Latest news with #R58
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Randpark Ridge family puts on a fight against skin cancer
Randpark Ridge resident Jenna Robinson (44) shed light on her ongoing battle with cancer, mounting medical bills, and medical aid issues. Read more: Early screenings key to beating colorectal cancer Robinson was recently diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. She explained that melanoma starts with a mole anywhere on the body, which she had when she was 27. 'I had two moles on my leg. They removed them. I was sent home completely uneducated to the fact that once that melanoma is there, in your body, it's going to go to your lymphatic system and spread.' 17 years later she was told that she has cancer. 'If I was told, when I had a small mole removed, to go for checkups every six months, this wouldn't have spiralled. But the dermatologist never told me anything of the sort.' Robinson advises people to take it seriously, if they pick up something on their skin. 'Take it very seriously. They never mentioned that it was cancerous or something. They removed it, and they said it's fine, and there was nothing wrong with me. If the mole has been in your body, it changes the gene in your DNA. That gene took this long to activate, to come alive. 'Once you have that mole, it is going to go to your lymphatic system, 100%. Whether it's going to take one year, or, like me, 17 years. It's going to get you. The sooner you stop it, the better.' Robinson developed a lump on her leg, which grew bigger, until she went to surgery. It took her three months to recover. 'It was Christmas. I was busy. I had other family issues. Soon, this thing was the size of a tennis ball.' Also read: Netcare Olivedale Hospital holds Cancer Awareness Day She had many complications following the operation, ending up in high care with sepsis, on a machine for 17 days. Robinson is currently on treatment that costs around R3m, and the medical aid does not cover all their medical bills. Her husband, Robert, said that anything to do with cancer, is very expensive. 'I was angry. You think: Why is it so expensive. Maybe for my kids' grandchildren, cancer treatment will be more affordable. But right now, it's not.' At the moment, they've put Robinson on what is called: targeted therapy. She'll have that until the end of the year, until she can possibly go into immunotherapy. 'The targeted therapy costs R58 000 a month,' said Robert. 'The government hospitals in South Africa do not cover this form of cancer. She is swallowing a R2 000 tablet a day. Who can afford that? Our medical aid is covering it, for now, but it's not a solution. It's temporary. It's palliative care. I've got two young children. We want a solution.' Robinson urges residents to carefully check their medical aid. 'If you're in a financial position, make sure you have cover. Get the best medical aid you can and extra policies.' The family recently held their first karaoke event in Bromhof to raise funds for Robinson's treatment expenses, which are going to keep on going up. Robert confirmed that they had about a hundred and fifty people through. 'It was a really good response to the event. It gave us quite a good outreach to various different parties and people. We will continue to push the fundraisers and definitely try and do more in the future.' The family has also opened a BackaBuddy campaign. For anyone who is willing to donate, the link is: For more information contact Robert on robbie@ or 0825212360. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! Related article: Spreading 'paws-itivity' for patients living with cancer at Netcare Olivedale Hospital At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
3 days ago
- General
- The South African
The Lotto results for Saturday, 31 May 2025
It's time for today's Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws. Will you be South Africa's next Lotto multimillionaire? Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 jackpot estimates: Lotto – estimated at R58 million Lotto Plus 1 – estimated at R12 million Lotto Plus 2 – estimated at R7 million If you want to win your share of the jackpot, you have to play! You know what they say, you've got to be in it, to win it. NOTE: The numbers drawn will appear below as soon as they are available at or after 21:00. View the latest version of this page to verify whether the numbers have been updated. Draw Date: 31 May 2025 Lotto Numbers: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 Bonus Ball: 0 Lotto Plus 1 Numbers: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 Bonus Ball: 0 Lotto Plus 2 Numbers: 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 Bonus Ball: 0 Did you miss a draw and wonder if you're actually a millionaire? Click here to view past Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 and payouts The Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 draws take place every Wednesday and Saturday on SABC 2 at 20:56 (SA time) Players buy tickets with their choice of six different numbers between 1 and 52. There is provision for random numbers to be generated automatically for those who do not wish to choose, known as a Quick Pick. When introduced, the Lotto jackpot draw required numbers from 1 to 49. Ithuba Holdings increased the number from 49 to 52 on 30 July 2017. In the draw, six numbered balls are drawn without replacement from a set of 52 balls numbered from 1 to 52. A further Bonus Ball is also drawn, which only affects players who match five numbers. Prizes are awarded to players who match at least three of the six drawn numbers, with prizes increasing for matching more of the drawn numbers. All players who match all six drawn numbers win equal shares of the jackpot. The chance of doing so is 1 in 20,358,520. If four, five, or six balls are matched, the relevant prize is divided equally between all who match that many balls. If no player matches all six numbers, the jackpot rolls over and is added to that of the next Lotto draw. The entry fee to the Lotto draw is set at R5.00 per board. Lotto Plus 1 is exactly the same as Lotto, but gives the player a second chance to win. When buying a Lotto ticket, players can pay an extra R2.50 per board