Latest news with #Lourens
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
South African celebrities Gert‑Johan Coetzee and Nadia Nakai escape to France's Château de Montflour
Nadia Nakai spent sometime in the French countryside, at a Chateau owned by South Africans. Image: Supplied When South Africa is engulfed with cold temperatures, there is nothing like a Summer getaway and that's one thing South Africa's creatives and celebrities love to do. Recently, designer extraordinaire Gert‑Johan Coetzee, award-winning rapper Nadia Nakai, multi-instrumentalist Folk Rock duo formed by Lourens and Esté Raaf and award-winning presenter and executive producer Relebogile Mabotja are discovering one of rural France's most captivating hideaways: Château de Montflour. Located in the tranquil Creuse region of Nouvelle‑Aquitaine, this South African-owned, beautifully restored 15th‑century château has become a serene retreat for laughter, luxury and cultural reconnection. Phindile Matroshe Mtshali, Nadia Nakai, Gert-Johan Coetzee and Vicky Visagie during their stay in the French countryside, at a Chateau owned by South Africans. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Coetzee shared clips of the décor-rich suites, as well as visits of neighbouring towns. Musicians, Este and Lourens, showcased the tranquil surroundings as well as elegant dining al fresco. Rapper Nadia Nakai and Coetzee also made sure to use the time in the countryside for an impromptu photoshoot. Mabotja, noted in one post: 'The most beautiful welcome at the South African-owned @chateaudemontflour in the countryside of France just over 4 hours outside of Paris… What a treat!!! Divine and just 👌🏾!' For South African visitors, especially the well‑known creatives escaping their busy routines, Montflour offered more than scenery; it offered quiet, community and creative recharge. Guests at Château de Montflour are treated to comprehensive hospitality: three‑night minimum stays, full-board service including local cuisine and wines, and transfers arranged from Limoges or Paris by train and private car. The experience is designed to slow time. Leisurely meals, hidden nooks for reading, tranquil gardens, and communal moments. The château is partially listed as a historical monument, adding complexity to renovations but also reinforcing the value of preserving its legacy for future generations. IOL Travel
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- The Citizen
Saai: Rural crimes severely underreported
Saai warns unreported rural crimes distort trends and hamper justice, pushing for improved definitions and statistics with Saps. Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai) is concerned about the number of farm attacks and murders reported in the past three months. In May, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said there was a notable decrease in farm attacks, with six incidents recorded in the fourth quarter (1 January to 31 March), compared with 12 in the previous quarter of the previous financial year. Saai development coordinator Leon Lourens said from January to May this year, 72 farm attacks and 10 farm murders were reported, an increase compared to the same period last year. 72 farm attack and 10 farm murders – Saai Lourens said farm attacks, livestock theft and illegal hunting – which are South Africa's rural crime – were underestimated. 'The most recent incident comparison meeting has once again proven the true extent of crime on farms and in rural areas is severely underestimated, particularly because many incidents are not reported to the police,' he said. ALSO READ: Farm attackers sentenced to life for the murder of Limpopo farmer Lourens said a comparison between statistics from external stakeholders and SA Police Service's (Saps) database reveal shocking discrepancies. He said only 50% of all livestock theft incidents reported through organised structures are recorded in the Saps system and only 15% of all illegal hunting incidents, especially those involving dogs, are officially registered. 'These differences indicate little crime is reported in rural areas, leading to misinterpretation of crime trends,' he added. Appeal to report rural crimes Lourens appealed to farmers, land users and rural communities to report crime incidents – from attacks, illegal hunting with dogs, livestock and game theft, poaching, trespassing and theft – to the police; no matter how minor it may seem. 'There is growing concern that the lack of official case numbers not only hampers investigations, but also undermines the state's ability to effectively manage crime in rural areas. A crime that is not officially recorded does not get investigated or acted upon,' he said. ALSO READ: Trio convicted for brutal farm attack in Eastern Cape Lourens said Saai was actively involved in external working groups with the Saps to ensure the definitions and classifications of rural areas, farm attacks and related crimes are comprehensive and inclusive. As part of this work, Saai has submitted a detailed document to Saps, specifically addressing: What should be considered a rural area, the inclusion of smallholdings, communally farmed land, game farms and settlements; Proper recognition of victims – farmers, farm workers, residents, visitors and service providers; and The importance of economic sabotage, infrastructure destruction and theft as key elements of farm-related crime. Detailed document to Saps Lourens said this contribution was an effort to make police statistics, prioritisation and resource allocation at ground level more realistic and targeted. In a recent attack in Mooiplaas, Pretoria, it was alleged the victim's Achilles tendons were severed with pangas. ALSO READ: Calls to address farm murders after Trump meeting [VIDEO] Pretoria regional spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed a case of house robbery, murder, possession of stolen property and housebreaking implements in Boschkop on 20 June. 'Complainant indicated he heard dogs barking outside, he went to investigate and was attacked by five men armed with pangas,' said Van Dyk. 'Suspects also attacked other tenants and robbed them of a TV set and cellphones before fleeing on foot.' Rural crimes ignored by police Criminologist Witness Maluleke said rural crimes have, over the years, been ignored by police, despite their biggest impact on the rural economy. 'This is coupled with low rural crime reporting rates, grey areas, ineffective investigations, inadequate resources, limited convictions and decided cases,' said Maluleke. ALSO READ: Rural safety in the spotlight amid calls to classify farm attacks as priority crime 'Rural crimes are proving to be difficult for the police to deal with.'
