President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing away of Dr Alex Boraine, the former vice-chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and co-founder of the Institute for a Democratic Alternative in South Africa (Idasa). Boraine, a lawyer and theologian, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 87, after a long illness. He […]

JOHANNESBURG – Ratings firm Fitch on Thursday kept South Africa sub-investment grade credit rating steady at subinvestment and maintained its stable outlook, but warned that low growth and rising debt of state-owned firms posed a risk. “South Africa’s ratings are weighed down by low growth potential, sizeable government debt and contingent liabilities,” Fitch said in […]

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize has extended good wishes to Kumkani Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Siqcau and the AmaMpondo people after he was officially recognised as a king. The South African government has issued a certificate of recognition to Kumkani Zanozuko Tyelovuyo Siqcau as the King of AmaMpondo. The king was recognised in terms of the […]

CAPE TOWN – South Africa’s main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), said on Tuesday it could go to court to stop proposed land reforms after parliament today approved a report endorsing a constitutional amendment that would allow expropriations without compensation. A parliamentary team last month recommended a constitutional amendment to make it possible for […]

PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa named Shamila Batohi South Africa’s new chief prosecutor on Tuesday, after the Constitutional Court ruled in August that the appointment of the previous prosecutor – Shaun Abrahams – was invalid. Ramaphosa, who replaced former president Jacob Zuma in February, has made the fight against corruption a key plank of his […]

PRETORIA – Farms and factories have dragged South Africa out of its first recession in almost a decade, data showed on Tuesday, as the economy grew by more than expected in the third quarter! The positive data is a boost for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has pledged to re-start growth after a decade of stagnation […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed sadness at the passing away of struggle stalwart and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mendi Msimang. “Today we bow our heads and hearts in remembrance of our beloved Tat’ uMendi Msimang in whom South Africa has lost a servant-leader and patriot of great distinction. Tata Msimang was strong […]

Three farm attacks took place in the Western Cape last weekend (Fri 23 to Mon 26 Nov), in the Porterville, Paarl and Wellington regions, according to AfriForum. Apparently, in the case of the Porterville attack, there had been ominous messages spray-painted on the door of the farmhouse six weeks beforehand. The messages allegedly said: ‘Kill […]

The predictions about  South Africa’s state of electricity over the coming days, weeks and even years are pretty bleak… with no light (certainly not from Eskom!) at the end of the tunnel for at least five years. On Monday Eskom announced it will be implementing Stage 2 load shedding from 9am this morning until 10pm […]

The DA says it is urging various municipalities in Limpopo, South Africa, to implement water restrictions – similar to those which have become world famous in Cape Town – to preserve the remaining water in different reservoirs and dams, and avoid the looming water crisis during this festive season and beyond. The effect of the […]

NAIROBI – Perhaps South Africa can learn something from Ethiopia which has overtaken Dubai as the top feeder for long-haul passengers to Africa, highlighting the success of the state airline’s expansion drive and the reforms of its new prime minister… which include allowing visitors to apply for visas online. Travel consultancy ForwardKeys said on Wednesday […]

A defiant AfriForum says Cape Town High Court’s ruling is “not the end, but beginning of battle” to protect property rights in South Africa. The High Court ruled that AfriForum’s application for the review of the Report from the Parliamentary Constitutional Review Committee – which recommends that the Constitution be amended to make land expropriation […]

PIETERMARITZBURG – South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma wants corruption charges relating to a $2.2 billion arms deal to be permanently set aside, his lawyers said on Friday in Pietermaritzburg, when Zuma made his fourth court appearance since the charges were reinstated. Zuma, who was ousted by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in February, […]

Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor will today be presented with the award of Officer in the French Legion of Honour for her remarkable and life-long achievements during her time as Minister of Science and Technology. The Ambassador of France to South Africa Christophe Farnaud will, on behalf of the French President, bestow the award […]

Chief Khoisan SA is once again en route to Pretoria on foot – all the way from Port Elizabeth – with three other Khoisan warriors, to demand an audience with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa… who made them promises last year which have not yet been fulfilled. The group is scheduled to arrive at the […]

R21 billion: that’s how much South Africa’s beleaguered national carrier, South African Airways (SAA), says it needs to keep running… writes Jannie Rossouw. SAA has reached this point in its financial crisis through persistent mismanagement and cronyism, with the SA government as main shareholder refusing to take tough decisions about the company. But such decisions can’t […]

The South African delegation participating in the G20 Summit will use the platform to promote and strengthen the interests of the country and the African continent, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said on Thursday. Led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the delegation left South Africa on Thursday for Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the […]

Sectors from from South African society – including business and government sectors – on Thursday added their signatures to the pledge against corruption. Government officials as well as faith-based NGOs all signed the pledge to end corruption, at a workshop held at the GCIS head office in Tshwane. GCIS has made the fight against corruption […]

Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on State Capture, Natasha Mazzone, delivered an emotional speech in Parliament today, celebrating the Report that her portfolio committee has completed for the Zondo Commission, on State Capture at power utility Eskom. Watch below. After discussing the exposure of various ‘parasites’ (and thanking the brave whistle blowers) at the state-owned firm […]

NAIROBI – When the soldiers started fanning out in the cashew nut growing regions of southern Tanzania – it was a jolting sight for traders and, campaigners say, a watershed moment for a country once held up as a darling of development groups. The government said the troops were there last week to make sure […]

The DA youth has pledged its support to the family of a young 13-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and impregnated by one of its members. Luyolo Mphithi, DA Youth Leader, said the party had “learnt with horror” that one of its own members had been accused of the rape and of making his teen […]

Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen today responded to claims that he should not be the DA’s Chief Whip in Parliament without a university degree. Steenhuisen delivered another epic speech, although he was interrupted several times (at one point saying “this is harassment, come on”). Watch below. Here’s a full transcript of John Steenhuisen’s speech […]

The two officers who recorded themselves having a blast doing the famous Idibala dance challenge in South Africa – whilst driving! – have been issued with disciplinary action. In the video that went viral earlier this month, the two (very happy) officers are seen dancing and singing in full uniform… and not wearing their safety […]

JOHANNESBURG – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Leader Julius Malema has retaliated to Pravin Gordhan’s defamation complaint – which was filed against Malema and his Deputy Floyd Shivambu yesterday – by filing his own counter criminal complaint against the Public Enterprises Minister. In it, Malema accuses Gordhan of money laundering, corruption, racketeering and fraud. Gordhan denies any […]

Time is running out for Ebenezer Odei to get the funding he needs to be able to attend university in 2019. Odei is a matric learner at Grassy Park High School. His parents are Ghanaian and came to South Africa in 1996. They were granted permanent residence in 1997. Odei was born in South Africa […]