Latest news with #R410
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
GNU ministers spent R200m of taxpayers' money on travelling since taking office
Ministers in the government of national unity (GNU) have spent more than R200m on travel expenses since July last year. This was revealed by ActionSA through its GNU performance tracker after receiving replies to parliamentary questions sent to ministers. This week, the party said Deputy President Paul Mashatile and his staff splurged more than R2m on travel expenses for transport and accommodation since last year. In a written reply, Mashatile said he has been on four international trips - to Ireland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and, recently, Japan. A total of R613,214 was spent on flights, R1,235,569 on accommodation and R410,926 for ground transport for all trips. Other costs included laundry services at R8,033 and R51,393 for restaurant services. ActionSA MP Alan Beesley criticised the spending, calling it 'executive indulgence' and 'wasteful expenditure'. 'This sort of wasteful expenditure, an extension of ANC excess now rebranded under the GNU, has become business as usual for the world's most bloated executive,' Beesley said. 'South Africans deserve leadership that puts people before perks and not a R200m travel spree by the world's largest cabinet.' The sport, arts and culture department's travel expenses have also raised concern. Minister Gayton McKenzie said he and his staff undertook 11 international trips costing more than R2m. R164,556 was paid for a trip to Burkina Faso that never took place. 'Not only is this spending exorbitant, but it is riddled with red flags, gaps and inconsistencies. The public paid for flights and accommodation for an event that was abandoned, a textbook case of wasteful expenditure, as defined by the Public Finance Management Act. 'Unless the minister can demonstrate that this loss was unavoidable and efforts were made to recover the funds, this reflects a serious failure of financial oversight and internal control.' ActionSA has introduced the Enhanced Cut Cabinet Perks Bill to address unchecked government spending. 'This bill seeks to slash ministerial perks and restore much-needed fiscal discipline.'
Stuff.tv
5 days ago
- Stuff.tv
My favourite Ruark Bluetooth speakers just got a huge upgrade
If you'd asked me yesterday what the best Bluetooth bookshelf speakers were, I'd have pointed straight at my MR1 Mk2 setup without blinking. In proper money-where-mouth-is fashion, I've got a set in front of me as I type (which replaced an amp/speaker combo) and another hooked up to the living room telly. But today? Ruark's shattered my pointy certainty by unveiling the shiny new Ruark MR1 Mk3, which will set you back $579/£399 when it rocks up in early July. At a glance, this revamped Ruark system looks reassuringly familiar, with the same friendly vibe and compact footprint. Rather than screaming LOOK AT ME, the Mk3 is all subtle, soft curves that should fit into any office or living room. But there have been some changes. The grilles are now slate grey and charcoal ousts soft grey as a finish, joining walnut. Bevelled edges reduce the design's boxiness. And the speakers have grown a bit, although that's hardly noticeable unless you moonlight as a ruler. (Oh, fine: they're 5mm wider and 10mm deeper, making them H185mm x W135mm x D155mm.) That extra space isn't for show, note – Ruark's used it to pack in some serious upgrades. Amp it up Crack open a Ruark MR1 Mk3 speaker and, well, you'd probably invalidate your warranty. But you would be able to gawp at the Class D amp tech adopted from Ruark's R410, paired with new NS+ bass/mid units and custom 20mm silk dome tweeters. The result, according to Ruark, is more power, more controlled bass, a lucid midrange, exceptional detail, and an audio experience that defies the size of these speakers. But then, Ruark would say that. Still, as someone who, remember, owns two pairs of the Mk2s, I can confirm they punch well above their weight. So unless Ruark's forgotten how to make speakers, you can expect these will be great as well. And Ruark's savvy is surely confirmed when you flip the Mk3 around and spot the connectivity options. There's combined line-in/optical, a dedicated turntable input for vinyl fetishists, subwoofer output (for which Ruark, natch, recommends its own RS1), and a very welcome new USB audio input. Hate cables? AptX HD Bluetooth in the Mk3 handles high-quality, low-latency wireless audio and lets you adjust the volume using your TV remote. So no more fiddling with the tiny zapper that came with the Mk2 and was so small it could conceivably be lost down the back of an atom. Just one more reason, then, to hover over that buy button come July.
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Darren Scott's ex-wife asks for prayers for his sons
Darren Scott passed away in the early hours of Tuesday. Darren Scott with one of his sons. Picture: Facebook/Sarah-Kate Accetta Sarah-Kate Accetta, the ex-wife of the late veteran broadcaster Darren Scott, has asked the public to keep their two sons, Matthew and Mark, in their prayers following his passing. Scott died in the early hours of Tuesday, 27 May, at the age of 61, after a long battle with an aggressive form of skin cancer. In a statement on Tuesday, Sarah, who is based in the United States, said that she and the boys would be returning to South Africa to honour his life. 'As we make our way back home now, to not only commemorate his life but to learn how to face life without him, I ask from the bottom of my heart: please pray for the boys. 'Their world has changed forever, and we need every bit of strength we can hold on to,' she added. ALSO READ: Remembering Darren Scott: A radio man's radio man Public support and donations for Darren Scott Sarah also expressed her gratitude to those who supported Scott during his illness, particularly through the BackaBuddy fundraising campaign. She launched a BackaBuddy campaign last month, which raised at least R410,237 of its R960,000 goal to help with medical expenses. 'Your generosity through the BackaBuddy campaign didn't just fund treatment — it gave Darren hope. It gave him dignity. And it gave him the profound gift of feeling so loved. 'I watched him, day after day, scroll through your messages in disbelief — humbled, overwhelmed, moved to tears. He couldn't believe that so many people cared. Thank you for giving him that in his final months.' Details regarding Scott's memorial and funeral have not yet been made public. NOW READ: Presley Chweneyagae: 'He was every mother's son, every girl's funny lover, and everyone's best friend'
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Darren Scott on returning home to work for his cancer treatment
Darren has been battling cancer for over 30 years. Veteran broadcaster Darren Scott recently opened up about his ongoing battle with cancer and mounting medical bills. In an interview on Laataand by Rian, hosted by Rian van Heerden every Tuesday at 9pm on kykNET, Scott shared how the illness has affected him emotionally and financially. The veteran broadcaster, who was in the United States with his children, said he had to return to South Africa to work in order to fund his treatment. 'I'm back in South Africa because I have to work so I can pay for the treatment. But if I can't talk, I can't work,' he told Van Heerden. Scott was first diagnosed with melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, in 1986. He said that since then, the disease has resurfaced multiple times, including in the form of tumours near his lungs, which have impacted his breathing. ALSO READ: Over R100k raised for radio icon Darren Scott's cancer treatment Darren Scott's mounting medical bills Scott is currently undergoing immunotherapy, which he says takes place every three weeks and costs R80,000 per session. His ex-wife, Sarah-Kate Accetta, has launched a BackaBuddy campaign to help cover the medical expenses. To date, the campaign has raised at least R410,237 of its R960,000 goal. In a lengthy post on Facebook, Accetta explained that the funds were urgently needed to help shrink the tumours, as advised by Scott's oncologist. She expressed her gratitude for the support they have received since starting the initiative. 'I cannot put into words how humbling and heartwarming it has been since I made Darren's 'Back-A-Buddy' post. From the bottom of my heart, thank you! 'For every shared post, every kind comment, and every donation. You are the Ubuntu that the USA will never know!' NOW READ: 'It's time I shared my full capabilities': Dineo Ranaka to launch a new talk show
