It was meant to be an orphanage for vulnerable children in an impoverished community. So, why are more than one hundred children now being fed from a shack next to the multi-million rand property in Limpopo? Here’s what’s coming up on Carte Blanche this week. You can watch the show on Sunday 19 March in […]

Worldwide, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are seen as the backbone of a thriving economy. They make up a substantial portion of the total number of companies and are estimated to contribute over 87% of all jobs globally. A recent World Economic Forum report showed that major disruptions affect the value chain of SMEs significantly […]

Suddenly, things are looking a little brighter at Eskom!The power utility announced on Thursday evening that “there has been notable gradual improvements in Eskom’s power generation fleet. Over the past week, six coal-fired power stations achieved energy availability factor (EAF) of 70%, a milestone last achieved on 08 May 2022.” Several of Eskom’s detractors had […]

Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) has won its eighth consecutive award for ‘Best Airport in Africa’ and third consecutive award for ‘Best Airport Staff in Africa’ in the prestigious Skytrax World Airport Awards. The awards ceremony took place last night at the Passenger Terminal EXPO in Amsterdam, in the Netherlands. On Thursday, Western Cape Premier […]

After a long wait, commuters will, at last, be able to use a train from Nyanga to Cape Town on Monday, when the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) resumes service on part of the Central Line. Cape Town’s Central railway line, closed since 2019, is to partly re-open on Monday, says the Passenger […]

Once one of Cape Town’s foremost social movements, the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) is battling to stay afloat in the midst of investigations into financial mismanagement by a top employee. Former SJC general manager Xolani Klaas made a brief appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrates Court on Tuesday. He faces charges related to fraud in excess […]

The continent’s biggest and most important travel trade event, Africa Travel Week (ATW) returns to Cape Town from Monday, 3 April to Wednesday, 5 April 2023. The gathering will once again be packed with a selection of top exhibitors, conferences, and buyers from across the continent and the world. Since becoming the official host city of […]

Proudly South African is gearing up to host the #BuyLocalSummit2023, which will take place on 27 and 28 March at the Sandton Convention Centre. The theme is ‘Growing the Economy and Creating Jobs through Localisation’. The Summit and Expo, which enters its 11th iteration this year, promises to delight with a vast array of local […]

When two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers most. That’s why there is still no success in developing the township economy in the Eastern Cape… writes Godfrey Sigwela Opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has not stopped firing missiles at the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC). And out of that tussle, any […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has told new ambassadors from across the world that South Africa’s most immediate and pressing task is to stabilise the supply of electricity and to ensure energy security into the future. The President said this while welcoming 18 new Heads of Mission-Designate. The Heads of Mission-Designate presented their Letters of Credence to […]

Urban agriculture as a global phenomenon is widely promoted as a sustainable land use practice. On small plots and in big projects, using sophisticated technology or simple solutions, city dwellers around the world are producing food. Growing food in a city can improve local food security and express local culture. Little information is available, though, […]

The EFF has responded to what it calls the DA’s “frivolous legal action” against the planned national shutdown on Monday 20 March, defining it as an anti-democratic publicity stunt that proves the DA “still seeks to salvage the Cyril Ramaphosa Presidency as a proxy of its neo-liberal policy outlook”. The DA today launched legal action […]

Leading luxury travel buyers will be heading to Cape Town at the end of the month for the ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) Africa 2023. Impressively, 88% are new buyers with representation from Brazil, Canada, Finland, Israel, Nigeria, Singapore, Spain the United Arab Emirates and more. At least 52 leading luxury buyers from across the […]

World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), marked on Wednesday, comes against the backdrop of several challenges South African consumers are faced with. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said these challenges range from poor quality of goods and services offered by suppliers, a deepening energy crisis which consumers circumvent by buying alternative power sources and […]

A British-born, US-raised businessman and philanthropist has taken Home Affairs to court for rejecting his application for permanent residency in South Africa on “fictitious reasons”. Josh Palfreman posted a video on Friday in which he pledges funds for not just himself, but others like him, to try and create a precedent and case law for […]

Considering that South Africa is one of the highest per capita meat-consuming countries in Africa, one might be surprised to discover that there are 14 fully vegan restaurants in Cape Town alone. Humane Society International/Africa and ProVeg South Africa have partnered to create a My Plant-Based City map of Cape Town to highlight these restaurants, as well […]

Bread happens to be a source of food to thousands of families. But the farmers behind the scenes, producing wheat and turning it into flour, are usually forgotten and given no recognition… writes Godfrey Sigwela. And, unfortunately, soon these very sources of food – like AgriSA farmers – may collapse and close down. The repercussions […]

43 countries have stopped animal testing for cosmetics, will South Africa be next? The 10th anniversary of the European Union’s ban on cosmetic animal testing and trade has just passed and the climax of a decade-long campaign by Humane Society International, its affiliates and partners to extend the cruelty-free cosmetics model across the globe. Humane […]

Patricia de Lille, South Africa’s new Minister of Tourism, allegedly spent R2.4-million in taxpayer money on international trips between September 2019 and September 2022 in her previous role as Minister of Public Works. According to the DA: “During this three-year period, President Cyril Ramaphosa personally approved eight luxurious overseas trips for De Lille in terms […]

Equal Pay Day falls in 2023 on March 14 — a date determined by how long into the new year American women must work to catch up to American men’s earnings the previous year. In 2022, women earned 82% of what men earned. The wage gap for Black and Hispanic women is even higher — […]

Minister in the Presidency for Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says collaboration between government, business and society is imperative if South Africa is to overcome the current electricity crisis gripping the nation. The Minister was speaking during the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Fund (RMF) on Thursday afternoon. The RMF is a collaborative effort between government […]

A pedestrian crossing where vehicles almost never stop. Bicycle lanes obstructed by parked cars. An informal market that is starting to use bicycles to deliver their product. These are some of the issues raised during a walkabout or “talking streets” event in Langa about the future of transport in the township. Organised by the Langa […]

News about the Hawks investigation into South Africa Post Office boss, Nomkhitha Mona, has created concern amongst some social grants beneficiaries who are worried they won’t receive their grants… writes Godfrey Sigwela. The fears followed their excitement after the budget speech in which they were promised they would receive increments. But this led to worry […]

The DA will be leading a picket against ‘rockstar ministers’ on Monday 13 March in Pretoria, outside Bryntirion estate where some of South Africa’s ANC politicians apparently live in luxurious mansions, insulated from loadshedding. Over the past few months, the DA has been on a mission to expose the fact that Ministers and Deputy Ministers […]

Government says it notes S&P Global’s decision to revise South Africa’s credit rating outlook to stable from positive on Wednesday evening. According to S&P, economic growth in South Africa is facing increasing pressure from infrastructure constraints, particularly severe electricity shortages. In reaction, Treasury said, reforms to address infrastructure shortfalls and to improve governance and performance […]