The Afropop singer was known for her long musical career which began in the 1980s, and also appeared in popular South African TV series.

She is best known for her hit song Live My Life and has collaborated with prominent South African artists including the late Brenda Fassie.

Her sister Tshepi Akeepile said the singer died on Tuesday on the way to hospital.

“My sister was sick. She did have a short illness and we really thought she was recovering. But this morning it turned out she hadn’t fully recovered from her illness. She was quickly rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead,” Ms Rakeepile told SABC TV.

It is not clear what she was suffering from.

Khumalo leaves a rich music and television legacy and was a household name for her powerful voice and versatile performances.

She released numerous solo albums, as well as being the back-up singer to Brenda Fassie.

She is survived by her daughter, Rethabile Khumalo, who is also a singer and her son, Thabo Khumalo.

Fans and fellow celebrities have taken to social media with tributes, expressing shock and sadness.

The Kalawa Jazmee Records, the record label that Khumalo worked with, described her as a “true icon” for inspiring many with her powerful voice and “unforgettable performances”.

“Her passion, talent, and dedication to her craft have left an indelible mark on the industry and in the hearts of her fans,” the label said in a statement.

By BBC News

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He passed away in his sleep, with his wife Yolande by his side in Paris.

The dissident poet, novelist and painter was “an immense artist, militant against apartheid, he fought for a better world until the end,” a statement from his family read.

Breytenbach’s sharp intellect earned him widespread admiration, prompting the British satirical television puppet show Spitting Image to describe him as “the only nice South African” in a song during apartheid’s darkest days.

Jack Lang, French former education minister, shared a heartfelt tribute on X.

“A rebel with a tender heart, he was part of all the struggles for human rights,” he wrote.

Born in the Western Cape on 16 September 1939, to a family of five, Breytenbach lived much of his life abroad, but always remained true to his South African roots.

He attended the University of Cape Town and joined a group of Afrikaans poets and writers called the Sestigers, who wanted to highlight the beauty of the language while critiquing the racist apartheid regime.

Afrikaans evolved among white settlers and comes from the Dutch word for African.

With Afrikaners in power during apartheid, the language became ever more associated with the oppressive regime.

In an interview with The New York Times, he said: “I’d never reject Afrikaans as a language, but I reject it as part of the Afrikaner political identity. I no longer consider myself an Afrikaner.”

In 1960 he left South Africa for a self-imposed exile, mostly in Europe, but he continued to be a vocal critic of the apartheid regime.

He worked in London for a while before settling in France, where he met his Vietnamese wife Yolande Ngo Thi Hoang Lien.

Breytenbach tried to return to South Africa with his wife in the 1960s, but she was denied a visa because she was a “non-white”. Interracial marriages were against the law. In 1975, at the height of his literary fame, he made a clandestine return to South Africa, where he was arrested for attempting to aid resistance groups in the country.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison for terrorism, but continued to write poetry while he was jailed.

The then French President, François Mitterrand, helped secure his release in 1982 and he became a French citizen.

The years of imprisonment resulted in one of his most impactful works, his novel The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist – a harrowing account of his seven-year prison sentence, two of which he spent in solitary confinement.

After apartheid ended, he became a vocal critic of the liberation government of Nelson Mandela. He felt the African National Congress (ANC) had turned into a “corrupt organisation”.

The poet didn’t only use his pen to fight those injustices in South Africa, but also around the world.

In 2002, he wrote an open letter in The Guardian to the then Prime Minister of Israel, Ariel Sharon.

“Why should we look the other way when it is Israel committing crimes? A viable state cannot be built on the expulsion of another people who have as much claim to that territory as you have,” he wrote about the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Breytenbach published over 50 books during his lifetime, and some have been translated into multiple languages.

He is also known for his surreal paintings, which often depict humans and animals in captivity.

He was later made a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, France’s top cultural award.

Breytenbach is survived by his wife, Yolande, and daughter Daphnée and two grandsons.

By BBC News

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Manufacturer Bayer Ltd said women using pills from the affected batch should stop immediately and seek medical advice.

A packaging mix-up led to a number of blister packs carrying 24 inactive pills, instead of 24 hormone-containing active pills.

The issue affected only a limited number of packets in a specific batch labelled WEW96J, expiring in March 2026

The erroneous batch has been recalled by Bayer, in consultation with South Africa Health Products Regulatory Agency, with the company stressing the “root cause” of the mix-up had been identified and dealt with.