to enter the Lotto Plus 1 draw. Odds are the same, while prizes are usually slightly lower. Lotto Plus 1 was introduced on 26 November 2003. Lotto Plus 2 is exactly the same as Lotto, but gives the player a third chance to win. When buying a Lotto ticket, players can pay an extra R2.50 per board to enter the Lotto Plus 2 draw. Odds are the same, while prizes are usually slightly lower. Lotto Plus 2 was introduced on 30 July 2017. Buy your tickets now at your nearest participating retailer, on our website by visiting national using your computer or mobile site, via the National Lottery Mobile App, or participating banks, namely FNB, ABSA, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Capitec, TymeBank and African Bank otherwise dial 120 7529# for USSD. Winners who win R50 000 and above receive free trauma counselling from professional psychologists and financial advice from accredited financial advisors absolutely free. At the same time, winnings are paid tax-free directly into the winner's accounts. If you are buying tickets from a lottery outlet, they close at 20:30 on the day of a draw Players must be 18 years old. Monday: Daily Lotto Daily Lotto Tuesday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Wednesday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Thursday: Daily Lotto Daily Lotto Friday: Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Daily Lotto + PowerBall and PowerBall Plus Saturday: Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Daily Lotto + Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 Sunday: Daily Lotto For more details and to verify the winning numbers, visit the National Lottery website. You must always confirm the official winning numbers on the National Lottery website. We do our best to post the results as accurately as possible, but the National Lottery is the only source you can use to 100% verify the results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Godongwana punished taxpayers in Budget 3.0 despite calls not to
The minister had to plug a staggering R75 billion hole in Budget 3.0 without further borrowing or triggering political backlash. Even before the first version of Budget 2025, there were calls for finance minister Enoch Godongwana not to punish taxpayers, but in Budget 3.0 he did in any way. Budget 3.0 coincided with grim economic indicators that include unemployment at 32.9%, global instability and a trade war that continue to affect South Africa's growth prospects. The nation has been on tenterhooks since the shock news was announced on 19 February that Godongwana planned to increase the Vat rate from 15% to 17% in Budget 2025 to generate an additional R58 billion in revenue, resulting in serious backlash from the parties in the government of national unity (GNU) and other opposition parties. However, he failed to allay the fears of citizens and investors with his plans to tackle the escalating fiscal deficit, manage the country's debt and spend without burdening taxpayers, Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue, says. ALSO READ: Budget 3.0 was not a chainsaw budget, economists say Only vague measures for stimulating job creation in Budget 3.0 'Measures to stimulate job creation were vague, and the absence of any real focus on combatting corruption was evident. Especially concerning were the tax measures figured in at this time and those projected for 2026, at a time when South Africans need urgent financial relief. 'I understand that the minister faces numerous challenges, including a turbulent economic landscape, crumbling infrastructure, currency volatility, global trade tensions and an astronomical government budget deficit. 'He is tasked with striking a delicate balance between expenditure cuts and avoiding further financial strain on households, but taxing the workforce to death is not the answer. The reality is that his decision to impose new tax measures will hurt consumers who are already struggling.' Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop agrees, saying that increasing taxes is not a favoured route to plug the gap of the budget deficit, as this has a negative impact on growth and employment. ALSO READ: Budget 3.0: not austerity budget, but a redistributive budget Infrastructure investment and structural reforms in Budget 3.0 Godongwana laid out the government's plans to spur economic growth potential to boost revenue and reduce funding shortfalls with an emphasis in Budget 3.0 on infrastructure investment and structural reforms. Roets says this is commendable, with over R1 trillion allocated over three years to infrastructure projects across transport, energy and water, which are critical for long-term growth. 'However, delivery remains the key concern. 'Budget 3.0 confirms that debt service costs will exceed R1.3 trillion over the next three years, which means R1.2 billion per day, which is more than the combined allocations for health, education and policing. 'What we need is a concrete plan of action to tackle the fiscal deficit through disciplined budgeting, efficient tax collection, responsible spending and a laser focus on stimulating economic growth. Without economic growth we are looking at a mounting socio-economic crisis,' he warns. ALSO READ: Sensible or underwhelming? Economists react to Godongwana's Budget 3.0 Will Sars come to the rescue as Budget 3.0 envisages? The government allocated an additional R7.5 billion to Sars to increase its revenue collection capabilities. If this is successful, it could bring in R20 to R50 billion per year which will potentially cancel the need for further tax increases, he says. 