Author: Larson Thebe
Excitement is building in the SPAR Proteas camp ahead of the international netball Margaret Beckford Sunshine Series against Jamaica in Kingston, starting on Saturday. It is the first South African netball tour to Jamaica since 2012. Coach Jenny van Dyk said the players are looking forward to the three-Test series. “It is always a challenge to play Jamaica, who have a very distinctive style. But it is even more challenging now because most of their frontline players play in the Australian league, so their style is now a blend of Caribbean and Australian netball. They are a very experienced team,…
The Mine Rescue Service team to extract illegal miners at shaft 11 in Stilfontein, North West, has been completed. This after the team conducted a final sweep, to verify the information provided by volunteers who’ve been helping to retrieve the miners, told the team that there are no longer illegal miners or dead bodies left underground. A total of 246 alive illegal miners have been retrieved and arrested since Monday, and 78 have been certified dead. According to the acting North West police commissioner Major-General Patrick Asaneng, the rescue team will provide a report on the assessment of the situation. …
South Africa’s “green mamba” passport has broken into the top 50 in the world for the first time in a decade, by improving from 53rd in the world in 2024 to 48th at the beginning of 2025. This is according to the latest Henley Passport Index, which includes an authoritative global ranking on the power of the passports of different countries. The index shows that the ranking of passport strength increased by 10% between 2024 and 2025. Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has welcomed the latest index. “The relative improvement in the strength of the South African passport is only…
Ten times Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, and two-times champion Naomi Osaka, have advanced to the third round of the tournament in Melbourne. The seventh seed Serb had to fight hard for his victory, as he overcame Jaime Faria of Portugal 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-2. The win saw the 37-year-old set the record for the most Grand Slam singles matches (430) played “I love this sport, I love competition. I try to give my best every single time. It’s been over 20 years that I’ve been competing in Grand Slams at the highest level. Whether I win or lose,…
The North West Department of Health has dismissed reports that the provincial Forensic Pathology Services Facilities are unable to cope with the increasing number of illegal miners’ corpses, extracted at shaft 11 in Stilfontein, during the government-led rescue operation. This after some of the volunteers that are helping to extract the miners at the shaft, alleged that the bodies of deceased miners were kept inside police vans outside the facilities, due to lack of space. The department spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi, has refuted the claims as unfounded. “The Department has identified several forensic pathology services facilities to deal with the expected,…
North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi has applauded the province matriculants for obtaining 87.52% in the 2024 results, showing an increase of 5.9% achieved in 2023 to retain 4th position. The province obtained 81.63% during the 2023 matric results. Motsumi was speaking in Klerksdorp, during the official release of the province’s National School Certificate results. “You will agree with me that increasing the NSC pass rate by that margin and retaining position four is no mean feat, considering the tightness of the competition among the nine provinces for at least a top three spot, which we missed by a…
A total of 118 illegal miners have been extracted from abandoned shaft 11 in Stilfontein, North West, as of 16:00 on Tuesday afternoon. Police said the recent success has been made possible by state-of-the-art equipment, including a cage system for evacuation. The 45 tonne Mobile Rescue Winder crane can reach a depth of 3 000 meters underground. On day one, a total of 35 illegal miners were extracted, and nine were certified as deceased. A total of 83 illegal miners were extracted on day two, 56 alive, 27 have been certified dead. All 82 that have been arrested are facing…
The General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, North West, has been partially reopened, after it was closed last week following heavy rains that flooded the facility, forcing the evacuation of 33 patients to nearby hospitals. The facility was opened by Health MEC Sello Lehari, who was accompanied by other senior health officials Several wards, including Admission Office, Maternity ward, Outpatient Department and Casualty unit, have resumed operation following a mop-up operation. According to the Department of Health, the other wards at the 71-bed hospital will only re-open once work has been completed on municipal’s storm-water system.The Department is also…
The Competition Commission Fresh Produce Market Inquiry Report has recommended an overhaul of the local fresh produce market, to ensure that the previously disadvantaged farmers and market agents participate in the market. The inquiry was launched in March 2023 to probe anti-competitiveness practices in the fresh produce market, following complaints by some small emerging farmers. The inquiry examined five key fruits, apples, oranges, soft citrus, bananas, pears, and table grapes, and six staple vegetables, potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and spinach. The report was today handed over to Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau in Pretoria. “This inquiry’s final report…
The Moretele Local Municipality and disaster management teams in the North West, are aiding hundreds of families who are trapped in their homes after they were flooded by recent rains. According to the municipality spokesperson, Mothupi Malebye, most of the affected areas are Moeka, Maubane, Mmotla, Carousel View, RDP Mathibestad, Kroomkuil, Mmakaunyana and Mathibestad. “A bridge in Mmakaunyane is, according to reports, near collapse and hundreds of people may be affected. Mayor George Manyike is working together with the local disaster team and stakeholders in a bid to find ways around the problem. As if that is not enough, another…