Latest news with #SouthAfricans
The Star
20 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Floyd Shivambu plots new political party amid Zuma coup accusations
Former MK party secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, has declared the start of the process to create a new political party following accusations that he attempted to topple former president Jacob Zuma as the MKP leader. Speaking at a press briefing at the Mhulu Luxury Boutique Hotel in Midrand on Thursday, Shivambu said they will be consulting with all traditional leaders, church leaders, and civilians over the next few months on the formation of the party. 'We will be seeking the wisdom of ordinary South Africans, including all the churches of Zion Christian Church of Nazareth Baptist Church and IPCC… Michael Nkuna, Dr Irvin Khoza, Patrice Motsepe, and Kaizer Motaung on the need to form a new political party. 'If yes, what should be the values of that political party and what should differentiate it from other political parties?' he said. However, Shivambu insisted he was not leaving MKP, brushing off the question about dual membership. 'I have not resigned from uMkhonto weSizwe. I will never resign from uMkhonto weSizwe,' he said, sticking to his word that joining Zuma's party was the best decision ever. Shivambu stated that the consultations needed to be the answer to why and how the party should be funded. He said the party on the pipelines is not going to be a personal project, a cult or a group of friends. He added that they will announce the leadership that is going to lead the consultations. Shivambu dropped a political bombshell during a media briefing, claiming he'd been accused of plotting to overthrow Zuma and take over. He slammed what he called a 'bizarre and fabricated intelligence report,' alleging it accused him of wielding 'supernatural powers' capable of making people vanish — charges he dismissed as absurd and politically motivated. 'There's nothing I do in private that I won't own publicly,' Shivambu declared defiantly. His explosive comments come amid a wave of infighting that's torn through the MK Party.
The South African
an hour ago
- Politics
- The South African
Housewife to 'Hottest MP': Duduzile Zuma's qualifications revealed
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla – the daughter of Jacob Zuma and supposed arch nemesis of Floyd Shivambu – is widely known for her shock X rants and raunchy TikTok videos. But what qualifications does the self-proclaimed 'hottest member of parliament' have? Since taking up rank in the MK Party, the mother-of-two has been criticised for her lack of political experience and general knowledge. She has also been accused of abusing drugs – allegations she has yet to address. Duduzile is the twin sister of Duduzane, who has also gone into politics. Their mother – the late Kate Mantsho – died in 2000 in an alleged suicide. After being indirectly embarrassed by Floyd Shivambu, all eyes are on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's next move. While some await another heated X rant, others want to know how Zuma's daughter is qualified to govern in the MK Party's inner core management. Speaking to DJ Warras on The Shady Podcast last year, Duduzile revealed that she had no political experience. While she graduated from Wits Business School – for a qualification she did not disclose – she considered herself a stay-at-home mom and housewife. Did Floyd Shivambu accuse Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of taking drugs? Images via X: @floydshivambu @ZumaSambudla/ In the lead-up to the official launch of the MK Party, Duduzile embarked on her first political campaign with her father, Jacob Zuma. She said of politics, 'I love it. I have a bit of understanding of it now.' When asked if she was considered MK Party top brass, she confidently added: 'My father is the head. But I am the neck.' She added: 'I sit in the core. I vote with other comrades; we make decisions, we debate.' Amid the public criticism, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla urged South Africans to give her a chance to prove herself. During last year's vote count, the estranged wife of Lonwaba Sambudla was ridiculed over her comments about the MK Party's mission. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Duduzile was questioned on what the MK Party could offer South Africans. She responded: 'The same kind of government that we had under President Jacob Zuma, those amazing nine years, very similar. Speaking to the Sowetan , Duduzile Zuma was again questioned on the agenda of the MK Party. She said: 'Doing what the President said under his economy, which is great. We will just go back to that. Because the economy under Cyril Ramaphosa was dismal'. When asked to elaborate on two key points in their economic plan, Duduzile responded: 'We'll probably look at things like the repo rate to assist in bringing down food prices or whatever. Things to alleviate poverty and too much strain on the pocket of the people'. In the midst of it, Duduzile told the Daily Maverick: 'It is something I'm still learning and overwhelmed by. But happy to be here and part of the change the country and the world needs.' Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's history with the controversial Gupta family is no secret. Both Duduzile and her twin Duduzane were hired to work for the brothers Ajay, Atul, and Rajesh's Sahara Group company. The daughter of Jacob Zuma was given the title of director at Sahara Computers in 2008, months before he was elected president of South Africa. She later resigned amid public scrutiny. The brothers – who alongside Zuma's son Duduzane were accused of fraudulently securing government tenders – have since fled South Africa amid charges of treason, racketeering, extortion, fraud, and forgery. 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
