Latest news with #Zondi
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Infighting erupts among beneficiaries of R200 million land claim in KwaDukuza
A file picture showing a KwaZulu-Natal North Coast sugarcane farm. Beneficiaries of a settled land claim for prime land in KwaDukuza have yet to benefit from the property due to disputes. Image: Karen Sandison Independent Newspapers Prime land worth about R200 million that was handed over to community members in a land claim in KwaDukuza is now the subject of infighting among the beneficiaries. Members of the Zwelabantu Dube Communal Property Association (CPA) are embroiled in a dispute amid allegations of improper conduct and financial mismanagement of the land. Some members of the CPA said since the claims were settled in 2009, the community has not benefited, and the land has instead been stolen through illegal occupation and the sale of valuable seaside land. Recently, the Portfolio Committee on Land Reform and Rural Development visited the area as part of its tour of CPAs in the province. The committee expressed concerns that the government had invested millions of rand into the claim, calling for an investigation into the affairs of the CPA. The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development acquired the property for the Zwelabantu Dube CPA. The claim was lodged by Inkosi Zwelabantu Dube on behalf of 687 Dube community members on 10 November 1998, as the community was dispossessed of the claimed farm in the 1950s. The chairperson of the committee, Nkosinathi Zondi, said there are two land claims that were submitted and successfully settled in 2009. He said one of the properties was worth R200 million. One of the claims was for the New Guilderland farm, which includes prime land such as beachside land, timber, and sugarcane farms. Zondi said during the finalisation of the claims process, they were informed by the then-landowner that there were development plans for the land. These plans included a possible airport, golf courses, retirement villages, and seaside homes. 'The government purchased this land for R200 million. The agreement stipulated an 80-20% split on the development, with the community receiving 20%. However, the development never materialised. When inquiries were made about the situation, the developer informed the community that they were struggling to get funding,' Zondi said. He said infrastructure should be built before any development could take place. 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 ✕ However, it has come to light that on the land close to the beach, 135 housing sites have been sold without bulk infrastructure. Zondi mentioned that the community had not benefited in the last 10 years. 'There were houses on that land used by workers, and there were also forest and sugarcane farms. However, hundreds of people are living in these houses, between 200 and 300, without paying rent. Furthermore, these individuals have damaged the houses.' He said since the new committee took over in 2022, it is only now that some work is being done to benefit the community. 'Next year, we are looking to resuscitate the farming that has collapsed. A lot of this has been done wrong by the previous committee,' said Zondi, adding that the land issue has led to tensions between the new committee and the traditional leadership. In a statement, the Portfolio committee said it had been briefed that the problem includes disputes among community beneficiaries regarding land sales, litigations, and land invasions. 'The committee also learned of questionable exchanges of money involving dubious land sales by some individuals, who they believe require further scrutiny. Additionally, the constant change of CPA leadership has contributed to instability within the CPA.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Understanding the Banks Act exemption: MEC Zondi's insights on Ithala
KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi. Image: Sibonelo Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) MEC Reverend Musa Zondi has discussed issues surrounding the Banks Act exemption and the banking licence and how these affect Ithala SOC Limited. Zondi discussed the two topics during a media briefing called by the KZN government, led by Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli. Ithala SOC Limited CEO Dr Thulani Vilakazi was also present. Zondi explained that there is a provision in the Banks Act for an exemption to be granted to certain institutions, such as Ithala SOC, to operate as a fully-fledged bank without having to acquire a banking licence. 'That has been the case from day one until the powers that be decided that they were no longer going to grant it,' Zondi said. 'Denying extending the exemption to Ithala SOC may as well cause an amendment to the Banks Act to do away with the exemption regime.' Zondi said they are making Ithala operational because they are working within the law governing the banks in South Africa. 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 ✕ He said he has been a parliamentarian since 1994, and from 1994, there has been a persistent call from parliamentarians that a state bank should be established. 'There has been no success to date. Ithala is the only, if you like, existing state bank which has been successful,' Zondi said. 'So why kill something that is already successful?' On Ithala's acquisition of a banking licence, Zondi explained that the reason they needed to acquire a banking licence is to comply with the current situation where the Prudential Authority has withdrawn the bank's ability to operate. 'As parliamentarians, when we drafted that Act we drafted it with state institutions like the land bank and others (in mind), will they need a commercial licence, do you need to privatise them. No, you don't need to privatise them and therefore that exemption clause was put in there,' Zondi said.
