Author: newsnote correspondent
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially closed the inaugural G20 Social Summit in Boksburg on Thursday afternoon, declaring it a landmark moment in global cooperation and the most significant civil-society-inclusive gathering in G20 history. Speaking to nearly 5 000 delegates – including trade unions, youth, women’s organisations, NGOs, faith-based groups and indigenous communities – Ramaphosa said: “History will record 2025 as a milestone for global cooperation. This is not only the first G20 Leaders’ Summit ever held on African soil, but also the first time the G20 has hosted a Social Summit of this scale and ambition. Just as Bandung 1955 amplified…
South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has unanimously decided to reduce the repurchase (repo) rate by 25 basis points to 7.00%. This adjustment, effective immediately, lowers the prime lending rate from 10.50% to 10.25%, providing modest relief to borrowers amid a cooling inflation environment. The decision followed a three-day MPC meeting in Pretoria and aligns with market expectations, as headline inflation eased to 2.8% in October—its lowest since June 2020—driven by lower food and fuel prices. Kganyago emphasised the bank’s vigilance, stating: “Because of these downside surprises, together with a stronger…
The Kingdom of Eswatini has confirmed receiving approximately R90 million ($5.1 million) from the United States government as part of a controversial agreement to accept up to 160 deportees, many described by American authorities as violent criminals. The revelation, made public during parliamentary questioning on Monday, has ignited outrage from civil society groups, who have launched legal challenges demanding full disclosure on the deal’s terms and the funds’ use. Finance Minister Neal Rijkenberg disclosed the payment during a session in the House of Assembly, stating that the funds were transferred to the National Disaster Management Agency’s account but remain frozen…
North West businessman and self-styled intelligence operative Brown Mogotsi returned to the witness stand on Thursday at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where chief evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC continued a relentless cross-examination that has left Mogotsi’s credibility in tatters. The day began with Chaskalson confronting Mogotsi over glaring inconsistencies in his personal records: his date of birth appears as 1975, 1977, and 1979 in different official documents. When asked how this was possible, Mogotsi blamed a Home Affairs error but offered no satisfactory explanation, prompting sharp criticism from evidence commissioner Advocate Sesi Baloyi about the need for basic…
South Africa’s Border Management Authority (BMA) has ramped up security at key border posts to safeguard delegates and visitors as the country prepares to host the G20 Leaders’ Summit on November 22–23, 2025, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec. Speaking at the BMA conference in Pretoria, Commissioner Michael Masiapato emphasized the deployment of advanced technology to curb fraudulent activities by criminals. The event drew policymakers, law enforcement leaders, defense and intelligence experts, and development partners from Southern Africa to discuss border governance, migration, and regional integration. Only select entry points will handle G20 arrivals, with OR Tambo International Airport…
South Africa’s headline consumer inflation accelerated for the second consecutive month, reaching 3.6% year-on-year in October 2025, up from 3.4% in September, Statistics South Africa reported on Wednesday. The October figure represents the highest rate since September 2024, when inflation stood at 3.8%. Month-on-month, the Consumer Price Index rose by 0.1%. Regional differences were marked, with North West recording the highest provincial inflation rate at 4.3%, while Eastern Cape registered the lowest at 3.1%. In an unusual development, the wealthiest households experienced the steepest price increases among all income groups. Inflation for the very high-expenditure category reached 3.9%, exceeding the…
At least 25 people, including three children, were killed on Wednesday after a Russian missile strike tore through a residential building in western Ukraine, just hours after a failed attempt by President Volodymyr Zelensky to revive diplomatic talks in Turkey. US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, did not travel to Turkey as expected, leaving Zelensky’s effort to “reinvigorate” the peace process with little outcome. No Russian representatives attended the talks. The early-morning strike in Ternopil, far from the eastern front line, was the most lethal in the region in weeks. Cruise missiles obliterated upper floors of a Soviet-era…
Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a church in Eruku, Kwara State, on Tuesday evening, killing at least two people and abducting the pastor along with several worshippers, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred just days after 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a boarding school, intensifying concerns over Nigeria’s growing security challenges. The latest attack has further strained the government, already under international scrutiny. U.S. President Donald Trump recently warned of potential military action over what he described as rising persecution of Christians in Nigeria. In response, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu postponed his scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola for…
South Africa’s rugby team has received a significant lift ahead of their November 22, 2025, Quilter Nations Series clash with Ireland in Dublin, following the successful appeal of Franco Mostert’s controversial red card from the previous weekend’s 32-14 victory over Italy in Turin. The 34-year-old lock was dismissed in the 12th minute for an alleged high tackle on Italy’s fly-half Paolo Garbisi, reducing the world champions to 14 players for nearly the entire match—the second consecutive red card after Lood de Jager’s sending-off (and subsequent four-week ban) against France the prior week. Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus had expressed frustration over…
President Donald Trump claimed Tuesday night that he had finally won the ultimate teenage approval — from his own son — after orchestrating a personal meeting between 19-year-old Barron Trump and soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo.The light-hearted moment came during a glittering black-tie dinner at the White House honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, an event that blended high-stakes diplomacy with celebrity glamour.Standing before a crowd that included tech titans Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang, as well as FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Trump paused his remarks to single out Ronaldo, who now plays for Saudi Pro League club…