A regular pack of Yaz Plus contraceptives contains 24 active pills containing hormones, which are pink in colour, followed by four hormone-free, inactive pills, which are light orange in colour.

In the recalled batch, a number of packs instead carried 24 hormone-free inactive pills and only four active hormone pills.

The concern is that a woman could be at risk of becoming pregnant having taken inactive pills believing she was taking effective hormonal contraception.

Bayer Ltd’s recall notice says: “While only a limited number of packs from the respective batch is affected, as a precautionary measure, no tablets from these packs shall be used until you have consulted your healthcare practitioner, as they may potentially not provide the contraceptive protection you expect.”

Anyone who has acquired a packet of pills belonging to the stipulated batch is advised to return the tablets to pharmacies for a replacement or refund.

Healthcare professionals, hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses and wholesalers who have packets of the affected batch should also return them.

In a statement, Bayer Ltd said “the root cause for the mix-up of tablets in the packaging has been identified and corrective measures have been implemented”.

The incident is limited to only one batch and no other batches are affected, the company said.

The company has set up a helpline for people with any further questions.

The post Contraceptive Pills Recalled in South Africa After Mix-up appeared first on KahawaTungu.

This came days after that of Kenya Meg Whitman also resigned.

Brigety, appointed under outgoing President Joe Biden, will step down shortly before Donald Trump’s inauguration, following the Republican Party’s decisive victory in the 5 November election.

The Republicans also won a majority in the US House of Representatives and Trump’s second administration is expected to implement significant policy shifts that could reshape US foreign relations.

One anticipated focus is a more protectionist approach to trade, raising concerns about the future of South Africa’s status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa).

Agoa, a key agreement facilitating trade between the US and African nations, has been an economic lifeline for South Africa, supporting numerous jobs and industries.

In his resignation statement on Monday, Brigety attributed his departure to democratic process.

“US ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and with the recent election, the American people have expressed their choice for the future direction of our country, reflecting our shared commitment to democratic principles,” he said.

Brigety’s tenure, which began in August 2022, was defined by a major diplomatic crisis in May 2023, when he accused South Africa of docking weapons for Russia onto the vessel Lady R at Simon’s Town naval base.

These unproven allegations resulted in strained relations between Pretoria and Washington.

At the time, the South African government strongly denied the claims, while the fallout sent the rand tumbling and sparked fears of strained relations with Western allies.

An independent inquiry led by the retired supreme court of appeal judge, Phineas Mojapelo, later found no evidence to support Brigety’s allegations.

The panel concluded that the cargo in question originated from the United Arab Emirates and had no connection to Russia.

Despite these findings, Brigety stood firm on his allegations, intensifying tensions with South African officials.

The ANC government called for his recall, citing his statements as “inflammatory and damaging” to bilateral relations.

Economists have warned that lingering distrust could jeopardise the country’s standing under the Agoa agreement, particularly as the Trump administration is expected to adopt a more stringent trade policy, with a focus on America-first trade policies and heightened scrutiny of international partnerships.

But, International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola last week said Pretoria would “engage” Washington to strengthen ties, following his September visit to the US.

Lamola optimism about resolving issues related to trade, Agoa and the Pepfar HIV/Aids programme.

Agoa, enabling tariff-free African exports to the US, expires in 2025, while Pepfar targets ending HIV/Aids by 2030.

“Our relationship is dynamic and evolving. We’ve clarified our position with Congress, emphasising mutual benefits,” he said.

Although Brigety’s tenure was marked by diplomatic issues, he argues that he had made positive strides in the US-South Africa relations during his time in office, which saw an  increased economic cooperation and investment through Agoa.

He said the relationship supported more than 267 000 jobs in South Africa.

“Through Agoa, we have fostered investments in sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, minerals and transportation,” Brigety said, emphasising the economic benefits of the partnership.

“Our outreach to youth audiences across South Africa has engaged more than 210,000 young South Africans with programmes ranging from leadership and entrepreneurship to technology readiness. Our advising efforts have helped bright young South Africans receive R42 million in scholarships.”

Brigety highlighted advancements in technical and vocational education, particularly in renewable energy.

“We have strengthened TVET [Technical and Vocational Education and Training] and CET [Community Education and Training] institutions, equipping young people with the skills needed for employment and entrepreneurship, providing a pathway for job creation and innovation,” he added.