IOL News
14-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KZN welcomes international buyers and delegates to experience its splendour
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille and Deputy President Paul Mashatile, joined by KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and various other dignitaries, officially opened Africa's Travel Indaba 2025 by ringing the traditional Indaba Bell. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies AFRICA'S Travel Indaba (ATI) 2025 not only showcases and boosts Africa's premium tourism offerings and destinations, it also emphasises KwaZulu-Natal's ethereal beauty and places South Africa at the top of the global investment map. This intercontinental landmark event, taking place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and Durban Exhibition Centre from May 13–15, is of major significance to KZN as it shines the spotlight on the province while also bringing a much needed boost to the its gross domestic product. KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, in partnership with Durban Tourism, hosted a Business Breakfast at the Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, May 13 to kick-start ATI. The theme was: 'Durban, KwaZulu-Natal abound with investment opportunities'. Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players in the tourism industry - and affirmed KZN as a premium destination for leisure and investment. Exciting times In his keynote address, MEC Zondi said that the era of Covid-19 was now long behind and that tourism was getting back to its pre-pandemic glory. 'The devastation of the Covid-era is behind us and tourism is making a big come back, as witnessed by the record number of delegates attending this year's Africa's Travel Indaba,' said Zondi. 'As the hosts of this prestigious Business Breakfast, we are delighted to welcome you back to our usual breakfast venue, the Hilton Hotel, which is now fully operational after having been forced to close during the Covid pandemic. 'It is encouraging to see familiar tourism landmarks like the Durban Hilton Hotel back in business, particularly because it is within walking distance of the award-winning Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and handy for conference delegates. 'We are confident that this year's travel indaba will be as successful – and even more so – than last year's event, which brought in more than R550 million to the region (R226m in direct economic activity in Durban and another R333m rippling across the region). 'We are also meeting at exciting times when tourism arrivals to the country and the region are on the increase – and when we, in KZN, are on the cusp of welcoming new tourism developments and are prioritising and supporting various catalytic projects.' 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 ✕ Reverend Musa Zondi, KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, welcomed tourism buyers, international media and key role-players to the Business Breakfast. Photo: Tumi Pakkies Image: Tumi Pakkies Zondi also welcomed the Club Med Resort at Tinley Manor flagship leisure investment situated along the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. This R2-billion investment is due to open in July next year, and will offer a unique beach and safari experience – the first in Sub-Sahara Africa. He added that the travel indaba has been staged in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal for more than 30 years - and the province is committed to retaining it. 'We are actively working with industry partners and national stakeholders to ensure that it remains a provincial asset. We have the infrastructure, the hospitality capacity and track record.' Growth catalyst EThekwini Mayor, Councillor Cyril Xaba lauded the travel indaba platform as a catalyst for building meaningful partnerships beyond borders within the continent of Africa. Moreover, he said that tourism was one of the key economic drivers contributing significantly to the local GDP and creating job opportunities for local communities. 'We are encouraged by the increase in the number of tourists descending on our shores and the revival of the broader hospitality sector, as guests frequent restaurants and book hotels. The return to pre-covid times of this sector is vital because it provides much-needed employment, supports livelihoods and goes a long way in helping reduce poverty. Supplied Image: Supplied 'We are expanding shopping experiences for our visitors with the newly opened Westown Square in Shongweni. This mixed-use development comprising a shopping mall, hospital and residential units provides a family-friendly shopping environment, and seeks to boost the local economy through tourism - particularly in the outer west region. 'As the leadership of the City, we are also committed to positioning Durban as a destination of choice for major sporting events. Sport tourism continues to grow as more visitors travel to watch their favourite sports. With world-class sports facilities, we are on the right path to becoming a premier sporting venue. 'For the next three days, we must remember that when we engage in discussions, start networking sessions and share best practices that we must be driven by a common goal of growing a sustainable tourism industry,' said Xaba. Record numbers This year's ATI has a record number of delegates attending. There are 1 200 exhibitors from 26 African countries, as well as 908 vetted international buyers representing 55 global markets. More than 7 430 business-to-business meetings have already been planned and about 120 small and medium tourism enterprises have been given the opportunity to showcase their products at this high-profile and vibrant tourism event.
