Latest news with #TSU
Daily Maverick
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
National Gambling Board boss quits after forensic audit
The National Gambling Board's chief strategic adviser Caroline Kongwa has resigned. She earned R3.4-million last year. Caroline Kongwa, the chief strategic adviser of the National Gambling Board (NGB) for the past six years, resigned earlier this month after being informed of the findings of an independent audit. The NGB regulates the almost R60-billion gambling industry in South Africa. Audit firm TSU Investigation Services found that performance bonuses paid to Kongwa during her tenure 'were not approved in line with the NGB performance management policy and [are] thus deemed irregular expenditure'. TSU also found that expenditure relating to 'international travel' by Kongwa 'can be deemed irregular expenditure'. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau responded to several written parliamentary questions by DA MP Toby Chance. As to whether 'disciplinary and criminal complaints' were being considered as a result of TSU's investigation, Tau said: 'Following receipt of the investigation report, the minister has appointed legal representation to advise him on the way forward. The minister is currently engaging with legal counsel on the course of action.' Kongwa was appointed joint administrator with Tumelo Baleni after the NGB's CEO resigned in April 2014. This came after the NGB was placed under administration and its board suspended by former minister Rob Davies following a forensic audit into maladministration and wasteful expenditure. All the board members resigned. The NGB has been without a board for 11 years. Baleni resigned in 2015. In response to another question from Chance, Tau said: 'The process of selecting members to serve on the National Gambling Board is under way and has not yet been concluded.' Tau's spokesperson, Kaamil Alli, did not reply to questions from GroundUp after an earlier undertaking to respond by last Friday. Kongwa's initial appointment as a joint administrator was extended several times. Despite some internal opposition, she was appointed chief strategic adviser in 2019, a position that did not previously exist. Kongwa was paid a total of R3.4-million in 2024 (including bonuses and perks). This was R800,000 more than she was paid in 2023. For context, in 2024, South Africa's deputy president was paid R3.16-million and ministers R2.68-million, excluding perks. Besides her 2024 salary of R2.5-million, other payments she received included a 13th cheque of R212,825 and a performance bonus of R510,781. In 2023, she was paid R2.6-million, including a R196,945 13th cheque and performance bonuses totalling R212,283. Kongwa's response Kongwa responded to GroundUp: 'I can confirm I tendered my resignation. The reasons for my resignation are personal and private and not for public consumption or publication in your story. 'The rest of the issues you raise are official matters and I employ you to directly engage and seek reply from both the DTIC [Department of Trade, Industry and Competition] and the NGB to verify if what your source has told you is the truth.' 'The DTIC and NGB should and are more than capable and accountable to answer for their own statements and deal with official Government business which they make public or report to Parliament. 'I unfortunately am not able to assist you any further. I hereby reserve my rights to sue if any misrepresentations are made in your publication.' Whistle-blowers A whistle-blower, who asked to remain anonymous because they feared punishment for speaking to the media, told GroundUp last year: 'I have submissions dating back to 2018 where some senior officials in the DTIC were raising reservations to some of the decisions by the then Minister [Davies], one of which was the creation of the position of a chief strategic adviser for a specific person, the current Accounting Authority [Kongwa].' Another whistle-blower, who also requested anonymity for fear of retribution, shared a letter sent to the DTIC in 2023 about the fact that Kongwa had been at the helm of the organisation ever since the dissolution of the board in 2014. The letter states: '[I]t appears that there is no interest or agility from the side of the DTIC to appoint a Board of Directors for the entity'. This had led to 'a serious gap in governance and has created a sense of authority and power by the person who has been the accounting authority [Kongwa]'. DM
Miami Herald
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Rebuilding HBCU Adds SEC Football Games to Schedule
