Latest news with #for
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Government plans national lottery: A shift toward state control amid concerns of corruption
Since its inception, a private company has been responsible for operating the lottery and selling tickets. That is set to change in 2034. The government plans to introduce a state-run national lottery instead of using a private operator, as has been the case since the Lotto was launched 25 years ago. Details of the intention to effectively nationalise the lottery were revealed in a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the latest operator licence, which has been awarded to the Sizekhaya Consortium. If a state lottery were to be implemented, it would only happen in 2034, when Sizekhaya's eight-year licence, which commences on 1 June 2026, expires. The concept of a state-run lottery was first introduced in a 2013 amendment to the Lotteries Act but was never implemented. National Lotteries Commission commissioner Jodi Scholtz told GroundUp that the provision for a state-run national lottery in the amendment 'was in part a response to the disruption experienced in 2007, when the country found itself without an active lottery operator for several months' due to litigation. 'This legislative provision was intended to ensure continuity of the lottery and protect public interest and revenue streams designated for good causes, should similar challenges arise in the future,' she said. The issue of a state-run lottery was hotly debated by the trade and industry portfolio committee during the previous, sixth Parliament. There were disagreements among MPs about the wisdom of nationalising the lottery, with some arguing that in light of the corruption at state entities this could lead to further misappropriation of funds. Those who were for nationalisation said it would reduce profiteering by the licence holder. One of the champions for nationalisation was former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board member Dr Muthuhadini Madzivhandila, who argued for a state-run lottery when he unsuccessfully applied for the post of NLC chairperson. Madzivhandi, who subsequently died, corruptly benefited from lottery grants. Since the amendment, several policy and legal review processes had been conducted 'to explore the practical implementation of this provision,' said Scholtz. Yamkela Fanisi, the spokesperson of trade, industry and competition minister Parks Tau, failed to respond to questions about the prospect of a state-run lottery and the reasons for the possible change. Transition to state lottery In terms of the Request For Proposals, bidders for the fourth lottery licence were 'required to commit to positioning the state to transition from privately operated National Lottery and National Sports Pool operations to a state-owned and operated National Lottery'. Applicants were informed that they had to 'demonstrate their ability to capacitate the state to prepare for and ultimately become the operator of the National Lottery and the National Sports Pool at the expiry of the Licence Period'. They were also required to provide a plan for how they would 'support the state in developing the necessary infrastructure, skills, and capacity to operate the National Lottery and Sports Pool' — a key part of the Request For Proposals deals with the transfer of rights to technology to operate the lottery. Responding to questions, Sizekhaya sent an unsigned written reply: 'Genlot [its Chinese tech partner] has assigned intellectual property rights for its lottery software to its 51% locally owned subsidiary, Genlot SA.' In terms of its agreement, Genlot SA is authorised to transfer this intellectual property (IP) to 'the South African state if it decides to operate the lottery in the future', Sizekhaya responded, declining to disclose details of the terms and conditions of such a rights transfer. Opening the door to corruption and waste The prospect of a state-run lottery opening the door to corruption and inefficiencies in light of what happened at many parastatals and government entities, where billions of rand were lost, was raised by some critics. The DA's Mat Cuthbert, who played a key role in Parliament in helping expose the endemic corruption that overwhelmed the National Lotteries Commission under its previous leadership, said: 'At the time, the National Lotteries Commission only had access to approximately 34% of all revenue generated by the National Lottery, housed under the NLDTF (National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.) One can only imagine how much more public funding would have been stolen had they had access to the approximately R7-billion generated in ticket sales revenue per annum.' Professor Alex van den Heever of the Wits School of Governance was also sceptical of a state-run lottery. The wide discretion granted to the minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to appoint the board, commissioner and distributing agencies 'has been a recipe for corruption as a single person appoints all the strategic decision-makers', he said. The move to a proposed 'state-led approach failed to address the corporate governance flaws of the original configuration', Van den Heever said. 'Ministerial discretion, the likely driver of structural corruption to date, is retained at the same levels as before. There is therefore a high likelihood of ministerial overreach, exacerbated by a general absence of independent supervision, institutional safeguards, added to the uncertain capabilities of state structures. 'It is my expectation that this approach is designed to facilitate state capture and corruption of various forms — improper appointments, corruption in procurement and the selection of distributing agencies. The new provisions specify that certain accountability structures need to be implemented, which are inadequate, with their design and implementation vulnerable to the wide discretion of the minister. This discretion enables the minister to circumvent any implemented formal structures. 'When power is concentrated, circumvention is relatively straightforward. In my assessment, the same levels of corruption as before are likely to persist into the future. Nothing is cured by this change.' DM
