Latest news with #VanZyl
Eyewitness News
8 hours ago
- Health
- Eyewitness News
World No Tobacco Day: 'Variety of weird conditions' associated with some e-cigarette flavours, says expert
CAPE TOWN - People across the globe are marking World No Tobacco Day on Saturday, under the theme 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. While there's extensive research on traditional tobacco products like cigarettes, vaping and e-cigarettes do not have as much long-term research on their effects. This as alternative nicotine products, such as vapes or Zyns, have been reportedly creating new and fatal diseases. Leading pulmonologist at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Professor Richard Van Zyl, said some flavours in e-cigarettes have been found to be linked to new conditions. "The flavourants in e-cigarettes aren't there in tobacco cigarettes. So, we're seeing a variety of weird conditions, you may have heard of something called popcorn lung, which is specifically related to butter flavourant diacetyl, which has been seen in some e-cigarettes, not all e-cigarettes, so it's a weird combination of diseases because of the flavourant." Van Zyl said that the diacetyl flavourant causes inflammation in the lungs. "So popcorn lung, it gets its name from diacetyl, the flavourant of butter popcorn, so that's where the popcorn part comes from, because it was found in workers in a popcorn factory, that's where it gets its name from. What it is because of this specific flavourant in butter flavour, the diacetyl flavourant causes an intense inflammation in the lungs.' He further explained, "So the lungs in a sense fill up with inflammation, and so you can't breathe, and it is often fatal, which is completely different from cigarettes which slowly damage your lungs. Thankfully, popcorn lung is very, very rare, but it is one of the weird things we have seen with electronic cigarettes.'
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
OPINION: Comrades queen Gerda Steyn faces a battle against Irvette van Zyl
Van Zyl has earned three runner-up finishes at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon and holds the SA 50km record. In recent years, Gerda Steyn has become the darling of South African ultra-distance running, racking up a long list of victories and records at the country's biggest races. Everybody loves Gerda, and for good reason. She hardly seems to put a foot wrong, and her dominance at both the Comrades and Two Oceans ultra-marathons has been astounding. However, as much as we've enjoyed the 'Smiling Assassin' tearing up the road with a grin, her phenomenal results have made things a little predictable. Gerda Steyn after winning her sixth successive title at the Two Oceans ultra-marathon in Cape Town last month. Picture: Peter Heeger/Gallo Images Van Zyl debut At Comrades next week, however, Steyn will have to deal with Hollywood Athletics Club teammate Irvette van Zyl. One of South Africa's top road runners since she was a teenager, 37-year-old Van Zyl has been the only athlete to put up a fight against Steyn at Two Oceans over the last few years, pushing her all the way to the line on two occasions. And while she has been on the road back from injury in preparation for her first attempt at the Comrades Marathon, if anyone can give Steyn a go next weekend, it's Van Zyl. At first glance, Van Zyl looks like she's made of spaghetti. Beneath the veneer, however, is a lining of steel that makes her one of the most feared athletes on SA roads. Mental strength Van Zyl has been riddled with injuries throughout her career, and she's not as consistent as Steyn (to be fair, nobody is), but when she's in form she has the mental strength to dig deeper than just about anyone. It's this side of her character that suggests she could be well suited to the brutal Comrades course, on top of the fact that she's one of the strongest hill runners in the country. Comrades is all about hills, even on the 'down' run. Steyn will undoubtedly line up as the favourite for her fourth Comrades victory and though she will be almost unbeatable at her best, if she falters in any way, Van Zyl is likely to be lurking, waiting to pounce. Ultra-distance experience Not a novice to ultra-distance running, Van Zyl holds the SA 50km record of 3:04:24 (though she set that mark on a flat, looped course) and she has three runner-up finishes at Two Oceans. She might have to run the race of her life to give Steyn a shake next week, but Van Zyl might just make a race of it. As much as we love Gerda, some real competition will make things interesting, and Irvette van Zyl is just the sort of athlete who can mix things up. It should be a cracking race.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Interest rate decision not clear cut: The delicate balance that MPC members need to achieve
