Hi there 🙋🏾‍♀️

On this week’s Wrap, we’re throwing the confetti and ululating as we look at former Miss Universe Zozi Tunzi’s wedding to a man so mysterious we’re starting to think he’s in witness protection.

In Namibia, the country’s first female president has stepped into office. No popcorn here, just side-eyes and high expectations.

Over in the US, a massive leak of US war plans via Signal has officials panicking and calling for resignations. Meanwhile, Trump has decided South Africa needs a new ambassador and, surprise, we’re not thrilled.

Back home, we unpack what SASSA grants are and who gets what. And finally, a former Facebook exec has dropped a tell-all book spilling everything. Ayeye Mark.

So, let’s dive into these stories and more in this week’s wrap, brought to you by Verashni Pillay and the explain.co.za team. 😄

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Format: 

💬 WhatsApp msg

🔊 Voice note by Verashni

📰 Newsletter with pics

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▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 1. BIG STORY: Trump’s administration picks new US ambassador to SA — and leaks national security chat at the same time

From a controversial ambassador pick to a major security slip, the Trump camp is making waves on multiple fronts — each with its own potential fallout.

US President Donald Trump has appointed L. Brent Bozell III as the new US ambassador to South Africa. Bozell is a conservative media figure and supporter of Israel — which could further strain an already tense relationship between Pretoria and Washington. He was also very critical of Trump back in 2016 but has since changed course. 

Bozell’s nomination was quietly posted to the US Congress website on Tuesday. If the Senate approves it, he’ll replace Reuben Brigety, who resigned in January. 

Bozell’s appointment comes with its fair share of baggage. His son, Leo Bozell IV, was jailed for his involvement in the shocking January 6th Capitol riot in 2021, where he and others violently tried to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election when Trump lost. He was freed thanks to Trump’s blanket pardon this year. Bozell condemned his son’s actions but praised Trump for the pardon. 

Then there’s Bozell’s own past: in 2014, he was caught up in a ghostwriting scandal, accused of taking credit for work he didn’t actually write. And let’s not forget—he’s not a trained diplomat. 

All eyes are on who our next ambassador to the US will be. SA’s former ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, was removed after criticising Trump for pushing a global white supremacist agenda. 

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is dealing with a massive security controversy: a Signal group leak. Trump’s National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz, reportedly added journalist Jeffrey Goldberg — the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic — to a private Signal chat where senior officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice-president J.D. Vance and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth were discussing bombing Houthi rebels in Yemen. The group included highly sensitive information, including military plans and even the name of an active CIA agent. Waltz blamed it on a glitch, while other officials denied the severity of the situation, despite it being significantly worse than the private email server controversy that may have cost Hilary Clinton the presidency in 2016. 

Security experts are alarmed, noting this is part of a trend of ignoring experts, leaving the US vulnerable to malicious foreign actors and spies. As one foreign correspondent put it: “This is an administration that makes a weekend Fox News host the leader of the world’s largest military, puts a conspiracy-minded podcaster in charge of the F.B.I., and has at its pinnacle a reality star turned president. Blunders like this are an inevitable consequence.” The military has very specific forums and protocols for these kinds of discussions. A Senate audit is now under way.

If this is what diplomacy looks like in 2025, we might need a bigger firewall — and a stronger filter for ambassador CVs. 👀

Read our full story here.

▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ 2. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE: What’s got the social media streets buzzing this week

Because if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry. Here are this week’s funniest reactions and memes that brought comic relief to our chaotic world. 😅

The cannabis food ban has officially gone up in smoke. The government has backtracked on its sudden decision to outlaw food products containing parts of the cannabis plant — including non-psychoactive hemp — just over two weeks after enforcing it. The Department of Health’s move triggered a backlash from activists and industry players, who called it unconstitutional and harmful to local businesses. Now, the presidency says the rules will be withdrawn to allow for proper consultation. 🌿♻️

Fitness influencer Ashton Hall broke the internet last week with his viral morning routine video. A repost of his video racked up an astonishing 680 million views in five days, due mostly to people asking, “What’s going on here?” and repeatedly watching, as The Cut puts it. Starting his day at an ungodly 3:52 a.m., Hall’s regimen includes mouth taping, ice-water face dunks, and even rubbing a banana peel on his face. It’s sparked a wave of memes and parodies, proving that sometimes, the early bird catches… a lot of side-eye. 👀

The British tabloids tried it — again, claiming there’s a “feud” between Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow, after a Vanity Fair interview with the actress notes she didn’t personally know Meghan. But the gossip fell apart days later, thanks to a surprise Instagram Story. Responding to a follower’s question about the so-called beef, a confused Paltrow says she didn’t understand it before the plot twist reveal, turning her phone camera to reveal Meghan next to her enjoying a slice of pie. It’s worth noting that Prince Harry scored a court victory earlier this year over the Murdoch papers that partly drove him and Meghan out of royal life. You’d think the tabloids would learn, but alas — a duchess’ peace still doesn’t sell papers.

