South Africa News
All you need to know about DiDi rides

We tested DiDi, the latest ride-hailing app to launch in South Africa, and found it stacks up well to established players like Uber and Bolt. After initially rolling out in Gqeberha and Cape Town earlier this year, Didi launched in Gauteng on Monday, 23 August.
After downloading the DiDi-Rider app from the Google Play Store and launching it for the first time, I was prompted to create an account. This process was simple and required that I provide my cellphone number and email address, and select a password.
After confirming my cellphone number via an OTP, I could start using the app, which required that I provide permission to my contacts, location, and phone dialling, all three of which served obvious purposes in the app. The main page was dominated by a Google Maps window which showed my current location and a large tab at the bottom to enter a destination address.
At the top left was a hamburger menu which provided access to a list of options, including my profile, trip history, payment options, a help centre, messages, safety centre, and settings.
There were also options to invite friends to the app, learn more about becoming a DiDi driver, or view current promotions. Much like its competitors, DiDi accepts cash or card payments.
After adding my Visa credit card information under the Payments section, I entered my destination and requested a trip. The app provided an estimated price for the 7.6km trip of R69 for the standard Didi Express option or R55 for the more affordable Go compact option.
Both of these were cheaper than the standard UberX and UberGo services to the same destination. Express offered an R40 discount voucher for my first ride using a card for payment, so I chose this option.
After this discount and a round-off fee deduction of R0.37, the final trip price was R29. The app quickly connected me to a driver, showing his name, vehicle description and number plate, and options to message or call him. It also indicated the distance and time he would take to get to me.
Clicking on his name showed his rating, the number of trips he had completed, and how long he had been a DiDi driver.
He had no trouble finding me waiting outside the building I had indicated as my pickup location within the indicated time. During my trip, the driver told me he has also driven for Uber and Bolt but claimed that DiDi offered superior security for drivers and riders when compared to the latter.
In his first three days of driving, he had already completed enough trips to earn a bonus payment offered by DiDi to drivers who managed to complete 10 trips in their first week. The total trip time was about 13 minutes, par for the course based on the speed limits he had to abide by.
After buying a few basic household items, I booked another trip to a house. This time the amount was R58, as the distance was a bit shorter. Once again, this was cheaper than Uber.
After using another R35 voucher, the final fare was just R23. I confirmed the trip, and the app connected me to another driver in a white Hyundai Accent. During the return trip, the driver told me he was also an Uber driver and was trying out DiDi to see how well it worked.
Source: News365
In other news – Kwaito star Kabelo Mabalane to compete in the Cape Town marathon
Kwaito star and runner pastor Kabelo Mabalane is flying Mzansi’s flag high.
Ready to compete in the Cape Town Marathon, one of the world’s biggest running events, he wrote: “ICYMI @ctmarathon gets to be the seventh world major marathon. Learn more
South Africa News
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline Contract Offer from Bola Tinubu

Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline Contract Offer from Tinubu. In a recent statement that has stirred discussions across Nigeria, former Niger Delta militant leader Asari Dokubo disclosed that he turned down a pipeline contract offer from President Bola Tinubu. Known for his outspoken views and often controversial remarks, Dokubo shed light on the circumstances surrounding the offer, as well as his reasons for declining it.
During an interview, Dokubo revealed that Bola Tinubu offered him a lucrative contract to manage pipelines in the Niger Delta region, a high-stakes role designed to reduce vandalism and secure Nigeria’s oil resources. However, Dokubo chose to walk away from the opportunity, emphasizing that his principles and vision for the Niger Delta community took precedence over financial gains.
“This was not a decision I took lightly, but for me, it’s about integrity and my responsibility to my people,” Dokubo explained. He stated that while he appreciated the President’s offer, he did not believe that accepting the contract would align with his goals for the region. For Dokubo, the struggle for the Niger Delta has always been rooted in empowerment and community-led development, rather than personal gain.
Dokubo has a long history of activism in the Niger Delta, advocating for the rights of the region’s people, often marginalized despite its rich natural resources. His stance on pipeline contracts, a topic that has frequently led to clashes between government officials and local leaders, reflects his dedication to what he considers a genuine fight for the community’s benefit. “This is not just about money or power. It’s about securing a future where our resources benefit the people who live on this land,” he affirmed.
Asari Dokubo Reveals He Declined Pipeline
Pipeline security has long been a sensitive issue in Nigeria, where oil remains the country’s primary revenue source. The Niger Delta, as the heart of Nigeria’s oil production, has faced numerous challenges, from environmental degradation to inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities for its residents. Oil pipeline vandalism, often blamed on economic desperation and disenfranchisement, has led to substantial losses in government revenue and, at times, significant ecological damage.
Previous administrations have used security contracts with local leaders and former militants to curb these issues, often outsourcing pipeline protection in the hopes of reducing sabotage. However, critics argue that such contracts may only offer a temporary fix and sometimes fuel resentment within communities. Dokubo’s decision to refuse the contract underscores his belief in the need for long-term, community-focused solutions to address the root causes of these problems.
Instead of accepting the contract, Dokubo has called for a more sustainable approach that centers on education, skill-building, and economic empowerment for the Niger Delta people. “Our people need opportunities, not handouts. It’s time to invest in education, infrastructure, and industry so that our communities can thrive independently,” he argued. This perspective has garnered support from those who share his vision for a self-reliant Niger Delta, though others view his refusal as a missed chance to use government resources to uplift the region.
Despite differing opinions, Dokubo remains resolute in his stance. He has expressed his willingness to work alongside the government on initiatives that prioritize the well-being of the Niger Delta communities, provided that such efforts are genuinely aimed at empowering local populations. “I am ready to support any initiative that brings true development to our people. But it must be genuine and transparent,” Dokubo insisted.
Reactions to Dokubo’s statements have been mixed, with some applauding his decision as a show of integrity, while others argue that he should have accepted the contract to exert a positive influence from within. However, Dokubo’s stance speaks to a broader conversation about how Nigeria’s resources are managed and who truly benefits from them. For Dokubo, meaningful progress in the Niger Delta is about shifting the focus from short-term profits to creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.
In conclusion, Asari Dokubo’s decision to decline President Tinubu’s pipeline contract offer reveals his commitment to a long-term vision for the Niger Delta. His focus on empowering the region through genuine development rather than financial contracts illustrates a deeply rooted dedication to his people. Whether or not others agree with his choice, Dokubo’s actions have ignited important discussions about Nigeria’s approach to resource management and the future of the Niger Delta.
Source: Dailypost
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South Africa News
Why I ignored rumours that I’m transgender: Lady Gaga

American singer, Lady Gaga has revealed why she chose to ignore rumours that she’s a transgender. Speaking in an interview with Variety, Gaga disclosed that she chose not to address the rumours because she didn’t want to make being transgender seem shameful.
“I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie and I thought: What about a kid who is being accused of that who would think that a public figure like me would feel shame?
I’ve been in situations where fixing a rumour was not in the best interest and the well-being of other people,” she explained. Lady Gaga recently announced her engagement to her French boyfriend, Michael Polansky.
The singer revealed that it was her mom who introduced her to her fiancé.The Bad Romance singer mentioned how she “didn’t feel like a victim” amid the swirling claims and, therefore, didn’t feel the need to address the rumour until she finally cleared the air on the Netflix show that premiered on Wednesday.
Lady Gaga addresses ‘man’ rumours
“The reason I didn’t answer the question was because I didn’t feel like a victim with that lie,” Gaga told Gates in his new series as she made her way to the OTT stage. “But I thought about, what about a kid that’s being accused of that, that would think that a public figure like me would feel shame,” she continued.
The pop star recalled times when she was plagued by such claims and frequently questioned in press conferences about doctored pictures on the internet and rumours that she was a man. In 2011, she told CNN, “Why the hell am I going to waste my time and give a press release about whether or not I have a penis? My fans don’t care and neither do I.
Source: People
South Africa News
I lost opportunities over my support for Palestine – Kehlani

American singer-songwriter Kehlani Ashley Parrish, popularly known as “Kehlani,” has opened up about losing opportunities and deals due to her support for Palestine. The singer revealed this in an interview with ‘Breakfast Club’ released in the early hours of Tuesday. I have experienced a lot of pushback,” Kehlani said.
I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album to happen, supposed to be a lot of ‘firsts’… magazines and these things… brand deals and opportunities that we’re sad to lose. But at the end of the day, I don’t regret doing something that I… I can go to sleep at night. I can go to sleep knowing that, like, what I’ve learned to be as an artist, I’m aligned with.
The singer voiced her support for Palestine in an Instagram post on May 29th, before featuring the Palestinian flag in her video for ‘Next 2 U,’ released on May 31st. Through the singer’s support, $500,000 was raised for the people of Gaza, Congo and Sudan.
Source: Dailpost
In other news – My man pays me allowance – Mercy Eke
Reality TV star Mercy Eke has revealed that she gets paid for being in a relationship. Speaking in a recent episode of the ‘Love Is A Game’, she said: “My guy [partner] pays me an allowance. But it’s not that I mandated him to do that. I have about six domestic workers. So the allowance is just to assist me to pay my staff.
I didn’t tell him to pay my staff’s salaries. He’s doing it on his own to reduce my responsibilities. Because of that, I always want to do things for him too. Mercy Eke has been hiding her current partner from the public. Read more