Author: Larson Thebe
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, NSFAS, said it is vindicated after the Labour Court declared that the termination of the contract of employment of the former NSFAS CEO, Andile Nongogo is lawful and valid. The board terminated Nongogo’s contract last year, following his irregular involvement in the appointment of four fin-tech direct payment service providers. “The NSFAS Board further welcomes the decision by the court to dismiss with costs the application by Nongogo to strike out certain paragraphs as contained in the Werksman Attorney’s report. The report implicates him of irregular conduct in relation to the appointment of direct…
The North West Department of Health said there were no fatalities or serious injuries when the basement parking of the provincial offices in Mahikeng caught fire. According to the department’s preliminary report, the fire caught a bulk of light bulbs which were stored in a corner at the basement parking. An investigation into what set the light bulbs on fire is underway. The Health MEC Madoda Sambatha applauded the quick response of the Mahikeng Fire Department, who helped evacuate employees and cars out of the building. “I am pleased that no other property of the department or of our employees…
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Ronald Lamola is confident that South Africa has a strong case to stop Israel from committing genocide in Palestine. This as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will on Tuesday hear oral arguments by the South African legal team regarding their case. South Africa approached the court under the Genocide Convention, with respect to acts committed by Israel in the context of its attacks on Gaza. More than 20 000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, since the violence escalated on 8 October last year. Lamola said the country’s legal team will request…
“My conscience is clear I have nothing to hide.’’ These are the strong words uttered by Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande during a media briefing in Pretoria, hitting back at allegations of bribery and corruption involving the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This as the Organization Undoing Tax Abuse, OUTA, has accused Nzimande and NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khoza, and the South African Communist Party (SACP) of receiving millions of rands in kickback payments from the scheme service providers. Following calls for him to step down by several organizations and some political parties, he made it clear that he…
Tennis great Rafael Nadal has left the tennis family in grief after he announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open 2024. Many were hoping for better news, after the Spaniard lost last week to Aussie Thompson in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International in Australia. He left the court on several occasions to receive treatment on his leg, and thereafter announced that he’ll await a medical report before announcing his participation at the first major tournament of the ATP. The 37-year-old Nadal, who was making his competitive return to the sport after more than a year absence due to hip…
The South African Football Association (SAFA) and Bafana Bafana have signed an agreement regarding the players payment structures for participating at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast this month. SAFA and Bafana Bafana representatives met in Stellenbosch, where the team is currently in camp, ahead of AFCON. The players were represented by captain Ronwen Williams, Percy Tau, Siyanda Xulu, Veli Mothwa and Themba Zwane and they signed the memorandum on behalf of the Bafana Bafana team participating at this year’s edition of the continental tournament. The SAFA management included the President Dr Danny Jordaan, Vice President Bennett Bailey,…
The late playwright and director Mbongeni Ngema has been described as a veteran of the liberation struggle and mentor to many artists in the country. These are some of the sentiments that were echoed during Ngema’s Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2 in Durban. Ngema, who was 68 years old, was killed in a car crash two weeks ago on his way to KwaZulu-Natal after attending a funeral in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. Ngema’s send-off was attended by family members, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, fellow artists and thousands of mourners. Ngema’s…
Criticism over the Newlands pitch in Cape Town continues, following the Proteas and India’s historic second test at the ground. India defeated South Africa by seven wickets in a Test match that lasted only 106.2 overs and was completed in a day to level the series. This as batters and coaches complained that the pitch conditions made life incredibly difficult to play a good game of cricket. Proteas test coach, Shukri Conrad, who played for years with the Western Cape teams, said the wicket wasn’t great. “You only need to look at the scores, you need to look at how…
The mother of the late model Reeva Steenkamp, June, said her life and that of her late husband, Barry, changed forever when their daughter was killed in 2013. Her comments follow the release on parole of Reeva’s killer, Paralympian Oscar Pistorius on Friday from the Atteridgeville Correctional Center. In a letter she penned also on behalf of Barry, June expressed the family heartbreak and struggles after Reeva’s killing. “14 February 2013, the day life changed forever. The day South Africa lost its hero, Oscar Pistorius, and the day Barry and I lost our precious daughter, Reeva, at Oscar’s hands. Now,…
Parliament is confident that the refurbishment of some parts of the National Assembly, will be completed as scheduled by the end of 2025. The buildings were gutted by fire almost a year ago. Zandile Mafe was arrested for the incident but was however declared unfit to stand trial. Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo, said despite the challenges, their happy with the current progress. “Significant progress has been made, particularly in creating the 155 offices for MPs and preparing the construction site. All tasks were completed within the set timelines. “The reconfiguration of the fourth and fifth floors of the 90 Plein Street…