Author: newsnote correspondent
The South African women’s cricket team, the Proteas, finds themselves ranked as underdogs as they prepare to take on England in their World Cup opener tomorrow in Guwahati. With only one win against England since their heart-wrenching semi-final defeat at the World Cup in Christchurch four years ago, the stakes are high as they step back onto the world stage. In the six One Day Internationals (ODIs) that have followed their last encounter, England has claimed victory in five, reinforcing their dominance. Despite this challenging historical context, there is a renewed sense of optimism within the Proteas camp, sparked by…
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Health Portfolio Committee, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has submitted a passionate call for the harshest penalties for those involved in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital theft. The demand comes on the heels of a Special Investigating Unit report released on Monday, which unveiled misconduct related to hospital procurement that implicates both Gauteng government officials and employees at the eastern Johannesburg hospital. Dr Dhlomo’s comments arrived amidst a climate of public outrage, particularly in light of the tragic assassination of Babita Deokaran, a whistleblower whose brave revelations concerning procurement irregularities placed her in the crosshairs of corrupt syndicates.…
In a significant display of solidarity, dozens of boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla have set sail towards Gaza, seeking to break through the Israeli naval blockade. This movement coincides with the United States unveiling a proposed peace plan aimed at ceasing hostilities in the region. Drone footage captured the flotilla gliding through the Mediterranean Sea, Palestinian flags unfurling proudly from their masts. With some vessels reported to be less than 500 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, the humanitarian mission is drawing attention worldwide. The flotilla consists of approximately 50 civilian boats, manned by a diverse group of individuals including…
The United States is bracing for yet another government shutdown after a last-ditch stopgap funding bill met failure in the Senate on Tuesday evening, marking the 21st time in the past 50 years that Congress has struggled to secure an agreement on federal funding. Following the Republicans’ initial proposal, which had previously secured approval in the House, the Senate’s vote fell short, concluding at 55 to 45. A 60-vote threshold was necessary for passage. Notably, three Democrats—John Fetterman, Catherine Cortez Masto, and Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats—joined Republican colleagues in support of the bill. In opposition, the remaining…
South Africa’s Ambassador to France, Nathi Mthethwa, was discovered dead at the foot of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Paris on Tuesday, igniting a wave of speculation and concern just one day after his wife reported him missing. The 58-year-old former Police Minister served in the cabinet from 2008 until 2023 and was well-known in political circles, making his untimely death all the more perplexing. The troubling circumstances surrounding Mthethwa’s death have prompted Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament Carl Niehaus to demand a thorough investigation. Niehaus expressed his condolences to Mthethwa’s family, particularly his wife, and highlighted the…
As the African Energy Week conference kicked off in Cape Town on Monday, a stark reality about the state of South Africa’s oil and gas landscape became clear. While many African countries have aggressively reformed their regulatory and policy frameworks to attract international investors, South Africa remains a laggard in this critical sector. The opening performance at the conference, where dancers sang “drill, baby, drill”, highlighted a growing sentiment in the energy sector. Just two years prior, such a refrain would have been inconceivable at energy conferences, dominated as they were by discussions on decarbonisation and the transition to renewable…
The North West Corporate Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs Department has identified about 33 stalled housing projects in four districts of the province that they are hoping to unblock by the end of the current financial year. This was revealed by MEC Oageng Molapisi who was speaking on YOUFM Newshour, where he also highlighted that some of the blocked projects were abandoned unfinished at the foundation phases by the contractors. “The way the subsidy was handled previously was problematic, because before municipalities were responsible for building houses, they were given budgets but after the contractor is paid he leaves…
As excitement builds ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, South Africa’s national team, the Proteas, embarks on their journey to the subcontinent armed with renewed confidence and a wealth of experience. Having made impressive runs to the semi-finals in the last two editions of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and finals in the last two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, the team is poised to turn their hard-earned knowledge into success on the world stage. Veteran opening batter Tazmin Brits, a crucial player for the Proteas, expressed a strong belief in their capabilities. “I’ll always back…
City Power has taken legal action against the Hawks following a contentious search and seizure operation at its headquarters last week. The municipal power utility, which provides energy to the City of Johannesburg, claims that the raid was conducted unlawfully and is now seeking to have both the search warrant and any materials confiscated during the operation overturned. The incident is reportedly linked to a controversial R67 million tender concerning the procurement of transformers, raising questions about the integrity of the bidding process. This interdict is scheduled to be heard next Tuesday in the High Court in Johannesburg, with the…
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has embarked on a pioneering initiative in collaboration with the National Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), aiming to combat the critical issues of substandard and falsified medical products that threaten public health. This groundbreaking National Action Plan was unveiled during a conference held at the Protea Hotel in Rhodesfield, east of Johannesburg, where Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi emphasised the nation’s commitment to addressing these growing concerns. In his keynote address at the conference, Dr Motsoaledi underscored South Africa’s leadership in this global fight, articulating a…