Author: newsnote correspondent

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…

Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneering figure dubbed the world’s first openly gay imam, has been shot dead in South Africa.The 57-year-old cleric ran a mosque in Cape Town intended as a safe haven for gay and other marginalised Muslims. He was killed on Saturday morning after the car in which he was travelling near the southern city of Gqeberha was ambushed. “Two unknown suspects with covered faces got out of the vehicle and started firing multiple shots at the vehicle,” police said in a statement. News of Hendricks’ death has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, prompting an outpouring…

In a grim discovery that highlights the dangerous realities of illegal mining in South Africa, the bodies of six suspected illegal miners were uncovered in a disused mine in Diepkloof, Johannesburg, on Friday. The fatal incident has since raised more questions than answers, prompting an investigation by Gauteng police into what appears to be an execution-style killing. The unsettling scene was revealed when a local man, gathering firewood, stumbled upon a body lying in the veld. His immediate report to the local security officer triggered a response from law enforcement, who, upon a thorough search of the area, found five…

The City of Tshwane is urging residents of Hammanskraal to refrain from consuming water supplied by the newly launched Klipdrift Magalies Water Package Plant after a series of complaints regarding poor water quality. The affected areas include Wards 49, 73, 74, and 75, encompassing communities such as Mandela Village, Marokolong, Ramotse, Kekana Gardens (Steve Bikoville), and Babelegi Industrial. The city’s alert follows an interruption in water supply on 5 February at the Magalies Water-operated plant, attributed to power disruptions. This incident has raised significant concerns about the safety and quality of the water being distributed to residents. Mayoral spokesperson Zintle…

Google’s online and mobile calendars are no longer including references to Black History Month, Women’s History Month and LGBTQ+ holidays, among other events.The world’s biggest search engine previously marked the beginning of Black History Month in February and Pride Month in June, but the events do not appear for 2025. The removal of the holidays was first reported by the Verge last week.A Google spokesperson, Madison Cushman Veld, provided the Guardian with a statement that said the listed holidays were not “sustainable” for their model.“Some years ago, the Calendar team started manually adding a broader set of cultural moments in…

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a prominent member of the MK party, has publicly apologised following a scathing social media tirade against Floyd Shivambu, the party’s secretary general. The incident unfolded on social media platform X late Monday night, where Zuma-Sambudla did not hold back her criticisms, calling Shivambu “the worst thing that happened to MK” and labelling him “useless.” In a particularly provocative post, she added a vulgar message directed at him, although she refrained from tagging him in her tweets. However, her apology, issued on Tuesday, was notably not directed at Shivambu himself. Instead, she expressed regret to her father, former…

In a significant development that threatens the fragile peace, Hamas announced on Monday that it would delay the release of additional Israeli captives originally scheduled for this Saturday. The abrupt decision comes in response to what Hamas describes as Israeli breaches of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza, escalating fears that the truce may unravel entirely. Abu Obeida, spokesperson for the Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—released a statement asserting that the captives would “remain in place until the occupying entity complies with past obligations and compensates retroactively.” This cryptic warning underlines the complexities surrounding the ceasefire which has so…

In a contentious debate within South Africa’s National Assembly, the African National Congress (ANC) and its government of national unity (GNU) partners find themselves at loggerheads regarding the ongoing military engagement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This division follows the tragic death of 14 South African soldiers in the Central African conflict, leaving grieving families anxiously awaiting the repatriation of their loved ones’ remains. International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola articulated a fervent defence for South Africa’s involvement in DRC, asserting that withdrawal from such a complex situation would be “reckless.” During Monday’s urgent debate, he underscored the…