an hour ago
- Science
- IOL News
No stings attached: SA buzzes toward national beekeeping association
LOCAL and international experts gathered in the Valley of 1000 Hills for a symposium aimed at formalising a national bee-industry body, and raising awareness about the benefits of apitherapy and honeybee products. Left to right: Sandra Hedges (Midlands), Uwe Jansen (Germany), Hannah Paine (Macnut Farm), Dr Stefan Stângaciu (Romania), and (front) Inge Austin (Mpumalanga). Image: Supplied. AS concerns around food security, climate change, and biodiversity grow louder, South Africa's bee industry is finding its voice, and urgently so. This week, a one-day workshop at Macnut Farm in the Valley of 1000 Hills formed part of a national push to formalise the country's fragmented apitherapy and beekeeping sectors into a united force. Held under the banner 'Bee the Future', the event in KZN was one of several taking place across the country; in Nelspruit, Centurion, Somerset West and 1000 Hills; as part of a 10-day mobile symposium tour aimed at establishing a national bee-industry body and raising awareness about the critical benefits of apitherapy and honeybee products. The event was led by two international authorities: Dr. Stefan Stângaciu (Romania), President of the World Apitherapy Federation, and Uwe Jansen (Germany), Executive Secretary of the International Federation of Apitherapy. They were joined by South African industry experts, health practitioners, academics and beekeepers. Inge Austin, chairperson of the Mpumalanga branch of the Northern Beekeepers Association and board member of the South African Bee Industry Organisation (SABIO) says that bees are not just a 'nice to have' they are essential. 'The South African economy is pretty much dependent upon bees,' she said. While the statement may sound extreme, experts say that without bees, many of the crops South Africans depend on would fail, thereby triggering a collapse across farming, logistics, trade and retail. That's because pollinators are essential to agriculture and food production. Globally, bee populations are in decline, placing food systems and ecosystems at risk. Beyond their pollination role, bees offer six raw hive products: honey, pollen, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and venom — all with medicinal and therapeutic properties central to apitherapy. Austin pointed out that these products are not yet fully recognised or utilised in South Africa. 'Many of these commodities are undervalued by both beekeepers and consumers alike. Utilizing the apitherapy values of these products could provide a more continuous income source for beekeepers who are currently only dependent on honey sales — which are usually only harvested once or twice a year. Pollen and propolis, for instance, could be harvested much more regularly providing continuous income for the beekeeper,' she said. 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 ✕ Ad loading Right now, beekeepers, holistic practitioners, and producers are working in isolation, something that the 'Bee the Future' initiative is pushing hard to change. Sandra Hedges, holistic health practitioner from Nottingham Road says,'Currently our industry is segregated. Hedges who is training in apitherapy under Dr. Stângaciu, is helping spearhead efforts to launch a South African Apitherapy Association. 'The symposia are working towards practitioners uniting, sharing resources and skills and learning about best practices and trends globally. We are formalising a national body to join other organisations globally. We all see the value and potential of working together, lobbying and educating,' she said. Hedges said they want to engage more with western medical doctors, farmers, rural beekeepers and naturopathic integrated practitioners. "... we want to standardise qualifications and get them globally recognised and have open discussions about potential business opportunities and market outlets for bee products.' The KZN workshop which was attended by 25 participants, focused on Farm-to-Hive Sustainability and showcased Macnut Farm's pioneering beehive air immersive therapy room, believed to be one of the first in the country. Macnut also produces and sells honey, mead and bee-based products. Experts say that South Africa's bee sector stands at a crossroads and with global momentum building around apitherapy and natural health, and mounting threats to biodiversity, the time to organise, educate, and act, is now.
