Latest news with #R71
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Did the Viljoens leave Tammy Taylor Nails franchisees in the lurch?
While the Viljoens are living it up in Miami, Tammy Taylor franchisees in South Africa are wondering what will happen to them. Now that Peet and Melany Viljoen left the country, their Tammy Taylor franchisees have been left in the lurch. The principal franchisor, the Viljoens' Tammy Taylor Global Franchising, has left the country, but the salons still carry the Tammy Taylor brand name and logo despite South African and US courts forbidding the Viljoens from continuing to use it. Where does that leave the franchisees? Trudie Broekmann, a consumer lawyer from Cape Town and expert on the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), says a franchise operation can generally not operate without an engaged national franchisor which properly holds the legal rights to act as franchisor. ALSO READ: Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country? The CPA's provisions regarding franchises were used in the application for an order against the Viljoens and Tammy Taylor Global Franchising recently, when Lebohang Hlathuka asked to be refunded the R600 000 she paid for a franchise. The court also ruled that the Viljoens be barred from using the Tammy Taylor brand name any longer. Tammy Taylor franchisees left to fend for themselves Broekmann says, from Hlathuka's recent judgment against the Viljoens, it is clear that at least those 'franchisees' who recently acquired their franchises from the Viljoens' entities do not have a valid franchise. 'These franchises would have to be reacquired or otherwise regularised by either a South African franchisor with a valid right for the relevant territory or with Tammy Taylor in the US. ALSO READ: US court rules Viljoens must pay real Tammy Taylor R71 million 'If earlier franchisees acquired their franchises validly from the Viljoens while they were authorised by Tammy Taylor to sell franchises, those franchisees have also been left in the lurch by the Viljoens' sudden departure. 'The older franchisees will have to negotiate new channels for their supplies and support. Even successful legal prosecution generally cannot rectify the devastation left behind by fraudsters. I can only commiserate with the non-complicit staff, franchisees and even customers of the franchisees who have been left to fend for themselves.' Judgment in US court against Viljoens A US court also issued an order at the end of June after the real Tammy Taylor sued the Viljoens for trademark infringement and breach of contract. The US judge ordered that the Viljoens' US Trademark Registration be cancelled and that Taylor's request for the maximum in statutory damages of $4 million against the Viljoens for counterfeiting the US-registered trademarks and breach of contract is granted. In addition, the judge ordered the Viljoens to scrub all references between them and the Tammy Taylor brand, including their website, from the internet. ALSO READ: Viljoens say Tammy Taylor will not get her R71 million [VIDEO] How do these judgments affect the Tammy Taylor franchisees in South Africa? Broekmann says the truth is that the franchisees are in a bind and there is probably not much they can do. 'Considering the rulings by the South Gauteng High Court and the California District Court in the US, it is clear that the Viljoens and their entities did not have the right to sell Tammy Taylor franchises since April 2022. 'Therefore, any 'franchisee' or potential 'franchisee' who contracted with them is entitled to claim their money back, along with damages. If these 'franchisees' attempt to conduct business as a Tammy Taylor salon they will be legally unauthorised and open themselves to being sued by Tammy Taylor Nails Inc in the US for breach of its intellectual property rights. 'I would suggest they instruct legal representatives to act very quickly to ensure that the Viljoens' assets are not dissipated or removed from the country to evade payment.' What can the Tammy Taylor franchisees do now? Broekmann says even the legitimate franchisees, who transacted with the Viljoens between April 2017 and April 2022 while they were authorised to sell franchisees, were left in the lurch by the Viljoens' hurried departure from South Africa. 'I assume their companies will not operate for much longer. I suggest the franchisees contact Tammy Taylor Nails Inc in the US to negotiate arrangements for support and supply of the correct Tammy Taylor products. Of course, there is no guarantee that the US company will be willing to support the South African franchisees and if so, at what cost.' ALSO READ: Judge orders Viljoens to immediately stop using Tammy Taylor trademark She says she has been inundated with requests for help from South African consumers who are victims of con artists and fraudsters. 'This judgment is a move in the right direction and demonstrates that our courts will come to the assistance of those who fall victim to business people who behave in contravention of the law, in particular the CPA, which regulates franchising.' Be careful if you want a franchise, lawyer warns Broekmann recommends that consumers who want to invest in a franchise involve an attorney to assist them throughout the process, as there are many potential pitfalls. 'The CPA requires a franchise agreement to be in writing and signed by the franchisor as well as the franchisee, but Hlathuka was forced to pay R600 000 before the contract was in place for a 'franchise opportunity that never existed'.' NOW READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results: Tuesday, 15 July 2025
