Author: Tshegofatso Letsie

The recent discovery of the bodies of approximately eight women in the Ekurhuleni Municipality has intensified calls to end gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) across the country. Government departments have joined forces in investigations led by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and have appealed for support from civil society, the religious sector and communities. A key player in this collaboration is the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD), which believes that rebuilding healthy family structures could help curb the scourge of GBVF. The department’s Head of Communications expanded on the issue during an exclusive interview with…

The Springbok Women’s team has settled in the Welsh capital, with training already underway at Cardiff Metropolitan University ahead of their WXV Global Series opener against Wales on Friday. According to head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, training has been productive despite the disruptive windy and rainy weather conditions. “Look, there is nothing you can do about the weather, and it is going to be like this for the rest of the week, so the earlier we adapt, the better,” she said. “We trained in sunshine before we came over, but this is not the end of the world. We have an…

The North West Department of Education has increased its matric pass rate target from 95% to 97%. MEC Dr Desbo Mohono announced the new target at the two-day Strategic Lekgotla in Klerksdorp. In her opening address, the MEC instructed the Superintendent-General to outline and enforce performance targets across all four districts. “If those targets are not met, that district must explain to us. Why should we keep them when they cannot ensure this is happening? I am not saying you must abuse or insult people; just make sure the work is done,” said Dr Mohono. The North West province achieved…

Edward Madiba, a convicted prisoner who escaped from Rooigrond Correctional Centre near Mahikeng on Sunday, has been rearrested in Brits, approximately 72 hours after his escape. Madiba was arrested following a coordinated search operation involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Correctional Services, local farmers and community members. According to North West police, authorities received information about Madiba’s movements in the Bojanala Sub-District after he was reportedly spotted near Legonyane Village. The information prompted law enforcement agencies to launch a joint operation and intensify their search. Further intelligence gathered by Brits SAPS detectives indicated that Madiba was…

The Gauteng Department of Education is considering alternative strategies to address persistent capacity challenges within the province. The Gauteng Department of Education faces significant difficulties, as existing school infrastructure cannot accommodate the high demand for learner placements. The Department has received 805,688 applications for Grade 1 and Grade 8 for the 2027 academic year, representing 346,877 learners. MEC Lebogang Maile says this calls for alternative classrooms and learning solutions to ease the pressure. “Fiscal constraints and delays in conventional brick-and-mortar school construction mean that prefabricated and mobile classrooms must be used where capacity is urgently needed. These are not intended…

Kwaito legend and pastor Kabelo Mabalane has released a new single, “Everybody Needs Somebody,” marking his return to music after more than a decade. The former TKZee founding member went on a hiatus from music to devote himself to full-time ministry and lifestyle advocacy. In a statement on social media, Mabalane—affectionately known as ‘Bouga Luv’ or ‘Bouga2shoes’—described his comeback as a defining new chapter in which he will explore what he calls Street Psalms. “A sound construction bringing faith currently not expressed in Street Culture. Born at the intersection of pulpits, townships, boardrooms and prayer rooms, the sound that brings…

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has seized counterfeit sports apparel and manufacturing equipment worth more than R1.5 million during a multi-disciplinary takedown operation in Johannesburg’s CBD. The operation was led by the SAPS National Counterfeit and Illicit Goods Unit as authorities intensify efforts to disrupt the manufacture, distribution and sale of counterfeit merchandise. The seizure comes ahead of the Springboks’ highly anticipated clash against New Zealand at FNB Stadium, with police warning that demand for team-branded merchandise is likely to increase around the match. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said the timing of the operation was particularly…

The 2026 Spring Day celebrations have sparked controversy and prompted a national discussion about youth behaviour. The discussion began after viral videos showed community members, including elderly people, being splashed with water. The long-standing water-splashing tradition, intended to be harmless, has also caught the attention of the Department of Water and Sanitation, which has since issued a statement cautioning against unnecessary water wastage. “The Department has observed with deep concern how much water is sometimes used during Spring Day celebrations. In a country where communities face water challenges, deliberately wasting water for entertainment is concerning and highlights the need to…

The Department of Transport is seeking legislative changes to enforce a strict zero-percent blood alcohol policy to enhance road safety. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy stated that the measure would help reduce the rising number of drunk-driving incidents. “More than 18 000 people were arrested for drunken driving between March and the end of August this year alone, accounting for a third of all traffic arrests during the period. South Africa cannot normalise the close to 12 000 deaths recorded on the country’s roads annually,” Creecy warned. She also indicated that the legislative amendments would be made to Section 65 of…

The National Department of Health has urged the public not to panic over noticeable changes in the packaging, colour or appearance of some medicines supplied at public healthcare facilities, stressing that the changes do not necessarily indicate a shortage. The department has reassured patients that medicines with different packaging or appearances remain safe, effective and suitable for use, provided they have been supplied through approved channels. Department spokesperson Foster Mohale explained that public healthcare facilities source medicines from suppliers that meet strict regulatory and quality requirements. Where multiple approved suppliers provide the same medicine, patients may receive products from different…