Monday 15 March 2021, 0145
Real News. Scrolla.Africa
Lack of clear succession planning rips through Zulu Royal family Lungani Zungu
The death of the longest-serving monarch of the Zulu nation King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu has sparked tensions in the royal household over who will be his successor.
Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a cousin of the family, has moved to quell the brewing tensions at the royal household.
Speaking outside the late king’s palace in Nongoma northern KZN on Saturday, Buthelezi said there was nothing amiss with big families such as the royal house bickering.
The king’s cause of death was also a contentious issue, after Buthelezi confirmed that he died due to Covid-19, but another member of the family rejected that.
Buthelezi said 20 doctors, including Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, tried to save the king’s life at Chief Albert Luthuli central hospital, but all their efforts failed.
Initially, the family said that the king would lie in state at his Nongoma palace for people to see his body before being laid to rest.
This angered Buthelezi.
The family took a U-turn afterwards and said his body would not be viewed due to Covid-19 regulations.
Without mentioning names, Buthelezi said some in the family wanted to ignore the government's Covid-19 rules.
He threatened to ditch his responsibilities of communicating with the nation about the king’s funeral arrangements.
Zwelithini served for 50 years as the king of the Zulu nation.
“I do this work, even under difficult times,’ said Buthelezi.
He also called for the royal household factions to respect the king until he is buried on a date known by the family.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Buthelezi said.
Buthelezi said he met with the family members of the royal household to discuss the funeral arrangements but some opposed the usual practice when a king is buried.
Angry, Buthelezi threatened to ditch the funeral arrangements, but was begged by Police Minister Bheki Cele and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to continue.
This is not the first time the royal household found itself squabbling after a king had passed on.
When King Zwelithini was installed as a king in 1971, he was forced to go into hiding after claims that some within his household wanted to assassinate him.
Prince Thulani Zulu, the spokesperson of the royal household, said succession would be debated once the king had been buried.
Like Buthelezi, he also pleaded with his family members to put off the succession debate until the king is buried.
Prince Zulu said King Zwelithini would be laid to rest in a private ceremony attended by the family.
Malema to help Mthokozisi Ntumba's family sue the state Everson Luhanga
Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, has assured the widow of Mthokozisi Ntumba that his party will hire a team of lawyers to help her sue the state.
Ntumba was shot and killed by the police in Braamfontein, Johannesburg on Wednesday 10 March.
A clear video footage shows police coming out on an Inyala and shooting Ntumba who had just stepped out of a local clinic.
Malema who was accompanied by his secretary-general Marshall Dlamini and the national spokesperson Vuyani Pambo said the party would also help the family bury Ntumba.
“We will make sure the post-mortem is conducted properly and we are going to make sure the government pays for their senseless killing.
“He might die like a dog in the streets, but we will give him a dignified funeral."
Juju as he is affectionately known lambasted police minister Bheki Cele saying his department protects whites and kills black people.
“He is a minister whose department killed Mthokozisi and the president who appointed him killed the people in Marikana.
"He is an incompetent minister who doesn’t even know who is the head of the crime intelligent in his own department. With the death of Mthokokozisi, Cele must have been fired,” said Juju.
Juju questioned why no police have been arrested since the incident happened on 10 March.
Malema said the EFF will be taking an application to the constitutional court to force police to use other crowd control measures instead of guns.
“Public policing should not involve guns. Rubber bullets or not, there should be a way of controlling the public,” said Malema.
A family spokesperson has told Scrolla.Africa that Mthokozisi was healthy and went for a normal doctor checkup when he was shot at.
It is unclear until now whether the police used rubber bullets or live ammunition.
Picture source: @EFFSSOUTHAFRICA
Former Transnet engineer earns more now selling cow heads Lungani Zungu
Phila Dubazane’s family were highly unimpressed when he gave up his well-paying permanent job at Transnet to sell cow heads.
Today Phila’s family are praising him for being a clever businessman.
Phila from Melmoth, south of Ulundi, left Transnet in 2019 after working for them for eight years.
“I make more than I ever made. I provide for my wife, three kids and my siblings,” he said.
He said his father taught them they must make money for themselves and ignore what other people say.
"I made the right decision. I would rather make a profit of one cent than to wake up every morning and work for someone else.”
He said he is not shy to sell cow heads.
His childhood dream was to be in the construction business but now he has found joy in farming.
“I would never trade anything for what I do now. I’m never looking back.”
He employs ten people around Durban.
“I want more young people to venture into business instead of going out to look for jobs.”
He completed a diploma in civil engineering in 2009 at Mangosuthu University of Technology and then registered for Btech, which he completed in 2014 at Tshwane University of Technology.
When asked, he wouldn’t disclose how much money he made, but said: “Even if I made a profit of R15, I would be happy because this is my business and a legacy for my children.”
He said young people must fight for their dreams.
“Don’t listen to people who try to discourage you. Fight until you achieve your dreams,” he said.
