Latest news with #SA-born
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Elon Musk could shake up SA's government
Elon Musk's departure from US politics may offer South Africa a shot at reform if he returns with his disruptive energy and ideas. Elon Musk looks on as US President Donald Trump meets with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) The bromance between Donald Trump and tech mega-billionaire Elon Musk hit the rocks this week, when Musk left his job as head of the department of government expenditure (Doge), accusing the US president of increasing the country's deficit rather than reducing it as he promised. Musk has a point about Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' – which offers sprawling tax relief and spending cuts and is the centrepiece of his domestic agenda. But, according to AFP, critics warn it will decimate health care and balloon the national deficit by as much as $4 trillion (about R71.5 trillion) over a decade. ALSO READ: Elon Musk unceremoniously steps down from Trump administration However, there's no doubt the SA-born oligarch underestimated the global backlash which followed his commitment to Trump and then with his wild moves at Doge and what looked suspiciously like a Nazi salute at a public rally. Sales of his Tesla electric vehicles have gone flat across the globe as buyers baulked at the anti-green, fascist-leaning actions of the new regime in Washington. Musk will, no doubt, bounce back from this ill-considered foray into right-wing politics. But, if you are at a loose end, Elon, come home for a while, set up Starlink (if the ANC lets you) and take your chainsaw to our bloated government.
The Citizen
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
In the gloom, two South Africans bring global glory
Despite the gloom, Marlene Dumas and Rayno Nel have proven that South Africans can still conquer global stages in art and sport. South African artist and painter, Marlene Dumas and Rayno Nel in action during the World's Strongest Man competition in Sacramento, California. Pictures: Instagram and Robyn Beck/AFP Amid the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth which seems to be present-day South Africa, it is good to know that our supposedly traumatised country can still produce world-beaters. There were two of them this week who rose to the highest heights in their respective fields. SA-born Artist Marlene Dumas set a global auction record for the most expensive painting sold by a living female artist. This after her 1997 painting Miss January sold for a staggering $13.7 million (more than R245 million) at Christie's 21st Century Evening Sale auction in the United States. Fair enough, Dumas, 72, has lived in Amsterdam since 1976… but we'll still call her ours. ALSO READ: SA-born artist Marlene Dumas breaks global record with over R245 million painting sale [PICS] Someone who hasn't left and has his feet still solidly on local ground is newly crowned strongman world champion Rayno Nel, a former Cheetahs rugby player who has won the World's Strongest Man championship in California. He was the first athlete from Africa to take the title in the 48-year history of the event. The achievement was even more notable because Nel only took up the strongman sport two years ago, after retiring from rugby and then focusing on his career as an electrical engineer. Fly, the Beloved Country… ALSO READ: Rayno Nel eager to keep improving after winning strongman world title
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Juliet Prowse: the South African star who choreographed her own path to fame
Juliet Prowse's path to stardom was paved with resilience and determination from a young age. Image: Supplied In a world where dreams of stardom often lead to disappointments, the newly released biography 'Juliet Prowse: Born to Dance' shines a spotlight on the remarkable life of South African dancer Juliet Prowse. From her early days as a young artist in 1950s London to her rise as a captivating performer in Hollywood and beyond, her story is one of relentless determination, artistic genius, and a fierce craving for independence. In the book, her niece, Juliet Prowse (namesake author), unveils the intricacies of her aunt's life, a journey that orchestrated the ambitions of an aspiring dancer into a luminary admired by audiences worldwide. Born in South Africa, the dancer's path to stardom was paved with resilience and determination from a young age. The book opens with her formative years, showcasing the early lessons of hard work that shaped her into the performer she would later become. Namesake author captures life and times of SA-born star in new book. Image: Supplied With the backdrop of 1950s London, her niece recounts the fortuitous meeting between her aunt and Hermes Pan, Fred Astaire's choreographer, which marked the beginning of an illustrious journey in dance. Hollywood beckoned, and as she made her mark in films like 'Can-Can' and 'G.I. Blues', her romantic entanglement with legends Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley only intensified the media's fascination. However, the young star was undeterred by the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. In a striking declaration of independence, she severed her engagement to Sinatra and walked away from a lucrative contract with 20th Century Fox, determined to carve her path. Empowered by her vision, she launched her own company, producing and creating shows that captivated audiences for over two decades in Las Vegas. Her groundbreaking productions allowed her to transform the entertainment landscape, making her one of the highest-paid dancers of her era with a stunning $1 million contract in the mid-1970s. The author highlights how the dancer's innovations and creative entrepreneurship ultimately led her to be named the Female Entertainer of the Year four times in an era dominated by iconic figures such as Liza Minnelli, Barbra Streisand, and Shirley MacLaine. Despite accolades for her work in shows like 'Sweet Charity", the elusive dream of opening on Broadway always lingered in her shadow. Nonetheless, her unwavering passion and commitment to her craft allowed her to redefine her legacy, building a world-class modern dance company while mentoring future generations of dancers. Namesake author captures life and times of SA-born star in new book. Image: Supplied In her pursuit of authenticity, the author has woven insights from family letters and anecdotes into her narrative, offering readers a glimpse into the emotional landscape of a woman who finessed the line between personal and professional life. This approach allows her to paint a true portrait of her aunt, revealing not just a performer but a woman full of depth, love, and tenacity. The author stumbled upon a little red suitcase in her parents' attic while tidying up. Filled to the brim with articles and memories from her aunt's illustrious career, it catalysed a journey that would culminate in this heartfelt biography. 'I wanted to tell her story; it felt like a calling to honour her legacy,' she says, revealing the emotional undertones that bonded her to the subject matter. The parallels between their lives - her aunt's journey as a performer and her own experiences in running - enhanced this connection, making the writing process an awakening rather than a daunting task. Reflecting on the significance of capturing her aunt's story, she expressed, 'She was a symbol of grace, power, and elegance.' This book set out to inspire not only long-time admirers of the dancer but also a new generation of readers and dance enthusiasts, highlighting a legacy that should never be forgotten.
The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Cartoon of the day: 9 May 2025
Malema has courted controversy for several years, leading to calls for him to be declared an 'international criminal' EFF leader Julius Malema is outraged at being denied a UK visa just days before he was set to attend the Cambridge Conference in London this weekend. Taking to social media, Malema claimed that 'no substantial justification' was given for the decision. 'We are currently at the OR airport, as we were promised that everything would be sorted by 15:30. Instead, we received a regret letter just four hours before our departure. This is unacceptable and spineless.' The controversial politician claimed the denial was 'an attempt to silence a dissenting political perspective'. 'This is nothing more than an expression of bureaucratic process being used to suppress political dissent and to ban the voices of the EFF from building global solidarity against Western Imperialism,' his party added. In a letter to EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee, British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson apologised that the UK Home Office was unable to process the application due to the time needed to consider visa applications and recent UK bank holidays. Malema's fiery speeches Malema has courted controversy for several years, slamming British imperialism and colonialism. He has also been in court for discharging a rifle during an EFF birthday celebration in 2018. There have been calls for international sanctions against him for his chanting of 'Kill the Boer', with SA-born tech billionaire Elon Musk saying he should be declared an 'international criminal'. Musk accused Malema of deliberately calling for the genocide of white South Africans. Malema hit back, saying he is 'happy to be an international criminal'. 'I am so happy to be an international criminal. Do you know why? Because Nelson Mandela was an international criminal – that's what they declared him for, fighting for the rights of our people. 'If it means I'm joining the ranks of Nelson Mandela by being declared an international criminal for fighting for the rights of my people, I'm a proud international criminal,' Malema said. NOW READ: Could Malema have brought denied UK visa on himself?
