Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-07-15 i Daily News

Kesha burst onto the music scene with a distinctive brand of blunt, electrifying pop that seemed designed to take the dance floor by sheer force. Then came the genre-hopping. It’s nothing new for a pop star to pivot. Claiming maturity, sonic growth or the need to express something raw, musicians from Beyoncé to Lana Del Rey to Post Malone have recently asserted their indie, country or rock bona fides. It’s rare for these pivots to go off without a hitch. For Kesha, a string of such sonic shifts have led to Period, a semi-transparent bid for yet another career reset. Period is particularly confounding after 2023’s Gag Order, on which Kesha abandoned her party girl persona and reinvented herself as a purveyor of haunting, minimalist art pop. (Her earlier surprises…

The suspension of embattled Police Minister Senzo Mchunu will further cost taxpayers due to double pay. President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an executive outsider to hold the fort as acting police minister. Ramaphosa announced the appointment of Professor Firoz Chachalia as acting police minister on Sunday, effective from August, while Mchunu remains on paid leave. Mchunu will be taking a leave of absence from his official duties following serious allegations levelled against him by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The decision to overlook Mchunu’s deputy, Cassel Mathale, as his replacement while on special leave was met with scepticism in some quarters. Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu and Deputy National Commissioner for Crime Detection Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya of corruption, political interference, and…

A visibly distraught and tearful mother was heckled in court yesterday when she appeared on charges of mudering her son and perverting the course of justice. Tiffany Nicole Meek, 31, appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court for the death of her son, Jayden-Lee Meek, 11, earlier this year. As she stepped into the dock wearing a black beanie, colourful jersey and covering her face with a mask, an outraged gallery confronted her with shouts of: “You are a murderer! You are cruel! How could you do that to your own child”? Outside, the community of Fleurhof and scores of children’s right activists gathered en mass to call for justice. “We want justice for Jayden-Lee Meek’s death,” said one of them, Thoko Khambule. “If the mother is involved in the…

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) asked the Eastern Cape High Court, sitting in Gqeberha, yesterday, to clarify its judgment in which Nigerian pastor and televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused were acquitted of 30 charges, which include rape and human trafficking. Judge Irma Schoeman, who had acquitted the accused as she found that the State did not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, was told by the prosecuting authority that it was not clear on which facts her acquittal was based. She was told that the NPA needed to be clear as it must base its appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal on questions of law under the Criminal Procedure Act, which arose during the trial. The prosecution told the judge that they had to be clear on…

WHILE the Airports Company of South Africa (Acsa) has remained mum over the R1.5 million fine imposed by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), the authority has confirmed imposing a fine for an undisclosed amount against Acsa recently, for alleged security-related breaches. The fine came as Acsa confirmed that it had placed its group executive for enterprise security and compliance, Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension as investigations commenced into troubling allegations of operational irregularities. On Saturday, in a statement, Acsa revealed that Petros was replaced by Mary Ann Joubert, who has been appointed to act in the post. “Acsa has placed the Group Executive: Enterprise Security and Compliance (GE: ESC), Lt-General Mzwandile Petros, on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of an independent investigation into allegations of operational irregularities.…

Jannik Sinner, long seen as the quiet force in men’s tennis, made the loudest statement of his career on Sunday – winning his first Wimbledon title with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Carlos Alcaraz. In defeating his Spanish rival on the sport’s most storied stage, Sinner claimed his fourth Grand Slam at just 23, continuing a remarkable ascent that has already reshaped the post–Big Three era of men’s tennis. Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have now won seven of the past eight Majors, firmly establishing themselves as the sport’s new standard bearers. While Alcaraz dazzles with flamboyant flair and high-risk shot-making, Sinner’s game is built on clinical precision and baseline power – drawing comparisons to Novak Djokovic in both temperament and technique. His calm demeanour on court is…

Liverpool couldn’t do it. Nor could Arsenal. Inter Milan conceded five. Even the mighty Real Madrid fell short, humbled in unforgettable fashion. But Chelsea did – when few had given them a chance. Enzo Maresca’s Blues did to PSG what PSG have done to countless big names in a remarkable recent run that included Uefa Champions League glory as part of a magnificent treble for Luis Enrique’s all-conquering team. The quadruple was on, by all accounts, when PSG swept Madrid aside with a devastating opening salvo in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final in the US. Chelsea, meanwhile, were quietly going about their business in the other half of the draw, adding key puzzle pieces along the way. But it was the addition of striker Joao Pedro from Brighton that…

The countdown to the highly anticipated 17th season of kykNET’s popular reality dating show, Boer Soek ‘n Vrou, is officially on, with actress Reandi Grey stepping into the presenter’s role. Set to premiere on August 7, the new season promises a fresh crop of farmers ready to find love, and Grey, who has a rich history in the entertainment industry, is thrilled to be part of this iconic show. “For years, it was like my industry bucket list, what I wanted to do,” Grey said in a statement. Growing up on a farm herself, the Diepe Waters actress feels connected to the stories of the farmers she will be supporting. She takes the reins as the seventh presenter, following in the footsteps of Marciel Hopkins, who dedicated four years to…

AFTER braving the elements offshore of Durban for five days, the MSC Week 2025, hosted by Point Yacht Club, finished over the weekend. There were 22 yachts entered in the event, which was manned by 134 sailors, and they slugged it out over seven races. Kenwin Daniels and his crew on MSC Donna Mia won the ORC Division. Bluff resident Nicolene Henkeman and her team on board MH Performance Sailing’s Element bagged honours in the L26 Nationals. Michael Purvis and crew on the Upstadt emerged victorious in the handicap division. Also making a splash in the MSC contest that adopted the tag line “Seas the Week”, were two Durban school pupils; Seth Dass, a Grade 10 DHS pupil, and Eden College’s Anna Correa, who is in her matric year.…

