The first report by the provisional liquidators of STA Travel paints a grim picture of the defunct travel agency. STA Travel has gone into liquidation, a casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic. With assets of R3.7 million and liabilities of R213.5 million, few people will see their money back. About 200 employees and 27,000 customers are […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated his commitment to strengthening South Africa’s ties with the United State. Speaking during a virtual business and investment roundtable on Tuesday, President Ramaphosa began by congratulating the Americans for their successful elections held last week, which saw Joe Biden projected to win. (Read President Ramaphosa’s congratulatory message to Joe Biden […]

Telkom and the SA Broadcast Corporation today launched a new video streaming channel called TelkomONE that will attempt to capture some of Netflix and Showmax’s market, although it will be showing mostly South African and SABC products – some of it for free. A five-year deal was signed between the two, and creates a platform […]

After months of battling the COVID-19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa says the country is now transitioning from relief to recovery. Writing in this week’s edition of his newsletter, the President said when the National State of Disaster was declared in March, the immediate priority was to contain the spread of the virus and provide emergency […]

As the countdown continues for the Metrorail divisions in the Western Cape and Gauteng to roll out the new commuter trains, the blue EMUs, the latest few sets have passed through Kimberley and Matjiesfontein – an unusual sight, because only long-distance trains usually pass here – on its way from the factory in Gauteng to […]

Kimi Makwetu, the highly respected auditor general of South Africa who ends his term on 30 November, was today appointed to the United Nations’ Independent Audit Advisory Committee, the IAAC, during its 5th Committee elections. Members of the IAAC are appointed in their personal capacity on the basis of broad geographical representation, and are independent […]

The newly elected Democratic Alliance mayor of Tshwane has made a tough inaugural speech, saying that seven months of chaos in the city have depleted services to the public, which would be the priority in future, and that catering for staff would be terminated while conferences and overseas travel would be cut drastically. Randall Williams, […]

In some parts of Johannesburg residents have been without power for more than 72 hours, mostly because the city’s electricity unit, City Power, has been “dithering” over tenders and contracts for more than 18 months, some of them tainted by alleged fraud, according to Nicole van Dyk of the Democratic Alliance. In May 2019 the […]

The South African High Commission (SAHC) in the UK, one of the busiest SA foreign missions in the world, has announced its decision to close until further notice, due to the latest UK Lockdown which began today. This is sure to compound the already shocking delays that South Africans living and working in the UK […]

The appointment nearly two years ago of a new boss to head the agency that convicts and jails criminals sparked hopes of a significant turnaround at the beleaguered state unit. But the results so far have been mostly disappointing. Advocate Shamila Batohi took over as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the National Prosecuting […]

There’s welcome news for South Africans as both grades of petrol are set to decrease by 27 cents a litre from Wednesday. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on Tuesday said fuel prices for November 2020 will be adjusted as follows: Petrol (both 93 ULP and LRP) will decrease by 27c per litre; Petrol […]

As the world holds its breath, Carte Blanche viewers will find out on Sunday how a Trump second term or Biden presidency could affect South Africa. You can watch the show on Sunday 1 November in South Africa on DStv Now or stream it overseas in most countries from Tues 3 November if you’re abroad. […]

A rich cross-section of academics, businesspeople and people connected to the travel industry have been chosen by the minister of tourism to help her draw up a new policy framework to guide the industry into the future. The tourism policy framework for South Africa was last updated in 1996! Some of the better-known names on […]

Former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste has been fined R161 million plus interest by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority for insider trading in 2017. In a statement issued on Friday, the authority said the breaches were in relation to provisions that prohibit an insider from disclosing inside information and/or encouraging or discouraging another person to deal […]

Over the last year, the Western Cape Government has committed itself to ensuring that all of the citizens of this province, no matter where they live, would have access to appropriate Covid-19 treatment, should they require it. It was important to me, from the outset, that every person has access to life-saving healthcare… writes Western […]

A second discovery of gas condensate by Total off Mossel Bay has been hailed as a “game changer” by the minister of mineral resources and energy Gwede Mantashe. Total said in a statement from Paris yesterday that it had made a significant gas condensate discovery on the Luiperd prospect, in the Outeniqua Basin, 175 kilometers […]

Instead of keeping his promise not to bail out South African Airways, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni got R10.5 billion from police and education, among other departments, in effect throwing South Africans “under the plane,” says Democratic Alliance Shadow Finance Finance Minister Geordin Hill-Lewis. “The ANC government has chosen to cut essential services to the public […]

Five suspects, one of them a lawyer, have been arrested for possession of suspected stolen diesel worth R150,000 as well as tampering with and damaging essential Transnet infrastructure in the Free State. The police said in a statement today that on Friday Transnet officials reported a pressure drop on one of its valve in Cornelia […]

Tsakani Maluleke, the Deputy Auditor-General, is to take over the duties of outgoing Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu after being voted in unanimously by members of parliament. She is the first woman to serve in the role. Maluleke, a chartered accountant, has been in the post since 2014. Makwetu was highly regarded and held the position of […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially unveiled a statue in honour of the late struggle stalwart and global icon Oliver Reginald Tambo at OR Tambo International Airport. Unveiled on Tuesday, the nine-metre tall bronze statue of OR Tambo comes at exactly 103 years since the birth of the globally respected leader. “This statue forms part of […]

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the DA being reinstated in the City of Tshwane, as voted for in the last election, and removing ‘unlawful’ ANC administrators. Calling the unelected ANC administrator’s running of the City an “antithesis of democratic” governance, the Supreme Court of Appeal affirmed the original judgement by […]

During a visit today to the R1.6 billion Msikaba Bridge, which will become the longest cable-stay bridge in Africa when completed, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the government would not allow people with hidden agendas to stop development. The bridge is part of the N2 Wild Coast road, which stretches 410 km from the Gonubie […]

A senior ANC member tried unsuccessfully to have members of the media and civil society barred from a public, virtual meeting of a parliamentary portfolio that discussed the appointment of a new board chairperson for the National Lotteries Commission, writes Raymond Joseph of GroundUp. Among those attending Friday’s meeting of the portfolio committee for Trade, […]

South African law enforcement agencies – accompanied by Police Minister Bheki Cele – shut down Blackdoor Lifestyle Lounge in Sandton on Sunday for violating various COVID-19 lockdown regulations. The club was apparently operating after midnight (packed beyond capacity), could not present a liquor license and there was no appointed manager. In videos posted on Twitter […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will continue to invest in transport infrastructure systems that will carry people safely and in a manner that will contribute to economic growth. In his weekly newsletter on Monday, the President said a well-functioning transport system could alleviate road congestion, resulting in reduced travel times, improved productivity, enhanced economic activity […]