Hi there 🙋🏾‍♀️ 💰 Budget drama, surprise loadshedding, and SA leading the G20 – there’s been big moves in South Africa this week! While the numbers are tight, there’s hope for a smarter budget fix. Plus, Eskom’s keeping us on our toes, but long-term energy solutions are in play. And hey, SA is running the G20 – let’s make it count! 🇿🇦🌍 On the lighter side, beauty influencer Mihlali’s new veneers had social media talking, and the Oscars are set for a night of glitz, controversy, and maybe a surprise winner. 🎬✨ 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. 😄 —- *Format:* 💬 WhatsApp msg: Keep scrolling 🔊 Voice note by Verashni: https://soundcloud.com/explain-za/how-sa-can-resolve-the-budget-impasse-27-feb-25 📰 Newsletter with pics: https://createsend.com/t/d-423EC9526FA8E3A82540EF23F30FEDED 🇳​🇪​🇼​🇸​ ▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ *1. BIG STORY: SA’s Budget – how it started vs how it’s going* After last week’s shock budget postponement, everyone is saying the same thing about Take Two scheduled for 12 March… increasing VAT by 2% is not an option. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's attempt at a second draft was reportedly rejected by the GNU cabinet again on Monday. The consensus seems to be that: 🔹SA’s current taxpayers, including corporates, are already squeezed and can’t be taxed further. 🔹 The government has a spending problem. 🔹But essential government services like health and education can’t be cut. Squeezing civil servant wages for nurses, police, and teachers is also not workable. 🔹Our repayments on debt are out of control. Of every rand we have to spend on the country, 22c must first go towards paying off our debt. That equals R1bn a day! 🔹SA’s debt-to-GDP ratio, set to reach 75%, is high, but the real problem is that all that loaned money hasn’t been used efficiently. Countries like China have a ratio of over 100% but that borrowed money was used to improve infrastructure and boost the economy. Shew. As ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula put it on Tuesday, Godongwana is stuck between a rock and a hard place. So what are the solutions? The DA put forward a great proposal this week, noting that the R60bn hole that the VAT increase hoped to plug could be found by cutting government advertising by 50% and catering and travel costs across departments by a third. On Wednesday at a G20 meeting, SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter doubled down on his previous suggestion that we invest in the revenue service to improve tax collection. Improving collection, which is currently at about 64%, could bring in a further R800bn, he’s said, but some experts aren’t sure if that’s possible given it would need to be gathered from the informal sector mostly. What’s striking about the political pushback is the agreement across the political spectrum. Leftists like the SACP and Cosatu are making similar proposals to market-friendly organisations like the DA and Sars. This seems like a good thing. Meanwhile, the clock is counting down to March 12. ▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ *2. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE: What had social media buzzing this week* From Elon Musk’s latest main character moment to Mihlali’s glow-up and McDonald’s entering the school furniture business (yes, really), here’s what got people talking this week. 🗣️ “ _Elon Musk, who is wearing sunglasses indoors, wields a chainsaw to celebrate the tens of thousands of federal employees he’s fired indiscriminately and without explanation._ ” - @MAGALieTracker, 21 Feb. In the latest from the dystopia unfolding over in the US, Trump’s righthand billionaire Elon Musk rocked up at a conservative conference near Washington on Thursday wielding, wait for it, a chainsaw, a pitch for his Department of Government Efficiency. Musk, in a black MAGA cap, shades and possibly weeks-deep in some sort of ketamine-induced mania, declared it “the chainsaw for bureaucracy.” Was it politics? Performance art? A midlife crisis? Meanwhile, Musk is still continuing his assault on US democracy and governance, though there has been some pushback this week from some in Trump’s cabinet. 🗣️ “ _Mihlali is the final boss of body dysmorphia bc what was wrong with her teeth?_ 😭” @NubianSkywalker, 25 Feb. SA’s ultimate baddie, beauty YouTuber Mihlali Ndamase is sporting new blinding white veneers – and Twitter (X) had thoughts. The influencer recently took a sponsored trip to Turkey’s Prime Dental Clinic with her mom for a Hollywood-worthy smile upgrade. Of course, she documented the entire thing, dropping a before-and-after video this week that had fans referencing chiclets, US comedian Steve Harvey’s cartoonish dental work and even scary dolls. 