Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
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. …
The Department of Water and Sanitation says it is keeping a close eye on the Vaal Dam, after increased levels to 50.53% following the recent heavy rains. In the past months, the dam levels were on a rapid decline due to high temperatures but according to the Department spokesperson, Wisani Mavasa, the risk of reaching the minimum operating level of 18% has been averted. “The current dam level is now plotting above 50% and there is a good inflow because of recent rainfall in the catchment. There is therefore no more need for water release from Sterkfontein Dam to support…
Canadian rapper Aubrey Graham, affectionately known as Drake, has reportedly filed a lawsuit against his own record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), for allegedly promoting a diss track released by American rapper, Kendrick Lamar. Both artists are signed under the parent label but with different divisions, Lamar being under Interscope. Drake accused UMG of betrayal and promoting Lamar’s Not Like Us diss at the expense of his reputation. The rapper’s legal swipe at the label comes after last year’s beef with Lamar, where they released numerous diss tracks against each other. The God’s Plan hitmaker threw shade at Lamar with…
In a first of its kind in the country, Laurian Johannes-Haupt, has been appointed as the first ever female to coach the Springbok Women national team. This follow’s last year’s formal recruitment, after she had been acting as the team’s interim assistant coach. The 40-year-old’s remarkable milestone comes ahead of the Springbok Women’s 2025 Rugby World Cup campaign. Johannes-Haupt was working as a high school teacher after retiring from the sport in 2014, following the 12 Test long Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2010. According to a statement from SA Rugby, the pioneer enjoyed teaching but could not turn down…
South Africa’s attacking midfielder, Percy Tau has left Egyptian club Al-Ahly for his new home, Qatar SC. The team announced Tau as a new official signing through a video captioned “Percy Tau Qatari” on their social media. He leaves Al Ahly six months before the end of his four year contract with the Egyptian giants, which was scheduled to end in June this year. Tau made tremendous strides at the Red Devils where he won 12 major titles which consist of the CAF Champions League and the Egyptian League Championships amongst others. The move might also create chances for the…
Benin-born American actor, Djimon Hounsou has revealed that despite his impressive resumé, he is still struggling to make a living. During a recent interview with an American TV channel, the 60-year-old opened about his financial woes, which he attributed to what he described as systemic racism in the film industry. “I’m still struggling trying to make a living. After 30 years, maybe the first 10 years was trying to acclimate myself to the industry, to establish myself. But I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades and with two Oscar nominations and been in many blockbuster…
Top ranked Italian tennis player, Jannik Sinner is adamant that he is not guilty of the doping allegations levelled against him. He is set to appear at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in a closed-door hearing scheduled between 16-17 April, in Lausanne, Switzerland. This follows an appeal that was lodged by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), challenging the ruling by an independent tribunal of International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), which found Sinner to bear no fault or negligence after testing positive for a prohibited substance called clostebol in 2024. Although the 23-year-old tennis star explained the trace of the…