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South African gold miners grapple with rising costs despite record prices
For Gold Fields, which operates the South Deep mine in South Africa, all-in-costs have been spiking. All-in-costs for South Deep AIC increased by 6% to R1,032,462 per kilogram in the March 2025 quarter from R974,315 per kilogram in the December 2024 quarter. Tawanda Karombo South African gold miners are being weighed down by elevated costs, with the Minerals Council of South Africa saying on Tuesday that the sector recorded the highest increase in input costs. This comes as Gold Fields recently said all-in-costs for the 2025 March quarter grew by 6%. Bullion prices have been surging to record highs in the past few weeks although South African producers of the precious metal have largely not raised production due to higher costs. Andre Lourens, an economist with the Minerals Council said the gold sector has been experiencing higher input cost inflation. 'In March, the gold sector recorded the highest average increase in input cost inflation, although benefiting from strong market prices - with gold averaging $2 986 per ounce. This underscores the ongoing cost pressures linked to mining deep-level, lower-grade ore bodies,' said Lourens. For Gold Fields, which operates the South Deep mine in South Africa, all-in-costs have been spiking. All-in-costs for South Deep increased by 6% to R1 032 462 per kilogram in the March 2025 quarter, up from R974 315 per kilogram in the December 2024 quarter. Gold Fields attributed this to 'lower gold sold in the current quarter, partially offset by lower capital' expenditure. Total capital expenditure for the South Deep operation fell by 42% to R431 million in the March 2025 quarter from R741m in the December 2024 quarter. 'The main expenditure items relate to a decrease in major component spend, UG mobile equipment replacement and refurbishments, surface infrastructure maintenance and new UG Infrastructure and maintenance,' said the company. Its production for the quarter decreased by 8% to 2 244kg due to ore phasing and lower volumes processed despite an increase in mined volumes. It was not just the gold sector that experienced higher mine input costs as the Minerals Council said South Africa's overall mining input costs rose by 3.6% in the first quarter of 2025. 'The increase in mining input costs moderated to 3.4% year-on-year in March, down from 3.8% in February, marking a continuation of the downward trend that began late last year,' said Lourens. 'While this is higher than the subdued 2.7% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, the outcome is unsurprising given volatility in both the domestic and global economy, much of which has intensified since January.' This comes as a 'complex set of pressures continues to shape the cost landscape' including global trade frictions, pressure on the rand, and fluctuating Brent crude oil prices, which have all raised input cost volatility. On the domestic front, 'political and economic uncertainty have further dampened sentiment, weighing on capital markets and prompting the South African Reserve Bank to maintain a cautious monetary stance,' necessitating a delay in much-needed interest rate relief. Chemical prices and intermediate industrial inputs also stayed high relative to last year, reflecting persistent pricing pressure in key upstream supply chains, explained the Minerals Council. Other mining sectors that took a big input cost include the chrome sector, with the third-highest increases recorded in iron ore, manganese, and other metallic minerals. Nonetheless, the coal sector experienced the lowest input cost inflation of the major commodities - offering some relative stability in the cost of producing coal. BUSINESS REPORT
Washington Post
24-02-2025
- Washington Post
First passengers in overturned Delta flight sue, alleging negligence
After Delta Connection Flight 4819 crashed onto a Toronto airport's tarmac and flipped over last week, Marthinus Lourens hung upside down, dangling from his fastened seat belt. Lourens released himself and fell to the ceiling of the aircraft, which seconds earlier had been above his head. By then, he was 'drenched with jet fuel,' according to a new lawsuit.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Passengers on Delta flight file suit after fiery crash-landing in Toronto
At least two passengers on Delta Flight 4819, which caught fire and flipped over during a crash-landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport this week, are suing the airline and its subsidiary Endeavor Air. In the first lawsuit, filed in Georgia federal court late Thursday, Marthinus Lourens claims he was 'drenched with jet fuel' as the 'burning plane' rolled over and then went belly up. He was left with injuries to his head, neck, back, knees and face as a result, as well as additional injuries caused when he released his seatbelt and fell to the ceiling of the upside-down aircraft, according to the complaint. Lourens says he has also been struggling with 'severe emotional distress and mental anguish' in the days since the crash. He's seeking more than $200,000 in damages. Another suit from passenger Hannah Krebs was filed in Minneapolis federal court on Friday, accusing the flight crew of 'gross negligence and recklessness' and 'inadequate training and supervision' by Delta. She recalls how she was 'violently thrown' around in the plane's cabin alongside the other passengers as the Mitsubishi CRJ-900LR jet attempted to touch down in Toronto. As a result, Krebs says she suffered extreme physical and emotional injuries, leading to economic losses. She's seeking an unknown amount in compensation. 'This was a preventable accident that never should have occurred,' attorney Jim Brauchle said in a statement to NBC News. 'The passengers on Delta Flight 4819 had their lives forever changed having endured such a traumatic experience.' The pair of lawsuits comes after Delta offered those passengers $30,000 each, telling them it 'has no strings attached and does not affect rights.' Lourens and Kerbs were among 80 people — 76 passengers and four crew members — on Delta Flight 4819 when it took off from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport on Monday. Operated by Endeavor Air, the aircraft started to falter as it neared Toronto Pearson. Videos shared online show the plane touching down and skidding across the snow-covered tarmac, then bursting into flames before it flips overs and come to a stop. Everyone onboard survived the chaos, though 21 people were hospitalized. They have all since been released, airline officials said. As of Saturday, the cause of the crash was still unclear. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is investigating the incident alongside a team of U.S. investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board. _______
