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Daily Maverick
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Royally flush — Queen Máxima on financial health tour of Cape Town
Queen Máxima of the Netherlands is an economist on a mission to promote financial health. She visited Cape Town to learn and share. When I first got the call that there might be an opportunity for me to interview Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, I thought there must be a mistake. However, her role as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Financial Health put it all in perspective. Personal finance has always been my passion, and for me financial literacy is the pathway to financial health. Queen Máxima is equally passionate about financial health, and her role is an evolution of her work as the UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, which she had been for 15 years. After years of advocating financial inclusion, Queen Máxima maintains that access alone is no longer enough. Financial service providers and policymakers should be reviewing products with financial health as the desired outcome. Her focus areas are the development of products and services that help people to achieve financial health by enabling them to: Manage their day-to-day finances; Build a buffer to withstand financial shocks; Invest to reach short- and long-term goals; and Gain confidence in their financial future. The queen cuts a striking, statuesque figure, the epitome of elegance. She wore a navy blue pantsuit with her hair tied back simply. The African skies saw fit to welcome her with a shower of rain, or African blessings as some believe. At 1.8m, blonde and slim, the queen would not be out of place on a catwalk – but she is actually a qualified economist. So, when she sets out to promote financial health she knows what she is talking about. Financial inclusion in the Netherlands is 99.7%, and of its roughly 8.4 million households, only about 1.4 million have financial problems. About 726,000 have 'problematic debt'. Problematic debt is a situation where your debt has become unmanageable, resulting in depression and other negative effects. Despite the apparently high numbers, the Netherlands presents a striking difference to South Africa, where only 16% of South Africans are considered financially healthy. As we visited different sites around Cape Town, it quickly became clear that the queen's focus is on financial health, rather than simply financial inclusion. Financial inclusion means ensuring access to financial services such as banking, credit, savings accounts and insurance. Financial health is another rung on the ladder to financial success, building on financial inclusion to achieve the ability to live within your means, save and plan for the future and cope with unexpected expenses. Our first stop was Khayelitsha. As we braved the rain to enter the building, we were met by the Voice of Hope youth choir, who had gathered to sing and dance in the queen's honour. Nedbank launched a branch in Khayelitsha in 2003, which has grown into a 'mega-branch' today, offering self-service kiosks to increase digital banking and mobile banking units to serve customers where they are. Noluvuyo Ndyoko of the Masikhulo Savings Club, a stokvel, told the queen how the stokvel had opened an account with Nedbank in 2008. Today it boasts 142 members. 'We offer our members loans at lower interest rates of 7.5% so that they don't turn to loan sharks,' she said. To instil financial discipline and ensure loans are repaid, the stokvel imposes steep penalties of 30% for missed payments, and members who are absent from meetings without excusing themselves pay a R200 fine. 'In the last month we made about R49,000 in penalties alone,' Ndyoko said. The queen was clearly invested in the conversation. She had done her homework and already understood the concept of a stokvel. Smiling gently as she listened to the stokvel members, she asked questions that revealed her interest. This keen interest in financial health shone through at the next site visit – China Town in Ottery, where we met Namhla Cengani, an entrepreneur with a business based on WhatsApp. Cengani accessed a microloan via Spoon Money, which allowed her to expand her business by taking on more stock. 'Although I have a bank account, the loan criteria are so stringent that, as an entrepreneur with an unstable income, I do not qualify,' she told the queen. Cengani outlined how Spoon Money also supports its clients with financial literacy via a WhatsApp group. 