“Serving in this role and fostering the strong relationship between the United States and South Africa has been an immense honour,” he said.

“As I conclude my service, I extend my profound thanks to the government and people of South Africa for their hospitality and unwavering partnership.”

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Earlier this week, security forces blocked deliveries of food and water to the miners in a bid to push them out of the mine.

The miners experienced “starvation and dehydration” and were forced to resurface, police say.

Individuals have been emerging from the mine, located in the northern town of Orkney, since Saturday, though hundreds are believed to remain in the shaft.

On Sunday the national police boss encouraged security forces on the ground “not to back down” and to “ensure the rule of law is restored”, a statement from the force says.

The statement says that earlier this week, security forces “blocked communities in and around these abandoned mining shifts in Orkney from delivering food parcels, water and necessities to these illegal miners”.

The police reported on Saturday that 225 miners had resurfaced, but “hundreds if not a thousand” were thought to still be underground.

In an update on Sunday, the national force said an additional 340 had emerged from the mine and placed under arrest.

Thousands of illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” (“those who try their luck” in Zulu), operate in the mineral-rich country.

National Police Commissioner Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya said that since December 2023, more than 13,690 suspects have been arrested across seven provinces.

“We have seized R5 million ($283,000; $220,000) in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million ($1.8m; £1.4m),” he said.

By BBC News

The post South Africa Police Force 540 Illegal Miners from Abandoned Shaft appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Five family members, including a three-year-old boy, were killed at Mokokotlong, over 40 kilometres (24 miles) southwest of Johannesburg in the early hours of Sunday morning, police said. A neighbour and a family friend were also killed.

Police said the shooting occurred after a man had gone to a local tavern and, finding it closed, had an altercation with the tavern owner, who then followed him home.

According to authorities the tavern owner entered the home of the man and “opened fire at the family members” who had been gathered to celebrate a dowry ceremony. “The suspect then drove back home… where he allegedly shot himself. He was rushed to the hospital but he died on arrival” police said.

Four people survived the shooting including a one-year-old boy who was rushed to hospital along with another person.

South Africa has one of the highest peacetime per capita homicide rates in the world.

Last month unknown gunmen shot dead seven members of the same family, including three children, near the country’s east coast.

In another incident, 18 relatives were shot dead at a rural homestead in the country’s Eastern Cape Province.

Nearly 6,200 people were murdered in the country between April and June, according to police figures released in August.

By Agencies

The post Seven People Shot Dead In A Home In South Africa appeared first on KahawaTungu.

In less than two hours, the Grammy-winner managed to sell out tickets to the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg – the largest stadium in Africa with over 94,000 seats. Demand was so high that a second December date was added.

Despite the massive interest, the R ‘n’ B star has experienced a backlash from people who did not want him to perform due to his violent past.

“When I saw the news that Chris Brown was coming to South Africa, I was shocked and deeply disappointed,” said Sabina Walter, executive director of Women for Change, an organisation that advocates for the rights of women and children in South Africa.

The group has started a petition to stop the US artist from performing. It currently has over 20,000 signatures.

“The petition was started to send a strong message that we will not tolerate the celebration of individuals with a history of violence against women,” said Ms Walter, especially in a country like South Africa.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of femicide and gender-based violence in the world.

A rape is reported in the country roughly every 12 minutes and it is assumed that many more go unrecorded.

“When someone like Chris Brown is given a platform in a country where GBV is at crisis levels, it sends a damaging message – that fame and power outweigh accountability,” said Ms Walters.

The most well-known instance in Chris Brown’s history of abuse is the domestic dispute with singer Rihanna in 2009.

Chris Brown, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to assault and was sentenced to five years probation, community service and domestic violence counselling.

Although Rihanna forgave him and the pair briefly dated again after the incident, Chris Brown has also been accused of violence by other women – and men.

Women for Change says it wants to know how the Department of Home Affairs could grant “a convicted abuser” a visa.

For Ms Walter, the decision is “concerning and indicative of a systemic failure”.

According to South African law, having a previous conviction can result in a visa being denied. But there can be an exception for “good cause” and those are cleared by the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs.

Chris Brown has previously been banned from entering other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, although he has subsequently gone on to play in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.

But his South African fans are undeterred.

Former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng shared on X that she would be attending the Chris Brown concert.

“I am totally against GBV and condemn it. I believe that those who perpetrate GBV should face the full might of the law without exceptions or leniency.