LOVED AND LOST: Menzi Ngubane (1964-2021) Lwazi Nongaua
For more than three decades, Menzi Ngubane graced South African television screens.
He performed in countless soapies and movies and earned an impressive collection of awards.
His career took off in 1987 on the network show Kwa Khala Nyonini where he starred as Cijimbi.
Mzansi will forever remember his brilliance a few years later in Ubambo Lwami as Mazwi.
Ngubane played in many popular South African TV shows and movies, including Yizo Yizo, Gold Diggers, Heist, Ashes to Ashes, Isibaya, How To Steal 2 Million and Country of My Skull starring Samuel L. Jackson and Juliette Binoche.
Most fans remember him for his 11 year stint as Sibusiso Dlomo in Generations.
His work has seen him winning Best Actor for his role in uBambo Lwami at the Avanti Awards.
In 2007, he won Best Actor for his role in Generations and Best Actor for 7de Laan at the Safta Golden Horn Awards.
Ngubane worked on a mentorship programme called Twelve Auspicious Gentlemen with Menzi which focuses on mentoring young boys and addressing the impact caused by social ills committed in communities.
The Ladysmith born actor had numerous struggles with kidney failure resulting in him receiving a donated kidney, ensuring he continued and sustained his acting career.
In a statement Ngubane’s family said he died on Saturday morning after suffering a stroke.
He is survived by his wife Lerato Sedibe and two daughters Siya and Ziyanda Ngubane.
Families now free to visit loved ones in hospital Elmon Tshikhudo
Thousands of patients in South African hospitals can now receive up to two visitors a day.
For months now families were unable to visit their loved ones in hospital because of Covid-19 precautionary measures.
Mashudu Matamela was frustrated by such regulations when her mother was diagnosed with cancer and hospitalised last year.
This was a nightmare for the family from Nzhelele in the Louis Trichardt area.
Matamela says being separated from their sick mother Masindi Mudiwa when she needed them the most was frustrating.
“She has been in hospital for more than three months now and at times I felt that I am sort of neglecting her having to care for her remotely. I am very close to her in such a way that if I was always next to her she would have healed already," she said.
But all that is now history as the government issued a circular detailing the eased restrictions on Friday.
According to the circular, visiting hours will be limited to one hour per day from 12h00-13h00, effective from Friday 12 March 2021 with a maximum of two visitors per day.
Each visitor is allowed 15 minutes with the patient and visitors must be 18 years or older, except in special circumstances.
The no hospital restriction hit communities very hard at a time when many relatives were hospitalised due to the coronavirus.
Some even passed on without being seen by relatives.
Matamela said: “We know that this is for our own health but this has taken such a long time. Now that the restrictions have been eased we will from time to time be able to visit her and be able to assess her progress," she said
Afrobeats giants star at the Grammys Arthur Greene
Nigerian afrobeats stars Burna Boy and Wizkid both won awards at the 2021 Grammys on Sunday evening, reflecting the genre’s growing eminence on the global music stage.
Burna Boy won the Best Global Music Album category while Wizkid won the Best Music Video for his song with Beyoncé; “Brown Skin Girl” from Lion King: The Gift album.
Burna Boy, the self-titled African Giant, is a nominee for a second consecutive year, and won with his Twice As Tall album.
The awards are traditionally billed as “music’s biggest night,” but this year’s ceremony was understated because of the pandemic.
There was no audience and performers - who included Cardi B and Taylor Swift - were separated onto five different stages to maintain social distancing.
Burna Boy, however, didn’t follow suit with the low key circumstances, when he accepted his award via a remote video call.
Wearing a sublime white suit and several glittering silver chains, he said:
“To every African out there, no matter where you are, no matter what you plan to do, you can achieve it [...] ‘cos you are a king. Look at me now! Grammy award-winning Burna Boy!”
He then erupts into uproarious celebrations with his family, who were present with him.
The Grammys described Twice As Tall as "a masterclass in the vibe and hustle that have made Burna Boy an international musical force".
"[He] continues to torch limitations, seamlessly blending styles and genres and fearlessly fuelling the fire heating the melting pot of pop, Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae and more," it said.
Video source: @ComplexMusic Picture source: @RecordingAcad
Highway Robbery - American man takes a BMW for a test drive then robs a bank to pay for it Arthur Greene
What’s your dream car, and how far would you go to get it?
Eric Dion Warren’s is probably a black BMW, seeing as he robbed a bank to pay for it while he was giving it a test drive.
On 7 June 2019, the American man arrived at a car dealership in Texas and told the dealer that he would like to buy a BMW. While payment was being processed, Warren drove the car to a bank.
He put a paper bag over his head and, armed with a pellet gun, he walked into the bank. He handed the clerk a note demanding $10,000 (R150,000).
The note read: “This is a f****** robbery. Play with me and die. I want $10,000 in 50 and 100 dollar bills now you got 1 minute or I will kill you.”
