Latest news with #Gauteng-based
The South African
a day ago
- Business
- The South African
Extensive upgrades on the cards for major South African airport
Lanseria International Airport, South Africa's only privately owned airport, is gearing up for a major transformation this year. According to BusinessTech , these major upgrades are aimed at increasing capacity at the airport, improving infrastructure, and establishing itself as a key regional hub. The South African airport is also positioning itself for long-term growth through an ambitious expansion plan. CEO Rampa Rammopo outlined a bold future for the Gauteng-based airport, BusinessTech revealed. Handling 1.9 million passengers annually, Lanseria aims to more than double that figure by 2032 and reach six million by 2037. By 2050, the goal is a staggering 18 million passengers a year. 'Our vision is to be a regional airport catering mainly to the SADC and sub-Saharan Africa,' Rammopo said. To support this growth, Lanseria is investing heavily in infrastructure. This will include: Terminal and parking expansion : A new three-storey parkade, costing R250 million, will add 1 000 bays, addressing long-standing complaints about parking costs and boosting the total to 4 000 bays. : A new three-storey parkade, costing R250 million, will add 1 000 bays, addressing long-standing complaints about parking costs and boosting the total to 4 000 bays. Fuel farm upgrade : The airport will also increase fuel storage from 1 000 to 6 000 cubic metres to prevent future supply issues. : The airport will also increase fuel storage from 1 000 to 6 000 cubic metres to prevent future supply issues. Technical relocation and runway plans : The existing fuel farm and technical areas will be relocated, and a second runway – costing between R1 billion and R2 billion – is under serious consideration. : The existing fuel farm and technical areas will be relocated, and a second runway – costing between R1 billion and R2 billion – is under serious consideration. Taxiway rehabilitation : Alpha Taxiway, which is over 20 years old, will undergo a major overhaul beginning in early 2026 to enhance efficiency and maintain safety standards. : Alpha Taxiway, which is over 20 years old, will undergo a major overhaul beginning in early 2026 to enhance efficiency and maintain safety standards. Cargo precinct : A ten-year project will also launch in late 2025 to create a full-scale cargo logistics hub, positioning the South African airport as a central player in regional freight transport. : A ten-year project will also launch in late 2025 to create a full-scale cargo logistics hub, positioning the South African airport as a central player in regional freight transport. Land development : With 90 hectares of available land, the airport has signed a lease with Bionic Aviation for a state-of-the-art hangar and office complex. : With 90 hectares of available land, the airport has signed a lease with Bionic Aviation for a state-of-the-art hangar and office complex. Hangar upgrades: A five-year modernisation programme is underway, with six hangars already revamped and more planned, including digitised systems and enhanced access control. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Star
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
SA surgeon breaks down the deep plane facelift surge amid global aesthetic trends
Kris Jenner's 'new face' has everyone talking - and it's widely speculated to be the result of a deep plane facelift , a procedure now dubbed the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. Let's not even get into how Khanyi Mbau's face broke the internet. The demand for natural-looking, sophisticated facial transformations has reached an all-time high, both globally and here in South Africa. A global weight loss boom, fuelled by miracle diabetes drugs, has led to an unexpected side effect: the 'O weight loss face' , marked by hollowed cheeks, sagging jowls, and prematurely aged skin. In turn, this phenomenon has sparked a significant rise in demand for advanced facial rejuvenation, and particularly the deep plane facelift – what experts term 'the facelift that lifts where it matters most' . 'One of the most common complaints I hear from patients is, 'I finally have the body I wanted, but my face looks 10 years older,'' says Professor Chrysis Sofianos, one of South Africa's leading plastic surgeons and experts in deep plane facelifts. The Gauteng-based specialist notes that he has seen a meteoric increase in consultations from patients seeking to reverse the facial deflation and laxity caused by rapid weight loss. 