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Entertain or Fade Away: The New Imperative for Brands
By Prasoon Joshi Lines between advertising and entertainment have been blurring for quite some time now. Today, we openly acknowledge the role of entertainment in messaging—reflected in its recognition as a separate category at festivals like Cannes. But if we look back at the fundamentals of advertising, entertainment has always been rooted in its essence. We needed creativity to communicate. The subtle art of crafting a message was always valued. But somewhere along the way, we tried to crack a formula or templatize the process, and it became predictable. We forgot how to reward the audience. That's where entertainment re-emerged, reminding us of a basic truth. While judging at Cannes this year, one thought kept returning to me: to share an idea, you must first engage. You need to entertain. McCann Worldgroup's 17-minute documentary on Ilon Specht, which won multiple honors, served as a reminder that long-form storytelling, when done with authenticity and emotional depth, can build brand equity with lasting resonance. It might not look like a conventional ad, but it communicates with grace and intention. It also reminded us that entertaining doesn't always mean making people laugh or dance. It can be serious—but it still needs to connect, to strike a chord. And this documentary did that beautifully. Today, creative power rests with filmmakers, gamers, poets, editors, and storytellers. Collaboration is essential. Some of the strongest work this year came from hybrid teams—strategists, filmmakers, copywriters, producers—blending perspectives and expertise. Today's creatives are hybrids: producer-directors, strategist-anthropologists, creator-editors. Advertising is no longer just a medium; it is a cultural stage where content and collective experience merge. The future of branded content lies in human stories created within platform-native ecosystems. The Entertainment Lions for Music and Sport are brimming with brand-artist collaborations, sonic branding, and narrative music videos that feel like mainstream releases. More than ever, brands are not just observers of entertainment culture—they are active participants. This calls for a shift from announcement to narrative, from presence to participation. As creative leaders, our goal is not merely to craft better ads—but to build ecosystems of meaning. Campaigns that people choose to engage with. That become part of their lives. That feel less like marketing and more like memory. Our opportunity lies in creating not just ads, but culture-rich, resonant, and measurable entertainment ecosystems. Audiences are demanding, and platforms are evolving. And as the Cannes Lions Festival underscored: entertain—or fade away. (The writer, Chief Creative Officer & CEO, McCann Worldgroup India and Chairman McCann Worldgroup APAC, is an attendee at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity 2025. Views expressed are personal.)
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Kerry nurse wins major award at Tallaght University Hospital
These annual staff awards recognise employees who go above and beyond in their dedication, service, and leadership. Since the awards were launched in 2019, they have honoured exceptional individuals/teams across the hospital, highlighting their contributions to excellence in healthcare and support to their colleagues. These most recent winners were celebrated at a special awards ceremony held in the hospital's Centre for Learning & Development. Their families and colleagues gathered to recognise their achievements and contributions. Michelle is former student of the Presentation Secondary School in Listowel and along with her nursing colleague Clodagh Glynn frim Kildare, she won the Teamwork Award. Both Michelle and Clodagh are both Lung Cancer Nurse Coordinators at the Hospital. The colleague who nominated then for the Teamwork Award said: 'I am proud to nominate Michelle and Clodagh in recognition of their outstanding commitment, collaboration, and service to the lung cancer service over the past 20 years. Working in a non-designated cancer centre, they have provided a lung cancer service equivalent to that of larger, designated centres. 'What sets them apart is not only their resilience and professionalism under pressure, but their drive to improve the system itself. They embody the essence of teamwork — consistently supporting each other, sharing responsibilities seamlessly, and demonstrating a quiet, sustained excellence that has earned them the deep respect of colleagues across disciplines. They are the definition of a high-functioning team and have had an immeasurable impact on patient care, staff morale, and the reputation of our service.'
