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Mail & Guardian
9 hours ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
The journey to restore morality in South Africa
Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, chair of the Moral Regeneration Movement What does a nation do when, in the Republic, the country's political and social morality dissipates under the weight of corruption, violence, corruption, moral decay and declining social cohesion, among a myriad of societal evils. Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, chair of the Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM), says this year's dialogue focuses on the theme, Living Our Values: Faith, Leadership and the Moral Soul of the Nation. Mkhatshwa says the dialogues, taking place in the Eastern Cape this week, aim to provoke thoughtful discussion and action against moral decay; violence, including gender-based violence; spiritual malaise; and the declining social cohesion. It would be easy to throw in the towel and walk away from a sinking ship, yet Mkhatshwa, a man of deep faith, whose whole adult life as a Catholic priest and social and political activist, is not prepared for that. He has seen it all; he has been in the ANC political trenches and the United Democratic Front when there was darkness of apartheid and injustice and oppression in the country. He refuses to be despondent — to walk away from the project and throw up his hands in the air in despair. This, he says, is no option. Instead, he has announced that the MRM and its sponsors, have launched a national campaign 'not merely as a declaration, but in essence as a collective commitment by millions of public servants, in partnership with civil society, to defend our hard-won democracy and freedom against rampant threats fuelled by greed and impunity' . He insists that something drastic ought to be done quickly to rescue the country from impending political, social and economic implosion, suggesting the campaign to reset and restore the work of MRM should be seen 'as a campaign that belongs, and driven as a whole by the nation'. Mkhatshwa says 'it is no exaggeration to say our beautiful Republic is facing a crisis', and is saying these things not as an alarmist, but as someone who loves his country, and seeking to find a solution to save it from turning into a political wasteland. He suggests that the endemic corruption in the public service, the government, some religious organisations and businesses is a great cause for grave concern, arguing that the pathetic service delivery by all tiers of government is failing those who need it most. In the words of Cicero, there is a need for a shift of mindset — an imperative the country needs urgently. Quoting Cicero, the ancient Roman lawyer, Mkhatshwa says: 'Those tasked with public service must regard it as a privilege and an honour to serve the people', adding that the public service is the engine room of society, and like the church, it touches the daily lives of millions of South Africans, especially the most vulnerable, which includes a horde of poor and unemployed black people. 'The breakdown of law and order in the country has become a nightmare, and people have lost faith in the government,' says Mkhatshwa, formerly a deputy basic education minister in the first democratic cabinet of former president Nelson Mandela of 1994, and later a Tshwane mayor. He says that 'thanks to the apartheid era' the African family structure was almost entirely destroyed and, in keeping with the apartheid ideology, 'all hellbent to create enormous wealth for a few whites — and later during the democratic years, to be joined by wealthy blacks, the beneficiaries of a corrupted political system'. The MRM this week travelled to the Eastern Cape, to address its constituency at the Buffalo City metropolitan municipality as a reminder of the need for a total spiritual metanoia needed to change society and leadership for the better. In this Eastern Cape venture, his organisation collaborated with the Imvuselelo Foundation, a local entity, as part of the Eminent Persons Dialogue on morality and values to facilitate societal change. A series of conversations were held with public service entities throughout the country. 'We all need to roll up our sleeves, put a shoulder to the wheel to save our country from the scourge of moral decadence in society … We cannot live all of this in the hands of the government; we have to get our hands dirty to fix the mess in our society. 'The moral decadence we see today reminds us of Madiba's passionate call for the RDP of the Soul. Fellow South Africans, I know we are weary — so punch-drunk that we risk giving up hope. 'Let us not succumb to that temptation,' he says, adding it would be better if all of society lifted itself by its own bootstraps to arrest the runaway train of corruption eating away at the moral fibre of society. In its countrywide campaign to remind South Africans of Madiba's call for moral regeneration, the MRM last week spread the good news of moral regeneration, hosted by the Free State government, in Mangaung. Mkhatshwa says the MRM has chosen the theme, One Family, One Future, as a rallying cry 'to underscore the centrality of the family as the nucleus, the heartbeat of society', without which the project of countering societal disruption and political chaos of corruption brought about by moral decadence, would not be possible. He says his movement is committed to tackling ethical malaise at its root, collaborating with its partners across the country, and also tackling the education sector. 'The South African black child is of great concern to us. The department of basic education and President Cyril Ramaphosa have publicly admitted that we are failing a black child. 'We neglected early childhood development, leaving grade 4 learners unable to read for meaning, with all its ugly consequences this brings for African society.' The MRM has engaged the Department of Basic Education to integrate the Charter of Positive Values into the school curriculum immediately. 'Progress is under way, and we hope the current minister will join us in this critical effort,' says Mkhatshwa. The historic charter, endorsed by Nelson Mandela in 2008 and embraced by the government in 2012, is supported across political, religious and civil society lines. It transcends ideology, culture and religious belief. Says Mkhatshwa: 'We hope to leave, wherever this campaign takes us, not just with resolutions, but a resolve to bring about change. Let us act not as separate factions, but as one family. Together we can rebuild trust, restore hope, and secure a future where no child is left behind. 'So, the task for the MRM and all its foot soldiers who are supporting its programmes in the country is gigantic, but so is our strength and resolve. The road is long, but our unity will light the way,' ended Mkhatshwa. In the end, the dialogues seek to unpack the moral challenges facing the nation and to explore vital roles of faith-based and traditional leaders in addressing societal ills. Jo-Mangaliso Mdhlela is an independent journalist, a former trade unionist, a social activist and an Anglican priest.
