Latest news with #R950
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘Luxury cloaked in secrecy' – Ntshavheni explains why she won't disclose her official travel expenses
ActionSA has accused Ntshavheni of evading public accountability by refusing to disclose her travel information. Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says she will not compromise national security for political expediency by disclosing information not meant for the public. The minister was responding to ActionSA, which on Tuesday wrote to the Speaker of Parliament, Thoko Didiza, to demand urgent intervention and 'defend the integrity of Parliament's oversight role'. The party sent a parliamentary question to the minister, requesting a breakdown of all her official travel and that of her deputy ministers since they assumed office on 3 July 2024. ActionSA had requested an explanation of the purpose and justification for each trip, destination details, costs incurred, and the names of the accompanying staff. ALSO READ: MK party calls for 'immediate suspension' of Khumbudzo Ntshavheni In her response, the minister wrote: 'The reply to this question is forwarded to the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.' However, this was not a satisfactory response, according to ActionSA. Ntshavheni 'brazenly evaded public accountability' The party released a statement chastising the minister for 'brazenly evading public accountability' with her response, which was sent 'four months late'. 'This is nothing more than a deliberate attempt to further shield her spending from scrutiny. This conduct cannot be allowed to stand, and the reply must be made public immediately,' said the party. 'Every minister in the government of national unity (GNU) was asked the same question on travel expenses. All others who responded did so in a transparent manner. Only the Minister in the Presidency has opted to hide, and we ask, 'why?'' ALSO READ: DA tells Ramaphosa to fire Ntshavheni: 'SA deserve better than growing list of crooks in your Cabinet' 'Is it because ActionSA recently exposed over R200 million in excessive GNU spending, including the Deputy President's outrageous R950 000 bill for four nights of accommodation in Japan and the R160 000 spent by the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture on a trip to Burkina Faso that never took place?' ActionSA accused the GNU of turning the public purse into a private travel slush fund, and the minister of disregarding the public's right to know how their taxes are spent. 'South Africans deserve leaders who serve with humility, not luxury cloaked in secrecy.' Briefing the media on the outcomes of the post-Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Ntshavheni said she does account for her actions, just not in the way ActionSA wants. ALSO READ: SSA employees over 50 years not being forced to take early retirement, says Ntshavheni The minister said her work on state security requires that some of her travel plans be kept confidential, as sharing them could compromise national security. 'Nothing wrong' Ntshavheni said the state security only discloses summits that the ministers are attending, not private meetings. 'It's just not the travel to say which country you have gone to, it's to say what meetings and all those other details. If you understand the nature of my work, you'll realise that 80% of my travel is for work related to state security. If we release it in public, it would compromise some of the initiatives we're working on,' said Ntshavheni. 'You'll recall when the Russia-Ukraine war started and the African leaders initiative led by Ramaphosa to go to Ukraine, it required some of us to take that type of preparatory work for that and if you disclose such details, you compromise the operations that you are running as a country and thus fail national security. ALSO READ: SSA corruption accused will be brought to book, MPs told as independent panel takes shape 'It is for that reason that the National Strategic Intelligence Act has provided the joint standing committee on intelligence for us to fully account for those things that cannot be fully shared in the public domain. 'There are meetings that we attend that we do not post at all, because what we have posted are summits, not meetings. There is nothing wrong because we are allowed by law to provide the committee, unless ActionSA wants to claim the committee has no capacity to hold us accountable. Those members were appointed by parliament and sworn in to hold us accountable. We will not sacrifice national security for political expediency.' READ NEXT: Ntshavheni says AfriForum admitted farm murder stats are accurate, Kriel accuses her of lying
IOL News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From red carpets to OnlyFans: how former Hollywood stars are cashing in on fame and fortune