😆 The consensus was that she didn’t need it, but still, her new pearly whites are shining – just like her career. 😁✨ 🗣️ _“They’re really taking pride in making 7-year-olds drag their own furniture to school. We are in hell.”_ – @PearlPillay, 25 Feb. In what might be the most Mzansi story of the week, McDonald’s donated foldable plastic desks to Grade 1 learners at a Cape Town school. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube proudly announced the handover, but social media? Flames. The internet wasn’t impressed with the idea of fast-food-sponsored furniture or kids weighed down on their way to school. Yoh. Whether these desks are a creative solution or a giant red flag, one thing is certain: South Africans are not lovin’ it. 🍟🔥 ▁ ▂ ▄ ▅ ▆ ▇ █ *BRIEFS:* *3. Loadshedding’s return: The economic cost of Stage 6 blackouts* It was a blissful 10 months. From 26 March 2024 to 31 January 2025, South Africans enjoyed an uninterrupted electricity supply after years of crippling loadshedding. The first resurgence lasted just a few days in early February. However, over the past week, rolling blackouts returned with a vengeance, reaching Stage 6 at their peak. And just as suddenly as it reappeared, Eskom announced it was over yesterday morning. Apparently, the main culprit was a transformer overload at Majuba, our second-largest power plant, according to Eskom. This created a domino effect, cutting power to several units. Then Camden unexpectedly lost four more units thanks to a hydraulic valve failure. The end result? Nearly 3,900MW of unplanned losses on top of over 7,000MW already offline for planned maintenance. SA has a total domestic electricity generation capacity of about 58,095MW. So losing nearly 11,000MW is a big deal. (FYI: Each MW can supply around 650 average homes.) In 2023, loadshedding shaved off about 1.8 percentage points of growth for the year. We need 1.5% to 2.0% per year to address unemployment and poverty, experts agree. Even with very little load-shedding last year, the country’s GDP is projected to have grown by just 1%. So, while businesses had started to regain confidence after months of stable supply, this fresh uncertainty could derail that momentum. But it’s worth remembering how we got to 300 days without loadshedding in the first place. Eskom’s 2023 Generation Recovery Plan, played a major role in stabilising the grid with improved maintenance, bringing more generating units online, and integrating independent power producers into the energy mix. The return of Medupi Unit 4 and Kusile Unit 6 in the coming months is expected to add much-needed ongoing capacity. Meanwhile, private sector energy initiatives, including rooftop solar, are growing rapidly. For now, the immediate crisis has passed, but the road to a fully stable energy system will require continued investment, policy certainty, and a commitment to long-term maintenance. If SA can sustain the improvements that kept the lights on for nearly a year, we can finally put loadshedding behind us permanently. *4. The 2025 Oscars: A packed and unpredictable year for Best Picture* Hollywood’s biggest night is nearly upon us. The 97th Oscars takes place on Sunday in Los Angeles. Unlike last year’s Oppenheimer sweep, this year’s Best Picture race is anyone’s game. Spanish crime musical _Emilia Pérez_ leads with a record-breaking 13 nominations, making history as the most-nominated non-English-language film. Hot on its heels is the Adrien Brody-led period drama The Brutalist and the fan-favourite witchy musical Wicked, each with 10 nods. Other contenders include comedy-drama _Anora_ , papal thriller _Conclave_ , Bob Dylan biopic _A Complete Unknown,_ space epic _Dune: Part Two_ , Brazilian political biopic _I’m Still Here_ , historical drama _Nickel Boys_ , and body horror _The Substance_ starring Demi Moore. Whew. Meanwhile, the Best Actress category is making history – and headlines. Karla Sofía Gascón is the first trans woman to be nominated in the category for playing Emilia Pérez. But controversy surrounds her nomination after past offensive tweets about Muslims, George Floyd, and Oscars diversity resurfaced. Netflix dropped her from its ad campaigns promoting the film. Gascón has since apologised. While she skipped other major award shows, her confirmed presence at the Oscars will be one of the most-watched moments of the night. In a shock move, the Academy scrapped the live performances of the Best Original Song nominees, drawing backlash from the music industry. But there will still be some big musical moments – Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are expected to perform together for the first time since filming _Wicked_ , and other acts include Queen Latifah, Blackpink’s Lisa, Doja Cat, and Raye. For South Africans keen to catch the action: 📍 Live Ceremony – M-Net Movies 1 (DStv 104) on Monday, 3 March, at 02:00 SA time 📍 Prime-time Repeat – M-Net (DStv 101) at 22:00 SA time 📍 Streaming & Catch-Up – Available on DStv Stream and Catch-Up With a stacked nominee list, unexpected performances, and controversy in the mix, this year’s Oscars will be one of the most talked-about in years. Whether it sticks to its three-and-a-half-hour runtime is another story… 🎬✨ *5. South Africa takes the G20 hot seat – but will anyone show up?