Irish Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Waterland to invest €150m in Irish market over 18 months
Dutch private equity group Waterland is to invest a further €150 million here over the next year and a half as it looks to add to its growing portfolio of Irish companies. At a time when the wider industry is reportedly pulling back on new investments and fundraises, the group's Irish arm signalled on Friday that it plans to 'dramatically' ramp up its expansion plans in the Republic. Waterland Ireland, which said it now has combined revenues of €600 million across its Irish portfolio, will invest an additional €150 million in new platform companies as well as add-on acquisitions for existing portfolio companies. The €150 million is understood to come from existing funds that have already been raised. READ MORE Waterland Ireland has invested in five so-called platform companies here since 2019, including Meath-based data centre cable specialist MTM Engineering, NetZero Group – formed through the Waterland-backed merger of two green heating and plumbing companies in 2023 – and the Silver Stream Healthcare nursing home group. The group, which focuses largely on mid-sized companies, has then added smaller, complementary businesses to those platforms through acquisition. Most recently, the competition watchdog cleared Waterland's bid to buy Hometherm Insulation Ltd in Kells, Co Meath, in March. If the deal goes ahead, it would position Waterland to benefit from accelerated State spending to retrofit 500,000 homes with insulation, heat pumps and other equipment by 2030 to hit climate action targets. 'We see immense potential in the Irish market and are dedicated to supporting companies with strong growth ambitions,' said Laura Dillon, partner at Waterland Ireland . 'This commitment reinforces our belief in the strength and innovation of Irish businesses. We are excited to partner with entrepreneurs and management teams to help them scale and achieve their international growth aspirations.' The announcement comes against a backdrop of slower deal-making and fundraising across the private equity industry. The Financial Times reported in April that US president Donald Trump's tariffs are forcing private equity groups to pause their deal-making and focus on managing their existing portfolio companies, in a stark reversal of earlier expectations for a boom in activity under the new administration.