The Star
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Floyd Shivambu reveals 'the truth' behind his firing as MK Party Secretary-General
Mashudu Sadike | Published 3 hours ago Former uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has revealed that his removal from the position was due to a fake intelligence report claiming he wanted to overthrow party leader Jacob Zuma. Shivambu made the revelation during a media briefing at the Mhulu Hotel in Midrand, Johannesburg, where he also announced plans to consult with South Africans on forming a new political party. According to Shivambu, the fake intelligence report alleged that he was accumulating supernatural powers to make people disappear and was plotting to dethrone Zuma as party leader. However, Shivambu rejected the report with contempt, stating, "It was extremely bizarre and a fake intelligence report that I was about to overthrow Zuma and that I had supernatural powers to make people disappear." Shivambu claimed that Zuma is surrounded by "political scoundrels" who are taking advantage of his age and kindness to influence him to make decisions that favor their agendas. He further alleged that these individuals are siphoning off millions from the party and that his leadership was being undermined. Shivambu's demotion was announced by the party on June 3, with the reason cited as his visit to fugitive pastor Shepherd Bushiri's church in Malawi over the Easter weekend. However, Shivambu maintained that this was not the real reason for his removal. He said Zuma had initially agreed to his trip to Malawi, but later reversed his decision after being influenced by those around him. 'I last spoke to President Jacob Zuma when we had the press conference in Durban when I was relieved of my duties. I thanked him for having given me an opportunity to serve as a leader in the organisation,' he said. Shivambu further said Zuma agreed to him when they were visiting Namibia that he could go to Malawi. 'He said ngiyakhumbula (Zulu for I remember)...then he said yebo (yes)," Shivambu revealed. Shivambu's future in the party has been uncertain since his removal as secretary-general. In response, he announced that he would consult with various communities and groups to gauge whether he should launch his own political party. This move comes after Zuma's scathing speech, where he took a veiled swipe at Shivambu, saying the party would not beg anyone who did wrong, no matter how popular they were. Shivambu emphasised that he remains a member of the MK Party and will not resign, despite the uncertainty surrounding his membership. "I'm saying that we are going to consult with the people of South Africa and if uMkhonto weSizwe believes that going to listen to people violates that constitution then it will tell me that." However h e took a swipe at both leaders of his former organisations, the EFF and the MKP saying members of the respective parties don't have courage to face their leaders when they are wrong. 'Everybody knew I was leaving EFF. We all discussed it and reached the same conclusion that we are not being fair to society that this comrade (Malema) would lead the country. We all agreed, even with the people that are leading the EFF now. 'For those who are saying if he wanted to destabilise the party I would have started a faction inside and caused ructions. In the coming months, Shivambu plans to consult with traditional leaders, church leaders, and different institutions to determine whether there is a need for a new political party. He emphasized that this would not be a personal project but rather a representation of the people's will. Shivambu said he would never join the ANC because it was disorganised and the EFF a cult. MKP spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela had not yet responded to any questions at the time of going to print. However sources within the MKP said that Shivambu had played a huge gamble and was probably going to be expelled for saying that he did not care if he was expelled. Political analyst Sandile Swana believes Shivambu's move is a clear indication that he is forming an alternative political party. "There is no question that the step that Floyd has taken today is forming an alternative political party. An alternative to the MKP and a new home for disgruntled EFF, MKP, and ANC members." Swana further noted that Shivambu's actions are similar to Zuma's, who makes decisions outside of formal structures and is guided by those around him. "Floyd is the accumulation, manifestation, and personification. A younger version of a chaotic Zuma. This is the apex of political chaos, that is Floyd." [email protected]
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Global Wealth Report: More dollar millionaires in SA, but also bigger inequality
The latest Global Wealth Report shows that the world became richer but it is a mixed picture, with most of the growth in North America. The Global Wealth Report for 2025 shows an increase in global wealth, but unfortunately South Africa did not share in this growth, while the country continues to be one of the most unequal countries in the world. It did, however, see an increase in dollar millionaires. UBS, a wealth manager and universal bank in Switzerland, compiles the Global Wealth Report with insights into personal wealth. The latest edition analyses 56 markets, estimated to represent over 92% of the world's wealth. The world's wealth landscape continued to evolve In a year marked by shifting economic tides and the data in the report echoes this. According to the report, global wealth increased by 4.6% in 2024 after a 4.2% increase in 2023, but it also shows that South Africa experienced negative real growth in average wealth per adult in 2023 and 2024. South Africa finds itself among the countries in negative territory for average as well as median wealth growth, alongside countries such as India, the UAE and Turkey. ALSO READ: SA still the most