R80 million in jackpots are up for grabs! Here are your PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for 15 July 2025. Get the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and check your tickets with confidence. Estimated jackpots for Tuesday, 15 July 2025: PowerBall jackpot: R71 million guaranteed. PowerBall Plus jackpot: R9 million estimated. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus results for Tuesday, 15 July 2025: PowerBall: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. PowerBall Plus: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00. Powerball: 00. The winning PowerBall numbers will appear after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. While great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Citizen cannot take responsibility for any error in the PowerBall or PowerBall Plus results. We suggest verifying the numbers on the National Lottery website. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? Lottery outlets close at 8.30pm on the day of a draw, which happens at 9pm. The terms and conditions may differ from other service outlets. Visit for more information. You can find the historical winning numbers for PowerBall and Lotto draws here. How much does it cost to play PowerBall? PowerBall entries cost R5 per board including VAT. PowerBall Plus costs an additional R2.50 per board. You can also play PowerBall on selected banking apps (T's & C's apply). Visit and go to the How to Play section to find out more.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Viljoens say Tammy Taylor will not get her R71 million
In a video filled with a barrage of racist statements, the Viljoens berate the South African legal system and black people. Melany and Peet Viljoen recording their video in Florida in the US. PIcture: screenshot Peet and Melany Viljoen, who must pay the real Tammy Taylor R71 million for statutory damages caused by the use of her trademark and breach of contract according to a judgment in a US court, say that she will not get her money. In a video posted on Melany Viljoen's Facebook page, the couple say they will answer some questions they received from Wie's Nuus on KYKnet because 'fake news' only tells half-truths. While most of the 17-minute video contains the couple talking about how bad private investigator and dumb private investigator Mike Bolhuis is and their hate for black people in South Africa, they also touch briefly on the US court case. Melany said Taylor got a 'default judgment' as if it were something that carries less authority than the judgment in a defended case. Peet Viljoen pointed out that he already read in the media last year that Taylor wants $100 million from them. ALSO READ: US court rules Viljoens must pay real Tammy Taylor R71 million Viljoens say Tammy Taylor might as well have sued the moon In the video he laughs and says, 'She might as well have sued the moon. I applied for an interdict in South Africa, but she refused to respond. I also have the order (from the US court).' When The Citizen asked Melany earlier in the week if she wants to comment on the judgment, she first asked for our proof. After we sent her the judgment, she promised to read it and respond, but she did not. 'But nothing of this is relevant for you, whether Auntie Tammy and I sort out our matter. My lawyers in South Africa sent me the order this morning. All the order says is that she loses her rights on the trademark in South Africa; she gets $4 million, but this is against the company. I sold that company two years before the default judgement.' 'Our ID numbers are not on the order and her order, is as empty as Mike Bolhuis' bank account,' he said. ALSO READ: Did the Viljoens of Tammy Taylor-fame skip the country? Viljoens obviously have a beef with Bolhuis They then continue slamming Bolhuis. Melany pretends to be the journalist from Wie's Nuus and asks Peet what was the last straw that made him decide to leave South Africa. He says it was not only one thing. 'It was the constant breaching of our privacy. People arrive at my office with guns, threatening to kill us if we do not sign over the company to Julius Malema. The media do not want to hear this, but we have proof.' 'For me the last straw was this black woman, Lebohang 'Bekots Myself' (Vomit on myself) (here he refers to the latest case against them in South Africa, Lebohang Hlathuka), who got a judgement where the same black judge (Judge Joseph Raulinga) signs two orders on the same day: one where Tammy Taylor wins and one where Lebohang 'Bekots Myself' wins.' 'That judge is such a clown. These things are not trained to rule on cases. They only give blacks with black lawyers the judgments they want.' A video of judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng, who is presiding in the Senzo Meyiwa trial, then appears on the screen. ALSO READ: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises Viljoens say Trump opened their eyes to Expropriation Act Then Peet turns to the Expropriation Act. 'My properties in South Africa is not worth anything. Government can just come and take it from me while they are screaming that whites must be killed.' Mel then says US president Donald Trump highlighted the problem for her. 'We did not really know that our land will be taken away from us before this whole Trump thing happened where he said that Afrikaners are special and that we must come to the US. 'So, we did a deep search and see the ANC's mission is to make the country socialist and take away from people what they can. After Peet watched Dr Ernst Roets on Tucker Carlson's podcast, he realised that they can really take our things just like that.' 'Then we realised we do not have to sit with the abuse. Blacks showing up at our homes, salons and offices with AKs that they hold against our heads. We are not OK with that. I started living in fear, and I was not happy in South Africa anymore.' Peet adds that they would have gone to the US long ago if Trump had invited them then. A giggling Melany then says they do not want to be uninvited guests in a country. ALSO READ: Judge orders Viljoens to immediately stop using Tammy Taylor trademark Viljoens say they already received over 900 requests from SAs wanting to join them 'Not like blacks in the Cape that took the land from the Khoisan,' Peet says. 