Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
The South African economy is demonstrating a promising recovery, recording a 0.8% growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the second quarter of 2025. This increase comes after a modest rise of just 0.1% in the first quarter, signalling a potential turning point for the nation’s economic landscape. The announcement was made by Statistician General, Risenga Maluleke, during a press briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday. According to Maluleke, eight industries contributed to the positive growth recorded between the first and the second quarters. Notably, the manufacturing sector emerged as a leading force, witnessing a 1.8% increase which accounted for 0.2…
Police have nabbed two suspects linked to the 121 dockets of politically motivated killings in KwaZulu-Natal. The suspects aged 55 and 23 who are said to be a local chief and a hitman respectively, were arrested in connection with the murder of a whistleblower, Xolani Ntombela, who was shot and killed in his homestead in 2022. According to police investigations, Ntombela was murdered for exposing illicit dealings regarding the sale of land at the Emsosheni area in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal. National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola welcomed the arrests in this case. “The turnaround time and swift arrests following the return…
Gauteng Provincial Departments have made strides towards improved financial management, with eight departments being awarded clean audit outcomes for the 2024/25 financial year. Finance and Economic Development Department MEC Lebogang Maile shared this positive news on Sunday, marking an important development in the province’s ongoing battle for transparency and accountability. The departments achieving clean audits included the Office of the Premier, Provincial Legislature, Provincial Treasury, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, e-Government, Economic Development, Community Safety, and Roads and Transport. These outcomes reflect a commitment to financial integrity and the responsible use of taxpayer funds. However, not all departments fared as…
Following public engagements with various partners in the sector and ordinary citizens, the Department of Water and Sanitation has called on the public to make submissions on the draft Rehabilitation Management Guidelines for Water Resources by the end of October 2025. According to the Department, the draft of the guidelines began in 2020. Among others, the identified and categorised five water resource’s themes include Rivers, Wetlands, Estuaries and Dams, in line with the National Water Act (NWA) (Act 36 of 1998) which provides protection, use and management of water resources in an efficient and sustainable manner. Spokesperson Wisani Mavasa outlines…
The Department of Employment and Labour in South Africa has voiced its deep concerns regarding recent job cuts at several prominent companies, highlighting the urgency of addressing the country’s socio-economic predicaments. This wave of retrenchments has struck firms like ArcelorMittal South Africa and tyre manufacturer Goodyear, both citing a need for global restructuring as a reason for their drastic workforce reductions. Adding to the increasing anxiety, the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has disclosed plans to cut approximately 474 jobs, predominantly affecting operators and administrative personnel across its facilities in Pretoria and Gqeberha. In response to these alarming trends,…
The plight of pregnant learners in South Africa has been thrust into the spotlight, following alarming revelations from the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) presented to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. As part of the 2020-2025 Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the CGE has flagged serious concerns over the discrimination faced by pregnant students in the nation’s educational institutions. Dr Dennis Matotoka, CEO of the CGE, reported that some schools are effectively sidelining pregnant learners, instructing them to return only after giving birth or mandating that they be accompanied by parents or…
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) said it has noted the public outcry sparked by its involvement in music duo, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small’s Scorpion Kings music concert which was held on Friday. The announcement of the Agency’s partnership with the artists, was met with mixed emotions and was lambasted by social media users, who accused the NYDA of being biased and ignoring young entrepreneurs who require funding. The Agency however refuted the claims through a press release and sought to clarify its stance. “The NYDA has entered a partnership with Scorpion Kings to expand opportunities for young…
The Coach of Orbit College FC, Pogisho Makhoye, didn’t mince his words when asked about the fear of a potential relegation from the Betway Premiership, following a 1-0 defeat by Orlando Pirates at the Orlando Stadium, in Soweto. He made it clear that they fought tooth and nail to be where they are and have no fears of being relegated back to the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC). “We didn’t buy the statue. We know how we promoted this team. So, it’s all about giving these young boys a chance because if we say we must sign experienced players, where are the Ramosala,…
In a significant move towards enhancing South Africa’s cultural landscape, the Department of Arts and Culture and the South African Geographical Names Council (SAGNC) have urged citizens to engage in the process of transforming major town and city names throughout the country. This initiative is a pivotal step in empowering the SAGNC to fulfil its mandate: to lead the evolution of South Africa’s naming conventions, ensuring they resonate with the nation’s diverse languages, cultural heritage, and democratic ideals. According to the latest reports, over 1,500 geographical names have already been standardised across the nation, with impactful alterations made in regions…
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, will not commence with its hearings on the 1st of September as previously communicated. The commission has attributed these delays to the procurement of infrastructure requirements. “The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was in the process of procuring the Commission’s infrastructure requirements that were necessary for the Commission to commence its hearings. “Unfortunately, those commitments have not been met and as a result, it has since become clear that the Commission will not be able to start the…