Tennessee State University is loading its schedule with heavyweight matchups-not by accident. TSU Athletic Director Mikki Allen confirmed this week that the HBCU will take on three Southeastern Conference (SEC) powerhouses. Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and a trip to Middle Tennessee State over the next four years. These are not just football games; they're potential turning points in a new era for the HBCU program. In March, Tennessee State parted ways with NFL legend Eddie George and handed the reins to another former pro, Reggie Barlow. Barlow arrives with Super Bowl credibility and HBCU coaching roots at Alabama State. TSU sits near the bottom of the projected 2025 OVC/Big South standings. These SEC matchups could expose or elevate the program under Barlow's leadership. And that's the point. 'You're talking about SEC games. You're talking about great tradition programs like Georgia, like Tennessee, and, of course, like Vanderbilt,' Barlow said. 'It's a huge task and a huge challenge. But I just look forward to being in that atmosphere and that environment.' Barlow replaces George, who brought star power but struggled to gain consistent traction on the field. Now, the Tigers hope that Barlow's coaching acumen and connections-he coached at Alabama State from 2007 to 2014 and was part of a UFL championship with the Birmingham Stallions-can translate into wins and visibility for TSU. These games will help with both. 2026 TSU will travel to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs, the back-to-back national champions. Then, in 2027, the Tigers are tentatively scheduled to play the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. However, Allen is lobbying to make that a historic showdown in Nashville's soon-to-be-opened Nissan Stadium. "It's going to be a special game," Allen said. "We're here by the state capital and would love to play that game in the inaugural year at the new Nissan Stadium." That's a meaningful matchup for Allen personally. He played on Tennessee's 1998 national championship team and has been working behind the scenes to make it happen. TSU will follow those up with Middle Tennessee State in 2028 and Vanderbilt in 2029, continuing a strategy of early-season, high-profile matchups that offer exposure and guaranteed paydays. "That's strong, that's really strong," Allen added. "We've got some Super Bowl champs [on staff]… so that gave us a lot of connections with some of these bigger programs to work these games out." For a Tennessee State University program that hasn't played an FBS opponent since a 56–3 loss to Notre Dame in 2023, the leap back into this competition tier is bold and strategic. While wins in these contests might be long shots, the experiences, recruiting implications, and national exposure can be transformative for an HBCU program like TSU. These are measuring stick moments, especially for Barlow as he begins rebuilding trust, culture, and competitiveness in Nashville. He's not shying away from the pressure. 'Just being able to go and play in those stadiums and get that experience for our young men here and our coaches is going to be exciting,' Barlow said. Tennessee State may be near the bottom of the OVC/Big South preseason rankings, but they aim for the top of the conversation. These SEC showdowns won't just test their talent. They'll define the early chapters of Reggie Barlow's regime and reaffirm TSU's ambition to become a rising force among HBCUs and beyond. The post Rebuilding HBCU Adds SEC Football Games to Schedule appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator
Tennessee State University alumnus Shannon Harris made history this summer. As interim head coach, he led the DC Defenders to a dominant 58–34 victory over the Michigan Panthers in the UFL Championship Game on June 14, 2025, securing the franchise's first UFL title. It was the first time an HBCU graduate coached a professional football team to a championship. Now Harris is listed on the Tennessee State University athletics website as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach. A former quarterback for TSU in the early 2000s, Harris stepped into the interim head coach role on March 22, 2025. That change followed Reggie Barlow's departure from the Defenders to become TSU's new head coach. Despite the late-season transition, Harris guided the Defenders to a 6–4 regular-season record. He then led the team through the playoffs and claimed the championship. In recognition of his leadership, Harris earned the 2025 UFL Coach of the Year Award, officially named the Buddy Teevens Award. He became the first HBCU alumnus to receive the honor, marking a major milestone in HBCU representation in professional football. Now back at TSU, Harris joins the staff in a key leadership role. His return is a full-circle moment. Along with playing for the Tigers, he has coached at Virginia State, Alcorn State, Alabama State, and Tennessee State. Harris brings championship experience and deep Tiger pride to the program. His presence strengthens TSU's mission to develop an explosive offense. With his leadership, Tennessee State University football looks to rise in the Ohio Valley Conference and beyond. The post HBCU picks up championship coach as offensive coordinator appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
