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The South African
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The South African
Five legendary actors who've never won an Oscar
The Oscars. The glitz, the glamour, the golden statuette worth over R1.3 million. For many actors, it's the ultimate prize. But some of Hollywood's finest have never taken one home. Here are five stars who, despite dazzling audiences, have never heard their name called on Oscar night. Johnny Depp is a master of transformation. From Captain Jack Sparrow to Edward Scissorhands, unforgettable performances have been delivered by him Yet, the Oscar has always slipped through his fingers. Depp has been nominated three times, for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl , Finding Neverland , and Sweeney Todd , according to Time Magazine Still, no win. As one fan put it, 'He disappears into every role. How has he not won?' Glenn Close is Hollywood royalty. She's been nominated eight times, for roles in films like Fatal Attraction and The Wife . But the golden statuette remains elusive. Close once joked, 'It's better to be nominated than to never be noticed.' Tom Cruise is a global superstar. He has run across rooftops, flown fighter jets, and even clung to the side of a plane. With three Oscar nominations for Born on the Fourth of July , Jerry Maguire , and Magnolia , Cruise has never won. However, he is due to receive an honorary Oscar soon. Still, he's one of the highest-paid actors, earning up to R2 billion per film. 'I don't do it for the awards,' Cruise once said. 'I do it for the audience.' Samuel L. Jackson's voice is unmistakable. His presence? Unmatched. He has delivered iconic lines and unforgettable moments from Pulp Fiction to Django Unchained. Yet, the Oscar has never landed in his hands. 'I should have won for Pulp Fiction ,' Jackson once quipped. 'But I'm still here, and I'm still working.' Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas to every role. He has wowed critics and audiences alike from Schindler's List to The Grand Budapest Hotel. Fiennes has earned several nominations, but he still has not reached the Oscars. One Academy voter even admitted, 'I thought he'd already won!' Sometimes, people simply take the best for granted. These actors prove that awards do not measure true greatness. Their talent inspires millions. As Glenn Close once said, 'Awards are wonderful, but the work is what matters.' In the end, it's the audience—South African and global—who decide who's truly unforgettable. 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 South African
12-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Wimbledon prize pot increases to whopping R1.3 BILLION
Wimbledon prize money will increase by seven percent to a record pot of £53.5 million (R1.3 billion) for this year's championships as pressure grows from players for a greater slice of Grand Slam profits. The winners of the men's and women's singles titles will each receive £3 million (R72.6 million), an increase of more than 11 percent on 2024, while a main draw spot is worth a minimum of £66 000 (R1.6 million), up 10 percent. The All England Club's announcement comes after growing player demands for a bigger share of revenue from the four majors. In April, 20 leading players sent a letter to the heads of the Grand Slams calling for greater contributions and discussions were held during the French Open. All England Club chairwoman Debbie Jevans said at Wimbledon's pre-tournament media briefing on Thursday the club was 'absolutely committed to continuing our longstanding commitment to player compensation'. 'We're immensely proud of the fact that if you look back 10 years, you can see the increase over that period (of 100 percent) and seven per cent this year,' she said. 'We have listened to the players, we have engaged with the players. Of course we will always listen and discuss with them but the focus on just the prize money at four events, the Grand Slams, does not get to the heart of what the challenge is with tennis. 'The challenge with tennis is the fact that the players don't have an off-season, which they want, they have increasing injuries that they're speaking about and we've always said that we as Wimbledon are willing to engage and talk with the tours to try and find solutions and that door remains open. 'As yet, there hasn't been any proposal to us as to how the tour is able to change its structure. 'There's a bigger picture here but, as a tennis player, they're always going to, I think, ask for more money.' In a major change at Wimbledon this year, line judges are being replaced by a live electronic calling system. The All England club follows the Australian Open and the US Open in implementing the change, though the French Open still uses human officials. Around 80 former officials will be employed this year as match assistants, with two on each court offering support to the umpire, while they will also provide back-up should the electronic system fail. Wimbledon runs from June 30 to July 13, with Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova the defending champions. 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. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Another year, another decline in DStv subscribers: Will Canal+ be buying a shell?
