Author: newsnote correspondent
South Africa’s Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans said it has conducted similar military maneuvers with the US, UK and France without attracting “hype.” “South Africa, like any independent and sovereign state, has a right to conduct its foreign relations in line with its own diplomatic relations and national interests,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday. The exercise is aimed at “further strengthening the strong bonds that exist between South Africa, Russia and China,” it said. The furore about the exercises starting Feb. 17 on the country’s east coast comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due…
Thulani Maseko was shot dead on Saturday night by unknown attackers in Luhleko, around 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the capital Mbabane, opposition spokesman Sikelela Dlamini said. He said he was told that “assassins shot him through the window while he was inside (the) house with his family.” “Details are still scant (and), owing to the trauma his family members are undergoing, they are not yet ready to speak,” Dlamini said. The government sent condolences to the family, saying Maseko’s death was a “loss for the nation” and that police were searching for the killers. Maseko was a leading human…
According to Enoch Godongwana, the finance minister of South Africa, they are considering establishing a housing bank to offer loans to those in the gap market and the public sector. In an interview with CNBC Africa while attending the World Economic Forum’s annual conference in Davos, Godongwana discussed their ambitions for a housing bank. He said that in order to establish a housing bank, the unions requested that the government duplicate the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS). We concur with the unions that we want to create a state medical assistance named GEMS in a manner comparable to how we…
The 10 best teams in the world will be in action across three iconic venues, Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Boland Park in Paarl and St George’s Park in Gqeberha. Fans can watch 15 days of world-class cricket and enjoy an exclusive promotion of 30 000 tickets selling for only R30. Excited South Africans marked the 20 days to go milestone with a celebration of beach cricket at Camps Bay in Cape Town, with Proteas men’s limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma, Proteas women players Andrie Steyn and local celebrities including the Queen of radio Anele and fans soaking up the anticipation…
Mamelodi Sundowns have set a new record for the most number of consecutive wins in the DStv Premiership, racking up a 12th straight triumph on Saturday night when they edged Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 at FNB Stadium. The Brazilians, who secured the result on the back of a fine strike from Neo Maema in the first half, have eclipsed the previous PSL-era (Premier Soccer League) record of 11, set by their 2006-07 team under the guidance of PSL legend Gordon Igesund. ‘Downs also opened a massive 17-point lead at the top of the log over the nearest chasers Richards Bay (who…
A tiger escaped from a residence and roamed the countryside outside Johannesburg, South Africa, for four days this month. It attacked a man and killed several animals, and was eventually shot by the authorities. Tigers aren’t native to South Africa and are considered an alien species. Its escape highlights the country’s controversial commercial captive breeding industry and the key role South Africa plays in the international big cat trade. Tigers are being intensively farmed for tourism, hunting, and commercial trade in live individuals and in their body parts. What are your main concerns about South Africa’s captive predator industry? The recent tiger escape in Johannesburg…
President Cyril Ramaphosa and Eskom haven’t found a silver bullet to ease load shedding in South Africa, despite canceling their trip to Davos and holding emergency meetings all week. It appears that these emergency meetings failed to come up with any new quick-fix solutions to load shedding this week, instead relying on past long-term plans to boost grid capacity. Meeting attendees said that the president’s plan was only useful now if it had been announced three years ago. There are three phases to the new plan – which is the old plan: Providing Eskom with more diesel for its open-cycle…
Karpowership, the Turkish company seeking to supply 1,220 megawatts of power to South Africa, will get a decision on its application to proceed with the projects from the nation’s environment department by March 7. The application, which was filed earlier this month, comes at a time when the nation is suffering its worst-ever power cuts. An earlier appeal was rejected by the department after a legal challenge from environmental activists and the company has since carried out a fresh series of public consultations. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment confirmed the receipt of the application and the decision…
As South Africans grapple with rolling blackouts due to Eskom’s load shedding, a civil rights movement called ‘Not In My Name International’ took to the streets demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa declare a National State of Disaster and call regular ‘family meetings’ as he did during the two years of Covid-19. About 100 members of the movement marched to Nersa and to the Presidency to demand an end to load shedding and for Nersa to reverse the electricity tariff hike it allowed Eskom to impose on its cash-strapped customers. The president of the movement, Siyabulela Jentile said electricity is a…
According to the City of Johannesburg and Tshwane, the lengthy power outages have put a strain on their water towers, and the sweltering heat have boosted demand for water. Reservoirs, according to both metros, are not filling up quickly enough. Eskom has instituted power outages in order to prevent a potential collapse of the energy system, but these outages have had an impact on services, notably water supplies. To feed the water towers in the metropolis, several water pump stations in Johannesburg and Tshwane require a steady supply of energy. Sipho Stuurman, a spokesman for the City of Tshwane, stated…