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3. Airshow tragedy: A wake-up call for South African aviation?

The shocking death of veteran pilot James O’Connell at the West Coast Airshow on Saturday has brought renewed attention to South Africa’s struggling military aviation sector.

O’Connell, a seasoned test pilot with over three decades of experience, was killed when his Impala MK 1 plunged into the ground during a demonstration flight. Videos of the crash stunned the nation, and while investigations are under way, the incident has become a symbol of the deeper crisis within South African aviation.

His death also triggered an ugly political moment. Conservative figure Dan Roodt falsely claimed the pilot was black and appointed based on race. 😮 The tweet, since deleted, was slammed by prominent voices including politician Mmusi Maimane and Olympian Roland Schoeman as “racist” and “cowardice”.

The state of the South African Air Force

O’Connell’s tragic death comes at a time when South Africa’s aviation sector, particularly its military wing, faces mounting challenges. According to a recent New24 investigation, the South African Air Force is in a dire state, with only six out of more than 330 aircraft currently operational. 

“Major equipment is not working. There is no air force and no navy,” said Kobus Marais, a recently retired member of Parliament who was the DA’s shadow defence minister. 

South Africa’s reliance on outdated equipment and a severe lack of funding have crippled the country’s military aviation capabilities. The Rooivalk attack helicopters, once a source of national pride, have been grounded due to a lack of maintenance for the last two years. Meanwhile, the Oryx helicopter fleet of 39 helicopters, which played a critical role in peacekeeping missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012, is now mostly inoperative. None of the 39 helicopters have been in service for the last two years. 

The impact of these failures was painfully evident in recent combat operations in the DRC, where South African troops had to rely on foreign air support. Defence analyst Helmoed-Römer Heitman emphasised the gravity of the situation: “No matter how good you are [as a soldier], without air support you are buggered.”

O’Connell’s death is a tragic reminder of the risks pilots take — and a wake-up call for urgent investment in aviation safety and military readiness.

Read our full story here.

4. Book ban backlash: Facebook Exec’s tell-all lifts the lid on big tech’s dark side 

Ever dreamed of working at Facebook? Yeah… Sarah Wynn-Williams says: Don’t.

The former Meta (then Facebook) exec has dropped a scorcher of a memoir, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism. It’s less Silicon Valley dream, more Succession with surveillance tools.

Wynn-Williams joined the company in 2011, full of idealism. She thought Facebook could save the world. Instead? She found a company obsessed with growth, happy to silence dissent, and disturbingly cosy with authoritarian regimes. Yikes.

There’s juicy gossip – like Sheryl Sandberg allegedly sending her assistant to buy $13,000 (nearly R240,000) worth of lingerie and taking turns napping in each other’s lap, plus summoning Wynn-Williams to bed once (no, seriously). The book also dives deep into political horror: how Facebook’s inaction fuelled the genocide of the Rohingya in Myanmar. 😳

Wynn-Williams unpacks how Meta and other tech giants ignored repeated warnings about hate speech on their platforms – until the backlash got too big to brush off. And even then, their responses were more “corporate lingo” than crisis resolution.

She also calls out Big Tech’s double standards: publicly preaching free speech while quietly silencing whistleblowers and critics, especially when they threaten the bottom line.

The kicker? Meta’s now suing Wynn-Williams and slapped her with a gag order, saying she broke a non-disparagement agreement. Critics say it’s rich coming from a company that claims to be all about transparency and freedom of expression.

Careless People is both explosive and essential reading. It’s a stark reminder that behind the blue thumbs and curated timelines is a machine that’s often anything but “social”. It’s still available in bookstores – unless Meta’s lawyers beat you to it.

Read our full article here.

5. Namibia’s first female president takes charge – and she’s not messing around!

History made! Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is officially Namibia’s first female president, sworn in on 21 March 2025, the country’s 35th Independence anniversary. While ruling liberation parties in SA and Botswana lost their grip last year, SWAPO held strong, winning 57% of the vote. Her main challenger, Panduleni Itula of the Independent Patriots for Change, trailed behind with 26%. Nandi-Ndaitwah kept it simple after her victory: “The Namibian nation has voted for peace and stability.” 🇳🇦

But peace doesn’t mean keeping things the same. She’s already shaking up the government, slashing the cabinet from 21 ministers and 21 deputies to just 14 ministers and seven deputies. We wish SA would take note. She merged key ministries to cut costs and boost efficiency. For example, oil and gas now fall under the president’s office, and social grants are being moved to finance and public enterprises. 