CTV News
19-07-2025
- CTV News
Barrie police officer cleared of wrongdoing in March arrest that injured suspect: SIU
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) concluded their investigation of a Barrie arrest in March where they say the suspect was injured after his face was struck by a police officer's weapon. According to the SIU, a woman called local police back on March 23 to report a domestic disturbance. She reported that the 27-year-old man she was living with was in possession of cocaine and a loaded firearm. Officers were dispatched to the Barrie address near Penetanguishene Road and Georgian Drive, with members of the Tactical Support Unit (TSU) using a battering ram to force the front door open. A distraction device was also deployed. The officers then entered the doorway of the home and into the foyer, awakening the man while he was sleeping. The SIU says the man was wearing an 'oversized' hooded jacket, and that he followed the officers' directions, exiting his bedroom with his hands up and making his way downstairs. But then the SIU reports that the man reached into the front pocket of his sweater, causing officers to be concerned that he was reaching for a firearm. He was four steps from the bottom of the stairs when, according to the SIU, one of the officers reportedly exclaimed 'don't reach for [expletive].' The SIU says the officers then grabbed him by the right arm and pulled him down. While the man was falling forward, the man reportedly suffered an orbital bone fracture when his face struck the barrel of an officer's C8 rifle. However, upon assessing the evidence, SIU investigators concluded on Friday that there were 'no reasonable grounds' to believe the officer committed a criminal offence in relation to the man's arrest and injury.
Miami Herald
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Beyoncé Concert with HBCU Band Earns Emmy Nominations
Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter Tour stop in her hometown of Houston was more than a concert - it was a cultural reset. Texas Southern University's "Ocean of Soul" marching band shared the stage with the Texas native for an iconic performance. One that became a love letter to Houston, to Black excellence, and to the legacy of HBCU music culture. Now, that history-making moment is earning its flowers in the form of four Emmy nominations. The televised special Beyoncé: Cowboy Carter-Live from Houston aired on ABC and has been nominated for several Emmy Awards. The performance is up for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded), Outstanding Production Design, Outstanding Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Music Direction. Beyoncé's star power alone commands attention. The inclusion of TSU's powerhouse band grounded the performance in tradition and elevated it to something iconic. For TSU's Ocean of Soul, the stage wasn't just a platform - it was a proclamation. Their presence on national television spotlighted the vibrant sound, precision, and pride that define HBCU marching bands. This wasn't just halftime entertainment; it was a statement about artistry, discipline, and cultural heritage. The band's live performance with Beyoncé showcased the symbiotic relationship between Black musical traditions and mainstream artistry. It brought the energy of the HBCU experience into millions of living rooms, solidifying the cultural currency of HBCU bands on a global scale. Texas Southern University's involvement extended beyond the stage. Administrators and band members took in Beyoncé's exclusive BeyGOOD suite during the performance weekend. Underscoring the growing relationship between the university and the superstar's philanthropic arm. That partnership came with tangible benefits. Through BeyGOOD's Pursue Change initiative, TSU's band department received a $100,000 grant. The funds will help fuel scholarships, improve recruitment and retention, and provide much-needed technology and infrastructure upgrades. It's an investment in the future of Black excellence - and a commitment to keeping the Ocean of Soul flowing strong for years to come. Rooted in Houston's Third Ward, Texas Southern University is a cultural cornerstone. With a legacy of producing leaders, artists, and changemakers, TSU continues to thrive at the intersection of education and empowerment. The university's role in this Emmy-nominated performance is just the latest example of how HBCUs continue to shape the national conversation, influence pop culture, and uplift communities. As Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter performance draws national Southern University stands proudly as a representative of the sound, soul, and spirit of Houston and of HBCU excellence across the nation. The post Beyoncé Concert with HBCU Band Earns Emmy Nominations appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