unequal country in the world – Oxfam Global Wealth Report shows inequality in SA In addition, South Africa ranked third-highest in the world for wealth inequality, with a Gini Coefficient of 0.81, just behind Brazil (0.82) and Russia (0.82), and equal to the UAE. This chart shows the wealth inequality in the world: ALSO READ: Six South Africans on Forbes Real-Time Billionaire list Global Wealth Report also had good news for SA However, South Africa did see a positive increase in dollar millionaires with a growth rate just under 2% but still indicating increasing upper-tier wealth and supporting the wider Everyday Millionaire trend. As an emerging market, South Africa is listed as one of the 15 emerging economies that collectively hold up to 30% of global wealth as of 2024, a statistic that has remained relatively flat since 2017. Iqbal Khan, co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management, says the speed of growth was far from uniform, largely tilted towards North America, with the Americas overall accounting for the majority of the increase, with more than 11%. 'A stable US dollar and buoyant financial markets were key contributors to this growth. Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) were lagging behind, with growth rates of below 3% and less than 0.5% respectively.' ALSO READ: Where do the super-rich in SA live? Trends identified in the Global Wealth Report The 16th edition of the Global Wealth Report highlights these regional and demographic themes: Adults in North America were the wealthiest on average ($593 347) in 2024, followed by Oceania ($496 696) and Western Europe ($287 688). However, measured in US dollar, in real terms over half of the 56 markets in the sample not only did not take part in the world's growth last year, but saw their average wealth per adult decline. Despite this, Switzerland continued to top the list for average wealth per adult on an individual market level, followed by the US, Hong Kong and Luxembourg. Denmark, South Korea, Sweden, Ireland, Poland and Croatia recorded the biggest increases in average wealth, all growing at double-digit rates when measured in local currencies. The number of dollar millionaires increased by 1.2% in 2024, an increase of more than 684 000 people compared to the previous year, with the US adding over 379 000 new millionaires – more than 1 000 a day. The US, mainland China and France had the highest number of dollar millionaires, with the US accounting for almost 40% of global millionaires. There has been a marked and consistent increase in wealth all across the world over the past 25 years, both overall and in each main region individually. Total wealth increased at a compound annual growth rate of 3.4% since 2000. This decade, the wealth band below $10 000 ceased to be the most populated one in the sample, overtaken by the next-higher band between $10 000 and $100 000. Over the next five years, the report's projections for average wealth per adult point to continued growth, with the expansion led by the US as well as Greater China, Latin America and Oceania. ALSO READ: Bill Gates explains why his children will inherit less than 1% of his wealth This chart shows the change in total personal wealth from 203 to 2024: Khan also points out that this year's report highlights the rise of the Everyday MILLIonaire (EMILLIs), everyday millionaires with investable assets of between $1 million to $5 million. Their numbers have more than quadrupled since 2000, reaching around 52 million globally by the end of last year. This group now accounts for approximately $107 trillion in total wealth, approaching the $119 trillion held by individuals with over $5 million in assets. Khan says the growth of this segment has largely been driven by increasing real estate prices and exchange rate effects. 'Despite regional differences, the long-term upward trend in the Everyday Millionaire group is visible around the globe.' ALSO READ: Want to build wealth? This is how Differences in wealth distribution among generations The Global Wealth Report also highlights the differences in wealth distribution among generations in the US. It shows that Millennials (born after 1981) have the highest proportion of their assets in consumer durables and real estate and invest more heavily in private businesses. Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) hold over $83 trillion in net wealth, far surpassing Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980), the Silent Generation (born before 1945) and Millennials. Khan points out that globally, wealth allocation also varies, with the US standing out with its high allocation in financial investments, Australia in real estate and Singapore in insurance and pensions. 'Over the next 20–25 years, more than $83 trillion is expected to be transferred, with $9 trillion moving horizontally between spouses and $74 trillion moving between generations. The largest volume of wealth transfers is anticipated in the US of over $29 trillion, Brazil with nearly $9 trillion and mainland China with more than $5 trillion). ALSO READ: Wealth gap widens, ANC dodges wealth tax Global wealth expected to grow Robert Karofsky, co-president of UBS Global Wealth Management, says with global wealth expected to continue to grow, the ability to manage that wealth in a dynamic and complex financial environment becomes even more important, requiring strategic foresight and expert guidance. Paul Donovan, chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, notes that wealth is not just an economic measure but a social and political force. 'As we navigate the fourth industrial revolution and increasing public debt, the way wealth is distributed and transferred will shape opportunity, policy and progress. 'This year's report underscores the evolutionary shifts in wealth ownership, especially the growing influence of women and the enduring importance of property and long-term asset trends.'