eNCA
13-05-2025
- Science
- eNCA
S.Africa's vast radio telescope draws new generation to the cosmos
When Lungelo Zondi first learnt about stars and galaxies at primary school in South Africa, she dreamt of having a live feed into the universe for uninterrupted space exploration. Today, aged 25, her childhood vision has pretty much come true. From her desk in Cape Town, Zondi monitors one of the world's largest radio telescopes, the MeerKAT, made up of 64 giant white dishes that stand in a semi-desert region 600 kilometres away. Through the screen of her computer, she can tune into radio signals emitted by stars and galaxies light-years away using the massive antennae that are 13.5 metres in diametre and turned up to the heavens. "This is so interesting and fascinating: we're collecting data from the universe," Zondi said of the job of telescope operator at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) that she started just two months ago. Since 2005, SARAO has awarded 1,369 bursaries to students of applied mathematics, computer science, astrophysics and other subjects. The bubbly engineering student is among them and part of a young generation of South Africans now able to look into the cosmos since the 2018 inauguration of the MeerKAT super radio telescope, which put the country on the map of global astronomy. - World's most powerful - As impressive as they are, the 64 dishes of the MeerKAT are just the start of an even bigger project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory that will be the world's most powerful radio telescope when it is completed by 2030. AFP | MARCO LONGARI The project will hook up another 133 South African dishes and more than 131,000 antennae based in Western Australia to allow humans to look back billions of years to when the "first stars and galaxies started lighting up the darkness", according to SKAO. In the seven years since it was launched in the remote and sparsely populated Karoo region, MeerKAT has already "pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge," said Adrian Tiplady, SARAO deputy managing director. Its feats include groundbreaking radio images of the centre of the Milky Way, the discovery of immense radio galaxies stretching across millions of light-years, and the tracking of cosmic ripples through spacetime. And with the MeerKAT programme to help train young South Africans, it is also keeping an eye on its future. "It really covers the broad base of skills needed to actively participate in a global astronomy enterprise," Tiplady said. "It has meant that the youth of South Africa now are excited about science, engineering and technology. We've really grown from a handful of radio astronomers some 10 or 20 years ago to a thriving and diverse community," he said. An astrophysics group at the University of the Western Cape has benefited. In 2011, "it started with just one South African faculty (member) at the time… and one student doing the PhD", Mario Santos, 50, professor in the university's physics and astronomy department, said. "Now we have about 25 students and six faculty members," he added, saying the growth was "completely" linked to MeerKAT's development and South Africa's selection as SKA host. - Time machine - In the control room at SARAO's offices in Cape Town, Zondi and her colleagues monitor the health of the antennae and send them instructions to execute observations requested by scientists from all over the world. AFP | MARCO LONGARI There have been more than 1,200 submissions for observation time since 2019, with the biggest share from local research teams, Tiplady said. "The world is watching us, so we have to make things perfect," said Sipho Molefe, another telescope operator. The 34-year-old studied electrical engineering and never imagined he would be working in astronomy. "It makes people dream," he said. "There's a feeling that we're contributing to a bigger and larger environment in terms of information and development of technology." The quiet and empty Karoo from where the MeerKAT's sensitive antennae listen to the universe was identified as holding tremendous potential for South African astronomy in the 1990s. The facility operates in a "radio quiet zone" where radio waves, cell phone signals and wireless connections are strictly controlled to prevent interference with the telescope's tracking. 'When we're building a telescope, it's almost like building a time machine," Tiplady said. "Something like MeerKAT or the SKA will detect radio signals that have been travelling through the universe since the birth of the universe itself.' 'It's a true marvel of scientific and technical excellence... and we're proud of South Africa to be a part of this,' he told AFP. jcb/br/kjm