We wish her well in her clean-up: Swapo top-ranking officials have been accused of cronyism, nepotism, and embezzlement, and the party is still recovering from the “fishrot scandal” that implicated its leaders after a Wikileaks in 2019. 

Oh, and she’s making history in more ways than one: she appointed Lucia Witbooi as Namibia’s first female vice-president, making Namibia the only African country with both a female president and VP. Of her 14 ministers, 8 are women. 

Who is she? Born in 1952, Nandi-Ndaitwah, nicknamed NNN, grew up in apartheid-era Namibia and joined SWAPO’s liberation struggle at just 14. She later served as foreign minister (2012-2024) before stepping up to the presidency. And she’s not just a first for Namibia. She’s only the second woman in Africa to be directly elected president, after Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2005. She joins Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan as one of just two female presidents currently in Africa.

Globally, the numbers are bleak. Out of 195 countries, only 87 have ever had a female leader, and in 2024’s 31 presidential elections, only five women won. But NNN isn’t here for stats. She’s already proving she means business. 

Read our full story here.

6. SASSA grant increases coming 

Great news for the 28 million South Africans who rely on social grants: most SASSA payouts are going up in April. Old age, disability, war veteran, and foster care grants will increase by 5.9%, while child support and grant-in-aid are going up 5.7%. That’s above inflation and meant to help cushion rising VAT and food costs.

But it’s not all sunshine. SASSA is also facing a cyber fraud crisis, with dodgy websites and system loopholes letting fraudsters slip through. The government is now doing a deep-dive audit, and some fixes are already in place, such as stronger online security and plans to introduce biometrics.

Here are the updated grant increases for April:

🔹 Old Age, Disability & Care Dependency:  R2,315 (up from R2,185)

🔹 War Veterans: R2,335 (up from R2,205)

🔹 Foster Care: R1,250 (up from R 1,180)

🔹 Child Support & Grant-in-Aid: R560 (up from R530)

Payouts will start rolling out from 3 April.

And remember: the gold SASSA card is being phased out. If you haven’t yet, swap it out for the new Postbank Black Card — it works at ATMs and various retailers.

One grant that’s staying put (for now)? Is the covid-era R350 Social Relief of Distress grant. It’s under review until September, with the aim of turning it into more permanent income support for the unemployed.

More cash is coming. But so are scams — so stay sharp and double-check those SASSA links.

Read our full story here.

7. From Miss Universe to “I do”: Zozi Tunzi ties the knot 💍

Zozibini Tunzi, our forever queen and the longest-reigning Miss Universe (525 days, thank you very much), just got married! The beloved pageant icon tied the knot with Luthando Mluleki Bolowana in a private ceremony this past weekend at the picturesque Belair Pavilion in the Cape Winelands.

She broke the news on Facebook, posting breathtaking snaps and writing: “I love you endlessly..Husband🥺❤️.” Cue the national awwww.

But who is this mystery man who stole Zozi’s heart? That’s the thing — not much is known about him. According to their wedding website, Bolowana is a Manchester United fan who loves Marvel movies and Game of Thrones. He described himself as “relaxed, loving and outgoing” and loves movie nights with his new wife. And nope, we couldn’t find him on social media — clearly, this couple values privacy.

As for the dress? Fit for royalty. Designed by Vietnamese designer Phan Huy, it took over 700 hours to make, with intricate details like hand-cut organza flowers and 3D floral branches. We’re obsessed.

The guest list was as glam as the gown: stars like Nomzamo Mbatha, Connie Ferguson, Anele Mdoda and Basetsana Khumalo all turned up to celebrate.

And the festivities aren’t over — a traditional wedding is set for this weekend in Zozi’s hometown of Tsolo in the Eastern Cape. We’re expecting stunning Xhosa attire and even more feels.

Zozi isn’t the only former Miss SA who found love this month — Natasha Joubert (Miss SA 2023) also got hitched to Enrico Vermaak on 16 March at the Cavalli Wine Estate.

With all these glitzy weddings, South Africans are asking: Can we bring back Top Billing already? Give the people the wedding content they deserve!

Read our full story here.

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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. Email info@explain.co.za for a quote. 

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