Author: newsnote correspondent
Power cuts will be suspended for 24 hours on Christmas morning, Eskom announced on Saturday. The utility said in a series of social media posts that Stage 3 load shedding will remain in effect until 5am on Christmas morning. Thereafter, load shedding will be suspended until 5am on Monday when Stage 2 power cuts will kick in. On Tuesday morning, the country returns to Stage 3 load shedding. “The suspension of load shedding on Christmas day is only possible due to the lower demand for electricity. Eskom appeals to all electricity users to conserve as much electricity as possible during…
Pope Francis has said the world is suffering from a “famine of peace”, in his annual Christmas Day message from the Vatican. He called for a end to the “senseless war” in Ukraine, condemning what he said was the use of “food as a weapon” of war. Ukraine shipped about 30% of the world’s wheat and prices have jumped since the Russian invasion in February. It was Pope Francis’ 10th Christmas Day address since he assumed the papacy. While the war in Ukraine occupied much of his 10-minute speech, he remarked that “a grave famine of peace also in other…
“He gave proper meaning and message to our music. “He was a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible. It was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure to work with him. “He was a brilliant lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, car lover, endless talker, beautiful person, moral compass and genius. ‘He was a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible. ‘It was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure to work with him.’ The post…
Morocco may well have broken barriers for African football with the country’s historic run to the World Cup semi-finals, but the club game on the continent is still lagging well behind the standards in Europe. As such, Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motsepe is hoping the launch of the Africa Super League next year will change that. The South African described the new competition as “one of the most exciting developments in the history of African football” when he unveiled the latest plans in Tanzania in August. Flanked by the the boss of world football’s governing body, Fifa president…
Mampintsha of hit group Big Nuz has died. He was 40. According to reports, the South African musician died on Saturday after suffering a stroke last week. Afrotainment confirmed the news on social media. “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing of multi-award winning artist, Mampinstsha. Born Mandla Maphumulo from Umlazi, KZN of Big Naz fame passed away on 24 December.” The statement concluded that funeral and memorial details would be confirmed. In a statement released by music label Afrotainment Thursday, Mampintsha – real name Mandla Maphumulo – was hospitalised after suffering a…
JOHANNESBURG – Ekurhuleni Emergency Management Services (EMS) says it can confirm that eight people have been killed and six firefighters hospitalised following an explosion in Boksburg on Saturday morning. EMS says a gas tanker allegedly got stuck under a bridge and caught fire. It’s understood that the tanker exploded as the firefighters were busy extinguishing the flames. EMS spokesperson William Ntladi says the bridge has been completely destroyed. “So the subway bridge is completely destroyed. Part of the hospital’s casualty department roof has collapsed. We’ve got two houses that are nearby that caught alight”.
Eighty20’s latest credit stress report shows that rising interest rates and rampant increases in food and fuel prices have made credit stress a significant concern for South Africans in 2022, with many people left with no choice but to increase their credit to get through the year and pay off existing loans. As of December 2022, South Africa has seen seven consecutive interest rate hikes since November 2021 – increasing the prime lending rate by 3.25% over the past year. This translates to more than a R3,000 increase in monthly instalments on a R1.5 million home loan, said Eighty20 director…
Africa has the potential to produce €1-trillion (R18.3-trillion) worth of green hydrogen a year by 2035, allowing it to export the fuel and boost local industry, according to a study backed by the European Investment Bank. By harnessing the world’s best solar energy resource a number of countries on the continent could produce the fuel, which is made by splitting water using renewable energy, at a cost of less than €2 a kilogram by 2030, the EIB and its partners, the AU and the International Solar Alliance, said in the report released on Wednesday. Demand for the clean-burning fuel is…
Paris Saint-Germain will have talks with Lionel Messi early in the New Year about extending his contract. Both sides are feeling positive the World Cup winner will sign a new deal with the French champions. The 35-year-old’s current contract expires next summer. Messi is currently in Argentina celebrating their World Cup win, with PSG giving him the time off he needs. The Ligue 1 leaders’ next game is at home to Strasbourg on December 28. Meanwhile, French daily Le Parisien are reporting Messi has already reached a deal with the the club to stay for the 2023-24 season. The seven-times winner of the Ballon D’Or, helped…
The Argentine press is filled with poetic prose, conveying the emotion of the journalists who have waited 36 years to see their side on top of the world again. In newspaper Pagina 12, Jose Luis Lanao wrote that “it is spring once again”, describing Argentina’s flag as “sky blue and white like a cherry blossom illuminated by the open sky”. He describes the country as “the world champion in soccer and joy”. In another newspaper, Clarin, journalist Juan Cruz reminds readers that “football is made of roses and thorns” – while also inadvertently raising a question over Messi’s age. While Fifa’s squad…