South Africa News
Minister of Human Settlements Mmamoloko Kubayi to speed up the provision of social houses
Twenty-one days after taking office, the new Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has promised to speed up the provision of social houses, saying it was unacceptable that there are people who have been waiting for houses since 1994.
Kubayi also said it was also unacceptable that while people on the ground need social housing from the state, her department and provincial departments were underspending on their budget and returning the money back to the national Treasury. She said there is a possibility that her department in October this year is going to return almost half a billion rands back to the Treasury because of underspending.
Kubayi is on a three-day ministerial visit to KwaZulu-Natal as part of her department’s “365 Days of Speed and Efficiency in the roll-out of human settlements” programme and she took time to exclusively meet with Independent Media.
“So, for an example, I am sitting with the possibility of losing about R400 million, now in the October medium-term budget because of underspending… over time you can see the trend of surrendering money to the Treasury… that what’s I have said to them team, let’s go put systems of spending in the provinces.
When we allocate money to the municipalities, the grants we are giving are not coming back because it is not justifiable, there is so much need of housing in this country, there is much need of infrastructure, there is so much we can do,” she said.
During her visit she was accompanied by KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Human Settlements, Jomo Sibiya, who said he was grateful that the national department was going to aid the province to recover from last month’s riots that came with looting and loss of life.
Sibiya said no matter what has happened or had angered people, the looting should have not happened as it has resulted in the shortage of building material when the province needs it the most.
He said even the available building material is very expensive, making it difficult to provide social housing needed across the province. Sibiya was asked about the many unfinished housing projects in rural towns like Melmoth.
He said when he took office, it became his priority to ensure that those projects are finished and handed over to the people as they paint a picture of a government without clear planning processes.
“In the province I agree, there is a project in Melmoth, just close to the road, it has been there for quite some time. Some of the houses have just been recently completed, some have been completed some time ago, some are yet to be completed but all of them do have roofs and everything.
“I have been to Melmoth because it’s one issue that I said it can’t continue… Unfinished housing projects are the ones on my radar that I have said we need to complete all the projects because it is painting this government in a wrong way (as if) we are unable to plan. We just do projects for the sake of doing them when we need to have those projects or houses occupied, then we are found wanting
Source: News365
In other news – Former Mzansi it-girl Nonhle Thema speaks after her dramatic downfall
Mzansi’s former it-girl Nonhle Thema has said that she is done dreaming about things she can do or do better because she has done it all.
Nonhle took to Instagram to express her emotions following her downfall. She said, “My focus when I was young was to be a TV star and I ended up being a global star. Learn more
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
In other news –
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
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