Mint
2 days ago
- Business
- Mint
HDB Financial Services IPO to open next week; grey market signals over ₹100 premium
The HDB Financial IPO is set to commence on June 25 and will end on June 27. HDB Financial IPO price band of the non-banking lending division of HDFC Bank Ltd will be revealed tomorrow, Friday, June 20. The anchor investor bidding will take place on Tuesday, June 24. HDFC Bank announced in its exchange filing today that HDB Financial Services Ltd (HDBFS) has filed Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) to the Registrar of Companies. '….we wish to inform you that HDBFS has filed a RHP dated June 19, 2025 with the Registrar of Companies, Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli at Ahmedabad in connection with its Initial Public Offer (IPO) of equity shares,' said the private bank in its filing. The IPO consists of a new issue of ₹ 2,500 crore along with an Offer for Sale of ₹ 10,000 crore from HDFC Bank. The document also indicated that there will be a reservation for subscriptions by the company's eligible employees and qualifying HDFC Bank shareholders as specified in the RHP. Currently, HDFC Bank owns a 94.3% share in HDB Financial prior to the IPO. HDB Financial Services operates with 1,680 branches and maintains a diversified asset under management (AUM) portfolio, placing significant emphasis on retail and SME financing. The company's major loan categories include vehicle financing and loans secured by property. For the quarter ending March 31, HDB Financial Services reported a profit of 5.3 billion rupees, while its net revenue was recorded at 26.2 billion rupees. According to reports, the company's total loan portfolio amounted to 1.07 trillion rupees as of the end of March. Tentatively, HDB Financial Services IPO basis of allotment of shares will be finalised on Monday, June 30 and the company will initiate refunds on Tuesday, July 1, while the shares will be credited to the demat account of allottees on the same day following refund. HDB Financial Services share price is likely to be listed on BSE and NSE on Wednesday, July 2. Based on information from the minimum grey market premium (GMP) is ₹ 0.00, and the maximum GMP stands at ₹ 104.50. Ahead of the company fixes its price band, the current grey market premium (GMP) is ₹ 103.
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Attack on Iran is Israel and the US's latest step in implementing Mideast regime change
As Middle East tensions spiral, and the prospect of a broader regional war intensifies, it's important to examine previous steps the US and Israel took over the years towards regime change and hegemonic control of the region. Israel's attack on Iran is the culmination of Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu's threats to bomb Iran for years. He first stated in 1992, when he was a parliamentary member, that Iran was three to five years away from a nuclear bomb. In his 1995 book Fighting Terrorism, Netanyahu warned that Iran was 'five to seven years at most' from assembling a nuclear weapon. In 1996 a policy document called A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm, prepared by a study group led by American neoconservative Richard Perle, was presented to Netanyahu who was also prime minister then. The document argued for regional regime changes rather than pursuing peace talks with the Arab world. Perle was a member of a former neoconservative think-tank Project for a New American Century which drummed up support for the invasion of Iraq in 2003 on false claims of possession of weapons of mass destruction following the attack on New York's Twin Towers in 2001. Most of the attackers were from Saudi Arabia, an ally of the US. Although the claims of Saddam Hussein having weapons of mass destruction were later proved false, there was a regime change as planned. In 2006, US General Wesley Clarke received a classified memo outlining a new military strategy of toppling seven countries over five years. Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran were perceived as being hostile to Israel and the US. During his various premierships Netanyahu repeatedly warned that an Israeli attack on Iran was imminent as several mock attacks on Tehran were carried out by Israeli security forces. Netanyahu's political ambitions not only demanded the overthrow of Iran, as the prize jewel in his crown, but his Likud party's 1977 charter further outlines that Israeli territory would cover all land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River, effectively incorporating the West Bank which Israel is in the process of annexing. So far more than 40,000 Palestinians have been ethnically cleansed from towns and cities throughout the West Bank alone by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The UN has also outlined a spike in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian homes and property, with support from the IDF, which has led to whole rural communities being displaced. Likud also calls for the permanent occupation of Syria's Golan Heights while many right-wing settlers have called for Israel to reoccupy Gaza – once the Palestinians have been permanently driven out as previously outlined by the Israeli Intelligence Ministry. Another reason for Netanyahu wanting Israel's wars to last as long as possible is to escape the very real possibility of