The Reserve Bank's Monetary Police Committee faces a fine balancing act when it comes to interest rate decisions. Image: Ai South Africans are eagerly awaiting the latest interest rate decision, which will be announced on Thursday afternoon. While the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) does appear to have the necessary wiggle room to cut rates, given that April's inflation rate of 2.8% fell below the target range of 3% to 6%, experts say it's not a clear-cut case. 'Although the low inflation rate justifies a rate cut, the Reserve Bank remains cautious due to global uncertainties and the rand's volatility,' said Thys van Zyl, CEO of Everest Wealth. 'The Reserve Bank is likely to follow a balanced approach to support economic growth without compromising price stability.' Van Zyl said that uncertainty surrounding international trade policy, as well as a possible shift to a lower inflation target, could see MPC members taking a more cautious approach. 'We are currently halfway through President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on new tariffs, and the Reserve Bank is likely to maintain a wait-and-see stance until this period has lapsed.' He added that South Africans should be prepared for an uncertain interest rate path, with economists predicting one to two more interest rate cuts for the remainder of 2025. Investec Chief Economist Annabel Bishop said expectations of slowing global growth as well as a weakening domestic growth outlook have lifted expectations for an interest rate cut in May. However, the effects of a 0.25 basis point cut would be moderate. 'The rate cut on Thursday, widely expected by financial markets and the polling consensus, will bring only mild relief to consumers, which have shown evidence of being over indebted, with many using pension saving withdrawals to pay down debt,' Bishop said. Economist Frederick Mitchell of Aluma is also anticipating a 25 basis point cut for today, stating that this would reflect a careful balance between encouraging growth and maintaining inflation control over the medium to long term. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'Ultimately, South Africa stands at a crossroads, requiring strategic policy adjustments to navigate its economic challenges,' Mitchell said. 'Collaborative efforts towards stabilising diplomatic relations, refining fiscal strategies, and adopting a forward-thinking monetary policy will be crucial for fostering sustainable growth and stability going forward.' However, uncertainties remain, going forward as the SARB has hinted at new approaches to inflation targeting. Everest CEO Thys van Zyl said speculation was rife that the inflation target could be lowered. 'There are strong indications that this change is imminent, and such a shift would undoubtedly impact the rand as well as the outlook for further interest rate cuts. Should the target be lowered, it could deal a blow to prospects for additional rate cuts.' IOL
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brakpan runner strives for nationals qualification to honour father
Brakpan resident, Donovan van Zyl started the provincial cross-country season with a blistering run at the Kwa-Thema Stadium earlier this month in his bid to qualify for the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships in Middleburg in September. Van Zyl began the year on the front foot with a victory in the 5km races at the Benoni Northerns Marathon on April 13, followed by an exceptional performance at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1. Though the teenager's form, hard work and drive will likely earn him a spot in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) team for the nationals, he's inspired to do it for his wheelchair-bound father. 'It's a big dream to go to the nationals. My dad inspired me to do this. My coach, Jared de Waal, also helps me a lot,' he said. The Irun Athletics Club athlete's father, Andrè Swart, is a former rugby player who also excelled in athletics. Swart was involved in a car accident that landed him in a wheelchair. 