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IOL News
3 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Eastern Cape floods prompt national disaster declaration as death toll surpasses 100
The Gift of the Givers have been involved in the search and rescue operations in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape after devastating floods earlier this month claimed more than 100 lives. Image: Supplied The Eastern Cape province is reeling from the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed the lives of more than 100 individuals and resulted in damage estimated at billions of rand. The national disaster declaration was announced by Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams on Thursday, following floods earlier this month. Williams said following a comprehensive assessment, the South African government has officially declared a national disaster in response to this widespread destruction caused by the severe weather. While the death toll is expected to increase, Williams said as of June 26, 101 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the floods. The youngest victim, an infant of approximately 12 months, was recovered in Mthatha, while the search for two missing children continues. 'Ninety-four have been identified and handed over to their families. Processes are still ongoing to identify the remaining seven bodies.' Of the deceased, 38 are children, and 32 have been identified as pupils, he said. Williams said due to the time that has passed since the start of the disaster, DNA tests may be required to positively identify bodies found decomposed, thus implying that it may take longer to identify the deceased. The MEC said the province is still busy with the first phase of disaster relief, with the immediate response and humanitarian relief. According to Williams, response systems and mechanisms have been activated, and the department has partnered with humanitarian organisations like Gift of the Givers and Al-Imdaad Foundation, as well as private sector entities such as Old Mutual, MTN, Vodacom, local businesses, and supermarkets. He said that through these collaborations, relief support continues to reach communities whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the floods. The Department of Education has started replacing pupil and teacher support materials lost or destroyed in the disaster and providing uniforms to those affected, Williams said. The MEC said that despite the devastation, progress has been made in restoring services. 'The electricity supply has been restored to over 80% of affected customers, with over 95% of the water supply having been restored in OR Tambo and Amathole district municipalities, which were the most affected districts,' said Williams. He noted that the floods also caused significant damage to both economic and social infrastructure, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, and livestock. 'The estimated cost of repairing the damaged infrastructure is R5.1 billion, with approximately R3.2 billion allocated to various sector departments and R1.8 billion for municipal infrastructure, according to the MISA assessment.' Regarding road infrastructure, he indicated that the estimated repair costs amount to R935 million, with R102 million allocated from the Department of Transport's budget. The MEC said a total of 6,869 households have been affected, of which 4,724 people have been left homeless across the province, except for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipality. 'While 2,145 homes were partially damaged, about R461 million is required for temporary residential units,' Williams said, adding that the province has allocated an amount of R120 million in this regard. He said the Department of Human Settlements, in partnership with the OR Tambo District Municipality, has successfully activated mass care shelters, including bed and breakfast facilities and community halls, to provide immediate housing for displaced families in OR Tambo and Inxuba. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) forecaster Andre Fourie confirmed that rain showers will begin to taper off by Sunday before bringing additional rainfall mid-week. As of Friday and Saturday, Fourie said Cape Town is anticipating a 60% chance of showers, along with a yellow level one warning indicating a minor impact with a medium likelihood of occurrence. He said over the weekend, the rain is expected to diminish significantly, with only a 30% chance of showers along the southern coast of the Western Cape, extending as far as Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. Fourie predicted a dry day across the nation on Monday, providing a much-needed respite. Looking ahead, he stated that a new cold front is anticipated to approach the Western Cape by Tuesday. Rainfall is expected to return to both the Western and Eastern Cape on Wednesday, with a low-pressure system predicted to influence South Africa's weather on Thursday. This could lead to showers across the western parts of the Free State and North West provinces as well.
The South African
23-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
How rich are South Africa's 7 billionaires this week?