'The news ahead of Budget 2025 of a historic public servants' salary increase, accompanied by substantial enhancements to various allowances, does not inspire confidence in the GNU due to the dire predicament of much of the country's workforce.' There was, Roets points out, of course, no mention of cutting down the size of the cabinet, regarded by many as an unnecessary burden on taxpayers and an obstacle to effective governance, a point that has been hotly debated in the media leading up to Budget 2025. Political analyst Joe Mhlanga notes that the cabinet's size and perks drain our economy, while ActionSA recently revealed that the current cabinet configuration is costing taxpayers an additional R239 million per year, amounting to over R1 billion for the current term. ALSO READ: Budget 3.0: Fuel levy replaced VAT hike but is it the better option? Dropping the Vat increase, minister imposed other taxes in Budget 3.0 Roets says the minister's reiteration that Vat will not be increased was widely welcomed, but imposing alternative tax penalties on taxpayers, such as raising sin taxes even more and hiking the fuel levy for the first time since 2022, delivers a heavy blow to the hard-working citizens who are the backbone of the economy. From 4 June the general fuel levy will increase by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents per litre for diesel. Roets says this alone will increase the cost of living for every South African. 'Notably, the minister also confirmed that the planned expansion of the zero-rated Vat basket that was originally proposed to cushion poorer households from a Vat hike, will now fall away since the Vat increase itself was dropped. This removes what could have been a vital buffer for low-income households. 'How can this possibly alleviate the burden on the country's workforce? Does this mean that taxpayers are having to pay for the inefficient management and high levels of corruption that have led to the country's poor service delivery? ALSO READ: Godongwana cuts zero-rated food basket in Budget 3.0 Consumers need more aggressive support strategies 'It is essential that government considers much more aggressive support strategies for consumers facing financial distress.' Roets says with 32.9% of the nation without income, according to the Q1 2025 Quarterly Labour Force Survey data released by Statistics SA, it is not difficult to understand how government grants are indeed the only lifeline for many people. However, job creation is a top priority – or it should be, he says. 'With a third of the population currently unemployed and youth unemployment at an astronomical 46%, among the highest in the world, the country stands at the tipping point of becoming a state-funded nation and everything that comes with that. 'Government's growth path focuses on extending and increasing the social wage support grant. This points to a lack of confidence in economic recovery powered by a flourishing business sector that drives job creation and entrepreneurship, without which there will be no recovery.'
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
PowerBall Tonight: Exciting R66 Million Jackpot
Tonight's draw may produce another millionaire. The National Lottery aims to create new millionaires through the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draw tonight. Tonight's combined estimated jackpot sits at an amazing R58 million. The draw plays just after 9pm. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus estimated jackpots: PowerBall: R62 million PowerBall Plus: R4 million The highest prize won in the last PowerBall draw was R207 655. Only two players managed to walk away with this sum after successfully matching five correct numbers for the PowerBall draw. ALSO READ: PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results: Friday, 16 May 2025 How to play PowerBall? To play Powerball, a player chooses five numbers between 1 and 50, followed by a PowerBall number between 1 and 20. The system also provides a quick pick selection method where it randomly chooses all the numbers on your behalf. PowerBall tickets are available on selected banking apps; terms and conditions apply. Tickets are available for purchase until 8.30pm on draw days (Tuesday and Friday). Tickets can also be bought on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 11.30pm. The national lottery also gives you a chance to win money every day from the daily lotto. The draw takes place every evening just after 9.30pm. Tickets for the Daily Lotto can be bought every day until 8.30pm. 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. READ MORE: Daily Lotto results: Monday, 19 May 2025 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 happens after winning? Winners receive an SMS from their respective banks with a reference number and further instructions on the documents they should bring when visiting Ithuba. When a player wins less than R250 000, they get their money directly deposited into their bank account if they had used a banking app to play. For the winners who win more than R250 000, they get referred to the lottery operator, Ithuba, for a payout. Free financial and trauma counselling is given to all winners who win above R50 000, tax-free. Players must be 18 years or older to participate.
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results: Friday, 16 May 2025
R58 million in jackpots are up for grabs! Here are your PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for 16 May 2025. Get the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and check your tickets with confidence. Estimated jackpots for Friday, 16 May 2025: PowerBall jackpot: R55 million guaranteed. PowerBall Plus jackpot: R3 million estimated. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for Friday, 16 May 2025: PowerBall: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. PowerBall Plus: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. The winning PowerBall numbers will appear after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. While great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Citizen cannot take responsibility for any error in the PowerBall or PowerBall Plus results. We suggest verifying the numbers on the National Lottery website. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? Lottery outlets close at 8.30pm on the day of a draw, which happens at 9pm. The terms and conditions may differ from other service outlets. Visit for more information. You can find the historical winning numbers for PowerBall and Lotto draws here. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? PowerBall entries cost R5 per board including VAT. PowerBall Plus costs an additional R2.50 per board. You can also play PowerBall on selected banking apps (T's & C's apply). Visit and go to the How to Play section to find out more.
