Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

Various South African political parties took to the streets on Thursday to voice their discontent with the government’s decision to host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This high-profile state visit unfolded under the shadow of ongoing demonstrations, reflecting the mounting tension surrounding South Africa’s foreign policy and its historical allegiances. The protests were spearheaded by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a party known for its radical positions and a strong push for closer ties with BRICS Plus nations and other allies in the global South. EFF Deputy Chairperson Phillip Makwala did not mince his words…

Political parties are expected to fiercely compete for credit over which of them are responsible for the National Treasury’s decision to withdraw the 0.5 percent VAT increase initially presented in the Fiscal Framework adapted during a heated debate and vote in parliament last month. The treasury announced on Thursday morning that it had withdrawn the proposed VAT hike undertaking to cover the budget shortfall of R75 billion by among others reviewing expenditure. “The Minister of Finance will shortly introduce the Rates and Monetary Amounts and the Amendment of Revenue Laws Bill (Rates Bill), which proposes to maintain the Value-Added Tax…

In a bold move to address the troubling low engagement of youth in South African elections, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has unveiled a new initiative aimed specifically at increasing youth voter turnout and representation. During a media briefing at the IEC headquarters in Centurion on Wednesday, Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo highlighted that with over 21 million individuals aged between 18 and 34, the youth demographic constitutes a significant yet largely inactive voting bloc. “While our youth population represents the majority of the voting age population, their participation in electoral processes remains alarmingly low,” Mamabolo stated. He noted that…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has launched his campaign for the ANC presidency.Mashatile used an event meant to honour uMkhonto Wesizwe combatants who fought in the Battle of Mutale River that saw them go toe to toe with the Venda Defence Force and the then South African National Defence Force, the apartheid army. The event was held in Mofolo Soweto where ANC Gauteng leaders declared Mashatile one of their own and undertook to back him all the way.The deputy president tried to underplay his presidential ambitions by saying he could only be nominated by branches of the ANC and was certainly…

As the political empasse continues over the budget, there’s growing calls for the Democratic Alliance to be booted out of the Government of National Unity for its NO vote.The ANC has continued consultations with parties inside and outside the GNU to get them to compromise on the disputed 0.5 % increase in the Value Added Tax.The ANC managed to get the Fiscal Framework ( initial part of the budget) passed without the DA’s support and is widely expected to do so again when MPs vote for the appropriation bill with the support of other parties not in the coalition including…

Johannesburg couple Warren and Chantelle Ellie find themselves grappling with the loss of their seven children—a situation they never anticipated after being acquitted of an assault charge in 2022. Their arrest, though ultimately resolved, led to dramatic repercussions that unravelled their family dynamic and left them struggling against the Gauteng Department of Social Development. The day of their arrest marked the start of a nightmarish journey for the Ellies. Following the incident, which saw Chantelle briefly detained with their youngest child, authorities intervened and determined that their living conditions were unsuitable for raising their children. Consequently, all seven were placed…

The Road Accident Fund has dismissed weekend media claims by its management suggesting its management has become a law unto itself. The RAF held a media briefing at its offices on Monday to respond to criticism by lawyers who are also accusing the fund’s current management of tempering its mandate.This was after the RAF started a campaign to have victims of road accidents claim directly from it instead of having to sue the fund, which would see them (victims) forfeit not less than 25 percent of their compensation. CEO Collins Letsoalo says those making allegations against him are doing so…

UMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) is not about to give up on its vote-rigging case against the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) MK’s youth wing on Friday marched to the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, where it submitted a memorandum calling for a probe into the IEC’s handling of the 2024 general elections, which it argues were rigged. Speakers, one after the other, questioned how MK came third when according to their own assessment, the party is the most popular outfit in South Africa. “Whites are a tiny fraction of the population here in South Africa, and comrades we all saw how big MK…

The ANC has left up to the Democratic Alliance to decide if it wants to leave the Government of National Unity after voting against the budget and taking to court and challenge it. The parliament passed the Fiscal Framework work last week without the support of the DA and with President Cyril Ramaphosa having warned that by not voting for the budget the party would have effectively “defined itself outside the GNU” and that would have implications. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula briefed the media in Johannesburg on Tuesday and said it was unfair to expect the ANC to decide…

In a significant political move, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed its willingness to engage in power-sharing discussions with the African National Congress (ANC). This comes in the wake of the recent disagreement about the Value Added Tax (VAT) increase, signalling a trend towards co-governance as South Africa grapples with economic challenges and rising unemployment. John Steenhuisen, the leader of the DA, articulated the party’s commitment to joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) with a singular focus: to stimulate the economy and create much-needed jobs. “We remain fully committed to this goal,” Steenhuisen said in a statement, indicating that…