'This is just one instance where the deep plane facelift truly shines, as it restores natural facial harmony by lifting and repositioning deep tissues, not just tightening the skin. By addressing the deeper structural changes caused by significant weight loss, this approach delivers far more natural outcomes and a timeless look. The Facelift No One Can See What sets the deep plane facelift apart? Unlike traditional facelifts that only address the skin's surface, the deep plane technique lifts beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer of tissue to reposition and support the foundational structures of the face. This approach not only rejuvenates the face more effectively than other techniques, but also avoids the tell-tale 'pulled' look, offering a more subtle, organic-looking transformation. Professor Sofianos further enhances his results with the Vertical Restore method, lifting facial tissues vertically – in harmony with the way gravity naturally impacts the face over time. This technique provides holistic rejuvenation of the midface, jawline, neck, and brow, with results that restore youthful contours and expressions. 'Only a handful of surgeons currently offer this breakthrough procedure, and I can confidently state that the deep plane facelift is the gold standard for natural, long-lasting revitalisation.' According to Professor Sofianos, deep plane facelifts offer several major advantages compared to conventional facelifts: Superior, long-lasting results : By repositioning deeper facial structures rather than merely tightening the skin, the deep plane facelift offers longer-lasting, more authentic outcomes. Natural look and movement : The technique avoids excessive skin tension, ensuring the face remains expressive and vibrant, even in motion. Comprehensive rejuvenation : From sagging jowls and hollow cheeks to neck laxity, the deep plane facelift addresses multiple problem areas in one single, unified procedure. The Ultimate One-Stop Shop for Aesthetic Excellence and Care Professor Sofianos's practice is not only a leader in surgical innovation but also a complete one-stop destination for all aesthetic needs. His clinic offers a full suite of surgical and non-surgical procedures – from advanced facial surgeries to injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring. Each treatment is bespoke and delivered with meticulous care to ensure natural, balanced, and long-lasting results. What truly sets Professor Sofianos apart, however, is his absolute commitment to patient care. Every facelift is supported by a holistic pre- and post-operative care programme, designed to optimise recovery and results. A signature component of this is the integration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is included as standard in his facelift packages. HBOT begins around 7–10 days after surgery, dramatically improving oxygen delivery to tissues, speeding up wound healing, reducing bruising and swelling, and significantly shortening overall healing time. As a result of these additional post-surgical interventions, the typical recovery period is two to three weeks, with most patients able to resume social activities within a month. With comprehensive aftercare – including HBOT and nutrient therapies – patients benefit from accelerated healing and refined results that continue to improve for several months post-surgery. 'The success of a procedure isn't just about the surgery itself, but about guiding patients through a complete journey from start to finish,' he explains. 'My patients receive comprehensive, full-spectrum care – including pre-operative preparation, expert surgical techniques, post-operative hyperbaric therapy, scar management, and continuous follow-ups. It's this level of commitment that ensures optimal outcomes, supporting patients through every step of their transformation and helping them feel comfortable and secure throughout.' A Lasting Solution for Facial Rejuvenation in the Weight Loss Era As weight loss medications continue to help patients address issues with weight management and obesity, experts predict that the demand for facial rejuvenation will only rise. 'This trend has created both challenges and opportunities for plastic surgeons, and in many ways is reshaping our field in real time. The good news for patients is that we're at the beginning of a new chapter in aesthetic medicine – where a combination of sophisticated surgical techniques and aftercare procedures are helping people achieve what was once thought impossible: natural-looking transformations that truly turn back the clock.' For those seeking to restore their youthful appearance with confidence and discretion, the deep plane facelift offers an unmatched, cutting-edge solution, delivered with precision, artistry, and unparalleled care by Professor Chrysis Sofianos and his dedicated team.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
SA surgeon breaks down the deep plane facelift surge amid global aesthetic trends
