AfricanNewsAgency

23/02/2023 (2)

News briefing (4)

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana made a number of points that will impact all South Africans. Here are the major items that were tabled: The government will take over R254 billion of Eskom's R423 billion debt to address its financial position and enable necessary investment and maintenance. Tax incentives will be introduced for individuals and companies to invest in renewable energy, including a rebate of 25% of the cost of rooftop solar panels for individuals. Social grants will increase from R233 billion to R248.4 billion to accommodate the increased number of recipients, including inflation-linked increases for other social grants. Income tax rates will not be increased, and personal income tax brackets will be fully adjusted for inflation, increasing the tax-free threshold. The sugar industry will receive relief from the sugar tax, while excise duties on alcohol and tobacco will increase by 4.9%.

Finanace Minister Enoch Godongwana arrives at Cape Town City to deliver the annual Budget Speech. Video Phandulwazi Jikelo

South Africa - Cape Town - 21 February 2023 - The V&A Waterfront initiative will put some . The Little Optimist Sailing Academy will concentrate on improving the mental health of troubled youths by injecting optimism and hope into their lives. According to ocean activist Greg Bertish, an exciting new venue is set to open its doors next month at Battery Park and each paid lesson will go towards sponsoring a child who cannot afford to pay. Photographer: Armand Hough. African News Agency (ANA)

Climate change is accelerating the need for a just transition. The shift toward a Green Economy is gradually taking place on the African continent where governments are developing national plans and laying strategies to adapt their economies and growth models toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030, and the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Green Economy is defined as ‘Sustainable development without degrading the environment. It is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. It does not replace sustainable development, but creates a new focus on the economy, investment, capital and infrastructure, employment and skills and positive social and environmental outcomes,’ as described by the UN Environmental Programme.

In a first for South Africa and the African continent, a Mitchells Plain woman was given a second lease on life thanks to a miraculous new procedure that allows transplant patients to accept organs from donors of different blood groups. Chervon Meyer, 35, from Rocklands received a kidney from her 24-year-old brother Joshua Swail, after surgeons at Groote Schuur Hospital performed an innovative surgery through the use of a filter, Glycosorb. The filter has been lauded as a game-changer and was developed by Glycorex Transplantation from Sweden. Chervon, who received her new kidney last week, says she is grateful for the new lease on life and cannot wait to start living a normal life again.

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) showcasing its arms at the armed forces day commemoration in Richards Bay.

Members of the SANDF observing a 21-gun salute at the ongoing commemoration of the 2023 Armed Forces Day in Richards Bay. Video Sihle Mavuso

President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives to kick off the 2023 commemoration of the armed forces day in Richards Bay on 21 February 2023. The day is held in honour of the sinking of the SS Mendi and others who died in service. Video: Sihle Mavuso

President Cyril Ramaphosa presented medals to SANDF members and their relatives for their various contributions and acts of bravery during National Armed Forces Day in Richards Bay. Video Sihle Mavuso/IOL

21/02/2023

News briefing (2)

South Africans speak out on what they would like to hear from Finance Minister Enoch Gondwana's Budget Speech on Wednesday. Video Timothy Bernard and Armand Hough / African News Agency (ANA)

Rehursals for Dreaming Dance in District Six: The Johaar Mosaval Story, is a celebratory dance production co-directed by Basil Appollis and choreographer Grant van Ster. Johaar was born in District Six on 8 January 1928 and was one of nine children in his family. His family descended from Southeast Asian slaves. He was the first black South African to become a senior principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, which is the highest rank in the profession at one of the world's most prestigious classical ballet companies. His journey to the Royal Ballet at the height of apartheid saw him dancing for Queen Elizabeth II and being the first black performer on the "whites-only" Nico Malan stage in the 1970s. Mosaval has performed, mostly as a soloist, all over the globe, and has shared the stage with the likes of prima ballerina's Margot Fonteyn, Elaine Fifield, and Doreen Wells. He danced Jasper Sir Arthur Sullivan's Pineapple Poll ballet, which premiered in 1951 at Sadler's Wells Theatre. He also played Bootface in The Lady and the Fool and Puck in The Dream. He became revered for his wide-ranging styles and flawless technique and was chosen to dance in Benjamin Britten's Opera Gloriana, the first performance presented at the Royal Opera House, London, in 1953, during the celebrations of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Photographer: Armand Hough.

20/02/2023 (2)

South Africa Cape Town 20- February- 2023 - Long queues at CPUT as students brave the cold rain to queue at Cape Peninsula University of Technology Cape Town campus for late walk-in applications as they are desperate to get into University. Today, CPUT opens the last leg of late registration. Photographer Ayanda Ndamane African News Agency

News briefing (2)

South Africa- Parys - Valley river floods - 18 February 2023. Heavy rains are causing havoc in Gauteng with areas around the Vaal river system now being flooded. Following heavy downfalls, over the past few days, water levels have risen thus affecting the rivers and dams. The river system around the Vaal River and Vaal Dam has seen a substantial increase with some areas reporting the worse since 1974. Many properties and vehicles have sustained water damage but no reports of human lives lost have been reported even though several people had to be rescued from their roofs by chopper. Video Timothy Bernard

Jake White on Bulls chances against Stormers

Jake White on how to beat Stormers

The Forbes family, friends and members of the industry gathered to celebrate the life of multi-award-winning rapper and music producer Kiernan “AKA” Jarryd Forbes. AKA died last week Friday after he and his friend, entertainment entrepreneur, seasoned chef and celebrated author Tebello “Tibz” Motsoane, were murdered outside Durban restaurant Wish on Florida Road. The memorial service, which took place at the Sandton Convention Centre, was open to the public, with a limited number of free tickets available online, which were depleted in a matter of hours. The rapper will be buried on Saturday at a private funeral.

Jake White on Sbu Nkosi return

At 95-year-old, Johaar Mosaval enjoys a trip through memory lane at the District Six Museum in Cape Town. Dreaming Dance in District Six: The Johaar Mosaval Story, is a celebratory dance production co-directed by Basil Appollis and choreographer Grant van Ster. Johaar was born in District Six on 8 January 1928 and was one of nine children in his family. His family descended from Southeast Asian slaves. He was the first black South African to become a senior principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, which is the highest rank in the profession at one of the world’s most prestigious classical ballet companies. His journey to the Royal Ballet at the height of apartheid saw him dancing for Queen Elizabeth II and being the first black performer on the ‘whites-only’ Nico Malan stage in the 1970s. Mosaval has performed, mostly as a soloist, all over the globe, and has shared the stage with the likes of prima ballerina’s Margot Fonteyn, Elaine Fifield, and Doreen Wells. He danced Jasper Sir Arthur Sullivan’s Pineapple Poll ballet, which premiered in 1951 at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. He also played Bootface in The Lady and the Fool and Puck in The Dream. He became revered for his wide-ranging styles and flawless technique and was chosen to dance in Benjamin Britten’s Opera Gloriana, the first performance presented at the Royal Opera House, London, in 1953, during the celebrations of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Dr. Johaar Mosaval will be honored in "Dreaming Dance in District Six: The Johaar Mosaval Story" at Artscape Opera House from March 2-4, 2023. The production celebrates both the spirit of District Six and dance, and will feature top performers from the South African ballet and dance scene. Audiences will also be treated to a multimedia experience that will share key moments from Dr. Mosaval’s dance and life journey.

17/02/2023 (1)