'Before I worked with Spoon Money, I was just living month to month. I didn't know how to manage a business. Now I understand that owning a business doesn't mean using all the profit each month. You have to pay yourself a salary and reinvest the money into your business so it can grow,' she said. The third and final stop on the trip was the Discovery Bank branch in Sea Point. A far cry from the two previous sites, the queen was met there by Discovery Bank CEO Hylton Kallner, who talked her through the concept of Vitality and how the bank uses the same principles as other divisions of Discovery to drive positive client behaviour. The behaviours Vitality Money encourages include spending less than you earn, saving regularly, insuring for adverse events, paying off property and investing long-term. Queen Máxima emphasised that although South Africa has made notable strides in financial inclusion, the lack of financial health is weakening resilience and stalling inclusive growth. She also heard from Discovery Bank clients Jonathan and Latoya Cleary about their journey to financial wellbeing using the Discovery Bank Vitality programme. They enrolled in a financial education course offered on the Discovery Bank app. Then they used the budgeting and financial planning features of Vitality Money to help track expenses, manage debt and set the goals of owning a home and being debt-free. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Presley Chweneyagae, acclaimed actor of ‘Tsotsi,' dies at 40
Mr. Chweneyagae appeared in stagings of works by Shakespeare, playing the title character of 'Hamlet,' Mark Antony in 'Julius Caesar,' and Bottom and Puck in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.' For 'Tsotsi' - his first feature film, released the year he turned 21 - Mr. Chweneyagae immersed himself in a more contemporary drama, one set close to home, in the Johannesburg township of Soweto. He played a gang leader hardened beyond his years by the loss of his mother to AIDS, the abuse visited upon him by his alcoholic father, and the hardship of life in a shantytown and on the streets. He is known, simply, as 'Tsotsi,' or hoodlum. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The film, directed by Gavin Hood and based on a 1980 novel by the venerated South African playwright Athol Fugard, was unsparing in its depiction of violence. Advertisement 'The character Tsotsi, played by the charismatic newcomer Presley Chweneyagae, seems to have consumed his share of big-screen shoot-'em-ups,' wrote New York Times film critic Manohla Dargis, calling him 'as compact as Al Pacino's Tony Montana and just as lethal.' Advertisement In a critical moment of the film, Mr. Chweneyagae's character prowls a wealthy neighborhood, shoots a young woman, drives off with her luxury car and soon discovers that her baby is in the back seat. He takes the infant home to his shack and attempts to care for him, fashioning newspapers into diapers. Tsotsi struggles to deviate from the violence that has reigned over his life. When the baby grows hungry, he orders another mother at gunpoint to breastfeed the child. But the boy gradually kindles in Tsotsi a tenderness that he seems not to have known he had. 'How strange, a movie where a bad man becomes better, instead of the other way around,' film critic Roger Ebert wrote of 'Tsotsi.' Praising the film for not sentimentalizing poverty, Ebert described the story as one of 'deep emotional power' about a 'young killer … who is transformed by the helplessness of a baby' and 'powerless before eyes more demanding than his own.' 'It's a story about hope, it's a story about forgiveness, and it also deals with the issues that we are facing as South Africans: AIDS, poverty, and crime,' Mr. Chweneyagae told Agence France-Presse shortly before 'Tsotsi' received the Oscar for best foreign film in 2006. 'But at the same time,' he added, 'it could take place anywhere in the world.' Mr. Chweneyagae was born in Mafikeng, in South Africa's North West province, on Oct. 19, 1984. He acted in church plays and community theater before beginning drama lessons at 10. His film credits after 'Tsotsi' include his performance as a prisoner in 'Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom' (2013), a biopic about Nelson Mandela. Advertisement Mr. Chweneyagae attracted a devoted following in South Africa for his performance in 'The River,' a TV series that ran from 2018 to 2024, about two families, one rich and one poor, connected by South Africa's diamond mining industry. His character, Cobra, inspired a spin-off, 'Cobrizi.' With Mpumelelo Paul Grootboom, he wrote a play, 'Relativity,' about a serial killer in a South African township and the lives of the many people around him. Mr. Chweneyagae was married and had several children, but a complete list of survivors was not immediately available. For his performance in 'Tsotsi,' Mr. Chweneyagae drew on his traumatic experience being mugged shortly before he agreed to take on the film role. 'When you are a victim of crime, you do tend to think, 'If I ever come face to face with that person, I'll kill them or do something to get back at them,'' he told the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader. But after working on 'Tsotsi,' he added, 'I can see that people do not choose where they come from. They do not choose their financial background or their social background. It's just circumstances that force them to be what they are.'
