Hi there. 🙋🏽♀️
Welcome to the seventh democratic parliament! Tonight, our president will usher in this new era with an opening speech. We explain what to expect and also address the new VBS drama which has put the EFF on the backfoot. Additionally, we will discuss why the assassination attempt on Trump was not rigged and delve into a feud between two popular influencers.
So, let’s dive into your weekly update of empowering and easy-to-understand news, brought to you by Verashni Pillay and the explain.co.za team. 😄
Format:
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▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 1. BIG STORY: The second SONA of 2024: What to expect from Ramaphosa tonight
A new parliament means a new Opening of Parliament Address (OPA). President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver his second OPA tonight thanks to the recent elections and a new parliament being convened. So though this will look and feel like a State of the Nation Address (SONA), it’s different. Confusing, we know!
Like SONA, the president will address both houses of Parliament (the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces), government officials, and the public. This will be followed by a debate tomorrow.
It’s going to look starkly different this time. After 25 years as leader of the opposition, the DA has left the opposition benches and joined Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity. The Blue party was pretty good at holding the government to account, but that role will be left open to the not entirely inspiring MK party, helmed by former president Jacob Zuma. The EFF, the second biggest party in opposition, has also promised not to disrupt the president as they have in previous years, no doubt in part as they are reeling from the fresh VBS scandal (more on this later).
A strong opposition may be a problem. Nearly 75% of parliament is technically united behind Ramaphosa – Ramaphosa described a recent Cabinet lekgotla made up of 11 different parties as having “great synergy” with “no dissenting voice”.
As journalist Stephen Grootes notes in the Daily Maverick, this level of unity is a whole new ballgame considering our political culture and history. Thankfully parties like Action SA, ACDP and former DA leader Mmusi Maimane’s Bosa have committed to remaining as part of a principled opposition.
Besides the shift in power dynamics, we’re not expecting major announcements or policy changes. Their largest coalition, the DA, has largely pushed for better implementation of existing policies and plans. Plus, given the sheer number of very different parties in the GNU, a new programme of action is unlikely. Key topics to be tackled will probably include economic revival, the energy crisis, infrastructure development and tackling crime and corruption.
Ramaphosa may announce a new flagship project to try to inspire us – remember the dreams of building Smart Cities a few years ago? We’ll brief you on what goes down in next week’s wrap, or check our site explain.co.za.
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 2. OUR TAKE: Salmaan Moerat leads Springboks after injury shake-up
Hold onto your rugby jerseys!
The Springboks have a new captain, Salmaan Moerat. If his name sounds familiar, it’s because Moerat comes from a storied rugby family that has produced several Springboks. His father, Nazim, played during the apartheid era, and now Salmaan is making history as the first Muslim to do so. For those wondering what’s happened to Siya Kolisi, he’s still around and will most likely lead once the tough teams come up again. For now, this is a much-changed squad as we’re playing rugby minnows Portugal this weekend, and so Moerat joins the list of those chosen to lead the Boks, which includes current players Pieter-Steph du Toit and Eben Etzebeth.
Moerat’s ascent is also a massive win for the rugby-loving communities of Boland and Paarl. This 26-year-old has been on a leadership trajectory since his days at Boland Under-13 Craven Week and as captain of Paarl Boys High’s unbeaten first team in 2016. Moerat’s cousin Ebrahim Moerat, a well-travelled coach, summed it up: “We’ve had players from our community like Nizaam Carr, but Salmaan’s achievement is right up there. Hopefully, he’s not the last.”
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus knows the value of Moerat’s background but emphasised that his selection as captain was purely merit-based. “It’s great that he comes from a rugby-rich heritage and that it means a lot to them. However, we picked him because he’s a great leader, and he doesn’t stand back physically or tactically,” said Erasmus, ever the pragmatic unifier.
The announcement of Moerat’s captaincy comes after last week’s nail-biting 25-24 loss to Ireland, which left the Springbok camp reeling with injuries that have taken four players out of action for at least six weeks.
These injuries have forced Erasmus to dig deep into his squad’s reserves, leading to the inclusion of seven uncapped players for the upcoming match against Portugal.
Only four players from last week’s match have been retained for the upcoming clash against Portugal, signalling a significant shake-up in the Springbok lineup. Salmaan Moerat, now stepping up as captain, will lead the charge. Joining him are three other veterans, while the rest of the squad sees a mix of fresh faces and seasoned players.
So, rugby fans, get ready for an exciting match on Saturday at 17:00. Let’s hope Moerat’s leadership and Erasmus’s experimental squad bring home a victory.
▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ *BRIEFS*
3. The VBS scandal: key witness finally exposes the scheme that robbed Limpopo
Remember VBS Mutual Bank? It was supposed to be a financial saviour for Limpopo’s poor. Instead, in 2018, we discovered it was a cash cow for corrupt politicians, dodgy businessmen, and the bank’s own greedy execs. A staggering R2 billion was stolen, robbing pensioners and others who trusted the bank with their savings.
Authorities have long been pursuing those responsible, and now they’ve reeled in a big fish: former chairperson Tshifhiwa Matodzi was sentenced last week Wednesday. He pled guilty and is cooperating with authorities.