'Over this period, the group lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers and had to absorb a R10.2bn negative impact on its topline due to local currency depreciation against the US dollar.' Multichoice Group, parent company to DStv, has recorded another year of decline in subscribers. The announcement of another decline comes weeks after the Competition Commission approved the acquisition of the streaming company by French Media giant Canal+. At the rate the streaming network is losing subscribers, Canal+ might find itself buying a shell. Multichoice released its financial results for the year ended March 2025 on Wednesday, which revealed DStv lost subscribers, but not as many as the previous financial year. DStv struggles The streaming network stated that the past two financial years have been a period of significant financial disruption for economies, corporations, and consumers across sub-Saharan Africa, due to challenging macroeconomic factors. The macroeconomic factors were combined with the impact of structural industry changes in the video entertainment sector, including the rise of piracy, the emergence of streaming services, and the growth of social media. 'Over this period, the group lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers and had to absorb a R10.2bn negative impact on its topline due to local currency depreciation against the US dollar.' ALSO READ: MultiChoice profit nosedives with huge decline in subscribers Showmax not helping DStv Revenue declined by 9% to R50.8 billion, primarily due to an 11% drop in subscription revenue, and trading profit decreased to R4.0 billion. To address the decline in DStv subscribers, MultiChoice invested in Showmax, its online streaming platform. However, this strategy has not yielded any success. The Group said that Showmax's active paying customers increased by 44%. Despite this increase, its revenue still declined from R1.3 billion to R1.0 billion. Showmax's trading loss increased from R2.6 billion to R4.9 billion, highlighting the platform's accelerating financial losses. The future of MultiChoice 'Our performance reflects both the challenges we've faced and the resilience of our teams. While macroeconomic pressures and currency volatility have weighed on our results, our disciplined execution, cost management and investment in new long-term growth opportunities position us well for the future,' said Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO. MultiChoice's outlook includes: Stabilising the topline in the video businesses through focused retention initiatives, while supporting rapid topline growth in the group's interactive entertainment, fintech and insurance investees, Continuing to drive operating, cost and working capital efficiencies into the group to protect profitability and cash flows, Continuing to work with Canal+ towards a successful close of their mandatory offer, unlocking significant long-term benefits for the combined entities and their respective stakeholders. NOW READ: Competition Commission greenlights MultiChoice and Canal+ deal
The Citizen
08-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Are you one of the almost 16% who can afford a home loan over R1.3 million?
The question is not only if you can afford a home loan but if you can afford all the other expenses of owning a property. Recent research by an independent economist reveals that less than 16% of South Africans can genuinely afford homes priced above R1.3 million, underscoring a growing disparity between loan approvals and actual affordability. This raises questions about the financial sustainability of homeownership for the average buyer, Henri Le Grange, certified financial planner at Old Mutual Personal Finance, says. 'Qualifying for a bank loan does not necessarily mean you can afford all the costs that come with owning a home. 'The affordability gap often arises because banks assess loan eligibility primarily based on income thresholds, without considering your broader financial plan.' Le Grange says banks typically evaluate affordability based not only on gross income but also on disposable income, net income and previous monthly expenses. 'However, they consider past data and may not account for additional costs that come with homeownership, such as maintenance, insurance, or the impact of interest rate changes. ALSO READ: More SA consumers battling to pay their home loans and credit cards – report Some people get home loans but cannot afford true repayment 'As a result, I have seen customers approved for loans that exceed their true repayment capacity, threatening their financial well-being. This disconnect highlights the importance of seeking professional advice before buying a home.' Research by Izak Odendaal, Investment Strategist at Old Mutual Wealth, highlights key reasons why owning a home remains out of reach for many South Africans: stagnant wages, rising inflation and higher interest rates. 'South Africa's high interest rates and increasing property prices have made homeownership increasingly difficult. 'Many prospective buyers have been locked out of the market due to these combined factors, resulting in record-low affordability levels in the housing sector. 'Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make, and it is easy to underestimate the true cost of ownership. 'Many customers also overlook the ongoing costs tied to homeownership, such as maintenance, insurance, property taxes and utilities, all expenses that can place additional strain on household budgets over time.' ALSO READ: South Africans cannot afford their homes but also can't afford to sell them Financial adviser can help look at your financial long-term plan However, he says that a financial adviser can help customers look beyond simply qualifying for a loan and ensure they are financially prepared for the long term. 'Many customers focus only on whether they can afford the loan repayment, often neglecting their long-term goals. It is not just about paying the bond. You must plan effectively to secure your long-term financial well-being.' Le Grange says working with a financial adviser helps you to create a realistic budget and prepare for upfront as well as long-term costs. 