Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
American singer and songwriter, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, has made musical history, by becoming the first black woman to win a first Grammy Award for a country album, Cowboy Carter. The album of the year win was a third to her accolades of the 2025 Grammys ceremony held on Sunday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, USA. She dominated the show with 11 nominations and walked away with two more under the Best Country duo/group for ‘II Most Wanted’featuring Miley Cyrus and Best country Album for Cowboy Carter. Her momentous victory was met with joy and celebration, as fellow artists jumped…
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved a 12.7% increase for Eskom electricity tariffs for 2025, which will be in effect from 01 April. The announcement follows Eskom’s initial 36.15% request for a period between 2025 to 2028. NERSA chairperson Thembani Bukula sought to assure the nation that due regulatory processes were conducted before the final decision was made. “Energy Regulator also conducted public hearings to solicit comments from interested and affected stakeholders. As a result, NERSA received more than 1200 written comments from stakeholders who raised concerns such as affordability, Eskom’s performance, and the impact of…
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has undertaken that by the end of February 2025, a complete list of convicted sexual offenders and GBV perpetrators will be made public. During her speech at the 365 Days Against GVB Awareness Campaign hosted by the Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation in Soweto, Kubayi reiterated the urgency of making the list accessible. “In line with the GBVF National Strategic Plan, we intend to publish the very first Femicide Watch in Africa. This is a national repository of GBV-related femicide cases designed to provide the numerical analysis, the profile and the severity of pandemic of…
AKA’s fans, popularly referred to as the Megacy, have come together in celebration of what could have been the late rapper, Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes’ 37th birthday. This year also marks the second anniversary of his untimely tragic death. AKA’s mother, Lynn Forbes paid an emotional tribute to his son, reflecting on his tender years. “On this day, at 1:15 in the early morning, I heard your first cry. I felt your warmth as you were placed on my chest. Your natural birth, 37 years ago, left me exhausted yet invigorated. I couldn’t take my eyes off your, counting every tiny…
The Department of Transport has announced the successful procurement of about 121.1 million litres of jet fuel for the OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park. It also indicated this will assist with jet fuel shortages that were caused by the closure of the National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa (NATREF), due to a fire early this month. The department spokesperson Collen Msibi says an urgent meeting by Minister Barbara Creecy and relevant stakeholders held discussions on the matter. “Last Friday, Creecy held a meeting with fuel industry stakeholders. Parties agreed that it is necessary to build a fuel reserve…
There are growing calls for the South African government to reevaluate the involvement of SANDF troops in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peacekeeping mission. Civic groups and political parties have also criticised government’s response to the heightened hostilities in the DRC, after nine soldiers were killed while others sustained injuries, following last week’s attack by the M23 rebels. Through a statement, the Joint Standing Committee on Defence has called for an urgent meeting on the overall status of the deployment. “It is important that we get a full briefing from the Minister, the Acting Secretary of Defence, and…
The Portfolio Committee on Social Development in Parliament, has requested the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to re-establish the Electronic Know Your Client (eKYC), to allow suitable beneficiaries to verify their identity and receive their grants. This after SASSA notified all Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant recipients of the suspension of their payments, to verify their identity as it gears to prevent fraudulent applications. The Committee Chairperson, Bridget Masango, said measures to counter criminal activities must not affect vulnerable beneficiaries. “We appreciate the effort to combat fraud. But we strongly express concern about the suspended eKYC verification system…
Internationally renowned comedian and media personality, Trevor Noah will host the prestigious 2025 Grammy Awards event for the fifth consecutive time on 02 February at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, USA. “Returning as host, Grammy nominee #Trevor Noah will lead a special Grammy telecast, a night that will only celebrate the year in music but raise additional fund to support wildfire relief efforts, to pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of first responders and honour the resilient spirit of Los Angeles,” read the Grammy’s announcement published on X. Noah makes history as the first comedian to achieve such…
American World No. 3 tennis player, Coco Gauff has accepted the unexpected defeat she suffered to Paula Badosa at the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in Melbourne. This after she went down 7-5 6-4 which was her first loss of the 2025 season. Despite being booted out of a chance to bag another Grand Slam title, Gauff congratulated Badosa’s performance. “Paula was playing great. You know, maybe some moments in the first set could have gone my way, could have been a different outcome in the first set,” remarked Gauff during a post media briefing. When asked about how she…
The list of artists who will be performing at the swearing in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America, has been met with controversy and criticism. US rappers Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Rick Ross and Nelly, were among those who received backlash on social media, and were accused of being sell-outs for agreeing to be part of Trump’s festivities. They join a line-up consisting of country singer, Billy Ray Cyrus, Kid Rock and Idols winner, Carrie Underwood who are set to sing America the Beautiful which is dubbed as the unofficial national anthem. …