Kris Jenner's 'new face' has everyone talking - and it's widely speculated to be the result of a deep plane facelift, a procedure now dubbed the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. Let's not even get into how Khanyi Mbau's face broke the internet. The demand for natural-looking, sophisticated facial transformations has reached an all-time high, both globally and here in South Africa. A global weight loss boom, fuelled by miracle diabetes drugs, has led to an unexpected side effect: the 'O weight loss face', marked by hollowed cheeks, sagging jowls, and prematurely aged skin. In turn, this phenomenon has sparked a significant rise in demand for advanced facial rejuvenation, and particularly the deep plane facelift – what experts term 'the facelift that lifts where it matters most'. 'One of the most common complaints I hear from patients is, 'I finally have the body I wanted, but my face looks 10 years older,'' says Professor Chrysis Sofianos, one of South Africa's leading plastic surgeons and experts in deep plane facelifts. The Gauteng-based specialist notes that he has seen a meteoric increase in consultations from patients seeking to reverse the facial deflation and laxity caused by rapid weight loss. 'This is just one instance where the deep plane facelift truly shines, as it restores natural facial harmony by lifting and repositioning deep tissues, not just tightening the skin. By addressing the deeper structural changes caused by significant weight loss, this approach delivers far more natural outcomes and a timeless look. The Facelift No One Can See What sets the deep plane facelift apart? Unlike traditional facelifts that only address the skin's surface, the deep plane technique lifts beneath the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer of tissue to reposition and support the foundational structures of the face. This approach not only rejuvenates the face more effectively than other techniques, but also avoids the tell-tale 'pulled' look, offering a more subtle, organic-looking transformation. Professor Sofianos further enhances his results with the Vertical Restore method, lifting facial tissues vertically – in harmony with the way gravity naturally impacts the face over time. This technique provides holistic rejuvenation of the midface, jawline, neck, and brow, with results that restore youthful contours and expressions. 'Only a handful of surgeons currently offer this breakthrough procedure, and I can confidently state that the deep plane facelift is the gold standard for natural, long-lasting revitalisation.' According to Professor Sofianos, deep plane facelifts offer several major advantages compared to conventional facelifts: Superior, long-lasting results : By repositioning deeper facial structures rather than merely tightening the skin, the deep plane facelift offers longer-lasting, more authentic outcomes. Natural look and movement : The technique avoids excessive skin tension, ensuring the face remains expressive and vibrant, even in motion. Comprehensive rejuvenation : From sagging jowls and hollow cheeks to neck laxity, the deep plane facelift addresses multiple problem areas in one single, unified procedure. The Ultimate One-Stop Shop for Aesthetic Excellence and Care Professor Sofianos's practice is not only a leader in surgical innovation but also a complete one-stop destination for all aesthetic needs. His clinic offers a full suite of surgical and non-surgical procedures – from advanced facial surgeries to injectables, laser treatments, skin rejuvenation, and body contouring. Each treatment is bespoke and delivered with meticulous care to ensure natural, balanced, and long-lasting results. What truly sets Professor Sofianos apart, however, is his absolute commitment to patient care. Every facelift is supported by a holistic pre- and post-operative care programme, designed to optimise recovery and results. A signature component of this is the integration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which is included as standard in his facelift packages. HBOT begins around 7–10 days after surgery, dramatically improving oxygen delivery to tissues, speeding up wound healing, reducing bruising and swelling, and significantly shortening overall healing time. As a result of these additional post-surgical interventions, the typical recovery period is two to three weeks, with most patients able to resume social activities within a month. With comprehensive aftercare – including HBOT and nutrient therapies – patients benefit from accelerated healing and refined results that continue to improve for several months post-surgery. 'The success of a procedure isn't just about the surgery itself, but about guiding patients through a complete journey from start to finish,' he explains. 'My patients receive comprehensive, full-spectrum care – including pre-operative preparation, expert surgical techniques, post-operative hyperbaric therapy, scar management, and continuous follow-ups. It's this level of commitment that ensures optimal outcomes, supporting patients through every step of their transformation and helping them feel comfortable and secure throughout.' A Lasting Solution for Facial Rejuvenation in the Weight Loss Era As weight loss medications continue to help patients address issues with weight management and obesity, experts predict that the demand for facial rejuvenation will only rise. 'This trend has created both challenges and opportunities for plastic surgeons, and in many ways is reshaping our field in real time. The good news for patients is that we're at the beginning of a new chapter in aesthetic medicine – where a combination of sophisticated surgical techniques and aftercare procedures are helping people achieve what was once thought impossible: natural-looking transformations that truly turn back the clock.' For those seeking to restore their youthful appearance with confidence and discretion, the deep plane facelift offers an unmatched, cutting-edge solution, delivered with precision, artistry, and unparalleled care by Professor Chrysis Sofianos and his dedicated team.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Mzansi meets Hollywood: Kris Jenner and Khanyi Mbau facelift secrets revealed
