Author: Tshegofatso Letsie

The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management has expressed relief following the appointment of the Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) board. This comes as the term of the previous board ended on the 30th of June 2025. Among others, the scope of work of the PRE includes the monitoring of public transport and overseeing matters related to the issuing and renewal of operating licenses. The Department’s MEC, Wessels Morweng expanded on the tasks they will be expected to carry out. “Reconfigure PRE in its entirety and create a fit for purpose machinery responsive to the needs of the…

Praise and celebrations were the order of the day on Thursday, after the European Court of Human Rights upheld a 2023 ruling which favoured South Africa’s Olympian, Caster Semenya. The court found World Athletics and Switzerland’s legal system at fault for unfairness and discriminating against Semenya. The recent legal victory comes as the talented athlete has since been barred from defending her 800m title since 2018. The Sports Ministry described the ruling as a critical step towards upholding the dignity and human rights of female athletes. “Caster, we as South Africa have always stood by you, and we will continue…

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has condemned and expressed concern regarding what it termed as the deliberate attempts of stalling the full implementation of the BELA Act. This emerged when it received a briefing from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial departments regarding the implementation of the Act and the progress of the enactment of clauses 4 and 5, which were signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa last year. Committee Chairperson Joy Maimela also flagged the delay of finalising the Act’s regulations by Minister Siviwe Gwarube. “We have not been furnished with any guidelines or regulations. …

The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Edward Kieswetter said there’s no need for taxpayers to braze the winter cold by physically presenting themselves at various SARS branches when they can instead conduct their tax affairs digitally. He reckons that this will also help them save transport fares and allow them to file in the comfort of their own homes. Kieswetter’s comments come as the auto assessment for this year’s tax filing period got underway from the 7th of July and is expected to run until the 20th. Despite encouraging taxpayers to use online platforms, in cases where…

The Department of Correctional Services has raised concern by the high number of foreign nationals serving life sentences in the country. The Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng reflected on the department’s budget vote which stated that there’s about 24 000 foreign national inmates in correctional centres across the country, which costs the state R11 million per day. Ramolobeng called for urgent action and steps towards an agreement on the inmate exchange programmes with other countries. “We intend to review this provision specifically as it relates to the incarceration of foreign nationals. We want to provide for foreign nationals serving life sentences…

The Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, said research must be conducted about the link between food insecurity and mental illness. Maile was delivering his keynote address at the Gauteng Agro-Processing Convention and Expo in Johannesburg, where food security and mental health were high on the agenda. “The month of July is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health conditions, reducing stigma and promoting resources for support and treatment. I raise the subject to illustrate the significance of agro-processing not only as a sub-sector of manufacturing, but as a critical instrument for tackling issues of food and nutrition…

The Department of Water and Sanitation in partnership with Rand Water has concluded the three-day National Youth Indaba Conference that was held in Boksburg, by calling on world leaders to collaborate with young people to bring stability and innovation in the sector. The Indaba, held under the theme “Skills for a changing world: Empowering Youth For Meaningful Economic Participation,” sought to spark conversations between industry leaders, experts and youth from diverse backgrounds on matters related to challenges and developments in the country’s water sector. Key points of discussions included water resource management, land access and sustainable farming practices among others. …

The North West Department of Education has established a total of 124 winter camps for matric learners. Over 31 000 learners will attend the camps which are aimed to assist them revise and address their challenges, ahead of the final exams. “These camps operate in two formats. Namely, residential and walk-in where 112 centres are residential, providing full-day academic support with overnight accommodation, while 12 centres function as walk-in camps, where learners return home after lessons,” said the department’s spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane. He described the camps as a critical intervention towards inclusive education. “We do this with the purpose of closing…

This year’s Corporate Wellness Week, observed from 1-5 July, shines a glaring spotlight on burnout, a condition increasingly recognised as a silent killer in the modern workforce. In a revealing report by Life Healthcare Hospital, a staggering 71% of workers are reported as disengaged and vulnerable to the debilitating effects of burnout, prompting urgent calls for systemic change in corporate environments. Burnout, characterised by profound exhaustion, anxiety, and cognitive impairment, can have devastating effects not just on individuals but on organisations as well. “The condition brings with it severe effects including cognitive and severe impairment, exhaustion, anxiety, and substance abuse,”…

Following a successful and thrilling experience of the popular two-day Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng in December last year, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has announced that the provincial government has established a research report which seeks to assess the overall event. The research will determine the success of the event, its reach, the economic impact and how it benefited small businesses, as well as point out areas of improvement. According to Mokgosi, a budget of over R18 million was set aside for the event. “The budget covered the stage, marketing campaigns, accommodation and other…