The very next day, his explosive 70-page affidavit was leaked. Much of the detail has been reported before thanks to an investigative series by Daily Maverick’s Pauli Van Wyk over the years and advocate Terry Motau’s forensic report, published in October 2018.
But Matodzi effectively confirming the details has put the issue – and those responsible – back in the news in a big way.
Matodzi alleges EFF leaders Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu received millions in 2018 to stop public criticism over the bank’s loan to then-president Jacob Zuma. Malema has dismissed the allegations as old news, and the party is in full defence mode as critics are writing their political obituary.
Also named are former health minister and ANC bigwig Zweli Mkhize and Dondo Mogajane, the former treasury director-general and now CEO of the controversial Moti Group, who has strenuously denied the claims.
The illicitly-gained money was allegedly used to buy luxury goods and fund political campaigns.
Matodzi, meanwhile, was sentenced to a staggering 495 years, but thanks to the plea deal, he’ll serve 15 years. This deal is crucial as it means Matodzi will be the star witness in upcoming prosecutions, potentially bringing down the rest of the syndicate.
The path to justice has been long, thanks to the complexity of the case and the powerful figures involved. As Matodzi himself noted, the “corruption that bound all of us together” ensured their illicit activities remained concealed for years. As we move forward, this affidavit could be the key to unlocking the full extent of the VBS scandal and bringing all perpetrators to account.
4. Why people are outraged at ‘the most expensive wedding ever’
The wedding of two wealthy heirs in India has faced criticism for its ostentatious display of wealth. Anant Ambani, 29, the son of Mukesh Ambani, Asia’s richest individual, married Radhika Merchant, 29, a pharmaceutical heiress, in a lavish three-day celebration at the family’s 27-story skyscraper, Antilia, located in Mumbai’s upscale “Billionaires Row” from July 12 to 14.
The couple, who have been together since 2017, got engaged in December 2023 in the presence of friends and family. The ceremony, which was touted as one of the most extravagant and expensive ever, was the culmination of a seven-month-long “mega-wedding.” The events began with a grand engagement party in January, followed by pre-wedding events in March and May, including a four-day European cruise. The series of events concluded with the actual ceremony last weekend.
This extravagant series of parties, reportedly costing upwards of $600 million (R10 billion), featured performances from top-tier celebrities, including Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, and even The Backstreet Boys. Last weekend’s festivities included performances by Luis Fonsi and Rema.
However, not everyone is celebrating. India’s income inequality is now worse than it was during British rule, making it one of the most unequal countries globally. It surpasses even the US, Brazil, and South Africa in disparity. The Washington Post highlighted the stark contrast between the lavish wedding and the severe flooding in Mumbai due to monsoon rains. Celebrities partied while the Mithi River burst its banks.
Critics have pointed out that the Ambanis may be the only family in India with enough influence to carry out such extravagant displays, despite allegations of political favouritism. While there are valid concerns about billionaires flaunting their wealth, some can’t help but feel jealous for not being included on the guest list!
5. The Goolam debacle: How Independent Media’s grand unmasking went awry
What on earth is going on with Independent Media these days? You may remember the utterly farcical case of the 10 babies born at once to a mother in Tembisa, which the newspaper group reported with great fanfare, and then quietly shelved when no evidence of this miracle was produced, ever.
Well, we have a new nonsense to bring you. This one is somehow more absurd.
On Monday, several Independent Media editors rolled out the red carpet for what they billed as the grand unmasking of the elusive social media critic behind the viral X account, @goolammv. For those unfamiliar, Goolam has been a thorn in the side of many a politician and media mogul, including Independent Media’s owner Iqbal Survé. Goolam has often accused Survé and his media outlets of spreading misinformation and being politically biased.
“Today, we can reveal the identity of the person behind @goolammv,” said Surve at Monday’s press conference. Mohammed Yacoob Vawda, a 37-year-old lecturer and comedian from Durban, was named. Adding to the surreal nature of the event, former intelligence minister Lindiwe Sisulu showed up too to accuse the account of being run (or at least be connected to) people within the president’s office.
The whole thing immediately blew up in Independent Media’s face. Vawda strenuously denied having anything to do with the account, stating the accusation was “ridiculous and [he couldn’t] believe that this was put out in the media”. He has since gone into hiding, citing death threats he and his family received following the press conference. He’s also threatened to sue.
Independent later Media backtracked. But we suspect the damage has been done. What were they thinking?
6. TikTok Thyme: The Onezwa vs Nara beef heats up
All’s fair in love and war… But is it the same in influencer culture?
A mega US influencer has been accused of stealing a South African TikToker’s foodie ideas and profiting from them at her expense, kicking off a fan war.
Onezwa Mbola, 28, appeared in MasterChef South Africa back in 2022 and is celebrated for her foraging and farm-living content. She boasts 600,000 followers on TikTok. But she’s no match to the wildly successful US-based model Nara Smith, 22, who has eight million followers.
Both make their food from scratch (think starting with flour to create an Oreo). Smith, however, does it while dressed up in an aesthetic suspiciously like the “traditional wife” vibe favoured by right-wing types on social media.