Kris Jenner's 'new face' has sent the internet into a frenzy, along with Khanyi Mbau's recent facial transformation that lit up South African timelines. While memes fly and speculation swirls, aesthetic insiders are nodding knowingly. She looks at least 20 years younger — but how? The likely culprit? The deep plane facelift — a sophisticated procedure now being hailed as the gold standard in facial rejuvenation. Kris Jenner attends the 2024 Met Gala a year before surgery. Picture: Dipasupil/Getty Images That is shaking the beauty industry and is attainable in Mzansi Fuelled by a global weight loss boom – thanks in part to revolutionary diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy – many patients are now experiencing an unexpected side effect: the dreaded 'O weight loss face'. Characterised by hollowed cheeks, drooping jowls, and skin that looks older than its years, this phenomenon is causing a massive rise in facial surgery consultations worldwide. 'One of the most common things I hear is, 'I finally have the body I've always wanted, but now my face looks a decade older,'' says Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a Gauteng-based plastic surgeon and one of South Africa's experts in the deep plane facelift. According to Sofianos, the deep plane facelift is tailor-made for this challenge. 'Unlike traditional facelifts that simply tighten the skin, the deep plane technique repositions and lifts the deeper facial tissues, restoring volume and harmony in a way that looks completely natural.' The facelift that doesn't look like a facelift The deep plane facelift works below the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) layer of tissue – the facial scaffolding, so to speak. This innovative method allows surgeons to lift the midface, jawline, neck, and even brow in a single, cohesive movement. The result? A refreshed, youthful appearance without that overdone, 'pulled back' look is often seen in more superficial techniques. 'Think of it as lifting the face from the inside out,' explains Sofianos. 'It restores the architecture of youth while preserving natural facial expressions and movement.' What makes Sofianos's approach even more cutting-edge is his use of the Vertical Restore technique, which elevates tissue upwards rather than sideways, mimicking how gravity naturally ages the face. This method yields even more refined, comprehensive results that last. ALSO READ:Holding cell drama in Mozambique: Scotts Maphuma in 'hot water' over no-show Why the deep plane facelift is in high demand Compared to conventional facelifts, the deep plane approach offers several major benefits: Natural movement and expression: By working beneath the skin's surface, the face moves naturally, with no stiffness or tightness. Longer-lasting results: The deeper repositioning means your youthful glow lasts far beyond what traditional lifts can offer. One procedure, total rejuvenation: Sagging cheeks, jowls, and neck laxity can all be addressed in one go. At Professor Sofianos's clinic, patients don't just get world-class surgical results – they're taken on a complete journey of transformation. From bespoke consultations and expert facial surgeries to injectables, laser treatments, and body contouring, every procedure is carefully curated to suit individual needs. What truly elevates the experience, though, is Sofianos's says 'Surgery is only part of the story,' he says. 'Our goal is full-spectrum care— from pre-op to full recovery and beyond.' A key part of this aftercare protocol is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), included as standard with every facelift. Starting seven to 10 days post-op, HBOT significantly accelerates healing by boosting oxygen delivery to tissues. Patients report reduced swelling, faster scar healing, and smoother overall recovery. Most patients return to social life in just 2–3 weeks. ALSO READ:Love hurts: Seven common sex injuries Rejuvenation for the weight loss era Picture: iStock As global beauty trends shift toward medical weight loss, aesthetic medicine is adapting in real-time. At the forefront of that evolution is the deep plane facelift, offering a natural, elegant solution for those seeking to align their rejuvenated bodies with youthful, expressive faces. 'We're entering a new era,' says Sofianos. 'With the right surgical techniques and comprehensive care, turning back the clock doesn't have to look obvious — it can be subtle, sophisticated, and transformative.'
