Transcript

Hello, everyone! Welcome to the ‘Just a Moment News’ podcast. I’m your host, Erika, bringing you today’s headlines and stories on this October 7th, 2024.

First up, Thembi Simelane, South Africa’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, has recently addressed claims from a weekend report by the Sunday World. The report suggested that President Cyril Ramaphosa had questioned her about a five hundred seventy-five thousand Rand loan she received from Gundo Wealth Solutions, a company implicated in corruption. Simelane disclosed this loan to the ANC’s Integrity Commission and claimed that Ramaphosa was aware of it before her cabinet appointment in August 2021. Her spokesperson, Tsekiso Machike, has called the article misleading and unfair to both Simelane and the president. In response, the Democratic Alliance has called for Simelane’s resignation, pointing out inconsistencies and possible backdating in the loan agreement.

Moving on to a local community issue, the sport of Padel is causing quite a stir in Durban’s residential areas. The construction of new Padel courts is leading to noise complaints from residents in Morningside, Overport, and Berea, particularly around NexPadel courts. The noise levels, reaching between sixty to eighty decibels, are said to exceed South African standards, causing health concerns like high blood pressure and sleep disruption among the locals. Residents are pushing back against further construction, with some taking legal action and others appealing to the municipality for intervention.

In tech news, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in South Africa is looking forward to the potential benefits of Starlink’s satellite service for its rescue operations. NSRI CEO Dr. Cleeve Robertson highlighted that Starlink’s real-time communication capabilities could greatly enhance their operations, especially in remote areas. However, the rollout of Starlink has been delayed due to new regulations requiring telecommunications providers to be thirty percent black-owned. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi is working on a policy directive to facilitate Starlink’s launch to help improve broadband access in underprivileged and remote areas.

From the field of aviation history, Wouter Botes, an aviation researcher, has used modern technology to investigate the crash of the SAS Rietbok plane in 1967. High-resolution 3D images have revealed the wreckage at a depth of about sixty-five meters, suggesting that human error, rather than foul play, was the cause of the crash. Despite these findings, the possibility of a salvage mission remains uncertain due to weather conditions.

In a more sensational piece of news, YouTuber Jack Doherty has made headlines after crashing his two hundred thousand dollar McLaren supercar during a livestream in Miami. Doherty, who was allegedly texting while driving, lost control of the vehicle in rainy conditions, resulting in injuries to himself and his cameraman. The incident, witnessed by one hundred eighty-five thousand viewers, led to Doherty’s ban from the Kick platform.

Lastly, in archaeological news, recent research at the Oakhurst Rock Shelter near George, South Africa, has provided new insights into the region’s human history. Excavations have uncovered the remains of forty-six individuals, with DNA analysis revealing long-term genetic continuity over the past ten thousand years. These findings are helping to fill in the gaps of southern Africa’s unique genetic and cultural history.

That wraps up our news for today. I’m Erika, and this has been ‘Just a Moment News’. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll catch you next time.

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