* South Africa is officially running the world – sort of. As of December 2024, we hold the presidency of the G20, the first African country to do so. The plan is to bring African and Global South issues to the front – think debt relief, climate change, and sustainable development. The Group of Twenty (G20) is an international forum of the world’s largest economies – 19 countries plus the European Union and, as of last year, the African Union. Together, they represent 85% of global GDP, over 75% of international trade, and about two-thirds of the world’s population. Originally created in 1999 to deal with global financial stability, it has expanded its focus to include climate change, energy security, trade, and sustainable development. Each year, a different country takes the lead, setting the agenda and hosting the annual G20 Summit, where world leaders gather to (hopefully) solve the world’s biggest problems. SA’s presidency will culminate in Johannesburg in November 2025. But the first major G20 event under SA’s leadership – the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting in Cape Town yesterday – wasn’t exactly a full house. Key figures, including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japan’s Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, _didn’t show up_ . And they’re not alone – finance ministers from India, China, and Canada also seem to have other plans. Why the cold shoulder? Analysts say growing geopolitical tensions and internal divisions within the G20 are making global economic coordination… well, not a _vibe_ , thanks to Donald Trump. Trump is generally not a fan of multilateral institutions. In his first presidency, he pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, criticised global trade deals, and often skipped key global summits. While he hasn’t outright declared his intention to skip the summit in November, his administration’s recent behaviour suggests he might send a low-level official in his place – a diplomatic snub. But SA isn’t backing down. This week’s discussions are tackling issues critical for Africa’s future. The real test? Whether SA can get the world’s biggest economies to pay attention before we host the grand finale – the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November. *6. Can SA boxing get off the ropes?* South African boxing used to be a heavy hitter, but these days, it's barely making weight. Once the pride of the nation, with legends like Baby Jake Matlala and Dingaan Thobela dominating the ring, the sport has faded into the background. Now, the 2025 National Boxing Convention hosted by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and Boxing South Africa (BSA), which _explain_ attended, aims to revive its former glory. But is it just another round of big talk? Boxing in Mzansi wasn’t just a sport; it was a movement. Even Nelson Mandela laced up his gloves, famously saying, "In the ring, rank, age, colour, and wealth are irrelevant." But fast forward to today, and local boxing is struggling to stay relevant. Veteran boxer Luvuyo Tyamzashe knows this all too well. His promising career was cut short by an injury in 1985, but he didn’t throw in the towel. Now wheelchair-bound, he’s training the next generation of fighters because, as Tyamzashe puts it, “today’s fighters lack the endurance of old-school boxers.” BSA spokesperson Luthando Zibeko states it plainly; "Boxing is on its knees." Back in the ‘90s, SA had a few world champions, including the legendary Corrie Sanders. Not to mention, boxing was a TV staple. But when broadcasters pulled the plug, sponsors disappeared, and with them, young talent lost a clear path to success. Another issue? Inclusivity for women and disabled athletes. The convention has proposed solutions, including: 💥 Bringing boxing back to TV 💥 Modernising the sport 💥 Including boxing in school sports But will it actually happen? Promoter Ntsikelelo Manyisane isn’t convinced; he points out that the last convention led to nothing. Zibeko, though, is hopeful. He believes a new boxing board could be the fresh start the sport needs. For now, young hopefuls will keep stepping into the ring, waiting for the investment and opportunities that could make SA boxing a champion