Daily Maverick
29-05-2025
- Daily Maverick
Attacks on children — the scourge of violent crime affecting SA's most vulnerable
As South Africa enters Child Protection Week, recent high-profile incidents of violence against children cast long shadows over advocacy efforts. For every such crime spotlighted by media or civil society organisations, many others appear to go unnoticed and unpunished. 'Mother sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for murder of three-year-old.' 'Teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for rape of a learner in class during school hours.' 'Two life sentences for a father who exploited his daughter in a child pornography operation.' 'Gang members sentenced to 35 years for child murder.' These are lines from National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) media releases issued in recent weeks. There have been more than 25 statements involving child victims in the past month alone. The crimes against the children in these cases have been heard and deliberated on in a court of law, but for many minor victims of murder, attempted murder, sexual offences and assault, justice remains out of reach. As South Africa enters Child Protection Week (29 May to 5 June), recent high-profile incidents of violence against children cast long shadows over advocacy efforts. These include the cases of Joshlin Smith, whose whereabouts remain unknown after her mother and two others were convicted of kidnapping and selling the then six-year-old in the Western Cape; and *Cwecwe, a seven-year-old girl from the Eastern Cape whose alleged rape has yet to be taken on for prosecution by the NPA, due to 'insufficient evidence' in the case docket originally presented by the police. Statistics – lessons and limitations The South African Police Service's (SAPS) annual crime reports show a rise in reported cases of certain contact crimes against children in recent years. Between 2021/22 and 2023/24, the number of recorded child murders rose by 383, from 1,273 to 1,656. In the same period, attempted murders rose by 442, from 1,371 to 1,813; and cases of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm rose by 196, from 7,575 to 7,771. The total reported sexual offences committed against children dropped by 1,542 between 2021/22 and 2023/24, from 23,379 to 21,837. These statistics are shocking, but they are only one part of the story. They don't show the unreported cases, the social ills that leave children vulnerable to abuse or the scars that survivors of childhood violence are made to bear for a lifetime. Luke Lamprecht, head of advocacy for the Gauteng-based nonprofit Women and Men Against Child Abuse, noted that in cases such as crimes of sexual violence against children, the number of incidents reported to police were only a fraction of those shown to be occurring through research. 'A lot of people don't go to the police, and that's for lots of very complicated reasons – largely because of a lack of faith in the system, which I believe to be the primary reason. Then there's obviously issues like threats and inaccessibility,' he explained. 'Of those that were reported, we're getting a conviction rate somewhere in the vicinity of… between 4% and 7%… That translates into the amount of people on the sex offender register.' The challenge of using SAPS statistics as an indicator of crime levels against children was that the numbers were often 'simply a measure of the amount of faith people have in our system', continued Lamprecht. 'In fact, if the stats decrease it's a bad thing. It means less people are reporting – because I can guarantee you, it's not that less children are being abused,' he said. It is difficult to determine whether there has been a rise in violence against children without a recent nationally representative survey, according to Professor Catherine Ward, director of the Centre for Social Science Research at the University of Cape Town. 'Service providers find increases for a variety of reasons, sometimes for good reasons where parents are reporting,' she said, adding that violence against children was an ongoing problem in South Africa. Escalating brutality against children Some children's advocates reported observing increases in certain forms of violence against children in recent years, based on their organisations' engagements with victims and cases. Patric Solomons, director of the nonprofit Molo Songololo in the Western Cape, said there appeared to have been an increase in the number of 'very violent crimes' against children, including those involving children committing crimes against other minors. Molo Songololo provides direct support and social services to children who are victims of crime, including sexual violence and trafficking, in Atlantis, Delft, Beaufort West and the surrounding areas. 'We also find that there is an increase in particular kinds of crime as things shift and change within society. For example, at the moment, one of the things that we see is that access to children [is] not only on the physical level… but also online… Online crime has increased as more and more children have access to devices… They can access people, and people who intend to harm them also have access to them,' he explained. 'We found that in certain areas where there's high levels of dysfunction and violence in general, and also organised gangs, there tend to be spikes when crime happens… These spikes often increase when there's a rivalry among gangs.' Lamprecht echoed Solomons's concerns about the dangers of internet access for children, highlighting the 'frightening' volume of child sexual abuse material emerging online. 