Author: Motlhaping Modise

A last-minute agreement reached between the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) and the National Department of Water and Sanitation has helped the department to avert a possible attachment of its properties by the Sheriff of the Court. NEHAWU, acting on behalf of its members, took an action to enforce a court order related to the unfair dismissal of 44 members in the Northern Cape. The Department of Water and Sanitation was ordered to pay the dismissed employees but has failed to comply with the order. The union’s spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi said that they entered into an agreement…

The Independent Policing Union of South Africa (IPUSA) has congratulated and welcomed 1 918 newly trained police constables to the ranks of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The officers will officially be incorporated into the service by the acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia together with Deputy Ministers, Dr. Polly Boshielo and Cassel Mathale and the National police commissioner General Fannie Masemola in Bhisho, Eastern Cape. The Eastern Cape province is expected to host the largest pass out parade with 849 graduates at the Bhisho SAPS Academy on Friday, with other passing out parades taking place simultaneously across the…

The discussion to determine a date for next year’s local government elections has begun between the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA). This is after the commission’s meeting with civil society groups and political parties in Cape Town, as part of the preparations towards the elections. Election analyst and former IEC Commissioner Terry Tselane told YOU FM listeners that the commission normally begins with preparations for the next round of elections immediately after each election. “I would assume the commission has already begun with preparations for the next round of the elections. Because…

Pressure Group Operation Dudula has vowed to continue blocking undocumented foreigners from receiving medical care at public healthcare facilities, despite their meeting with Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi and senior health officials on Monday. This as the group is adamant that illegal migrants are adding pressure to the already overburdened healthcare system. Speaking on YOU FM Newshour, the group’s president Zandile Dabula said the meeting with Motsoaledi failed to address their major issue of foreign nationals’ access to healthcare services. “Our operation will continue, because remember Dr. Motsoaledi is not helping us in any way, so that’s the same reason…

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has cautioned pressure group Operation Dudula’s leadership against blocking foreign nationals from accessing healthcare services in the country. Motsoaledi granted the group leadership its demand to meet him after their attempt to shut down Lillian Ngoyi clinic in Soweto on Monday. The department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale spoke to this writer on YOU FM Newshour immediately after the meeting, highlighting that group’s leaders shared their respective views and concerns. “We understand their concerns, but we tabled our position in terms of the limitations to ensure that we provide healthcare service to everyone in the country. “We…

The Governing Body Foundation (GBF) said that although it welcomes the publication of the draft Bela Act regulations relating to school admissions and for determining school capacity, it also notes several ambiguous points and technical issues in these regulations. These regulations, published to enable the correct implementation of amendments to the South African Schools Act (SASA) introduced by the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA Act) of 2024, aim to direct how admissions and school capacity are managed by the nine provincial education departments and public schools. GBF’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO Dr. Anthea Cereseto told Newsnote that they will…

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Roads has lauded the completion of a special maintenance project between Setlagole and Delareyville at the Tswaing Local Municipality. The committee visited the project as part of an oversight week programme in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District which is expected to end on Friday. According to the committee, the oversight week initiative is intended to strengthen legislative oversight, enhance public participation, promote accountability and transparency in government operations. The chairperson of the committee Paul Sebegoe told YOU FM Newshour that the project will benefit other communities of Geysdorp and…

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) in the North West has expressed deep concern over comments made by provincial MEC for Education Viola Motsumi, suggesting that educators who fail to meet performance standards should either resign or face possible suspension. The union has labelled these remarks as “reckless, demoralising, and counterproductive” to the overall morale of educators in the province. In a recent interview with YOU FM Newshour, SADTU’s Provincial Secretary George Themba conveyed the union’s disappointment that a meeting, initially intended for constructive dialogue on improving underperformance in schools, devolved into threats against educators. “Instead of threatening educators,…

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, has called for effective preventative measures against bullying at schools. Letsike said that a viral video showing a schoolgirl at the Thuto Lesedi Secondary School in Vosloorus, being assaulted by fellow schoolboys in a bus is a stark reminder of the pervasive gender-based violence (GBV) within communities and schools. She was reacting to a widely circulated video on social media platforms, depicting a girl being humiliated and physically assaulted by boys from her school. The assault continued even after she had disembarked. Speaking on YOU…

The South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) said that recent incidents of bullying involving learners from David Mama Senior Secondary School in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape and Thuto Lesedi Secondary School in Vosloorus, Gauteng highlights the growing levels of violence in the country’s schools. The union said this is happening despite the existence of codes of conduct which must guide appropriate behaviour and discipline among learners.Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, SADTU National spokesperson Nomusa Cembi said they are disturbed that these incidents continue to happen despite the existence of these measures that are aimed at protecting learners. “We are really concerned that…