once more. *7. Germany dodges the far-right bullet – for now* Germany’s elections this week were a political rollercoaster. While the country avoided a full shift to the far right, the warning signs are flashing. The centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), secured 29% of the vote, announced yesterday, making them the largest bloc. Typically, in Germany, no party wins an outright majority, and at this point, coalition talks would take place. The shocker this time? The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) surged to 20.8%, nearly doubling its seats in parliament​. Traditionally, German mainstream parties have upheld a "firewall" against the AfD due to its extremist views – think of how South African parties blocked the MK Party from gaining power. The AfD has been shunned over: 🔹Historical revisionism – Some members have downplayed Nazi crimes, with one even calling himself the “friendly face of National Socialism”, a previous phrase for Nazism. 🔹Climate denialism – The party opposes green energy initiatives and questions climate change. 🔹Hardline anti-immigration policies – They want to scrap individual asylum hearings and set up foreign holding camps​. CDU leader Friedrich Merz is trying to form a government without the AfD. His best bet? A coalition with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), who secured 16.4% of the votes. The SPD has agreed to talks but aren’t making any promises. Merz hopes to finalise the deal by mid-April​. Meanwhile, in his victory speech, he declared that Germany must become more independent from the US, a not-so-subtle jab at Donald Trump’s foreign policy chaos and Elon Musk’s attempt to influence his country’s politics​. The Tesla CEO and tech billionaire backed the AfD during the campaign. He appeared via video at an AfD rally, urging Germans to “move beyond” their historical guilt – a controversial statement given the country's Nazi past. Plus, there was Musk’s gesture resembling a Nazi salute during President Trump's inauguration, which he later dismissed as an “awkward gesture.” This election is part of a broader European trend where far-right parties are gaining ground. For now, Germany has kept the AfD out of power – but if voter frustration continues, that firewall might not hold forever. *8. Pope Francis’ Health scare sparks reflection on his legacy* Pope Francis, the 88-year-old leader of the Catholic Church, has been hospitalised with pneumonia since 14 February. 😕 While he's showing signs of improvement, his condition remains serious. But even from his hospital bed, the pope is keeping busy, making calls and staying engaged in his work. His health struggles have sparked global reflection on his profound impact on the church. ✅ A champion for the poor – he called the homeless the "nobles of the street" and turned the Vatican into a sanctuary for those in need. Social justice has been at the core of his leadership. ✅ Breaking barriers for women – while sticking to the Church’s all-male priesthood, he appointed women to key leadership roles, including the first-ever female head of a Vatican office. Progress, but baby steps. ✅ A more inclusive church – he extended a hand to LGBTQ+ individuals, even meeting with transgender people and calling for a more open church. Not everyone approved, but he stood firm. ✅ Advocating for migrants – a vocal critic of harsh immigration policies, he reminded the world that Jesus himself was a refugee. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. He also faced intense scrutiny over the church’s handling of sexual abuse scandals, financial transparency, and the ongoing tug-of-war between conservatives and liberals in the Vatican. Given his age and health, the question of succession is on people’s minds. Here’s how it works: 🔹 Who’s in charge in the meantime? Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the current camerlengo, would temporarily oversee Vatican affairs. 🔹 How is a new pope chosen? A papal conclave – basically a secret election happens about two weeks after a pope steps down or passes away. The cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel and vote until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority. For now, the world watches and waits. Whether Pope Francis makes a full recovery or the Church prepares for a transition, one thing is clear – his legacy will be felt for generations to come. —----------- 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. Mail [email protected] for a quote. 🇸​🇺​🇧​🇸​🇨​🇷​🇮​🇧​🇪​ Remember to share the love. 💫 Tell your friends to sign up: 📩 Email: http://explain.co.za/subscribe 📲 Our new WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vac06yM8kyyLmOulb80J _Till next time, goodbye from the team_ ✌🏽