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Monday, August 30, 2021

COVID-19: Vaccines work well against new C.1.2 variant, says NCID

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has moved to allay fears surrounding the newly-discovered C.1.2 COVID-19 variant, assuring South Africans that vaccines would still be effective against it.


“It remains a low minority variant in SA right now. Also, while it does have some mutations that concern us, it also has many that are familiar to us as we have seen them in the Beta and Delta variants too. This means we do have an understanding from earlier studies of what we can expect from how it will behave in terms of vaccines,” said the NICD’s Prof Penny Moore.



“Those experiments are ongoing and we can’t say definitively that the variant is more or less sensitive at this point … but despite the emergence of such variants, all the vaccines maintain efficacy against severe disease and death. We have considerable confidence that the vaccines rolled out here will protect against severe disease and death.”


The NICD’s Prof Penny Moore

“All of the vaccines should happily manage to maintain the efficacy against severe disease and death. The most important thing that we want to emphasize in this press briefing, is that the C.1.2 variant is presenting at very low levels,” she also said.


COVID-19: C.1.2 variant likely to drive fourth wave


At the same briefing on Monday, 30 August 2021, the NICD’s Dr Jinal Bhiman, says while the Delta variant has driven the third wave of infections in the country, the C.1.2 could become the dominant variant in the fourth wave, which is predicted for October.


“We’ve identified about 109 genomes that belong to the C.1.2 variant in South Africa. It has the potential for concern because it has all the mutations that are shared with the other variants of concern,” Bhiman said.


She added that the C.1.2 variant was of particular concern mainly because it has accumulated quite a few mutations since it was first detected back in May, during the peak of the third wave of COVID-19 infections.






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South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Tuesday 31 August 2021

We’ve got all the latest news stories and headlines in South Africa you really need to know on Tuesday 31 August 2021.


We get it, Nando’s may be too spicy for many palates and when the fast food outlet targeted the mythical “Tembisa 10” and author of this work of fiction, Piet Rampedi in it’s latest advertising campaign, it proved too hot to handle for many supporters of the Independent Media journalist.


Enter Thuli Madonsela into the fray, who laughed at the the advert so much it stirred her cravings for some spicy chicken. Madonsela’s wish came true when the former public protector was greeted with a knock on her door and a feast of grilled chicken waiting for her.


However, the grilling didn’t end there. Madonsela endured a heap of criticism from Rampedi and his supporters who took offence to her capitalising on the controversial moment, labelling her a “sell out”.


TODAY’S LATEST NEWS IN SOUTH AFRICA, Tuesday 31 August


‘You sold us out for Nando’s’: SA grills Thuli Madonsela for spicy craving


This weekend popular fast food restaurant Nando’s decided to get some free marketing by sending former public protector Thuli Madonsela some Nando’s after she tweeted how much she was craving it.


Surprisingly, not many South Africans were happy for her and soon both she, “Tembisa 10” journalist Piet Rampedi and Nando’s were trending on Twitter.


The former South African Public Protector, Professor Thuli Madonsela is seemingly one of the lucky people who tweet about their cravings and then suddenly finds her wish being granted.


She recently headed online to tweet about her hankering for some Nando’s chicken and lo and behold, she got a whole bunch of meals sent her way by the quick-thinking marketing team who saw an opportunity to trend again.


No vaccine, no R350 grant? SASSA moves to clarify ‘misinformation’


SASSA has dismissed claims that they are implementing a ‘no vaccine, no R350 grant’ policy – as suggested by several fake news articles this week. The agency has slammed those behind the propagation of ‘false information’.



  • Posting on Twitter, SASSA explained their stance clearly and concisely:



“The information [featured in an accompanying screenshot] is false and does NOT come from SASSA. COVID-19 vaccination is not part of the special COVID-19 SRD grant application criteria.”



The looming prospect of mandatory vaccination to access some services is being punted in South Africa, as officials attempt to encourage more citizens to get their jabs. As it stands, around 23% of the population is fully immunised, and as the vaccine rollout continues, this number needs to get above 70% before we can consider ending lockdown.


The Limpopo Health Department unleashed a wave of controversy last week, when they proposed that liquor traders should have the right to refuse service to unvaccinated citizens. The regional government believe they are prioritising the health and rights of a majority of South Africans, but critics have labelled the brainwave as ‘authoritarian’.


Grandson of Walter and Albertina Sisulu succumbs to Covid-19


The grandson of South African stalwarts Walter and Albertina Sisulu, Moyikwa Sisulu, has passed away from COVID-19 related complications.


He was the eldest son of the late anti-apartheid activist and businessman, Zwelakhe and Zodwa Sisulu.


The 41-year-old Sisulu was an African National Congress (ANC) activist and businessman who his family has described as a man of integrity.


The ANC said in a statement recently that it is mourning the death Sisulu.


“Our revolution has lost a loyal and disciplined servant.


“Death has robbed the people of South Africa of one of its finest sons who was dedicated to economic transformation and the reconstruction and development of our country.”