“But let me be clear, just in case the message didn’t sit well: I am going to attend Brown’s concert if he comes. These two things are not mutually exclusive.

“To suggest that enjoying a concert aligns you with every past action of the artist is, at best, simplistic and, at worst, intellectually dishonest,” she said.

Prof Phakeng explained that “music is bigger than the individual”.

She added that boycotting Chris Brown’s concert wouldn’t end GBV in South Africa.

“Attending the concert does not magically erase our moral stance on GBV.”

Although this is not Chris Brown’s first concert in South Africa, there is huge excitement among his fans.

One said on X: “Chris Brown coming to South Africa??… I’ll take a loan for a meet & greet.”

“Chris Brown you don’t know us yet… but my wife and I will be those two microscopic fans in the stands singing and dancing to every jam!!!!” said another.

Ms Waters said she had even received threats because of her campaign against the US star.

“Supporters of Chris Brown seem ready to defend him at any cost,” she said.

“The criticism we are facing for our petition speaks volumes and actually reveals a deep disconnect in how we, as a society, view violence against women.”

She said that too often people were willing to “excuse abusive” behaviour when it comes to celebrities they admire.

Selective outrage is dangerous because it perpetuates the rape culture and high levels of violence women face every day, said Ms Walters.

President Cyril Ramaphosa accepts that South Africa has a huge problem with gender-based violence and in August, he called on the country’s men to take a stand.

“Our ultimate goal is to end gender-based violence altogether,” he said.

Yet this goal remains a distant one – little has changed five years after he called for action to tackle the country’s “rape crisis”.

This year alone, Women for Change has honoured over 200 women who have lost their lives to femicide.

“This fight isn’t just about this concert. It’s about changing the narrative in South Africa, where abusers are held accountable and where violence against women is never excused, overlooked, or forgotten.”

By BBC News

The post Chris Brown Concert Shines Spotlight on Violence Against Women in South Africa appeared first on KahawaTungu.

Imanuwela David, Ndilinasho Joseph and Froliana Joseph face charges that include house breaking and theft.

The three appeared at a regional court in Limpopo province where the case was postponed until Nov. 26, bail extended for the Joseph siblings arrested in November last year, while David was ordered to remain in custody.

The affair, dubbed “Farmgate”, came to light when South Africa’s former spy chief, Arthur Fraser, told police in June 2022 about the incident and accused Ramaphosa of money laundering, corruption and covering up a large theft of foreign currency. Ramaphosa, a wealthy and well-connected businessman before he became president, has denied any wrongdoing. In June 2023 the anti-corruption watchdog cleared him of a potential conflict of interest related to the money found inside a sofa on his Phala Phala game farm.

The affair nearly cost him leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) – a pre-requisite of being on the party’s ticket for this year’s presidential election – in late 2022 but he survived a challenge from other ANC members

HOW IT ALL STARTED

The affair came to light when South Africa’s former spy chief, Arthur Fraser, walked into a police station in June 2022 and accused him of money laundering, corruption and covering up a large theft of cash.

Fraser told police the thieves had raided Ramaphosa’s game farm in February 2020, found at least $4 million in foreign cash hidden in furniture, and made off with the money.

Police opened a criminal investigation and critics and the national press raised questions about how Ramaphosa had acquired the cash and whether he declared it to the tax authorities.

Ramaphosa said there had been a break-in and that a much smaller amount of cash – proceeds from the sale of game – had gone. He denied covering up the crime, saying he was away when it happened and that he reported it when he got the details.

The three on trial were arrested in November last year.

RAMIFICATIONS

It has all been a huge embarrassment for Ramaphosa, who has repeatedly spoken about taking a tough line on graft, although his opponents failed to use it to oust him as president. He had in 2018 ousted his predecessor Jacob Zuma on a promise to clean up corruption.

He led the ANC in the elections earlier this year and secured a second full presidential term, but the party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years, forcing it to share power with smaller rivals.

Following the formation of a new government, Helen Zille, senior politician in the Democratic Alliance, was quoted in local media as saying it would protect Ramaphosa from any potential impeachment motion on the issue.

THE INQUIRY

A report released by acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka found no evidence for the allegation that Ramaphosa violated his oath of office or exposed himself to a risk of conflict between his constitutional duties and his private interests.

The watchdog’s report documented a receipt for that amount related to the sale of buffalo, although the question of whether the money was reported to tax authorities was not within the scope of the watchdog’s investigation.

