Author: Silver Sibiya

South Africa is pushing to rebalance its growing trade deficit with Vietnam by shifting from raw commodity exports to value-added, industrialised trade, Deputy President Paul Mashatile said. He was addressing the South Africa–Vietnam Business Forum in Sandton, held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Mashatile revealed that South Africa exported goods worth US$610.89 million (about R10.9 billion) to Vietnam in 2024, while imports from Vietnam reached US$1.14 billion (about R20.3 billion) leaving Pretoria with a trade deficit of nearly 30%. He said the disparity reflects a long-standing structural challenge: South Africa mainly exports raw materials such as minerals, ores…

In a landmark moment for South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa this afternoon formally declared gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) a second national crisis alongside the existing energy emergency, pledging that the state will now treat the epidemic with the same urgency, coordination and resource mobilisation once reserved for the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking to a packed hall of almost 4,000 delegates at the closing ceremony of the Presidential Social Sector Summit at Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, Ramaphosa received a standing ovation when he announced: “We in government, having listened to the cries of our people, and recognising the daily plight of…

President Cyril Ramaphosa says US President Donald Trump will not intimidate or derail the G20 Leaders’ Summit, despite reports that Trump has urged South Africa and other member states not to endorse the final G20 Declaration. Speaking at the closing session of the G20 Social Summit in Boksburg, Ramaphosa stressed that global decision-making must not be influenced by pressure from any single powerful nation. This comes as world leaders prepare for the formal G20 Leaders’ Summit, where negotiations over the final declaration often highlight tensions between major economies. Trump’s objections according to diplomatic sources relate to disagreements over global trade,…

The North West’s signature summer celebration is officially back and it promises to be bigger, bolder, and more vibrant than ever. Under the warm Hartbeespoort Dam sunshine, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation unveiled the 2025 Mahika Mahikeng Music Cultural Festival, setting the tone for a December weekend bursting with music, creativity, and homegrown pride. Speaking at the launch, Head of Department Itumeleng Mogorosi described the festival as the beating heart of the province’s cultural identity and a fast-growing magnet for tourists and creatives alike. “We’re proud that last year we saw around 16,000 people come…

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says the city is still working through a large backlog of applications from informal traders hoping to operate legally in the inner city, as officials try to stabilise a sector long affected by disputes over permits, enforcement and overcrowding. Speaking during a media briefing in Johannesburg Morero revealed that around 2,000 new informal traders have recently applied for trading permits in the CBD. The high number of applications reflects growing pressure on economic opportunities in the city, where thousands rely on informal trading for survival amid high unemployment. The City of Johannesburg has for years struggled…

Deputy President Paul Mashatile says South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Social Summit offers the country and the African continent a crucial opportunity to influence the global conversation on peace, stability and inclusive development. Mashatile delivered the keynote address at the gathering in Boksburg on Tuesday. The G20 Social Summit brings together civil society groups, labour organisations, community leaders and international partners to discuss social priorities that will inform South Africa’s agenda as it chairs the G20 in 2025. This is the first time the summit is being held on African soil, marking a significant moment for the continent. Mashatile…

MTN Group says data is now firmly driving its growth, with data revenue climbing 40.3% in the third quarter of 2025 even as traditional voice services continue to decelerate, rising only 10% year-on-year across its markets. The shift reflects a clear change in customer behaviour, with MTN’s 301 million subscribers increasingly opting for mobile internet and digital communication platforms over conventional voice calls. Nigeria and Ghana power revenue growth Overall Group service revenue grew 25.9%, supported by strong performances in MTN Nigeria (up 57% in constant currency) and MTN Ghana (up 35.9%). A key highlight for the period was MTN…

Astral Foods has reported solid results for the financial year ending 30 September 2025, supported by higher broiler production, improved market conditions, and careful cost management. The company’s revenue rose 10.4% to R22.6 billion, up from R20.5 billion in 2024. The Poultry Division contributed 82.5% of sales, with the Feed Division making up 17.5%. Operating profit increased 10.9% to R1.25 billion. Excluding last year’s one-off insurance payouts, underlying profits jumped 42.8%, reflecting stronger core performance. Astral ended the year with over R1 billion in cash and invested R336 million in new equipment and operational improvements. The company also resumed dividend…

Residents gathered outside the Constitutional Court on Monday, demanding an end to what they allege is the manipulation of the rand and calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. The protest, which began byvyoung people as a social media campaign, highlights a long-running case in which the Competition Commission claims that credit ratings agencies colluded with banks to manipulate South Africa’s currency. The case has been in and out of court for nearly a decade, raising public concerns about transparency, accountability, and economic fairness. Lunga Ngubane, a resident from the West Rand, told Newsnote that the alleged manipulation disproportionately…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has survived a motion of no confidence in the provincial legislature, with 24 votes in favor and 54 against. The motion was tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) following findings by the Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, that the Amapanyaza programme, an initiative championed by Lesufi, was not legally constituted. Earlier, the DA had attempted to force a secret ballot on the motion but failed to secure enough support. The results of the vote were announced by Gauteng Speaker Morakane Mosupyoe. “One member abstained and there is no one who absent and there is one member…