Mbola told The Citizen she noticed towards the end of last year that Smith would make the same dish as her days later with a little twist. Examples included boba tea and cream cheeses.
Smith has South African links—she was born in Bloemfontein—and commented on one of Onezwa’s videos in February.
It escalated on 14 June when Mbola, in a teary, now-deleted video, accused an unnamed “very popular content creator” of stealing her content. Smith then threatened to sue Mbola if she did not “retract” her statement.
SA’s social media blew up again after another possible copycat incident this week over an Asian noodles dish.
There’s plausible deniability—art and content have always walked a fine line between inspiration and copying, and TikTok is premised on recreating former videos in a collaborative environment, sparking “challenges” that go viral.
But the real issue here is financial. As Mbola said: “In South Africa, we don’t get paid for views, and where she is, they get paid for views, so she has been making money off stealing my content.”
She’s right. Most of the developing world has been left out of the TikTok “Creator Rewards Program”, where influencers can earn a certain amount per 1000 views. According to informed guesses by those on the platform, Smith’s easily gets millions of views, pulling in well over USD200,000 a month. That’s in addition to lucrative sponsorships from huge brands, which would be much more.
Out here in Africa, influencers like Onezwa can land brand collaborations for income, but these just can’t compare with the huge deal US influencers get.
Like so much in our global economy, it’s unfair, and the least someone like Smith could do, given her position of privilege, is give credit if it’s due.
7. Donald Trump survives assassination attempt
The already dramatic election race in the US took a wild turn on Saturday when a shooter tried to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The incident has further polarised an already politically tense country, which has historically been divided between Trump’s conservative Republican party versus the more liberal Democrats under President Joe Biden.
While addressing a rally in Pennsylvania for his campaign to return to power, Trump was grazed by a bullet to his right ear. The lone gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, also killed a rally attendee and injured several others before being killed by a Secret Service sniper. His motives remain unclear, but the FBI is investigating, with Crooks’ family fully cooperating.
This is the second attempt at Trump’s life following a 2016 incident in Las Vegas.
Trump appeared to be in good spirits a day after the shooting and is continuing on the campaign trail as planned.
Several world leaders condemned the attack, including President Cyril Ramaphosa. Biden called for calm, saying, “There is no place in America for this kind of violence.”
But the image of a defiant, bloodied Trump raising a fist straight after the shooting with the American flag waving in the background, has galvanised his base.
On the other side of the political divide, rumours circulated that the attempt was staged. Authoritative news publications have debunked these, so don’t let the misinformation (and memes) fool you. A New York Times (NYT) photographer captured the bullet’s path as it sped towards Trump’s head, and he avoided being killed by a lucky turn of the head.
Still, expect the US political heat to ratchet up. As journalist Peter Baker wrote in the NYT: “Not since President Abraham Lincoln was shot by a Confederate sympathiser at Ford’s Theater has an assassination attempt against a president or major presidential candidate so sharply exacerbated the partisan divide.”
8. Future lunar homes? Scientists discover caves near Apollo 11 site
Ever since H.G. Wells and other great science fiction writers of the last century started dreaming of humanity expanding beyond Earth, we have been wondering how we might colonise the moon. The problem, as the subsequent space race proved, is that it is unbelievably difficult and dangerous to do. In fact, we simply have never done it.
But a recent discovery is moving us closer. An Italian-led team of researchers announced Monday that they had unearthed, or rather, un-mooned, lunar caves hidden beneath the dusty surface of our celestial neighbour. This is a huge step towards realising the dream of a lunar base.
The find was made using advanced radar technology aboard the US space agency NASA’s robotic spacecraft, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, allowing scientists to peer beneath the lunar surface. Never-before-seen caverns were revealed, formed millions of years ago by ancient lava flows. It’s a big deal because the caves could offer potential future homes for humanity and protection from the moon’s notoriously harsh environment: Think extreme temperatures, cosmic rays, solar radiation and micrometeorites. 😳
Lorenzo Bruzzone and Leonardo Carrer from the University of Trento, Italy, discovered the caves nestled within the Mare Tranquillitatis, aka the Sea of Tranquility (a large dark basin formed from flowing lava). The spot is significant: it just so happens to be near the Apollo 11 landing site, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first set foot on the moon 55 years ago.
Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut to travel to space, told the BBC that it might be time to start saving up for moon real estate because humans could potentially inhabit these lunar pits within the next 20 to 30 years.
Analysis of the radar data revealed that the Mare Tranquillitatis pit, named after its location, is the deepest pit known on the Moon. Tucked away about 150 metres below the lunar surface, there’s a cave about 45 metres wide and stretching up to 80 metres—think 14 tennis courts put together.
But before planning lunar moving day, robots and cutting-edge technology will need to map out these subterranean lunar labyrinths, paving the way for future lunar expeditions and, dare we say, moon hotels. 🌝
That’s it from us at The Wrap, an award-winning product of explain.co.za – simple news summaries for busy people. 💁🏾♀
The Wrap is sponsored by explain’s agency division. We specialise in content marketing for purpose-driven organisations, often with a pan-African reach. Mail info@explain.co.za for a quote.
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