A 50-year-old motocross rider is fighting for his life after a freak accident


A 50-year-old motocross rider is fighting for his life after a freak accident at a popular track in Bronkhorstspruit.


Emer-G-Med emergency services said the accident happened on Sunday.


“Paramedics arrived on the scene to find the man had been ejected over his handlebars, suffering spinal cord injuries.”


Advanced life support intervention was needed to stabilize him before he was airlifted to a nearby hospital for immediate definitive care.


NMB Mayor Nqaba Bhanga faces culpable homicide over deadly vehicle crash


Eastern Cape Police have opened a case of culpable homicide against Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Nqaba Bhanga, in the wake of a road accident that claimed two lives and landed him in hospital.


“Algoa Park detectives are investigating a culpable homicide, after two people were fatally injured in a collision, between two vehicles, late on Saturday evening, August 28, 2021. It is alleged that at about 11.30pm, at the intersections of St Leonards Drive and Uitenhage Road, two vehicles, a grey Audi and a navy blue Mercedes Benz, collided with each other,” said Sandra Janse Van Rensburg.


“Both occupants, identities still unknown (male and female) in the Audi died on the scene and the alleged driver of the Mercedes-Benz is currently in hospital,” she added.


The mayor’s spokesperson Leander Kruger said his injuries were far more serious than what was initially reported in the media, adding that Bhanga underwent surgery on Sunday afternoon after suffering some internal bleeding, as a result of the accident.


Teenage pregnancy in SA: ‘It is a national crisis,’ says Motshekga


Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has expressed her concern over the alarming teenage pregnancy rate in the country and its impact on the sector.


A written response to questions from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng, posed to the province’s Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi said that 23 226 school girls fell pregnant between April 2020 and March 2021. Another worrying part of that is that 934 of them are between the ages of 10 and 14. The figures also showed that 2 976 girls (in the province alone) between the ages of 10 and 19 chose to terminate their pregnancies while 19 316 babies were delivered by girls between the ages of 15 to 19 years.


This brought focus to teenage pregnancies not only in Gauteng, but across the country.


“Let us be clear that it is not just a problem of Gauteng, it is a national crisis. Most of these teenagers are of school going age. It is a serious indictment on all of us as a society and we really need to reflect deeply on this crisis and take urgent action to arrest the moral decay,” Motshekga said in a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, 29 August 2021.


LATEST NEWS: WEATHER FORECAST, Tuesday 31 AUGUST


Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.


LIVE TRAFFIC UPDATES FOR CAPE TOWN, JOHANNESBURG AND DURBAN


Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.


HOROSCOPE TODAY


Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip, and lucky numbers for Tuesday 31 August.






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Cape Town City boss John Comitis confirms ‘nobody is leaving the club’

Cape Town City FC owner John Comitis says there will be no player departures before the current transfer window closes at midnight on Tuesday, 31 August.


READ | BAFANA BAFANA LATEST | HUGO BROOS ANNOUNCES NEW CAPTAINS


Thabo Nodada is reportedly a target of Orlando Pirates, but Comitis said the player – who did not feature against Swallows on Sunday in their MTN8 first leg semi-final – is going nowhere.


Much like the rest of his players.


Comitis said according to Kickoff: “Nodada is out for two weeks due to injury.


“At the moment, no player is leaving the club during this transfer window period.”


READ | KAIZER CHIEFS LATEST | KEAGAN DOLLY NOT IN A HURRY TO BE AT THE TOP


The Citizens have made a number of signings for the current season including Douglas Mapfumo (Cape Umoya United), Hugo Marques (SC Farense), Khanyiso Mayo (Richards Bay), Nathan Idumba Fasika (Saint Eloi Lupopo), Katlego Mokhuoane (Free State Stars), Patrick Fisher (Cape Town Spurs), Bongani Mpandle (Maritzburg United) and Darren Keet (Cape Umoya United).


READ | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LATEST | KEKANA STOPS TRAINING WITH FIRST TEAM – REPORT


Cape Town City have gotten off to a good start in this season’s DStv Premiership after a goalless home draw against SuperSport United in their opening clash and a 2-1 away win over Royal AM in the second outing.


They will next be in action at home against Marumo Gallants FC on Wednesday, 15 September at 18:00.


READ | MBULE TO CHIEFS, WILLIAMS TO SUNDOWNS? PSL TRANSFERS THAT COULD STILL HAPPEN






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Alexandra: Grade 8 pupil dies after being STABBED by fellow pupil

A Grade 8 pupil in Alexandra, Johannesburg, has died after he was stabbed, allegedly by another learner, on school grounds.


The incident, confirmed by the Gauteng Department of Education, occurred on Monday, 30 August 2021, at Pholosho Secondary School.


According to police, the alleged perpetrator was fighting with other learners during break time and later came back with a sharp object, which he used to stab the victim.


Paramedics were called to the scene and declared the boy dead.