After being promptly handed the cash, he hopped back in the BMW and sped back to the dealership.
Warren - presumably pumped up with adrenaline after pulling off a bank robbery - reportedly made quite a scene when he arrived.
He waved around $3,000 and demanded to the dealership staff that he be allowed to use it as a downpayment on the high-end car.
Little did he know, however, that the dealership had already received a call from the police, after Warren’s getaway vehicle matched a description of one of theirs.
Warren was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after a short trial. He was arrested in possession of $5,000 (R75,000) and the pellet gun, and the note he used at the bank was covered in his fingerprints. This left the court with little doubt of his guilt.
Picture source: @CBSDFW
Chippa and TTM book their places in the Nedbank semi-finals Menzi Magubane
Chippa United and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila are the first two Premiership teams to book their places in the semi-finals of this season's Nedbank Cup.
Chilli Boys were the first to progress after beating GladAfrica Championship outfit Richards Bay 2-1 on Saturday at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.
On Sunday night Tshakhuma followed after winning the Vhembe derby against Black Leopards in an all DStv Premiership affair at Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo.
Tshakhuma won the match 2-0 to progress to the last four and left Leopards to focus on saving their Premiership status that is slowly slipping away from them.
Chippa and Tshakhuma's run in this competition has been surprising considering that they are not doing well in the Premiership.
These two are tied in 13th place on the log table with 16 points but Chippa is ahead on goal difference.
Only four points separate these two from the bottom of the log.
Before Saturday's match Chippa lost at home to AmaZulu on Wednesday and that defeat got them closer to the relegation zone.
Tshakhuma too lost their league encounter on Wednesday as they were also beaten at home by high flying Golden Arrows.
They remained in 14th place.
Meanwhile on Sunday afternoon, Pretoria Callies became the only GladAfrica Championship side to make it to this season's semi-finals.
Callies beat Cape Town All Stars 5-4 on penalties in an all GladAfrica affair at Danie Craven Stadium in Cape Town.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw after extra time with Callies finishing the game with ten men after the sending off of defender Oupa Moeketsi in the second half of extra time.
The other quarter-final match remaining is between cup holders Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates to be played on 15 April.
The winner there will join Chippa, Tshakhuma and Callies in the semi-finals.
Legend Aguero looks to the future as City moves closer to EPL title Menzi Magubane
Manchester City have moved within touching distance of their third English Premier League title in four seasons with a 3-0 drubbing of Fulham on Saturday.
City need five more wins from their remaining eight games to secure the title.
The match saw the return to the score sheet of the club's all time leading goalscorer Sergio Aguero who played 90 minutes and scored his first goal in over a year.
Aguero has been out injured and also caught the coronavirus. Saturday was only his fourth start this season.
While the striker was eager to point out that no decisions on his future have been taken, he could however be playing his last season for the team with his contract expiring in June.
He may move to Barcelona but he denies this.
"They are all writing Barca, Barca, Barca. Let's hold on a little, have a look. Stop. We are still with City," said Aguero on his Twitter page.
He is guaranteed legendary status at the Etihad Stadium after his title-winning exploits and club-record goals.
He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011. In his debut season he netted the most dramatic of final day winners against QPR to secure City a first Premier League title.
A further three crowns have landed since then, along with five League Cups and a FA Cup triumph. Aguero has played 382 matches across all competitions and scored 256 goals.
Other EPL results
Everton 1-2 Burnley; Leeds United 0-0 Chelsea; Crystal Palace 1- 0 West Brom; Newcastle United 1-1 Aston Villa.
Arsenal 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur; Leicester City 5-0 Sheffield United; Southampton 1-2 Brighton
Picture source: @brfootball
Ashwin’s T20 World Cup dream on home soil shattered
Indian cricketer, Ravichandran Ashwin’s dream to play in the Twenty20 World Cup on home soil later this year may remain just that – a dream.
Skipper Virat Kohli said there was no spot for the record- breaking spinner in the Indian squad who are currently playing a five-match T20 series against England because Washington Sundar had already been performing well for the team in the same role.
“Washington has been doing really well for us,” said Kohli.
“You can’t have two players playing in one spot unless Washington has a drastically horrible season.”
Sundar made his test debut against Australia this year and impressed with the bat during the England series with unbeaten scores of 85 and 96.
But Ashwin took 13 wickets from 15 games in last year’s Indian Premier League, dismissing the likes of Kohli and Chris Gayle.
Through his spinning prowess he also helped India to a 3-1 triumph in the recent test series against England.
He hit a century in India’s second test victory at Chennai and took his 400th test wicket in the third Ahmedabad test, the fastest to that landmark by any Indian bowler in terms of matches.
Only three other Indian bowlers have taken more wickets than Ashwin in test cricket, all of whom have retired.
India is due to host the T20 World Cup between October and November.
Picture source: @Ashwinravi99