By Agencies

The post Three Accused In ‘Farmgate’ Ramaphosa Break-In Appear In South African Court appeared first on KahawaTungu.

The Springboks scored four first-half tries, with Aphelele Fassi grabbing two before assisting Cheslin Kolbe.

Player of the match Pieter-Steph du Toit also claimed the first of his two tries, while Argentina’s score came through fly-half Tomas Albornoz.

The turning point in the second half came when Pumas replacement Pablo Matera had a yellow card upgraded to a 20-minute red for making head contact when trying to clear out Vincent Koch.

With full-back Santiago Carreras joining Matera in the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on, Malcolm Marx took advantage from the back of a maul.

Du Toit scored again before centre Jesse Kriel got on the end of Handre Pollard’s dinked kick to score the final try of a ruthless display.

Victory means the Springboks also avenged last weekend’s one-point defeat in Argentina, which had denied them the title a week early.

“It has been a journey and a half. After last week the way we stood up says a lot about our team,” Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi told Sky Sports.

A shortened format in 2019 because of the Rugby World Cup means victory is the Springboks’ first in a full tournament since 2009 – prior to Argentina’s involvement in the competition.

The wins adds to Rassie Erasmus’ glittering coaching CV that now includes two World Cups, two Rugby Championships and a British and Irish Lions tour win.

Despite defeat, this was the first time the Pumas had beaten all three teams in the Rugby Championship to head into the final round still with an outside chance of the title.

They finished the championship in third place after New Zealand beat Australia earlier on Saturday to take the runners-up spot.

It was a historic 128th Springbok game for lock Eben Etzebeth, who surpassed Victor Matfield as his county’s most-capped player.

In a unique pre-game presentation, the 32-year-old’s name and cap number was set on fire, and while it slowly burnt out, Etzebeth was in tears as his team-mates sang the national anthem.

“I want to say to my best friend Eben that I am so grateful to be on this journey with you,” said Kolisi after the match.

“We have been together since we were 18 and you’ve been a true friend and you have led us in so many ways, with the way you play the game.

“I am so proud of you and pleased to be your friend. I can’t wait to tell my grandkids I played with Eben Etzebeth. Cheers, my friend, I love you!”

The positive from South Africa’s only championship defeat last week was it provided an opportunity to win a first championship in five years in front of home support.

It was a special atmosphere at Mbombela Stadium and the world champions wasted no time in lifting the noise as Fassi crashed over close to the posts for an early try.

A second quickly followed when flanker Du Toit leapt over the ruck to expertly ground the ball after a slight juggle.

There was a sense of inevitability but the Pumas, who successfully came from 17 points down last weekend, sent another reminder to not rule them out because of a slow start when Santiago Grondona broke clear and sent Albornoz in for their opening score.

However, with Mateo Carreras in the sin-bin for taking out Fassi in the air, South Africa exploited the space vacated and Kolbe popped the ball off the deck to Fassi, who grabbed his second try.

The full-back quickly returned the favour, and although Kolbe had plenty of work to do to finish, his dancing feet and power could not be stopped close to the tryline.

The Boks’ ruthlessness returned following poor discipline from the Pumas in the final quarter, with the pick of final three tries coming from Kriel, who latched onto Pollard’s delightful kick to punish Argentina for going down to 13 men.

By BBC Sports

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Two homesteads in the town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape were targeted, police said, with 12 women and one man killed in one location, and three women and one man at a second location.

An 18th victim is in a critical condition in hospital, the South Africa Police Service said.

The police ministers and commissioner were due to give a national briefing at 13:00 Saturday local time (12:00 BST).

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with about 20,000 murders recorded every year out of a population of over 60 million.

Police said in a statement that the shootings occurred in two separate homes in the village of Lusikisiki and that in total, 15 women and two men had been killed.

“In one house 13 people were killed, which included 12 women and one man. In another homestead, four people were also killed,” the South African Police Service said.

The motive for the attacks was not known but police said they had begun a manhunt for the shooters.

South African media outlets are reporting the victims were relatives and neighbours in Nyathi village, Ngobozana in Lusikisiki.

They said the group had been gathered at the houses to prepare to attend a traditional mourning ceremony when they were attacked on Friday night.

News outlet Dispatch Live quoted local Ingquza Hil mayor Nonkosi Pepping saying: “The gunmen came and shot randomly killing everyone. Women and children were also killed in the bloody shooting.

“This has left the community terrified.”

By Agencies

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