Latest news with #Madala
TimesLIVE
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Madala Kunene gifted R50k by KZN sport, arts and culture department
Celebrated jazz musician Madala Kunene was honoured at this year's Ugu Jazz Festival in Gamalakhe on Saturday. The festival made a return after a five-year break with renowned stars including Zonke Dikana, Mondli Ngcobo, Amu Faku, DJ Bruce and DJ Happy Girl on the stage. Madala, who was on a break due to health reasons, took to the stage to perform on the night and was handed a lifetime achievement award and a R50,000 cheque by the KwaZulu-Natal sport, arts and culture department. 'I've been honoured in the past, but this is the first time the award comes with a cash prize. I thank the organisers and the KZN government,' said Madala. 'As we close Youth Month, I'd like to plead with the youth to respect their elders and with men never to abuse women.' More than 2,000 fans attended the relaunch of one of the South Coast's signature events on the entertainment calendar. Event organiser Siyabonga Msomi of Coolsound Trading thanked fans for a successful event. 'We had expected a low turnout given the short time we had to put everything together and because it was a relaunch. It shows that people had been patiently waiting for the festival's revival. The real work begins now. We will take the feedback we've received and use it to prepare for 2026.'
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Three COVID-19 samples from Telangana sent for genome sequencing, all belong to LF.7.9 variant: INSACOG
As COVID-19 cases begin to rise again across the country, Telangana has reported a minimal increase with four active cases, according to the latest figures on the national COVID-19 dashboard. The State, which had zero active cases until a few weeks ago, has now begun sending positive samples for genome sequencing as a precautionary measure. Data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) reveals that Telangana has submitted three samples for sequencing. Kiran Madala, head of Anaesthesia at Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, and a COVID-19 researcher, confirmed that the samples were sent on May 5 and May 16, and all three were identified as the LF.7.9 variant. The LF.7.9 variant has, so far, been detected only in India. Preliminary assessment suggests that it is a mild variant. However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not yet released specific information or a detailed classification about this variant. Dr. Madala added that, as of June 3, a total of 118 samples had been sent for sequencing from across India. Among those, 58 belonged to the XFG variant, 34 to LF.7.9, 16 to XFJ and three to JN.1 while seven samples were attributed to other variants. The move to initiate sequencing in Telangana follows directions from Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, who asked officials to step up genomic surveillance in light of the national trend. INSACOG data also shows that the NB.1.8.1 variant, currently surging in Singapore, has been detected in one case in Maharashtra, added