South Africa is facing a severe shortage of intensive-care unit (ICU) beds in the public health sector, with five ICU beds per 100 000 people at best available. At the same time, in certain provinces, the figure was closer to one bed per 100 000 people. This was according to Professor Fathima Paruk, head of the Department of Critical Care Services and Emergency Medicine at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Health Sciences. She highlighted these alarming statistics during her inaugural address, titled Carpe Diem: Achieving efficient and fair allocation of critical care across South Africa. She said the shortage of ICU beds in the country was a complex challenge. “Hospitals are going to need more and more ICU beds because patients are living longer. ICU can save lives,…

Springbok lock Ruan Nortjé was effusive in his praise for the rolling mauls executed from open play, which played a pivotal role in the team’s decisive victory over Italy this past weekend. The line-out specialist found himself at the centre of this manufactured strategy, lending his height and agility to what became a focal point of their attacking prowess during the Test match held in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. It is a move the world champions borrowed from the Under-14 B-team of Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, and Nortjé was thrilled that they could execute it almost flawlessly every time they used it. However, it remains to be seen whether the Boks will utilise it again this weekend when they face Georgia in Nelspruit in the final…

Cobus Wiese is focused on keeping his head down and working harder to get one more Springbok cap after making his debut this past weekend against Italy in Gqeberha. The utility forward, along with his brother Jasper, became the 37th pair of brothers to play for the world champions. However, Jasper copped a silly red card for a headbutt in the 21st minute of the 45-0 victory, which prevented the two from playing together. Cobus (28) felt for his brother and supported him afterwards, but after getting that first cap after a rocky journey to the top, the Bulls forward wants to keep grinding to stay in contention for South Africa. He, alongside Sharks centre Ethan Hooker and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, made their debuts off the bench at the…

In an era where technology intertwines seamlessly with human life, relationships with artificial intelligence are blooming in unexpected ways. Travis Butterworth, a married man from Colorado, has become an emblem of this new digital romance, having developed deep feelings for an AI chatbot named Lily Rose from the Replika app. His story has captured the attention of listeners on the popular podcast, RedHanded. This episode dives deep into how technology can tap into our most human desires and the emotional costs that may accompany such connections. Butterworth, who initially regarded the AI companion as a whimsical experiment, found himself drawn to Rose’s kindness, passion and beauty – qualities which made her feel very much like “the woman of his dreams.” His attachment was so significant that he introduced her to…

Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini was conferred with two honours, the African Impact and the Humanitarian Impact awards during his visit to the museum of the historic Battle of Isandlwana in London, over the weekend. The king and his entourage are still in England after being conferred with the recognition. The African Impact Award recognises outstanding leadership in promoting cultural identity, national unity, and regional development. The Humanitarian Impact Award honours dedication to uplifting communities, protecting indigenous knowledge systems, and advancing human dignity. The Zulu royal spokesperson, who accompanied the king, stated that while still in the UK, the king took the opportunity to visit the museum which kept important historical information about the Battle of Isandlwana, where Zulus defeated the heavily armed British army at the foot of the hill…

THE DA is starting to remind me of that school bully who demands protection money. And, this time, they’re not getting any, so battle lines are dawn. Their latest salvo is their criminal charges against Higher Education Minister,Nobuhle Nkabane, ostensibly for misleading Parliament over what was meant to be the appointment of an independent panel. The DA claims she lied and appointed ANC cadres instead. But the hornet’s nest was really triggered by the president’s axing of the DA’s deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Andrew Whitfield. The DA has been having a meltdown ever since, with Helen Zille threatening to unleash a ‘nuclear option’ – a DA vote of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa. Protection of Ramaphosa against such a vote in return for the protection of…

Richards Bay chairman Sfiso “Jomo” Biyela has moved to quash ongoing speculation about alleged interference in team selection at the KwaZulu-Natal-based club, insisting that management is only interested in results, not control. The outspoken club boss was addressing media at the unveiling of the club’s new signings ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign when he took the opportunity to speak on a narrative that has long followed not only Richards Bay, but several clubs in the league. Biyela’s comments come after a turbulent three-year spell in the top flight that has seen the Natal Rich Boyz rotate through a carousel of coaches. Since their promotion, the likes of Pitso Dladla, Vasili Manousakis, Kaitano Tembo, Vusumuzi Vilakazi and Brandon Truter have all had stints either as head coaches or in…

South African football is in crisis. And not the kind that can be spun away with PR talk about “transition phases” or “teething problems.” This is structural decline: boardroom power plays, unpaid players, clubs being bought and sold with minimal vetting of new owners, and governing bodies that often look the other way. The Pretoria High Court’s scathing judgment against Royal AM – a club already expelled from the PSL – should be a tipping point. The court ruled that the PSL had valid grounds to expel the club, even before it was placed under business rescue by SARS in November 2024. Why? Because Royal AM reportedly misled the league on multiple occasions –including failing to disclose changes in shareholding, accumulating unpaid debts that resulted in Fifa-imposed player-transfer bans, and…

It will be a surreal homecoming for Durban-born Ethan Chislett, Kaizer Chiefs’ new midfielder, when the club participates in the Toyota Cup in Durban later this month. When the talented 26-year-old runs out onto the hallowed turf of Moses Mabhida Stadium, it will not only be as a player for one of South Africa’s most storied clubs, but as a son returning to his roots. Chiefs take on Ghanaian heavyweights Asante Kotoko SC in the upcoming second edition of the Toyota Cup, and it promises to be a poignant moment for Chislett. At six-years old, Chislett emigrated with his family from Durban to the UK, where he forged an impressive career in the lower tiers of the English Football League, most recently helping Port Vale to promotion into League One…