jail terms should he be convicted on several pending fraud and corruption charges which have been put on hold due to the military escalation. An Israeli documentary, The Bibi Files, brilliantly outlines clearly how the Israeli premier's arrogance, his sense of entitlement, fear of jail and a conviction of a divine calling encourage his warmongering – aided and abetted by convicted, extremist ministers serving in his governing coalition. That Iran is hostile to Israel and has armed, trained and financed proxy militias in the region is undeniable. However, Ayatollah Khamenei spoke about a fatwa, or religious edict, against Iran building a nuclear weapon while Tehran stated repeatedly it would not attack Israel unless first attacked. The Iranians argue that their support for the Palestinian cause and resistance aligns with their historical ideology as UN and international bodies report that Israel is guilty of apartheid policies and is responsible for carrying out war crimes and genocide in both Gaza and the West Bank. They also accuse Washington of blindly bankrolling Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian land politically, militarily and economically to the tune of billions of dollars annually. While the US's official position previously has always been in support of a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Americans have turned a blind eye to Israel's continued expropriation of Palestinian land and the accompanying human rights abuses, with full American support. Furthermore, Trump's government is full of Christian and Jewish Zionists who believe in Israel's right to all the land based on biblical prophecy. Before Israel's attack on Iran there appeared to be some flexibility among the US negotiating team for allowing Iran a small amount of enriched uranium for civilian purposes only. However, after Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea met US envoy Steve Witkoff for talks, before the next round of nuclear talks in Oman, Trump doubled down on zero enrichment, despite the director of US National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, arguing that Iran was not developing a nuclear weapon. The 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and the US allowed Iran to enrich uranium up to 3.67% under International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring before Trump pulled out of the deal. After the Americans pulled out of the deal the Iranians accelerated their enrichment. Ironically, the Israelis are reliably reported to have several nuclear bombs, have never signed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, and don't allow international nuclear inspectors into the country. Furthermore, following Israel's attack the Iranian parliament is now preparing a bill to leave the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Israel's Arab neighbours are also accused by critics of being Washington's proxies in the region. These include the weak, unelected governments of Egypt and Jordan – who are afraid of their respective Arab streets and are obligated by American patronage to support Israel and the US – and the Sunni Gulf countries who have been traditionally opposed to Shia Iran due to the Sunni-Shia schism which divides the Middle East. Russia's foreign ministry condemned Israel's attack on Iran as illegal, arguing that only diplomacy could resolve the issue before warning that unacceptable threats to international security could push the world to a nuclear catastrophe. China also expressed concern about Israel's military operation, with President Xi Jinping arguing that all parties should work together to de-escalate the situation and prevent it from deteriorating further. International humanitarian law has been severely undermined by Western governments who have supported 'Israel's right to self-defence' and largely supported Israel's bloody destruction of and slaughter in Gaza. Israel's attack on Iran has also conveniently turned the collective eyes of the world away from the continuing Gaza carnage and the ethnic cleansing of the West Bank as the media focuses on the Israel-Iran conflagration. Israeli attacks on Iranian gas facilities, a hospital, a TV station and other leadership targets, not related to its military infrastructure, are prohibited under international law. Furthermore, international law states that self-defence is only permitted if a country has already been attacked or if there is solid, credible information that an attack is imminent. Israeli military censorship rules have prevented coverage of Iran's targeting of the IDF military base of HaKirya, which is in the middle of civilian Tel Aviv, or their bombing of Mossad's headquarters and the IDF 8200 military intelligence unit in the seaside town of Herzliya just north of the city. A top-brass IDF meeting was also recently held in a fortification below Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital, with little media coverage in regards to the IDF embedding itself in civilian areas. DM Mel Frykberg is an experienced journalist who has been based in Gaza and the West Bank, the Middle East and north Africa for more than a decade, filing reports for a number of international media outlets from Ramallah, Jerusalem, Gaza, Cairo, Beirut, Tripoli (Libya) and Africa (Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and South Africa).