It's comparatively 'easy' to make money – when you have money to start with. Compound interest is indeed the eighth wonder of the world! As they say, the rich get richer, while the poor stay, well, poor. Money makes money – and these seven South African men have made a lot of it over the years. And by a lot, we mean a LOT ! According to Forbes' real-time tracking of billionaires, Johann Rupert and his family are the richest in South Africa, with a net worth of $13.7 billion. The Ruperts are followed by diamond magnate Nicky Oppenheimer, who boasts a net worth of $10.4 billion. They are followed by Koos Bekker, Patrice Motsepe, Michiel Le Roux, Jannie Mouton and Christo Wiese. South Africa's seven dollar billionaires all made their money in different ways – from luxury goods, diamonds, mining, media, banking and retail. Last week, Rupert was the big 'loser' as his net worth dropped by $300 million (R5.4 billion). Oppenheimer, Motsepe, Mouton and Wiese all lost $100 million (R1.8 billion) to their net worths. Cumulatively, South Africa's seven dollar billionaires are worth $36.7 billion (R663 billion). Meanwhile, in terms of the overall world list, South Africa-born Elon Musk remains the world's richest person with a reported $409 billion. Below, the list of the top seven richest South Africans in the world as of 23 June 2025. Rank Name Last week This week Source 183 Johann Rupert & family $14bn $13.7bn Luxury goods 271 Nicky Oppenheimer & family $10.5bn $10.4bn Diamonds 1 049 Koos Bekker $3.6bn $3.6bn Media, investments 1 174 Patrice Motsepe $3.3bn $3.2bn Mining 1 506 Michiel Le Roux $2.5bn $2.5bn Banking 2 056 Jannie Mouton & family $1.8bn $1.7bn Retail 2 149 Christo Wiese $1.7bn $1.6bn Financial services TOTAL $37.4bn $36.7bn 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 Citizen
18-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sundowns add to World Club Cup loot
If Masandawana can win the tournament they will take home R1.8 billion! Mamelodi Sundowns' 1-0 win over Ulsan HD in their Fifa Club World Cup Group F opener has earned them an extra R36 million to add to an already enormous prize pot. Sundowns to get a share of $1 billion! With overall prize money at the Fifa Club World Cup totalling US$ 1 billion (about R18 billion), all 32 clubs competing in this tournament are set to walk a way with their coffers richly enhanced. ALSO READ: Chiefs striking signing set to sign for Sundowns – report The $1 billion includes $525 million given to clubs simply for playing in the competition. The participation fees have been allocated regionally, with African sides getting $9.55 million (about R173 million) each. The prize for winning a match in the group stages is $2 million (about R36 million), meaning Sundowns' prize pot at the moment already totals a staggering R209 million! Even a draw in the group stages will get you a cool $1 million (about R18 million), while prize money increases exponentially as a team makes it out of their group and progresses through the knockout rounds. Sundowns have trickier games to come in Group F against German side Borussia Dortmund, and Brazil's Fluminense. But even if they lose both of those matches and don't make it out of their group, they will still go home with millions of dollars. ALSO READ: Sundowns off to winning start at Club World Cup On the other side of the coin, and probably in the realm of total fantasy, if Sundowns can win both their remaining group matches, and go all the way and win the Fifa Club World Cup, they will walk away with a frankly ridiculous $97.175 million (including their participation fee). This amounts to a figure close to a staggering R1.8 billion. Breakdown of World Club Cup prize money Group Stage win/Group Stage draw – $US 2 million (about R 36 million)/US$1 million (about R18 million) Last 16 – $7.5 million (about R 135 million) Quarterfinals – $13.125 million (about R238 million) Semifinals- $21 million (about R380 million) Finalists – $30 million (about R543 million) Winners – $40 million (about R725 million)
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Eastern Cape floods kill 49
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 11 June 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. News today includes the tragic floods that have wreaked havoc in the Eastern Cape have claimed 49 lives. Meanwhile, the 39-year-old man charged with the brutal murder and mutilation of 14-year-old Likhona Fose appeared briefly in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, where his bail application was postponed amid strong opposition from the state. Furthermore, as the new Covid-19 variant spreads across China, South Africa is closely monitoring the Omicron descendant, NB.1.8.1, as health authorities prepare for its potential arrival. Weather tomorrow: 11 June 2025 Saws hasn't issued any severe weather alerts for Thursday, but South Africans can expect fine, cool and cold weather across most provinces, while parts of KwaZulu-Natal could experience morning rain. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Eastern Cape flood disaster claims 49 lives as toll rises The tragic floods that have wreaked havoc in the Eastern Cape have claimed 49 lives. 'In all the years I have lived, I have never seen a disaster like this,' said Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane as he provided an update on the inclement weather on Wednesday afternoon. A shack surrounded by water after heavy rains fell in Motherwell on 10 June 2025 in Gqeberha, South Africa. It is reported that heavy rains and violent winds led to severe flooding and large-scale evacuations. Picture: Gallo Images/Die Burger/Lulama Zenzile The premier said the South African Police Service confirmed that 49 people have died so far. CONTINUE READING: Eastern Cape flood disaster claims 49 lives as toll rises 'Asi'Spani': Frustrated Gauteng ANCYL in an 'abusive relationship' with Lesufi The Gauteng ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has reached a boiling point and is not mincing its words when addressing Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The league briefed the media on Wednesday, addressing corruption and financial mismanagement within the provincial government. Premier of Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi. Picture: Nigel Sibanda Among others is the confirmation by Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile last month was that R1.8 billion was returned to the National Treasury due to underspending in the province's annual budget, mainly from the health and education departments. CONTINUE READING: 'Asi'Spani': Frustrated Gauteng ANCYL in an 'abusive relationship' with Lesufi Likhona Fose's alleged killer previously convicted for attempted murder and robbery, case postponed The 39-year-old man charged with the brutal murder and mutilation of 14-year-old Likhona Fose appeared briefly in the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, where his bail application was postponed amid strong opposition from the state. Mduduzi Mnisi faces charges in connection with the death of the Grade 8 pupil from Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Johannesburg, whose mutilated body was discovered in an empty field on 1 June 2025. Suspect in Likhona Fose murder