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
Johannesburg court sentences cop killers to multiple life terms
The High Court in Johannesburg sentenced two men to multiple life terms for the murder of two police officers and a CPF member in Boksburg. Image: File The High Court in Johannesburg has handed down multiple life sentences to two men who brutally murdered police officers and a community policing forum member in what the National Prosecuting Authority described as a targeted attack on the state. Njiki Hlulani Mabuza, 31, and Savenore Sihle Ntuli, 29, were sentenced on Monday to three life sentences each for the murders of Sergeant Phillip Kgotso Malahlela, Constable Vusimusi Innocent Batsha, and CPF member Tommy Masuku. The court also handed down an additional 59 years for related crimes, including attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, possession of unlicensed firearms, and ammunition. "The killing of law enforcement officers is not only a heinous crime but also a direct assault on the rule of law, public safety, and the fabric of our democracy," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. "The killing of law enforcement officers is not only a heinous crime but also a direct assault on the rule of law, public safety, and the fabric of our democracy," said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Regional Spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane. The convictions stem from a series of violent events between July and October 2022. Investigations revealed that the accused were behind the murder of Masuku, a CPF member ambushed and shot in an informal settlement after being accused of cooperating with the police. Four months later, they executed a deadly ambush on police officers retrieving a body in Boksburg. "Such acts threaten the security of all South Africans and undermine efforts to maintain law and order," Mjonondwane said. During the second attack, one officer was gunned down in a bathroom, and another was shot outside the scene. The girlfriend of the deceased civilian was also caught in the crossfire, sustaining two gunshot wounds and suffering permanent abdominal injuries. The suspects also stole service firearms from the fallen officers. "Through diligent prosecution and unwavering commitment, the NPA continues to affirm that attacks on the state and its institutions will be met with the full might of the law," Mjonondwane stated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Senior State Advocate Zarina Pack told the court that the attack was premeditated and calculated, taking place during what was meant to be a standard police operation. The court agreed, citing the devastating impact of the crimes on the victims, their families, and the country's law enforcement fraternity. The NPA welcomed the ruling as a firm statement against the murder of officers and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of South Africa's justice system. "The NPA remains resolute in its mandate to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure that justice is served, especially in cases where those tasked with protecting our communities become targets themselves," Mjonondwane concluded. IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Health minister defends nearly R10 million legal spend on NHI court battles
Motsoaledi says there would not be a need for litigation if members of parliament didn't enjoy heavy subsidies on private medical aid and if NHI were a reality. The Department of Health has spent R9.7 million on legal fees defending the National Health Insurance (NHI) fund and the NHI Act. This is according to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who was addressing questions during the Social Services Cluster question-and-answer session in Parliament on Wednesday. Mostoaledi said there are overall seven cases against the controversial fund, which is designed to give all South Africans access to quality healthcare paid for by taxpayers. Five of these cases involve the fund itself, and two involve the act. R9.7 million in legal fees 'We are using the same team of lawyers, and so we might not be able to separate the two. So, we have hired a team that deals with them,' Motsoaledi said. 'It's five senior counsel and seven junior counsel, and from October 2023, when the first counsel was briefed, the total amount paid is R9 696 679.99. There is no pending financial liability for any cost order since the single judgement that came out so far is under appeal. Mostsoaledi was addressing Democratic Alliance (DA) member of parliament (MP) Michele Clarke, who asked what the total litigation expenses incurred to date regarding the act are. ALSO READ: Court rules president must explain how he decided to sign NHI Bill into law 'I would like to ask the minister how he justifies paying such a large legal team, given that hospitals cannot afford food for patients or overtime for doctors, and given that even the president has a legal team of only about a third of the health minister,' Clarke asked Motsoaledi. The minister said the department regarded the size of the team as appropriate and that the president is only sued for one case, not seven. He said they didn't determine the amount and that those who have been involved in litigation will know how expensive senior counsel is. 'When the cases increase, we increase the number because we have to match them.' MP's medical aid subsidies Motsoaledi also said the millions spent defending the NHI were nothing compared to the billions in medical aid subsidies that MPs enjoy. 'You here, honourable members, are subsidised to stay on private medical aid for R70 billion; why don't we have the heart to believe that money must go to help the poor? 