Author: newsnote correspondent

President Cyril Ramaphosa has vigorously defended the integrity of South African sovereignty, issuing a stern warning to AfriForum against seeking external intervention from the United States government on national policy matters. Addressing participants at the Education Lekgotla in Boksburg, Johannesburg, Ramaphosa’s comments came in response to reports that AfriForum, along with other groups, had sought to enlist US officials in pressuring the African National Congress (ANC) to alter its policies. “We need to be sending a clear message to them that as far as we are concerned, as proud South Africans, we prefer that we should all stay here and…

Heavy rains have recently battered Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast, leading to widespread disruption and damage to roads, infrastructure, and local businesses. The relentless downpour has also wreaked havoc in the eThekwini metro, leaving many residents reeling from the aftermath. As the waters rose, local business owners sprang into action to salvage what they could. The financial blow has been staggering; Abu-Sayed estimates that his stock suffered damages amounting to nearly half a million rand. The immediate impact on local businesses like his raises concerns about the long-term effects on the community’s economy as supports are sought to…

The Business 20 (B20), the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community, is striving to establish a pattern of implementable recommendations that extend well beyond the year 2027. This ambitious initiative, which aims to create sustainable frameworks for the global economy, is set against the backdrop of evolving political dynamics and an ever-changing business landscape. Speaking at the official launch of the B20 track meetings in Cape Town, B20 Sherpa Cas Coovadia expressed the importance of collaboration in driving impactful outcomes. This initiative is being developed in close cooperation with business leaders from the United States, which is scheduled to…

A delegation from AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement met with US President Donald Trump’s administration at the White House, advocating for the interests and rights of Afrikaners amid rising tensions in South Africa. The meeting on Tuesday highlighted the struggle against perceived human rights violations and reckless governance under the African National Congress (ANC). Led by Solidarity Chairperson Flip Buys and AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel, the delegation expressed gratitude to Trump’s administration for bringing attention to the plight of Afrikaners in South Africa. Kriel emphasised the importance of US involvement, urging Trump to use his influence to pressure ANC leaders…

The South African Health Minister, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has unveiled a new campaign dubbed ‘Close the Gap’, aimed at addressing a critical issue in the fight against HIV: male engagement in healthcare. At a launch event held simultaneously at two prominent Soweto health facilities—Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Lillian Ngoyi Community Health Centre—Minister Motsoaledi called for increased efforts to enroll 1.1 million individuals in HIV treatment by December 2025. The campaign specifically targets those individuals who have fallen out of treatment, with a keen focus on men, who historically have been underrepresented in healthcare settings. Statistics reveal that the…

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has taken a strong stance against the granting of bail for a 41-year-old Congolese national, arrested for his alleged involvement in a shocking torture case linked to the notorious Zanzou nightclub in Hatfield, Pretoria. The suspect made his initial court appearance at the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Monday, following his arrest last week, prompting calls for justice from various quarters. Abel Tau, spokesperson for the MK Party in Tshwane, spoke fervently outside the courthouse, articulating the party’s position that the man does not deserve to be released. “The nature of the charges against him is…

The rand strengthened ahead of a flurry of local data this week which will give traders clarity on the state of Africa’s most industrialised economy. At 0748 GMT, the rand traded at 18.39 against the dollar , 0.3% firmer than its previous close.Domestic investors will focus on South Africa’s monthly consumer inflation reading on Wednesday, producer inflation figures on Thursday and trade and budget balance data on Friday. The dollar was last around 0.1% weaker against a basket of other major currencies with traders digesting last week’s dour U.S. economic releases and President Donald Trump’s fresh tariff threats. “On the…

In a surprising twist that underscores the fragility of South Africa’s current political landscape, the presentation of the national budget has been postponed until further notice. Speaker of the National Assembly, Thoko Didiza, announced the delay on Wednesday, citing a lack of agreement among the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and its coalition partners—a situation unprecedented in the three decades since the end of apartheid. This year, the ANC finds itself in a precarious position, grappling with a loss of its parliamentary majority following last year’s elections. In order to pass the national budget, the party must secure support from…

The eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has plunged into renewed turmoil as the M23 rebel group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has swiftly taken control of Bukavu, the region’s second-largest city. The takeover, apparently met with little resistance from government forces, has ignited a wave of local displacement and sent shockwaves through a region already fraught with instability. Bukavu, once a bustling hub on the shores of Lake Kivu, now finds itself at the centre of a humanitarian crisis. Eyewitness accounts from residents reveal a stark divide in public sentiment; while some see the arrival of the M23 rebels as…

As South Africa braces for Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s much-anticipated budget speech on Wednesday, all eyes are set on the implications that his financial strategy will have on the nation’s economy. Stakeholders—including citizens, businesses, and international investors—are looking for clarity in a fiscal landscape that has become increasingly complex. Frank Blackmore, KPMG’s lead economist, shared insights with Business Report regarding what to expect during the budget is delivered. According to him, the focus will largely remain on the balance between revenue generation and expenditures, with some key themes likely to emerge. On the revenue front, Blackmore forecasted limited shifts, anticipating…