'I did not think any South African who lives here for a week will want to go back. We already received over 900 requests from people wanting to come here. 'I have already been approved to write my entrance exam for attorneys, and I am already working with a massive legal team.' He says he sold everything in South Africa bit by bit, as people immediately think you are in financial trouble if you sell your stuff. 'I have to explain to nobody whether I am rich or poor.' Peet points out that he only hates blacks in South Africa in the same way a child who is molested by a man will hate men. He then returns to back the legal system in South Africa. 'People must wake up. They get cross when I say it, but they should change the whole legal system and call it Boswell Wilkie Circus, because it is a f*n circus. The judges are clowns. They all only passed standard six without maths and left at first break.' He also goes on a rant against Shadrack Sibiya, deputy police commissioner, who he says destroyed his life. Peet also says Trump is brilliant with lots of common sense. Watch the video here:
The South African
10-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
US court rules Peet and Melany Viljoen pay Tammy Taylor R71 million
A United States court has ruled that South African couple Peet and Melany Viljoen must pay $3.9 million (approximately R71 million) in statutory damages to Tammy Taylor, the American founder of Tammy Taylor Nails. The judgment was handed down by the Southern District of California, which also issued a permanent injunction banning the Viljoens from using the Tammy Taylor name, branding, or trademarks. The court has officially cancelled their US trademark registration and prohibited any future business activity affiliated with the brand. Taylor filed the lawsuit in April 2024, accusing the Viljoens of unauthorised use of her brand after their licensing agreement was terminated. The couple reportedly did not defend the case in court, allowing a default judgment to be entered. Taylor originally sought R390 million in lost profits, citing reputational damage and global brand confusion, but the court dismissed that portion due to insufficient evidence. The Viljoens have now been ordered to scrub all use of the Tammy Taylor name, including: Salon signage Websites Social media accounts The domain The ruling also requires that all public-facing material no longer imply any association with the original Tammy Taylor brand. The Viljoens' South African attorney, Hein Wiese, declined to comment on the judgment or confirm whether the pair remain in South Africa. The original Tammy Taylor has until 16 July to renew her motion for additional damages or to pursue trademark enforcement in South Africa. This case has drawn widespread attention in the beauty industry, particularly in South Africa, where the Tammy Taylor name has been heavily promoted under the Viljoens' franchise network in recent years. 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.
IOL News
10-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
This AI firm just made history as the world's first $4 trillion company
Nvidia co-founder and CEO Jensen Huang has wowed investors with a series of advances. Image: I-Hwa Cheng / AFP Nvidia became the first company to reach $4 trillion (R71 trillion) in market value on Wednesday, a new threshold in Wall Street's bet that artificial intelligence will transform the economy. Shortly after the stock market opened, Nvidia, which is led by electrical engineer Jensen Huang, vaulted as high as $164.42 (R2,925), giving it a valuation above $4 trillion before retreating slightly. "The market has an incredible certainty that AI is the future," said Steve Sosnick of Interactive Brokers. "Nvidia is certainly the company most positioned to benefit from that gold rush." Nvidia has now attained a market value greater than the GDP of France, Britain, or India, a testament to investor confidence that AI will spur a new era of robotics and automation, potentially boosting productivity while also challenging incumbent sectors and companies. Nvidia now has a market value greater than the GDP of Britain. Image: Li Hongbo / CFoto via AFP 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 Next Stay Close ✕ The California chip company's latest surge is helping to drive a recovery in the broader stock market, even as Nvidia itself outperforms major indices. Part of this is due to relief that President Donald Trump has walked back his most draconian tariffs, which pummeled global markets in early April. Even as Trump has announced new tariff actions in recent days, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have lingered near records. "You've seen the markets walk us back from a worst-case scenario in terms of tariffs," said Angelo Zino, technology analyst at CFRA Research. While Nvidia still faces US export controls to China as well as broader tariff uncertainty, the company's deal to build AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia during a Trump state visit in May showed there was also potential upside in Trump's trade policy. "We've seen the administration using Nvidia chips as a bargaining chip," Zino said. Bullish on 2026 Nvidia's latest surge to $4 trillion marks a new threshold in a fairly consistent rise over the last two years as AI enthusiasm has built. In 2025 so far, the company's shares have risen 20 percent, whereas the Nasdaq has gained six percent. The Taiwan-born Huang has wowed investors with a series of advances, including its core product: graphics processing units (GPUs), which are foundational to many of the generative AI programs pursued throughout the technology sector, with applications in autonomous driving, robotics and other cutting-edge domains. The company has also unveiled new advances in recent months, highlighting its Blackwell system, which Huang said in March will soon enable virtually all productions to be "created and brought to life long before it is realized physically."