'He was an SA athlete. He was one of the best. He did all athletics except for the long distances. I'm doing this for him.' Asked about his performance in the first CGA Cross Country League meeting on May 3, where he clocked 22:20 in the U17 boys' 6km race, Van Zyl said he was headed in the right direction. While the race gave him a sense of what to expect as the season progressed, he was disappointed with its aftermath. He started at a blistering pace, which affected him at the end because he finished seventh. In the remaining leagues, however, the middle-distance runner will adopt a conservative approach, allowing him to hit his strides in the second half. ALSO READ: Medals and memories shine at SAAFA's 80th anniversary banquet 'The biggest lesson was starting to avoid starting fast. I must ease into the race and go for it once I've assessed my competition and my body is warm. Cross-country is tough. It needs you to strategise,' Van Zyl said. He started running because it 'clears my mind on tough days and puts my head into a good space'. Reflecting on his journey in the sport, he said, 'It's been hard, but I work hard. Coach Jared motivates us to chase our dreams.' Van Zyl's biggest goal is to go to the Olympic Games, but first, he must tackle the easy task of qualifying for his first cross-country nationals. 'I will give it my all in the remaining league.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
22-05-2025
- IOL News
Deadbeat dad's failure to pay child support leads to imprisonment
A Cape Town father - a repeat contempt of court offender - was sentenced to 240 hours of periodical imprisonment over weekends from 6pm on a Friday until 6am on a Monday until such time as the stipulated number of hours had been reached. Image: File A father who was errant in paying his court-ordered maintenance amounts was ordered to serve jail time if he did not cough up his arrears amount owed to the mother of his two minor children. The mother and father, who are divorced under Sharia Law while their civil marriage still subsists, both turned to the Western Cape High Court (the father in a counter-application) but the court found in favour of the mother as the primary caregiver of the children. The father - a repeat contempt of court offender - was sentenced to 240 hours of periodical imprisonment over weekends from 6pm on a Friday until 6am on a Monday until such time as the stipulated number of hours had been reached. The sentence would have been suspended if he was able to pay the R16,000 maintenance arrears amount owed and if it was paid in full by on or before 5pm on 20 January 2025 and complied with the Rule 43 (divorce and maintenance) order made in the high court during May 2021. The reasons given by acting judge Phillipa van Zyl, detailed that the father failed to pay certain expenses which included his ex-wife and children's monthly rental as well as monthly DSTV/Multichoice, Netflix, internet/Wi-Fi subscription fee, yearly TV license costs, and the ex-wife's monthly cell phone costs. 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 ✕ Ad Loading Acting Judge Van Zyl said the parties were at loggerheads and their affidavits in these proceedings were 'brimful of invective' adding that this spilled over to litigation hearings where the aggression was palpable at the hearing. 'This is an unfortunate situation, because it bodes ill for any possibility of resolving the disputes in a civil manner. The state of affairs cannot be a happy one for the children,' said acting Judge Van Zyl. The unpaid expenses giving rise to the contempt application consisted of two months' rental in respect of the applicants' and the minor children's residence being the rental owing for November 2024 and December 2024 in the total sum of R16,000. It also included various additional expenses payable in terms of the order for the period July to October 2024 (in the total sum of R27,129,13). 'On the day of the hearing, I was informed that the respondent had made payment of the additional expenses the previous day, albeit clearly grudgingly if regard is had to the content of his answering affidavit. The amounts owing in respect of rental remained unpaid,' noted acting Judge Van Zyl. The man argued that the residence in which the woman lived was the deceased estate of the woman's sister - which she is to inherit but is not yet the legal owner as the rental is paid to wind up the deceased estate. 'He accused the applicant of trying to extract more money from him under the pretence of having to pay rental. He therefore refused to contribute towards this rental, despite being obliged to do so in terms of the Rule 43 order. 'The attorneys representing the estate also confirmed what the situation was…The respondent made no secret of the fact that he was dissatisfied with the terms of the Rule 43 order. From the papers it seemed that this has been the case since the grant of the order. He had faced a previous contempt application for non-payment of the Rule 43 order, in which an order was granted against him on 25 October 2024. 'The explanation for the respondent's non-compliance is not satisfactory; they merely serve to convey the impression that he is so angry at the applicant that he would take every possible opportunity of thwarting her. The respondent deliberately did not pay, seeking to justify his conduct with a strained argument,' said acting Judge Van Zyl.
