[image source:polity]

South Africa On Road To Collapse Unless ANC Takes Corrective Action – There has never been greater urgency to enact long-delayed reforms to reverse state decline. The top leadership of the ANC needs to take hard decisions if the party’s collapse and the failure of the state are to be averted. [mav]

Another R1.2 Billion In ‘Covidpreneur’ Looting Under Investigation – A further R1.2 billion in Covid-19 contracts has been identified by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to be investigated for signs of dodgy dealings or corruption. [btech]

South Africa Surpasses 500,000 Covid-19 Cases, More Than Half Of Africa’s Tally – South Africa on Saturday surpassed 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, representing more than 50% of all reported coronavirus infections in Africa’s 54 countries. [f24]

Victoria, Australia, In ‘State Of Disaster,’ Melbourne Lockdown From Covid-19 Coronavirus – Victoria, the second most populated state in Australia, has just declared a “State of Disaster,” and Melbourne has moved into a “stage four” lock down. [forbes]

TikTok: Trump Says He Will Ban Chinese Video App In The US – President Donald Trump has announced he is banning the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok in the US. [cnn]

Microsoft Pursuing TikTok Purchase By September 15th, May Invite U.S. Investors To Deal – Microsoft  has posted a statement today on its corporate blog that says it will continue discussions on a potential TikTok purchase in the U.S.. As a part of the statement, it says that it may invite other “American investors” to participate on a minority basis. [tc]

Brazil Bolsonaro: Facebook Told To Block Accounts Of President’s Supporters – Facebook has complied with an order by Brazil’s Supreme Court to block the accounts of a dozen top allies of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro. [bbc]

Apple Reportedly Acquires Startup That Could Turn iPhones Into Payment Terminals – Mobeewave’s tech lets users tap a credit card or smartphone on another phone to process payments. [verge]

Epstein’s Alleged Secret Girlfriend Revealed As Children’s Book Author, Entrepreneur – Jeffrey Epstein’s secret girlfriend was a children’s book author nicknamed “Chocolate Sauce” who touts herself as a “spiritual entrepreneur” — and runs a “sacred space” in the Big Apple, according to a report. [nyp]

HSBC’s Pre-Tax Profits Fall 65% To $4.3 Billion In First Half Of 2020, Missing Expectations – HSBC on Monday reported a 65% year-over-year fall in pre-tax profits for the first six months of 2020 to $4.3 billion — missing analysts’ expectations. [cnbc]

WP President Lashes Out At Leaked Reports Of Stormers’ Sale – Western Province Rugby Union president Zelt Marais has hit out at reports suggesting that an American consortium was close to purchasing a controling stake in the Stormers. [iol]

Springbok Lock Eben Etzebeth ‘Not Complicit In’ Racism And Assault – Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been found not guilty of either racism or assault, Rapport reported on Sunday. [tlive]

Australia To Force Facebook, Google To Pay Media Companies For Content – Australia will force Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google to pay Australian media outlets for news content, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said on Friday. [mav]

Rembrandt Self-Portrait Breaks Record At Virtual Auction – A self-portrait by Rembrandt sold for $18.7 million at a Sotheby’s virtual auction, breaking the record price for a self-portrait by the Dutch master. [cnn]

Lewis Hamilton Basks In ‘Most Dramatic Race End’ After Winning With Puncture – Lewis Hamilton hailed his remarkable three-wheeled victory at the British Grand Prix as the most dramatic climax of his career. [guardian]

Prince William, Kate And Kids Head For British Staycation On Isles Of Scilly – Prince William previously holidayed there as a child with Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince Charles. [es]

Inside Olivia – A former Russian Navy ship turned luxury superyacht selling for R470 million. [busins]

Garth Brooks Doesn’t Want To Win CMA Entertainer Award Again – Country superstar Garth Brooks says he is pulling himself out of nominations for the Country Music Association’s entertainer of the year award, saying it’s time for someone else to win the top prize. [nyp]

Egyptians Call Out Elon Musk For Spreading A Ridiculous Pyramids Conspiracy Theory – Sheesh, can’t a billionaire CEO tweet out a racially insensitive conspiracy theory in peace? [mash]

Kylie Jenner Is A Vogue Cover Girl Again – As she smolders in plunging red latex gown and is praised for her ‘strength and determination’ in Hong Kong issue. [dm]

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DON’T SAY WE DIDN’T TELL YOU…

There are a number of ongoing deals set up at our various exclusive partners. Here they are – just for you;-)

Buy Any Product From Websites That ‘Don’t Ship To SA’ – One of our most exciting partners offers you a PO Box in US, UK or Hong Kong, for you to deliver overseas online purchases to. Postbox Courier handles it from there – getting the package to you in under a week. [more]

There Is Only One Company When It Comes To Import Export Logistics – Your freight forwarding / shipping partner is probably more important than the actual products you want to move from country to country. Choose the wrong guys and you can get stung in so many ways. Be smart, use 2ov’s partners, Berry & Donaldson. [here]

First Month Storage Space 50% Off At Stor-Age – Whether you need a locker for a bicycle or a garage for your house contents, Stor-Age has the space you need. And they’re offering a special ‘50% off the first month’ deal – no strings attached! You can take your stuff out after one month – no problem! [check it out]

Affordable Cane Furniture – If you’re buying cane or wicker furniture anywhere else, you’re wasting a lot of time and money. These guys import directly from Malawi. Hand-Made cane furniture – buy online and have it delivered! [check it out]

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