case Mduduzi Mnisi in court. Picture: Screenshot: NewzroomAfrika/X The teenager's family believes her murder was motivated by homophobia, as she identified as lesbian. CONTINUE READING: Likhona Fose's alleged killer previously convicted for attempted murder and robbery, case postponed Leadership purges in MK could harm the party The expulsion and demotion of senior members may affect the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and its reputation as a brand and drive away voters in the upcoming elections. This is the view of political analysts and a reputation management expert interviewed by The Citizen yesterday. uMkhonto weSizwe leader Jacob Zuma. Picture: Per-/Gallo Images They were reacting to the ongoing expulsion and demotion of members taking place on national and provincial levels. CONTINUE READING: Leadership purges in MK could harm the party New Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1 spreads across Asia, NICD explains what to expect in SA As the new Covid-19 variant spreads across China, South Africa is closely monitoring the Omicron descendant, NB.1.8.1, as health authorities prepare for its potential arrival. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), as of Tuesday, 10 June 2025, the NB.1.8.1 variant has not been detected in South Africa. The new Covid-19 variant. Picture: iStock 'Data from the NICD's respiratory illness syndromic surveillance programmes, which operate in selected public and private hospitals and outpatient facilities, show that the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections is currently low,' it said. CONTINUE READING: New Covid-19 variant NB.1.8.1 spreads across Asia, NICD explains what to expect in SA Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Likhona Fose suspect arrested | City Power warns of grid pressure | More snow expected
The Citizen
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Frustrated ANCYL says in an 'abusive relationship' with Lesufi
The youth league says the provincial structure has deliberately excluded young people from economic activities. The Gauteng ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has reached a boiling point and is not mincing its words when addressing Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The league briefed the media on Wednesday, addressing corruption and financial mismanagement within the provincial government. Among others is the confirmation by Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile last month was that R1.8 billion was returned to the National Treasury due to underspending in the province's annual budget, mainly from the health and education departments. The Gauteng Provincial Government's final budget for the 2024-25 financial year was R168.76 billion. By year-end, it had spent R166.97 billion, which is 99% of the budget. The total underspending was R1.799 billion, of which R1.041 billion (58%) came from the health and education departments. The remaining R769 million (42%) came from all other departments combined. READ MORE: Gauteng underspends budget but says R1.8bn not lost The youth league lamented the return of the amount while young people languish in unemployment. The media briefing was one of the 'creative ways' of getting the provincial leadership to implement what the league has put on the table. Young people 'frustrated' 'The time for consultations without implementation is over. The frustration of young people in this province is reaching a boiling point, not because we are impatient, but because we have been deliberately excluded from economic opportunities,' said chairperson Ntsako Mogobe. ALSO READ: Maile earmarks 60% of Gauteng procurement for local businesses 'Our dignity has been stripped, and meaningful participation of young people in programmes in Gauteng is not there. The youth league will not remain silent while the future of Gauteng's youth is compromised by complacency, incompetence, and corruption. The time for polite requests is over. We cannot survive on empty promises, raise our families and build our future with slogans. Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the youth in Gauteng, asi'spani [we don't have jobs]. 'When we say we have reached the boiling point, it means we have had several discussions and generally, old people, like they are, are allergic to youth development. We have raised our concerns about these issues, but there appears to be a deliberate attempt to exclude young people in this province. ALSO READ: Gang violence grips Joburg south as Lesufi fails to act, says DA 'The truth is that young people in this province do not work, and we can't keep giving them rhetoric. The youth league must be able to challenge the government to say that these interventions you are bringing are not addressing the real issues. Our impatience is that there are no responses, and we are starting to have problems. Generally, old people are starting to be allergic to the rise of young people in the province.' 'We love Premier Lesufi' Secretary Mpume Sangweni said that despite their unaddressed grievances against Lesufi, they still loved him as premier. 'It's just unfortunate that young people in the province are in a very abusive relationship with the premier. Young people love the premier, but he doesn't love us, because if he did, he would have considered the Gauteng Youth Advisory Panel, among others,' said Sangweni. ALSO READ: 'I'm viewing my options,' says Lesufi on availability for ANC's top positions 'We are right in the middle of youth month, the premier delivered the SOPA months ago, by now we should be knowing who is appointed in the panel. These are engagements we've been having with the premier. Young people in the province are not taken seriously. The leadership of the ANC does not believe in young people.' He said the ANC's argument that young people are not ready to be in leadership positions was invalid. 'There is an MEC who was an MEC when he was 26 years old. No questions were asked whether he was ready or not. Today, he's the second senior MEC in the executive. They themselves were given an opportunity that they have; what then prevents them from giving the chairperson of the GP youth league that experience? We don't buy that explanation, and we have raised these issues with them.' 'Lesufi does not love us' Sangweni said the youth league would find other ways to gain the provincial leadership's attention. It has adopted this approach due to frustration from unfulfilled promises. 'It will not end with a media briefing. We will find other creative ways to ensure we nudge the ANC leadership in the right direction and to fulfil these commitments. Nasi Ispani is a brilliant programme to address unemployment. It was unfortunate that it was given to an incompetent government. 'We have a very cordial relationship with the premier, it's just unfortunate that whatever we discuss at the table takes time to be implemented. The premier has not implemented any of the things we have agreed on. Unfortunately, the relationship is a little bit of friction, but we still love our premier; it's just that, as young people, we are in an abusive relationship with him. It appears that he does not love us back.' READ NEXT: Nasi iSpani: Teacher assistant programme to be relaunched
