Author: Larson Thebe
An independent investigative report on incidents at Pretoria High School for Girls has recommended that the principal Phillipa Erasmus and her deputy be guilty of misconduct. The report was commissioned by the Gauteng Department of Education to probe allegations of “a culture of racism at the school and provided recommendations to address such incidents.” This after 12 matric learners were accused of creating a “whites only” WhatsApp group where they shared derogatory messages with racial undertones. The learners were however cleared by the School Governing Body (SGB). The principal, the deputy principal, two educators for classroom-related incidents, the estate manager,…
The SPAR Proteas wrapped up a 3-0 clean sweep against Malawi with a 69-24 victory over their African rivals in the final Test of the SPAR Challenge netball series at Ellis Park Arena on Sunday. The 45-goal winning margin was the largest of the series with the home side having won the first Test by 37 goals and the second by 31. Unlike Saturday’s Test, where a tight first quarter ended with the teams’ level on 13-13, the SPAR Proteas took control of Sunday’s match from early on, surging to 16-7 by the end of the period and not looking…
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced a fuel increase that will take effect from Wednesday. This is the first increase after five months of consecutive decreases. “Both grades of petrol will increase by 25 cents a litre, diesel will increase by 20 and 21 cents a litre. Illuminating, paraffin will increase by 28 cents per litre at retail level and LP gas will increase by 36 cents per kilogram. The reason for this increase is mainly due to higher oil prices on average during the period under review compared to the previous one. The prices of LP…
Legendary music producer and compiler, Quincy Jones, has passed away at the age of 91. According to a statement from his publicist, the multi-Grammy award winner was surrounded by his children, siblings, and close family at his home in Bel Air, California, and the cause of death has not been revealed yet. “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him. He is…
A joint operation by SAPS and SANDF has led to the arrest of 225 illegal miners at an abandoned mineshaft in Orkney, North West. The miners were arrested after they resurfaced because of starvation and dehydration. “These 225 illegal miners are part of others believed to be hundreds if not a thousand illegal miners who are stuck underground with no food, water and necessities because the Vala Umgodi teams led by the SAPS and SANDF are blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners,” read a police statement. Earlier this week, law enforcement authorities blocked communities…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has held a telephone call with his new counterpart in Botswana, Duma Boko, and offered his warm congratulations to Boko, the government, and people of the Republic of Botswana on the success of the recently concluded elections. Boko’s Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) coalition was declared the winner of Wednesday’s general elections, which saw the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) lose power by a landslide for the first time in 58 years. Ramaphosa welcomed the immediate establishment of transitional plans between the outgoing administration that was led by President Mokgweetsi Masisi and the incoming administration of President…
The SPAR Proteas have started their 2024 SPAR Challenge International Netball Test Series by beating Malawi 68-31 in their first match at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg. The match saw Jenny van Dyk and Khanyisa Chawane launch their tenures as new head coach and captain in the best possible manner that saw the team take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Van Dyk started Nicholé Breedt (formerly Taljaard) on wing attack rather than her usual position of goal attack, with the up-and-coming Kamogelo Maseko selected in that position. Maseko was outstanding in her 23rd Test for the team, displaying…
The North West MEC for Education Viola Motsumi has appealed to parents to avail themselves and support learners by providing vital assistance at school incubation camps, which she stressed that requires additional manpower to operate effectively especially during the examination period. This emerged during an engagement session with School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and ward councillors from underperforming schools at Victory Primary School in Mahikeng in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality. Motsumi reminded the SGB’s that their role doesn’t only end in the classrooms but must extend beyond administrative tasks to harmonise teaching and learning quality. “I urge every SGB…
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, has met with the department stakeholders South African National Small Bus Operators Council (SANSBOC) and South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) to address issues that will harmonize the working relationship with the bodies today. Morweng was accompanied by the Head of Department, Dr Hans Kekana and CFO Kutlwano Phatudi in the meeting held in Mahikeng. According to the department, the first meeting was with SANSBOC to deal with scholar Transport claims and late payments, which the MEC expressed concern that it can affect learners who rely on the…
Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has heaped praise at her team, despite losing 2-1 against England in Coventry in an international friendly last night. Although it was their second loss in a space of three days, the team displayed much improvement when compared to Saturday’s 5-0 drubbing by Denmark. Ellis said the girls displayed a brave performance. “There were a lot of things we didn’t do well in the match against Denmark that we rectified against England. We were well organized in defence and believe that we created a lot of chances. This match could have gone either way…