'It doesn't stop there; any South African who's on a medical aid, including you, gets tax credits to the tune of R33 billion… Then you come here to me and complain about R9 million; are you not trying to hide things here?' ALSO READ: Motsoaledi announces 1 650 new healthcare jobs and R1.3bn to be spent on hospital equipment He said if MPs were not on private medical aids and being heavily subsidised, there would not be any need for litigation, and the department would not be asking for NHI. 'South Africans would be equal, so please go and think about that very carefully.' Call for decisiveness In response, ActionSA's Dr Tebogo Letlape asked the minister why he doesn't take away the subsidies and tax benefits since they are under his purview. Furthermore, he asked why the Medical Schemes Act and the NHI Act exist separately. 'Why can't there be decisiveness in terms of doing what needs to be done, where the new proposal replaces the existing proposal? Why are we creating two parallel mechanisms? Where's the courage to merge the two?' Letlape asked. Motsoaledi said he understood that Letlape had always advocated for abolishing medical aid and replacing it with the NHI since he was the president of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. 'That's the decision this house can take if you have the heart to take it,' the minister said, addressing the MPs. NOW READ: Over 8 000 SA healthcare jobs lost – and more could follow – after US Pepfar aid cuts
IOL News
10 hours ago
- Health
- IOL News
One in four SA households experienced hunger in 2024, Stats SA report shows
South Africa's hunger crisis demands sustained, multi-sectoral action. Image: Pexels/file Hunger remains a pressing global crisis, with its impact acutely felt in local communities. The recently released 2024 General Household Survey reveals a staggering statistic: nearly 14 million South Africans, equivalent to almost a quarter of all households, faced daily hunger last year. What is hunger? The UN World Food Programme (WFP) defines hunger as a discomfort or pain caused by a lack of food. It is worth noting that it is different from food insecurity, which means a lack of regular access to safe and nutritious food for proper development and an active and healthy life. Hunger is a global crisis. The estimates that 343 million people face acute food insecurity globally, with 44.4 million in 'emergency' conditions across 49 countries. Conflict, climate shocks, and economic inequality are among the leading drivers. Children are particularly vulnerable. Malnutrition significantly impairs physical and cognitive development, increasing mortality risks and undermining long-term educational and economic outcomes. How hunger affects South Africans The data shows that 22.2% of households reported inadequate or severely inadequate access to food, with the Northern Cape (34.3%), Eastern Cape (31.3%), Mpumalanga (30.4%), and KwaZulu-Natal (23.9%) the most affected provinces. The report indicated structural vulnerabilities that worsened food insecurity. Female-headed households made up 42.4% of all homes, with the highest concentrations in rural areas, notably Eastern Cape (48.8%) and KwaZulu-Natal (46.8%). Family structures varied widely. A total of 26.9% of homes were single-person households, while 39.4% were nuclear families. Skip-generation households—where grandparents care for grandchildren—made up 4.2%, with the Eastern Cape again recording the highest rate at 7.7%. The challenges extend to children's living conditions. Fewer than a third (31.4%) lived with both parents, while 45.5% lived with only their mother. Over 11% were orphans, and nearly 19% lived without either biological parent. On a more positive note, the percentage of households living in formal dwellings rose to 84.1% in 2024, up from 73.5% in 2002. Still, housing security remains precarious for many, with 60.1% owning their homes and 25.1% renting. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ South Africa's response to hunger During his State of the Nation Address this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa once again vowed to tackle poverty. "We want a nation where no one goes hungry. For 30 years, since the dawn of democracy, we have worked together to reduce poverty. Today, we spend around 60 percent of our national budget on the social wage: on health, education, social protection, community development and public employment programmes. More than 28 million unemployed and vulnerable people receive social grants. More than 10.5 million learners go to public schools where they do not have to pay fees. Last year, over 900,000 students from poor and working-class backgrounds received funding to study at universities and colleges. Through these programmes, we are alleviating the worst effects of poverty." Despite these promises, there is a long way to go to solve hunger in South Africa. Amid growing concern, government and civil society in South Africa are mobilising resources to combat the crisis: Food Recovery and Distribution SA Harvest rescues surplus food and delivers it to vulnerable communities, while tackling the root causes of hunger through technology-driven solutions. FoodForward SA, in collaboration with UNICEF's One Small Spoon campaign, redistributes food to feeding schemes across the country. Government Welfare Support The Child Support Grant and Social Relief of Distress Grant provide financial lifelines to low-income families. Experts advocate for increases in grant amounts to better meet nutritional needs. The National School Nutrition Programme offers daily meals to learners in under-resourced schools, although calls for broader coverage and year-round support are growing. NGO and Community Initiatives Save the Children and Oxfam South Africa run targeted interventions, including malnutrition treatment and food security projects. The Union Against Hunger movement focuses on direct food aid and advocacy. Buhle Farmers Academy supports sustainable agriculture by training smallholder farmers. Rise Against Hunger engages in community farming and early childhood development feeding schemes, especially in areas like Orange Farm. IOL NEWS
