Author: Kgaogelo Magolego

The controversial Oppenheimer family has come under heavy criticism as several African parties launched their manifestos on Saturday in preparation for the May 29 general elections. The PAC held its launch in Orlando East, Soweto vowing to reclaim land should be voted into power with party leader Mzwanele Nyhonso coming out strongly against the Oppeheimers following revelations by the IEC that they have funded four political parties to the tune of just under a hundred million rand. The four are; DA, Action SA, Rise Mzansi and BOSA  Nyhonso dismissed any notions of the funding being for supporting democracy. “Anyone wishing to…

Cosatu has come out strongly in support of members of its teacher union affiliate SADTU over allegations that their involvement in the running of elections helped keep the ANC in power. Several political parties including the EFF, ATM and UDM have complained to the IEC that members of the union not be included in its electoral staff as it formally proclaimed support for the ruling party. The federation briefed the media at its Braamfontein, Johan offices on Friday arguing SADTU members had a right to work the electoral body just like any other South African. “SADTU members have every right…

The government has strongly rejected perceptions that convicted criminals could be enjoying a life of luxury behind bars. The perceptions are fueled by stories such as the Thabo Bester saga which saw correctional services officials allegedly actively serving him while in detention including helping him escape. Most recently an offender serving a life sentence overpowered and disarmed an officer before escaping from the Mamelodi Hospital where according to the official version he had been taken for an appointment with a dietician. Various officials who spoke at the three day review of criminal procedure act in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni said the perceptions…

Representatives from some sixteen African countries have gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg to discuss an adapt principles as well as guidelines on the use of digital and social media in elections in Africa. The Principles and Guidelines for the Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections is meant to assist electoral bodies and other stakeholders across the continent realise the advantages and disadvantages of digital as well as social media in elections which organisers say have become so influential they can manipulate an outcome or impact on the credibility of an election negatively. “Governments are expected to assist their EMBs…

The newly introduced Guidelines and Principles for Use of Digital and Social Media in Elections in Africa is not a clamp down on free speech. Delegates to the three day launch in Sandton, Johannesburg said the initiative is meant to help Election Management Bodies across the continent use the newer and more influential platforms to publish information about elections while blocking out misinformation, disinformation, fake news and other negative content considered to be inflammatory. Sixteen countries including South Africa have already adapted guidelines which were developed over several years under the auspices of continental multilateral body African Union. Among the…

As the DA prepares to publish records of meetings of the ANC’s cadre deployment committee, one of its former members Bongani Baloyi has called out the party for hypocrisy saying it also deployed its members to key strategic positions where it governed. Baloyi who served as a DA Mayor in Midvaal for eight years said he and other mayors were never allowed to appoint anyone to a strategic position without the approval of the Democratic Alliance Executive otherwise known as FEDEX which he said continues to decide who fills which posts in municipalities and in the Western Cape provincial government…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has set out to use the financial year that just got underway to expedite among others, the diversification of the economy, eliminating infrastructure backlog, creating mass employment and ensuring reliable energy reliability. The term of office of the sixth administration is expected to come to an end in May and Lesufi who is seeking another mandate from residents of Gauteng said in his State of the Province Address on Monday that the province had great potential but its path to prosperity was now held by among others, rampant crime and the ongoing electricity crisis among others. …

Education authorities in Gauteng have expressed confidence that the schools of specialisation will help the province achieve a hundred percent pass rate and produce that will provide solutions to the country’s problems. MEC Matome Chiloane launched the 33rd such school, Thuto-Tiro School of Engineering in Sebokeng, Vereeniging on Thursday. Chiloane says while the ruling ANC and the government believe the country still needs coal generated electricity, they accepted that eventually there will have to be a transition to renewables and expected schools in what he described as an Ivy League to provide solutions. Thuto-Tiro specialises with renewable energy and Chiloane…

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane will open yet another state-of-the-art school as part of a provincial government drive to accelerate the rollout of public infrastructure. Thuto-Tiro Engineering School of Specialisation is the 33rd such institution in the province and a third school to be opened this year. Kgatoentle Secondary School in Ga-Rankuwa was officially opened in January and most recently, the provincial government handed over the newly refurbished multimillion Mayibuye Primary School in Tembisa. Thuto-Tiro Engineering School of Specialisation is situated in Sebokeng, Vereeniging and is an engineering school with a specific focus on energy. The provincial education department said…

The ANC in Gauteng has expressed confidence that it will be returned to power come the much anticipated national and provincial elections. The party held a Provincial Executive Committee Lekgotla at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg and vowed to mount a strong campaign to ensure reelection. Provincial Chairperson and Premier Panyaza Lesufi told the meeting in his closing address on Monday that the party had received commitments from various organised sectors of society that he said puts it in good stead. “We are thrilled that there’s no single formation from churches , the taxi industry, traditional leaders, civic movement, that…