Author: Motlhaping Modise

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has dismissed as blatant lies allegations peddled by Afriforum, Solidarity and Kallie Kriel in particular that the land and private properties belonging to white Afrikaners in South African are being forcefully confiscated. Mashatile was addressing Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA’s) Golden Jubilee Celebration held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the North West last night. He said that the country’s Land reforms are being managed properly without any challenges using the existing laws. “I’ve discovered that some of the farmers, especially white farmers who own vast tracts of land, are willing to give some…

Electricity has been restored to more than six townships in and around Greater Boitekong in Rustenburg, North West, following three days of total blackout caused by the ongoing vandalism of electricity infrastructure. Residents and businesses across several areas — including Boitekong extensions, Paardekraal, Ramochana, Sunrise Park, Sunrise View, and Popo Molefe — were left without power after criminals allegedly cut down electricity poles and stripped infrastructure. Ward 21 Councillor and Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Local Economic Development at the Rustenburg Local Municipality, Thabang David Rampou, confirmed that power was restored after urgent engagements with relevant departments. “This…

The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has welcomed the release of the Mid-Term Review of the 2025 Festive Season Road Safety Statistics, delivered by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy. In a statement issued following the announcement, SANTACO national spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala acknowledged the notable improvement in road safety performance during the first half of the festive period, highlighting a 20.9% reduction in fatal crashes and a 20.8% decrease in road fatalities. “These figures demonstrate that coordinated law enforcement, sustained road safety education and strengthened stakeholder cooperation are beginning to yield positive results. However, the continued loss of life on…

The African National Congress (ANC) says it has reached its target to raise funds for its forthcoming 114th anniversary celebration (January 8 statement) to be held at the Moruleng Stadium outside Rustenburg in the North West and the local government elections later next year. The party’s provincial and national treasurers Sello Lehari and Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa respectively, told Newsnote that they have received an overwhelming support from the business sector that attended both their Gala Dinner at the Rustenburg Civic Centre and the Golf Day event in Sun City. “ANC is a poor organisation, we relied on the support of…

ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on the business sector to generously invest in the governing party, saying the funding will help the ANC continue improving the lives of millions of South Africans. Mashatile was speaking at a chairman’s roundtable fundraising dinner held at the Rustenburg Civic Centre in the North West. He was joined by the ANC’s provincial leadership and NEC members Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa and Thembi Simelane.The gala dinner focused on the ANC’s Action Plan, including its economic 10-point plan, as the party prepares for next year’s local government elections.Addressing business leaders, Mashatile said the funds raised…

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is assessing complaints lodged by the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and members of the public regarding comments made by Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. SAHRC spokesperson Wisani Baloyi says the complaints fall within the commission’s mandate, in terms of the SAHRC Act 40 of 2013 and section 20 of the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. “We are aware of a recent media briefing by Mr Hugo Broos, where several statements expressing views on Bafana Bafana player Mr Mbekezeli Mbokazi and his agent, Barsia Michaels, were allegedly made,” Baloyi confirmed.…

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission’s recommendation for a CPI + 1.5% increase to the NMW, set to take effect from 1 March 2026. The proposal, gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour in December 2025, marks a progressive real-terms adjustment and is now open for public comment until 12 January 2026. Final approval will rest with Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth.Key Details of the ProposalCurrent NMW (effective since March 2025): R28.79 per hour.Proposed Adjustment: Consumer Price Index (CPI) + 1.5% (using the inflation rate recorded six…

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has issued a stern warning to schools that are withholding learners’ academic results or report cards, stressing that the practice is unlawful. Motsumi condemned principals who refused to release report cards due to outstanding school fees, noting that several schools across the province attempted to withhold results as the fourth term of the 2025 academic year concluded on Wednesday. According to Section 41(7) of the South African Schools Act, no learner may be denied the right to fully participate in school programmes — including the right to receive their report card. The regulation…

Fourteen district and local municipalities in the North West have until Tuesday to submit detailed action plans to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) after the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found them guilty of severe and systemic service delivery failures. The SAHRC’s damning report, released last month, concluded that the affected municipalities are failing to meet their constitutional and legislative obligations—resulting in widespread violations of residents’ basic human rights. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, Head of Department Dr. Ben Bole said MEC Oageng Molapisi has acknowledged the seriousness of the SAHRC’s findings.“The findings are quite…

The National Union of Mineworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will on Monday march to the Office of the Presidency at the Union Building to demand drastic intervention to save the country’s ferrochrome smelters! The union has cautioned that workers in the sector continue to bear the pain of the job loss bloodbath at companies like Glencore, Samancor, and Almar investments. “By the 31st of December Glencore will have cut 2 000 jobs, Almar Investments has retrenched over 538 workers and Samancor has issued a section 189 notice where it states that it is contemplating retrenching 5 000 workers,” said the…