'A solid financial plan ensures you are ready for the responsibilities that come with homeownership. The goal is to help customers avoid borrowing more than they can manage and stay financially secure in the future.' Le Grange encourages consumers to take these practical steps to check if they can afford a home loan before committing to one: #1: Prepare for ongoing and unexpected costs: When you buy a home, do not just budget for the deposit and monthly home loan payments. Ensure you are ready for other costs, such as repairs, maintenance and higher utility bills. There are also transfer duty, conveyancing fees and bond registration costs, which consumers often overlook. These costs can arise unexpectedly, and therefore it is important to set aside extra money to cover these expenses and avoid financial strain. ALSO READ: Thinking of buying your first home, here are five key issues to consider #2: Test your ability to make home loan repayments: Before committing to a home loan, try putting aside the amount you would pay each month into a savings account. This will help you to see if you can afford the repayment comfortably and, if necessary, adjust your spending habits to make sure you are ready for the commitment. #3: Think about changes in interest rates: Interest rates can change, which means your home loan repayments may increase in the future. It is a good idea to think about how a rate increase could affect your budget and make sure you are in a position to handle any changes to your repayment amount. #4: Choose a loan term that fits your budget: When you take out a home loan, think about how much time you want to pay it off. A shorter loan term will mean higher monthly payments, but you will pay less interest overall. A longer loan term can lower your payments, but you will pay more interest in the long run. Choose a loan term that works for your budget and future needs. ALSO READ: How to finance your home loan if you do not have a regular income #5: Speak with a financial adviser and have a financial plan in place A financial adviser can help you consider your overall financial situation and create a plan that works for your short-term and long-term goals. They can also highlight any risks or hidden costs and suggest the best strategy for managing your home loan while keeping your finances healthy. In a challenging economic environment, affordability and financial resilience have never been more important, Le Grange says. 'Now more than ever, making informed financial decisions is key to building a secure future. Speaking to a trusted financial adviser can help to ensure your choices support both your immediate needs and long-term goals.'
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Oops! Miscommunication sees construction start on bakery but at the wrong site in Durban
Homeland Security SA, a private security company with the Glenwood Urban Improvement Precinct (UIP), at the Davenport Park site in Umbilo. The metal rods protruding from the ground is where the concrete structure was going to be built. In the background is a community vegetable garden. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers The eThekwini Municipality's R6.7 million community bakery development programme got off to a bad start when construction started on one of them but on the wrong plot of land in Glenwood on Wednesday. In December 2024, the Economic Development and Planning Committee received support from council to fund five bakeries in ward 01: KwaXimba, Ward 94: KwaMakhutha, Ward 32: Albert Park, Ward 61: Tongaat and Ward 107: Ntuzuma/lnanda, during the 2024 and 2025 financial year. The cost per bakery container is R1.3 million. Two years ago Davenport Park was a crime hotspot and based on a park adoption agreement with the parks department, the Association Montessori International (AMI) and Umbilo Business Association(UBA) regenerated this ward 33 park. The lower Glenwood area has become notorious for prostitution and drug dealing on vacant land, in abandoned buildings and on street corners. The UBA policy director Ian Campbell-Gillies said three full time gardening jobs funded by both AMI and the UBA resulted in an urban farming operation of outstanding success in terms of regenerating the area and lowering crime. According to sources, a group of men arrived in a bakkie with building material at Davenport Park alongside the urban farming operation, a vegetable garden, on Wednesday. The men began constructing a cement pedestal for the bakery operation before it was halted when Durban Metro Police arrived together with parks department officials and the ward councillor. Following a discussion between ward 32 Councillor Protas Ngonyama and ward 33 Councillor Fran Kristofer the matter had been resolved after it was discovered that there could have been a misunderstanding with ward demarcations. Both councillors initially declined to comment further but Ngonyama later said that the bakery project would be placed on Dunkirk Park, within his ward in Umbilo. In a report to eThekwini council, it stated that the bakery programme is critical for achieving rural and township recovery objectives. The programme will also assist the city to contribute towards job creation and creation of sustainable livelihoods through supporting the development of Township-Based Enterprises, Co-operatives and Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). The report stated that the programme supports unemployed women, youth, people with disabilities and veterans, through the provision of fully equipped container bakeries and capacitating them to run sustainable businesses. This is aimed at affording them with proper and decent working facilities to produce high quality bakery products, easy access to their markets and creating employment within their areas. The report stated that the development of bakery facilities/industry within eThekwini is gaining momentum. Other benefits from the programme were: To enable customers attraction and diversification of product offerings Production of high-quality baked goods such as, bread, rolls and muffins combination of nutrition, convenience and luxury Linkages with other initiatives or complementing programs such soup kitchens community gatherings, local traditional events, church gatherings, stokvels School nutrition Provision of capacity building initiatives such as mentorship, business management and technical training [email protected]
