Dr Malinga kicked out of Zimbabwe

South African musician Dr Malinga, whose real name is Goodwill Malinga, faced deportation from Zimbabwe after an event promoter failed to secure the necessary clearance and work permit for his performance. The incident occurred when Dr Malinga was booked to perform at Ngom Primary School in Gwanda.

The negligent promoter overlooked this crucial aspect of organizing the event for a foreign artist, leading to the musician’s deportation. Dr Malinga expressed his disappointment, clarifying that the complications arose from the promoter’s side and not his own.

Dr Malinga has faced various challenges in his career. Previously, he openly discussed his financial struggles during an episode of the podcast “Podcast and Chill with MacG.” He tearfully revealed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on his income, attributing his money problems to the lack of gigs. However, recent developments have shown signs of recovery for the musician.

Contradicting his previous circumstances, he posted on Twitter, showcasing himself flying first class, leaving social media users puzzled. It is worth noting that Dr Malinga had previously admitted to owing a substantial amount of money to the South African Revenue Services (SARS), amounting to R500,000.

The incident in Zimbabwe highlights the importance of proper planning and adherence to legal requirements when organizing events involving international artists. Negligence in securing the necessary clearances and work permits can lead to consequences such as deportation and disruption of planned performances. Despite his setbacks, Dr Malinga continues to navigate his career and make strides towards stability, as evidenced by his recent social media presence.

IN BUSINESS NEWS: Evolution of South African Banknotes: From Big Five to Mandela, a Journey of Currency Transformation

South Africa has witnessed significant changes in its banknotes since 1994, with alterations made to their visual features, sizing, and language. Over nearly three decades, the country’s banknotes have represented five denominations: R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200.

The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) has released over seven issues of banknotes, starting with the “Jan van Riebeeck” issue in 1961, which marked South Africa’s independence as a republic. Subsequent issues included the addition of denominations such as R5 and R50 in the second and third releases, respectively.

The most notable change occurred in 1992 with the release of the “Big Five” notes. The color schemes of the previous notes were maintained for the R10, R20, and R50 denominations, while the R100 and R200 notes introduced blue and orange hues. The R2 and R5 notes were discontinued and replaced with coins. These post-apartheid notes depicted the “Big Five” tourist attractions on the obverse and images representing major industries on the reverse.

In 2005, updated rand notes were issued, incorporating new security features, slight design changes, and the inclusion of South Africa’s eleven official languages. The sixth issue, introduced in 2012 and named after Nelson Mandela, maintained the color schemes of the previous notes but featured Mandela’s portrait on the obverse side. The wildlife theme remained, with the animals now portrayed on the reverse. These banknotes were nicknamed the “randela” notes.

In 2018, the SARB released a commemorative seventh issue called the “Nelson Mandela Centenary” to celebrate the former president’s 100th birthday. This marked the first launch of a series of commemorative banknotes into circulation. The banknotes depicted significant locations in Mandela’s life, from the Eastern Cape to Soweto, Howick, Robben Island, and the Union Buildings.

In May 2023, the SARB announced an update to the Nelson Mandela banknotes, making it the eighth issue. The upgraded banknotes feature enhanced security features and new designs while maintaining the overall themes of the randela notes. Mandela’s portrait remains on the front, with the Big Five animals illustrated as a family on the back.

The banknotes also highlight South Africa’s constitutional democracy, featuring the preamble to the South African Constitution and the national flag. Additionally, the note coloring has been slightly adjusted, with the R50 notes leaning more towards purple.