Both of the learners are believed to be 16 years old and in the same grade.


Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.


MEC Lesufi ‘condemns’ stabbing of Alexandra pupil


Gauteng’s Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi is set to visit the school as well as the family of the deceased pupil on Tuesday afternoon, 31 August.


The MEC has condemned the learner’s stabbing and violence in classrooms. He has further urged the School Governing Body (SGB) to investigate the matter.


“We vehemently condemn the violent behaviour which led to the death of a learner allegedly, at the expense of his peer on school grounds, it is absolutely unacceptable. The SGB must investigate this incident and take necessary disciplinary action against the perpetrator,” Lesufi said.


The MEC added that the students at the school will be provided with psychosocial support, in the wake of the incident.


“The fatal incident is alleged to have occurred midday when the school’s disciplinary committee was dealing with a fight that involved other three learners. In the midst of that intervention, it was reported that a learner was allegedly stabbed to death by another learner outside a classroom,” Lesufi’s spokesperson said in a statement.


Back in April, a Grade 12 pupil from Emadwaleni Secondary School in Orlando West, Soweto, was stabbed by a Grade 11 learner.


“I need to make it abundantly clear that our schools can never be sites of violent conduct, assaults, or bullying. Violence has no place at our schools and we call on school management to work with parents and the Department to ensure we bring these acts of ill-discipline and misconduct to a swift end,” the MEC said at the time.






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ANC yet to file Electoral Court application to reopen candidate submissions for LGE


The African National Congress (ANC) is yet to file its much-anticipated application with the Electoral Court to force the IEC to reopen the submission of candidate lists for the forthcoming local government elections.


This is despite the governing party’s earlier intention to file the papers before the end of business last Friday.


It wants the Electoral Court to instruct the IEC to reopen the process for a day to allow it to register almost 30 candidates in different municipalities across the country.


The ANC  failed to register some of its would-be councillors by the cut-off time on August 23 citing technical glitches.


Yesterday there was still no record of any application filed with any court against the IEC.


ANC may not be able to contest elections in 30 municipalities:



Meanwhile, the United Democratic Movement has reiterated its intention to join the court application to request for the reopening of the registration for election candidates.


The post ANC yet to file Electoral Court application to reopen candidate submissions for LGE appeared first on SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader..






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Deepika Padukone to star in and co-produce cross-cultural romantic comedy for STXfilms and Temple Hill

STXfilms, a division of Eros STX Global Corporation (NYSE:ESGC) (“ErosSTX”), announced today the company is developing a romantic comedy for global Indian icon Deepika Padukone, who will also produce the upcoming film through her Ka Productions banner. The announcement was made today by Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group.


Deepika Padukone to star in and co-produce cross-cultural romantic comedy for STXfilms and Temple Hill


The studio is also in negotiations with Temple Hill Productions Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen (the Twilight franchise, The Fault in Our Stars, Love, Simon) to develop the project, which will be a sweeping cross-cultural romantic comedy centered around Padukone. Isaac Klausner is overseeing the project for Temple Hill.


Commenting on the announcement, Fogelson said, "There is a reason Deepika is one of the biggest global stars to come from India. She is enormously talented with an infectious personality and her profile continues to grow as an international superstar. While she has been a phenomenal success in many Eros International films, we are thrilled to be building a romantic comedy with her and our friends at Temple Hill. We believe this project gives us the opportunity to tap into the spirit, voice, characters and vibrant settings of India and New York in ways that made Crazy Rich Asians feel so authentic and fresh.”


“Ka Productions was founded with the aim to develop and produce purposeful content with global appeal. I’m thrilled to be partnering with STXfilms and Temple Hill Productions, who share Ka’s ambition and creative vision and look forward to bringing impactful and dynamic cross-cultural stories to the world,” says Padukone


DEEPIKA PADUKONE was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by Time magazine in 2018.In 2018 and 2021, she featured in VARIETY’S ‘International Women’s Impact Report’ which celebrates the achievements of women in entertainment around the world.


The actor made her English language film debut as the female lead in XXX: The Return of Xander Cage, co-starring with Vin Diesel.She is also the principal of Ka Productions, the production company behind Chhapaak and upcoming films The Intern and ’83. She is currently in production on Shakun Batra’s and Siddharth Anand’s untitled films.


Prior to this, Padukone starred in the critically acclaimed film Chhapaak based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. She also played the titular role in Padmavaat which broke all box office records. Other credits include the award-winning and critically acclaimed films Piku and Baijaro Mastani, the highest and third highest-grossing international Hindi language film releases, respectively.


Last year, she received the prestigious World Economic Forum Crystal Award for her leadership in raising mental health awareness.


ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone is all glam in a bralette worth Rs. 53,212 and black leather pants






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News24.com | Maternity clinic birthed amid apartheid violence - meet the midwife carrying on her mother's legacy

Her mother didn't just deliver babies, she birthed her own maternal clinic. Now Nonina Dube-Diphoko is carrying on her mother's legacy, as a midwife.



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