'If I look just at my work, what has definitely increased… is the level of violence in children's homes that has led to the torture, sexual abuse and death,' he continued, citing the case of two-year-old Chevonne Rusch, whose mother, alongside her boyfriend, was convicted of the torture and murder of Chevonne in the Johannesburg High Court in late 2023. 'The level of brutality is definitely increasing.' Other trends Lamprecht noted were an increase in adult female sexual offenders targeting boys, and a rise in the number of foetuses and newborns abandoned on the streets of Johannesburg. 'Children go missing every five hours in this country, and that's the ones that are reported on. The ones that get thrown away in the streets here in Joburg, where I work, those children aren't even reported as missing because no one bothered reporting that they were alive,' he said. Policing and prosecution constraints Solomons said that while there had been improvements to law enforcement services in South Africa, there remained 'big gaps' when it came to the protection of children. 'Often the police lack resources… Because of the targeting of police, we've seen that police sometimes don't go into a particular area, or the medical teams don't go into a particular area, because they themselves get targeted. So, it's a very complex situation that we find ourselves in,' he explained. South Africa was a country of 'limitless needs and limited resources', said Lamprecht, with constraints on tackling violence against children at all levels, including in prevention, early intervention and statutory aftercare. 'We have got absolutely brilliant police officers, prosecutors, doctors, forensic pathologists, judges, etc… When I'm in the high court and in these cases, there's brilliant investigation; pathologists and doctors are brilliant; all the witnesses and professionals are treated well… But then you get to Correctional Services and there's a whole other parole drama that starts rearing its head… Then you go to the magistrates' court, and it is sheer, unadulterated chaos… It's like they're not even the same system,' he said. The Teddy Bear Foundation, an NGO providing services for victims of child abuse, released statistics in March 2025 showing that, of 5,385 cases handled by its court preparation programme between 2019 and 2024, just 4% had resulted in a conviction, according to a TimesLIVE report. Daily Maverick asked the NPA about the conviction rates for crimes against children but had not received a response by the time of publishing. Underlying social issues The children Molo Songololo works with, most of whom fall between the ages of 12 and 17, are often vulnerable to abuses due to factors such as identity issues, peer pressure and disempowerment within broader society, according to Solomons. 'There's a whole lot of risk… within broader society and how we deal with adolescence. For one, adolescents are not supposed to speak back. They're not supposed to have their own opinions. They're often blamed for when something goes wrong with them,' he said. 'When young people do push back, whether it is with parents, in the family, at school… then they are labelled as disruptive or rude… That combination where family adults and society, generally, on one level want them to behave like adults… and at another level still treat them as kids with no power… presents a kind of vulnerability and puts them at risk.' Other social issues that Solomons identified as contributing towards children's vulnerability to crime were poverty and unemployment, poor or lacking parenting and a shortage of safe spaces within health and education structures. Lamprecht pointed to substance abuse as a significant risk factor when it came to violent crimes against children in the home. Childhood in Crisis This is a special Daily Maverick editorial project exposing the brutal realities of child abuse, neglect, and systemic failure – and what needs to change. Over the coming days, we'll be publishing a series of in-depth articles. Keep checking this page for the latest stories in the series. Creating safer spaces In addressing high rates of violence against children, Solomons advocated for services within communities that provided ongoing support for children who experienced abuse. 'When something bad happens to a child, or a parent tries to find help for a child, there needs to be effective support and help… [for] parents and children to know exactly what their rights are, what happened to them, and understand how they can be part of the healing and empowerment process. Then you get a better result. You don't get children who accept their abuse and just go through a cycle of abuse,' he said, adding that services needed to go into the homes of affected families. 'The other thing that I think is very important is, of course, poverty alleviation… things like job creation, income into the family and sustainable food security for children.' Lamprecht emphasised that a relationship with a parent remained the 'single most protective factor' against harm for a child. He added that in cases where children were harmed, parents should be able to rely on a functional justice system for support. 'You need to want your children… Most children get hurt by people very, very close to them. You need to be aware of the dangers to your children. We need to not live in a world where we teach children to say no to adults. We should live in a world where children don't have to say no to adults, and if adults misbehave, the other adults take that on,' he said. DM