Irish Times
a day ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Tax-break ‘enhancement' being considered for companies carrying out research and development
The Government is weighing up a possible boost to tax breaks for companies doing research and development (R&D) in the Republic, according to Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe . Speaking to US investors at the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland annual dinner on Thursday, Mr Donohoe confirmed that he had been looking at ways of 'enhancing' a tax credit that returns 30 per cent of R&D spending to companies. 'We greatly value the feedback we are receiving, including as part of our recent public consultation, and this remains a key focus for my officials and I ahead of the Budget later this year,' he told the audience. Around 1,800 companies benefit from the tax break, one of several designed to attract and retain investment. READ MORE The American chamber represents US companies in the Republic, which employ 211,000 workers here and support a further 168,000 jobs in other businesses. The Minister pointed out that the relationship works both ways, as 770 Irish companies employ more than 200,000 in the US, while they have invested $350 million (€307 million) there. He also noted that Irish aviation companies are US manufacturer Boeing's biggest customers, with orders for more than 900 of its passenger jets, worth $120 billion. These include Ryanair, which has ordered 150 of Boeing's new 737 Max 10 aircraft, with an option for 150 more, and leasing groups Aercap, Avolon and SMBC Aviation Capital. Mr Donohoe was speaking a day after the US Court of International Trade blocked the country's president, Donald Trump , from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports. Last week he threatened to charge 50 per cent on all goods from the EU, but rowed that back to July 9th following a call with European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen. Mr Donohoe cautioned that tariffs were counter-productive, driving inflation and hurting consumers. [ White House vows to fight court ruling that Trump's 'liberation day' tariff scheme is illegal Opens in new window ] 'There are no winners in this, least of all the US taxpayers who will bear the burden of higher costs,' he said. 'Even a 10 per cent tariff could have a significant effect on Irish investment and the wider economy. It represents a huge challenge to Irish exporters to the US.' He welcomed the contacts between Ms von der Leyen and Mr Trump. Paul Sweetman, American chamber chief executive, said the organisation was there to support members in responding to trade turmoil. Winners of the 2025 American Chamber of Commerce US-Ireland Business Awards Global Leadership: Martin Cotter, president of Analog Devices, Europe, Middle East and Africa Global Impact: Alltech Global Community: Microsoft and Maynooth University, STEM Passport for Inclusion.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
U.S. Women's Open live updates, leaderboard for 2025 national championship at Erin Hills
U.S. Women's Open live updates, leaderboard for 2025 national championship at Erin Hills The best women in the world are ready to tackle Erin Hills Golf Course at the 80th U.S. Women's Open. The event is the fifth USGA championship held at the Wisconsin course since it first opened for public play in 2006. There were 1,904 entries accepted for the national championship. There will be 156 golfers on the tee sheet when the tournament starts Thursday. When is the 2025 U.S. Women's Open? The second women's major of the season starts Thursday, May 29, with the first round. The four-day, 72-hole stroke-play competition will conclude with the final round on Sunday, June 1. What is the cut for the 2025 U.S. Women's Open? The cut will come after the second round to the low 60 scorers and ties. When does the U.S. Women's Open start? The first tee times are 8:45 a.m. ET (7:45 a.m. local time) on Thursday with threesomes starting on both the 1st tee and 10th tee. The final groups of the first round tee off at the 1st and 10th tee at 1:42 p.m. ET (12:42 p.m. local time) Where is Erin Hills Golf Course? Erin Hills is in Erin, Wisconsin, about 40 miles northwest of Milwaukee. The course opened in 2006. Where to watch the 2025 U.S. Women's Open Thursday, May 29 First round, 12 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET, USA Network First round, 6 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET, Peacock Friday, May 30 Second round, 12 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET, USA Network Second round, 6 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET, Peacock Saturday, May 31 Third round, 1 p.m. ET to 3 p.m., Peacock Third round, 3 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET, NBC Sunday, June 1 Final round, 2 p.m. ET to 7 p.m. ET, NBC Featured groups, tee times for the 2025 U.S. Women's Open The complete list of tee times can be found here. The most interesting groups in the first round are: 1st tee 2:03 p.m. ET: Amy Yang, Republic, Lottie Woad, Ayaka Furue 2:25 p.m. ET: Nelly Korda, Charley Hull, Lexi Thompson 2:36 p.m. ET: Minjee Lee, Mao Saigo, Jin Young Ko 10th tee 8:40 a.m. ET: Yuka Saso, Rianne Malixi, Lydia Ko 8:51 a.m. ET: Jeeno Thitikul, Lilia Vu, Rose Zhang
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How to watch Ghana vs Nigeria: TV channel and live stream for Unity Cup today
The Unity Cup continues tonight as Nigeria and Ghana renew a long-standing rivalry at Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium. An international football tournament that was previously held between May and June 2004 returned last night in the fixture between Jamaica and Trinidad. Nigeria were crowned champions over two decades ago after topping a group that included the Reggae Boyz and the Republic of Ireland as the likes of Obafemi Martins and John Utaka lead them to victory. This time around, the Super Eagles' squad includes a blend of youth and experience. Ahmed Musa, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi and Moses Simon are among the more recognised names included whilst head coach Eric Chelle has selected 10 home-based players. As for Ghana, manager Otto Addo is without the likes of recognised stars such as Thomas Partey and Mohammed Kudus. However, Jordan Ayew and Mohammed Salisu have been included in a 23-man squad. Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the match... TV channel: In the UK, the game will be broadcast on Premier Sports. Coverage starts at 7.40pm BST on Premier Sports 1 ahead of an 7.45pm kick-off. Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Premier Sports website or the Premier Sports Player app. Live blog: You can follow all the action with