Amanda Bynes, the former Nickelodeon star who recently revealed her new venture on the platform. Image: Amanda Bynes/ Instagram It seems like Hollywood's former stars have discovered a new way to shine, just not on the big screen anymore. Instead, they're turning to OnlyFans, the subscriber-based platform that's become a goldmine for celebrities looking to connect with fans (and make serious bank). From ex-child stars to retired athletes, everyone seems to be hopping on the OnlyFans train, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. If you've been scrolling social media lately, you've probably noticed a wave of former big names announcing their arrival on OnlyFans. One of the most recent notable examples is Amanda Bynes, the former Nickelodeon star who recently revealed her new venture on the platform. Best known for her roles in "She's the Man" and "The Amanda Show", Byne's career took a backseat after she struggled with mental health and addiction. But now, the 39-year-old actress is looking to reconnect with her fans in a new and unexpected way. Taking to Instagram stories on April 15, Bynes announced: 'I'm on OnlyFans now! Disclaimer: I'm doing OnlyFans to chat with my fans through DMs. I won't be posting any sleazy content. Excited to join.' Her page comes with a hefty subscription fee of $50 (R950) per month, but promises followers a chance to connect with her directly. While she's made it clear that her content will remain PG, her decision to join the platform is a reminder of how versatile OnlyFans has become. OnlyFans, often associated with NSFW photos and videos, has grown into a major revenue source for celebrities. The platform allows stars to monetise their fan base directly, cutting out the middleman and offering exclusive content to paying subscribers. And it's not just about risqué material; celebrities are finding all sorts of ways to use the platform. Take Australian basketball star Liz Cambage, for example. Reports suggest she made more money in her first week on OnlyFans than during her entire WNBA career. Similarly, stars like Denise Richards, Cardi B, and Kate Nash have joined the platform to share everything from behind-the-scenes moments to creative projects. Even "Harry Potter" alum Jessie Cave is on OnlyFans, offering content for fans with a unique interest in her hair. It's proof that the platform isn't just about adult content; it's about finding a niche and giving fans what they want. For Bynes, it represents a fresh start. From ex-child stars to retired athletes, everyone seems to be hopping on the OnlyFans train, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. Image: Amanda Bynes Instagram story After stepping away from acting in 2012, she's been open about her battles with depression, body insecurities, and addiction. In recent years, Bynes has explored new creative outlets, including co-hosting an art show and pop-up clothing event in Los Angeles. Her move to OnlyFans is just the latest step in her journey of self-expression, but it's not without its challenges. With a high subscription price and a disclaimer about keeping things 'sleaze-free', her approach may not have universal appeal. However, for die-hard fans, the chance to chat with her directly is worth the price. While Bynes's OnlyFans debut has sparked plenty of buzz, she's far from the only star to join the platform. Over the last few years, OnlyFans has become a go-to for celebrities seeking to regain control over their careers (and their incomes). With traditional Hollywood roles becoming harder to come by, many former stars are embracing the freedom and financial opportunity OnlyFans provides. For fans, it's a chance to connect with celebrities on a more personal level. And for stars, it's a way to stay relevant and profitable in an ever-changing entertainment landscape.
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
ActionSA calls for fiscal discipline as South Africa spends R3.45 billion on foreign missions
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has criticised wasteful foreign mission spending, and has called for urgent fiscal discipline in South Africa. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has expressed concern over South Africa's wasteful spending on foreign missions, revealing that the country spent R3.45 billion in the 2023/24 financial year on maintaining 115 embassies, high commissions, and consulates worldwide. Mashaba emphasised the need for urgent fiscal discipline and a comprehensive review of these operations to ensure taxpayer money is being used effectively. According to a parliamentary reply obtained by ActionSA, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) allocated significant amounts across various regions, with R950 million in Africa, R900 million in Asia and the Middle East, R813 million in Europe, R465 million in the Americas, and R325 million on global governance and multilateral missions. However, no system is in place to assess the cost effectiveness of these missions, raising concerns about wasteful spending. Among the most concerning revelations were embassies in countries where South Africa has limited or no strategic or trade relations. For instance, the South African embassy in Bangui, Central African Republic, cost taxpayers R25.7 million, while missions in Nouakchott (Mauritania) and Malabo (Equatorial Guinea) amounted to R16.1 million and R15.6 million, respectively.