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
S.Africa's vast radio telescope draws new generation to the cosmos
When Lungelo Zondi first learnt about stars and galaxies at primary school in South Africa, she dreamt of having a live feed into the universe for uninterrupted space exploration. Today, aged 25, her childhood vision has pretty much come true. From her desk in Cape Town, Zondi monitors one of the world's largest radio telescopes, the MeerKAT, made up of 64 giant white dishes that stand in a semi-desert region 600 kilometres (370 miles) away. Through the screen of her computer, she can tune into radio signals emitted by stars and galaxies light-years away using the massive antennae that are 13.5 metres (44 feet) in diametre and turned up to the heavens. "This is so interesting and fascinating: we're collecting data from the universe," Zondi said of the job of telescope operator at the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) that she started just two months ago. Since 2005, SARAO has awarded 1,369 bursaries to students of applied mathematics, computer science, astrophysics and other subjects. The bubbly engineering student is among them and part of a young generation of South Africans now able to look into the cosmos since the 2018 inauguration of the MeerKAT super radio telescope, which put the country on the map of global astronomy. - World's most powerful - As impressive as they are, the 64 dishes of the MeerKAT are just the start of an even bigger project, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory that will be the world's most powerful radio telescope when it is completed by 2030. The project will hook up another 133 South African dishes and more than 131,000 antennae based in Western Australia to allow humans to look back billions of years to when the "first stars and galaxies started lighting up the darkness", according to SKAO. In the seven years since it was launched in the remote and sparsely populated Karoo region, MeerKAT has already "pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge," said Adrian Tiplady, SARAO deputy managing director. Its feats include groundbreaking radio images of the centre of the Milky Way, the discovery of immense radio galaxies stretching across millions of light-years, and the tracking of cosmic ripples through spacetime. And with the MeerKAT programme to help train young South Africans, it is also keeping an eye on its future. "It really covers the broad base of skills needed to actively participate in a global astronomy enterprise," Tiplady said. "It has meant that the youth of South Africa now are excited about science, engineering and technology. We've really grown from a handful of radio astronomers some 10 or 20 years ago to a thriving and diverse community," he said. An astrophysics group at the University of the Western Cape has benefited. In 2011, "it started with just one South African faculty (member) at the time… and one student doing the PhD", Mario Santos, 50, professor in the university's physics and astronomy department, said. "Now we have about 25 students and six faculty members," he added, saying the growth was "completely" linked to MeerKAT's development and South Africa's selection as SKA host. - Time machine - In the control room at SARAO's offices in Cape Town, Zondi and her colleagues monitor the health of the antennae and send them instructions to execute observations requested by scientists from all over the world. There have been more than 1,200 submissions for observation time since 2019, with the biggest share from local research teams, Tiplady said. "The world is watching us, so we have to make things perfect," said Sipho Molefe, another telescope operator. The 34-year-old studied electrical engineering and never imagined he would be working in astronomy. "It makes people dream," he said. "There's a feeling that we're contributing to a bigger and larger environment in terms of information and development of technology." The quiet and empty Karoo from where the MeerKAT's sensitive antennae listen to the universe was identified as holding tremendous potential for South African astronomy in the 1990s. The facility operates in a "radio quiet zone" where radio waves, cell phone signals and wireless connections are strictly controlled to prevent interference with the telescope's tracking. 'When we're building a telescope, it's almost like building a time machine," Tiplady said. "Something like MeerKAT or the SKA will detect radio signals that have been travelling through the universe since the birth of the universe itself.' 'It's a true marvel of scientific and technical excellence... and we're proud of South Africa to be a part of this,' he told AFP. jcb/br/kjm
