Author: Larson Thebe

The South African Police Service (SAPS) said an overwhelming 1 049 998 aspirants applied for its 2025/26 Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP). This as applications for the 550 000 training programme positions were sent before the midnight deadline on 18 July 2025. According to the SAPS, a total of 595 049 from female applicants were received with 454 949 submitted by male applicants.  “Gauteng topped the list of the provinces with the most applications with 267 031 followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 205 802. Limpopo is sitting at 115 877 followed by Eastern Cape with 108 709 and Mpumalanga with 100 516. Western Cape is the…

The Junior Springboks have clinched the 2025 World Rugby U20 Championship after beating New Zealand 23-15 in the final held in Rovigo, Italy. The team displayed an exceptional performance beyond their age, with good defence, discipline and taking advantage of any scoring opportunity when it countered. The Junior Boks last won the title in 2012, when they again beat the Kiwis 22-16, to cement their dominance at world cricket. Saturday’s win is the seventh consecutive time in this tournament and the second time in a final against their southern hemisphere rivals. The Junior Boks started the game on fire, and…

Banyana Banyana have booked their spot in the semifinal of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, after they beat Senegal 4-1 on penalties. This after the match ended at 0-0 during regulation time at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco. Both teams wasted golden opportunities to clinch the match on regulated time, with the South Africans the worst culprit. The Lionesses of Teranga failed to take advantage of Banyana’s sloppy defence inside three minutes when Nguenar Ndiaye failed to put one past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini in a one-on-one situation. Banyana were also given an excellent opportunity 21…

The Gauteng Health Department is today conducting over 1000 Surgical Marathons, in line with the 2025 Mandela Day. This is the third edition of the surgeries, and the department said it is done in line with the 2025 Mandela Day theme, “It’s still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity.” The department said this year’s edition, which is done in partnership with the private sector, is on critical surgeries such as prostate, cleft palate, cataract and stoma operations, which are vital for improving overall quality of life for affected individuals. This also includes cataract surgeries, colostomy reversals, cleft palate…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sought to defend the establishment of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, to probe allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mkhwanazi alleged that the Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu had interfered with sensitive police investigations and colluded with businesspeople, including a murder accused, to disband the Political Killings Task Team based in KwaZulu-Natal. The President announced the commission on Sunday night during his address to the nation, which will be chaired by acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. Delivering the Presidency budget speech in parliament, Ramaphosa said he has confidence in the commissions. “These allegations…

After more than a month of delays, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has finally announced the nominees for the 2024/25 PSL Awards. The awards were postponed due to Mamelodi Sundowns’ participation at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the USA. According to a statement from the PSL, the awards ceremony will take place on Tuesday, 29 July 2025, at 19h00, live on The most sought-after Footballer of the Season Award will be contested by Keletso Makgalwa from Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates Relebohile Mofokeng, and Lucas Ribeiro Costa from Betway Premiership champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. The same players have also been…

Rugby World Cup-winning captain, Siya Kolisi, will make his welcoming return to the team, after he missed three matches due to an injury. Kollisi is one of the ten changes made by coach Rassie Erasmus, when he announced the team that will face Georgia for the final Castle Lager Incoming Series match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Saturday. The other changes include Boan Venter, Marnus van der Merwe, and Neethling Fouche, who will all make their Springbok debuts. The team features only five players who started last week, and eight in total from the match-23 that defeated Italy…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe as Acting Minister of Police with immediate effect. This after Ramaphosa placed Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, about his involvement with crime syndicates and interference in police investigation. “Minister Mantashe will serve in this capacity until Professor Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand at the end of this month, assumes his position at the start of August. Minister Mantashe will retain his responsibilities as Minister of Mineral and…

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has sought to assure the country that the anti-cancer medications sold or distributed in the country, meets the relevant health standard. The authority was reacting to a report of the Lancet Global Health 2025; 13: e1250, an investigational study and its findings on substandard anti-cancer medications in Sub-Saharan African countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and Cameroon. According to SAHPRA spokesperson, Yuven Gounden, the study did not include South Africa. “The seven medicines/dosage forms mentioned in the study are cisplatin, oxaliplatin, methotrexate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and leucovorin. The specific brands mentioned/shown in the…

Thousands of mourners, including family, President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Thabo Mbeki, cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries flocked Hoërskool Bergvlam in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, for the funeral service of former Deputy President, David Mabuza, on Saturday. The 64-year-old Mabuza passed away last week Thursday at a Sandton Mediclinic, following a short illness, and was accorded a State Funeral Category 2. Mabuza’s son, Mxolisi, said although the family knew that they had to share him with the nation, he made enough time to spend with them, inquired about their education, daily lives, and other life-related challenges amongst others. “He belonged to a…