Latest news with #VanderPoel
The South African
13-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Most South Africans cut grocery spend, with 86% feeling the strain
The survey reveals that many buy food on credit, and some even omit essentials from their budgets due to the cost of living. South Africans are feeling the pinch of the high cost-of-living crisis, with a recent Debt Rescue survey finding that 86% of households are cutting back on groceries to afford other essentials like electricity. The survey was conducted to assess the severity of the cost-of-living crisis on households, according to Business Tech. The survey revealed that many families are being forced to cut essential items, like food, to afford electricity and other critical needs. Debt Rescue conducted the survey ahead of the 12.7% electricity tariff hike that took effect for direct Eskom customers on April 1 this year. Annaline van der Poel, Chief Legal Officer at Debt Rescue, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika , said this is a serious situation, pointing out that this is the second survey conducted in the past year to evaluate the impact of the cost of living, with a specific focus on electricity. Van der Poel said in both surveys that a significant percentage of respondents indicated that they altered their dietary habits due to financial limitations. Initially, families coped by reducing daily meals while still trying to include essential nutrients. Although inflation has slowed down, Van der Poel said it is important to recognise that household debt is still rising, albeit at a slower pace. 'For the average household, income is not keeping up with that. Debt is still at enormously high rates.' Vulnerable populations, especially those dependent on social assistance grants like SASSA payments, bear the brunt of the high cost of living. Van der Poel said that when essential tariffs, such as electricity prices, increase, any benefits from rising grants can be negated, putting beneficiaries in an even more precarious financial situation. To survive this high cost of living, Van der Poel suggests meticulous budgeting, creating a realistic and honest monthly budget, and seeking out specials and discounts on essential items by reviewing community papers and comparing prices. 'This requires discipline and careful planning to manage expenses within the limited control available to individuals. For those with credit cards, it is strongly advised to reduce their use, reserving them only for absolute emergencies when all other options have been exhausted.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Independent
16-04-2025
- The Independent
Drunk man lobbed water bottle at cyclist van der Poel
A Belgian man threw a plastic bottle at cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the Paris-Roubaix race. The man has apologised after he admitted to having "drunk a lot" and called his actions "stupid and dangerous." Van der Poel, despite being hit in the face, went on to win the race. French prosecutors opened an investigation into the incident, and the UCI condemned the "unacceptable behaviour." Van der Poel and his team are calling for legal action and stricter measures against dangerous fan behaviour.
The Independent
16-04-2025
- The Independent
Grovelling apology by drunk man who lobbed water bottle at van der Poel
A Belgian man threw a plastic bottle at cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the Paris-Roubaix race. The man has apologised after he admitted to having "drunk a lot" and called his actions "stupid and dangerous." Van der Poel, despite being hit in the face, went on to win the race. French prosecutors opened an investigation into the incident, and the UCI condemned the "unacceptable behaviour." Van der Poel and his team are calling for legal action and stricter measures against dangerous fan behaviour.
The Independent
16-04-2025
- The Independent
Man who hurled bottle at van der Poel ‘had too much to drink'
A Belgian man has apologised for throwing a plastic bottle at cyclist Mathieu van der Poel during the Paris-Roubaix race, commenting he had 'drunk a lot'. The 28-year-old, from Waregem, Belgium, expressed remorse in an email to Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, calling his actions "stupid and dangerous". He explained that he picked up a discarded water bottle and impulsively threw it as Van der Poel rode past. "A water bottle was in the grass. I picked it up and threw it when he passed. Without thinking. Half a second later, I realised how stupid and dangerous it was. The man, who admitted to having "drunk a lot" that day, said the incident left him feeling ashamed. He apologised to Van der Poel, his fellow competitors, and cycling fans. He also expressed relief that Van der Poel went on to win the race, despite the disruption. Dutch Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Van der Poel was struck in the face by the bottle while riding solo at high speed over a cobbled section with 33km remaining. Despite the blow, he went on to win the race for the third consecutive year. French prosecutors opened an investigation into "violence with a weapon" shortly after the incident. The Lille public prosecutor, Carole Etienne, confirmed authorities were working to identify and arrest the suspect on Tuesday. The International Cycling Union (UCI) labelled the act "unacceptable behaviour". "Such behaviour cannot be tolerated in the context of a cycling event," the UCI said in a statement. "We express our support for the rider and will explore all legal avenues to ensure such actions are duly and severely punished." Van der Poel himself called the act dangerous and urged tougher consequences for spectators who threaten rider safety. "It's not normal," he told reporters. "It was a full bottle... It was like a stone hitting my face. This is really something we have to take legal action against." His team confirmed plans to file a formal complaint, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of dangerous fan behaviour often linked to excessive alcohol consumption. "It jeopardises the safety of our riders, overshadows the enjoyment and reputation of genuine cycling enthusiasts, and diverts attention from the sporting achievements," the team said.
Reuters
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Man who threw bottle at Van der Poel apologises
PARIS, April 16 (Reuters) - A 28-year-old Belgian man has apologised after hurling a plastic bottle at former world champion Mathieu van der Poel during Sunday's Paris-Roubaix race, an act that led to a criminal investigation by French authorities. In an email released by Flemish daily Het Nieuwsblad on Wednesday, the man from Waregem expressed deep regret for what he described as a "stupid and dangerous" moment of impulsivity. "I am so happy that he crossed the finish line first on Sunday, despite my stupid action," he wrote. "A water bottle was in the grass. I picked it up and threw it when he passed. Without thinking. Half a second later, I realised how stupid and dangerous it was. The man, who admitted to having "drunk a lot" that day, said he felt ashamed for days after the incident and extended an apology to Van der Poel, other riders, and cycling fans. Dutch Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Van der Poel was struck in the face by the bottle while riding solo at high speed over a cobbled section with 33km remaining. Despite the blow, he went on to win the race for the third consecutive year. French prosecutors opened an investigation into "violence with a weapon" shortly after the incident. The Lille public prosecutor, Carole Etienne, confirmed authorities were working to identify and arrest the suspect on Tuesday. The International Cycling Union (UCI) labelled the act "unacceptable behaviour". "Such behaviour cannot be tolerated in the context of a cycling event," the UCI said in a statement. "We express our support for the rider and will explore all legal avenues to ensure such actions are duly and severely punished." Van der Poel himself called the act dangerous and urged tougher consequences for spectators who threaten rider safety. "It's not normal," he told reporters. "It was a full bottle... It was like a stone hitting my face. This is really something we have to take legal action against." His team confirmed plans to file a formal complaint, describing the incident as part of a broader pattern of dangerous fan behaviour often linked to excessive alcohol consumption. "It jeopardises the safety of our riders, overshadows the enjoyment and reputation of genuine cycling enthusiasts, and diverts attention from the sporting achievements," the team said.
