of 10. Leave blank for a single draw. Take your betslip to the teller to pay for your ticket. Write your details on the back of your ticket in case you need to claim a prize. If you do not sign your ticket and you lose it, anyone can use it to claim the prize. If you are playing online: Set up a lottery account here and make a deposit to pay for tickets. Choose five numbers from 1 to 36 or select 'Quick Pick' to generate a random set. Repeat this on as many boards as you want to play. Decide whether to enter a single draw or multiple draws. Confirm and pay for your entry. What time is the Daily Lotto draw? The Daily Lotto draws take place shortly after 9:30pm every evening, and tickets can be bought until 8:30pm. Is there a winner every day? Yes. The jackpot prize money is guaranteed to be given away even if no one matches all five numbers. When this happens, the jackpot is split between everyone who matches two or more numbers. Visit and go to the How to Play Daily Lotto section to learn more.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
How does R50k for a hole-in-one sound?
How does R50k for a hole-in-one sound? A R50 000 hole-in-one prize is up for grabs at the Boksburg SPCA 75th anniversary golf day at ERPM Golf Club on September 10. Open to golfers of all levels, the day promises fantastic fun on the fairways, all while raising funds for the care and protection of animals in the Boksburg community. The tournament kicks off with a shotgun start at 11:00 and entry is R3 000 per four-ball, which includes two golf carts, a full round of golf and a delicious dinner to round off the day. Apart from the big hole-in-one prize there are many other great prizes and raffles for participants. Hole sponsorships are available from just R2 000, offering businesses a valuable opportunity to promote their brand to a wide audience. Businesses and individuals can also support the event by sponsoring prizes or making a donation toward the golf day. With a fully booked field for the past three years, the Boksburg SPCA encourages teams to book early to avoid disappointment. All proceeds from the day will go directly toward supporting the organisation's vital work in rescuing, sheltering, and rehoming animals in need. Don't miss this chance to enjoy a day of golf while supporting an important cause and celebrating 75 years of dedicated animal welfare work. To book your four-ball or get involved as a sponsor, contact Sue at [email protected] Also Read: Guild to host annual Golf Day for Young Eagles programme Also Read: Successful golf day for a good cause At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Germiston woman granted bail after teen's death in hit-and-run
Martha Christina was granted bail after allegedly killing 13-year-old Thando Mahlangu in a hit-and-run at a cultural ceremony. The accused allegedly drove into a crowd, killing Thando Pretty Mahlangu (pictured) and fleeing the scene in Germiston. Picture: Facebook A Germiston woman, who faces culpable homicide charges for allegedly killing a 13-year-old girl in a hit-and-run during a cultural ceremony, has been released on bail. Martha Christina appeared in the Germiston Magistrate's Court, where she was granted R3 000 bail. She faces charges of culpable homicide and failure to stop at the scene of an accident in connection to Thando Mahlangu's death on 28 June. Teen's hit-and-run death The charges stem from an incident when the accused allegedly drove her car into a crowd of people at Dinwiddie in Germiston. Among those present were young girls participating in a traditional coming-of-age ceremony. Christina's vehicle allegedly struck Thando, also known as Pretty, who later tragically succumbed to her injuries. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Christina allegedly failed to stop at the scene and drove off immediately after the collision. ALSO READ: Zimbabwean man killed in brutal hit-and-run in Rivonia As part of her bail conditions, the accused cannot leave the Gauteng province without informing the investigating officer. The case was postponed to 20 August to allow for further investigations. 'The NPA is committed to ensuring justice, particularly in cases involving the loss of young lives, by working closely with law enforcement to uphold accountability and the rule of law,' Mjonondwane said. Earlier this month, members of the Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo) in Katlehong visited the Mahlangu family to offer their condolences and seek the family's blessing to honour Thando's memory through a campaign of solidarity. Parties, residents united to demand justice Together with members of the EFF, MK Party, ANC, and Thando's friends from the broader community, they organised a protest at the Germiston police station to demand accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident. They also demonstrated outside the home of the alleged perpetrator. 'Witnessing such diverse political organisations and community members standing shoulder to shoulder, transcending their usual boundaries, was a powerful testament to the shared sense of loss and outrage,' the Azapo Katlehong members posted on social media. ALSO READ: Teenage boy (15) killed in alleged hit-and-run in Centurion 'Their unity in demanding justice for Pretty reflects not only the depth of the tragedy but also the enduring strength and solidarity of the Katlehong community as it mourns the heartbreaking loss of such a young and promising life.'
