Author: Tshegofatso Letsie

Naomi Osaka turned heads at the Australian Open with a striking fashion statement that sparked widespread debate among tennis fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. The four-time Grand Slam champion made a memorable entrance ahead of her first-round match against Antonia Ruzic in Melbourne, wearing a flowing green-and-white, jellyfish-inspired outfit paired with a white veil hat. The look was the result of a collaboration between Nike and London-based fashion designer Robert Wun. In a sport traditionally associated with modest and understated attire, Osaka’s bold ensemble drew mixed reactions. While many fans praised the look, others criticised it as excessive and inappropriate…

The North West Department of Health has appealed to members of the public to comply with hospital debt obligations following reports that residents in Mahikeng have received SMS notifications regarding outstanding balances from Mahikeng Provincial Hospital. Speaking during an exclusive interview on YOU FM Newshour on Thursday, the department’s Director of Communications, Tebogo Lekgethwane, said the requests for payment are based on commitments made by patients when accessing healthcare services and are determined according to affordability criteria. Lekgethwane emphasised that the department is guided by national regulations outlined in the Health Act, which prescribes a minimum fee payable by patients.…

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture is advocating for a new funding model for National Community Art Centres across South Africa. Stakeholders are set to deliberate on the matter during a four-day Indaba currently underway at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre. The initiative comes amid operational challenges faced by several of the country’s 166 Community Art Centres. Department Director-General Dr Cynthia Khumalo described the current funding system as unsustainable. “We’ve long wanted to change the funding approach. Previously, the Department directly funded centres, but this did not benefit all centres equally and often depended on personal connections. We now want to…

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development says it is optimistic that cooperation with key stakeholders will ускорate the reopening of Magistrates’ Courts affected by heavy flooding in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Several courts were temporarily closed due to structural damage, including roof leaks and power interruptions. In a statement, the department said Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has engaged her counterpart in the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Mcphearson, to address the challenges. The department said the public will be kept informed of developments and interim arrangements, adding that most courts continue to operate despite the disruptions. It reaffirmed its…

Orbit College FC head coach Pogisho Makhoye has revealed that the departure of team captain Monnapule Saleng to Mamelodi Sundowns came as an unexpected blow to the club. Makhoye made the remarks during a post-match interview following Orbit College FC’s 2–0 defeat to Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Monday evening. “It was a surprise. It caught us off guard because it happened so quickly. We didn’t expect it,” Makhoye said. “We had planned our game strategy around Saleng, and when we heard that he had been sold to Mamelodi Sundowns, we had to adjust immediately. You could…

The Gauteng Department of Education has revised the death toll of the scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark to 12 learners, following earlier reports that indicated 14 fatalities. Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the updated figure was confirmed after proper investigations. He explained that confusion arose when parents and families gathered at the scene to locate their children. Mabona added that one learner remains unidentified, having been found under one of the vehicles, and appealed to families with missing children to contact the department to assist with identification and provide closure. Mabona further assured that provincial departments will work together to…

The Department of Human Settlements has warned beneficiaries of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), to adhere to the rules and regulations. This follows the handing over of title deeds in various areas across the country.  Minister Thembi Simelani says the aim of providing  RDP housing is to implement the government’s objective of providing dignified and stable housing to citizens. The department’s plea emanates from the selling of RDP units and title deeds by owners, without following due processes. Simelani outlined key regulations that must be followed.  “RDP beneficiaries cannot sell their houses within the first eight years of occupancy. This regulation is…

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has urged residents in Limpopo to remain vigilant and comply with safety measures around dams following heavy rainfall that has caused water levels to rise at 14 of the province’s 19 dams. Several dams, including Nsami, Tzaneen, Modjadji, Luphephe and Dap Naude, are severely overfull, while Albasini and Doorndraai dams are actively releasing water. DWS spokesperson Wisani Mavasa warned that dams operating above capacity pose unpredictable risks. He called on communities living near dams to report unusual water releases, structural concerns and blocked slipways, and to share warnings with vulnerable households. Residents were…

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has moved to clarify claims that South Africa’s learner drop-out rate is significantly higher than officially reported. This follows allegations by political parties, including Build One South Africa (BOSA), that more than 566,000 learners did not reach matric after leaving school to pursue alternative education pathways or dropping out altogether. The Department’s Director-General, Mathanzima Mweli, has dismissed BOSA’s claims as inaccurate. “While the number of learners who have dropped out has decreased compared to those who started Grade 1 in 2014, there has been an increase in learners repeating grades. Many of them get…

The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has dismissed as false allegations that its learnership programme at the Kgora Farmers Training Centre has benefited applicants from other provinces. The claims, circulating via social media audio, suggested that non-local individuals were being paid through the programme. MEC Madoda Sambatha clarified that learnerships are strictly for provincial unemployed youth, stressing that it is impossible for learners from other provinces to be recruited. “The person spreading this knows they are lying,” Sambatha said. He reaffirmed the department’s commitment to transparent, fair, and accountable recruitment processes, urging the public to verify information…