Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
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…
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster in South Africa has raised alarms over the controversial Start Program, a scheme from Russia that has recently gained the attention of local influencers. This two-year programme, luring young women with promises of professional skills acquisition, has become the focus of urgent investigations amid fears of potential human trafficking schemes associated with it. In an official statement disseminated via social media platform X, the cluster has urged the public to exercise extreme caution when evaluating international job opportunities. “Do not rely solely on social media promotions,” they advised. Furthermore, they encouraged individuals to…
The operator of the National Lottery, Ithuba, has publicly addressed and refuted allegations that have surfaced regarding the legitimacy and integrity of its operations. These claims insinuate that all significant lottery winners since 2020 have been exclusively associated with two banking institutions—Absa and FNB. In a detailed press release, Ithuba emphatically countered these assertions, stating, “This is simply not true.” The company dispelled the notion that winning tickets originate solely from these banks, highlighting that winners emerge from across South Africa through various retail and digital platforms. To emphasise its point, Ithuba shared a notable example: in 2020, a life-changing…
In a heartfelt and impassioned keynote address at the Women and Youth in Construction Summit held in Mahikeng, North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua, expressed a clarion call to both women and youth to actively pursue opportunities within the predominantly male-dominated construction sector. However, her address was not limited to professional aspirations; it also confronted the pressing issue of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) that continues to plague communities across South Africa. During her speech, Mokua highlighted the profound social and economic ramifications of GBVF, emphasising that it’s an affront to human dignity and autonomy. “Gender-Based…
South African YouTuber and Media Personality, Thulasizwe Dambuza, affectionately known as Lasizwe, has appealed to his fans and followers not to vote for him at the 2025 South African Social Media Awards (SASMAs) due to voting costs. This despite bagging three major nominations under the African Social Media Star of the Year, Popular Content Across Platforms and Social Media Personality of the Year categories. Dambuza posted a video on his social media platforms where he described the nominations as an automatic win, adding that no one should vote for him especially when it will cost them money. “The nominations mean…
The Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, used her keynote address at the National Prosecuting Authority’s Senior Management Conference held in Johannesburg to position its systems to be able to respond to rapid changes in technology including artificial intelligence (AI). The minister highlighted the extent to which AI is reshaping the criminal landscape, referencing AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and automated financial crimes. Kubayi justified her plea by reflecting on the 2024 Internet Watch Foundation report which flagged the rise of AI-generated CSAM, and the risks posed by AI-driven tools, including synthetic ID generators and automated cryptocurrency systems.…
The Presidency of South Africa has issued a heartfelt appeal to citizens to identify and submit the names of individuals who have demonstrated exceptional patriotism or have made significant contributions on either a national or global scale. This initiative seeks nominees for the prestigious National Orders, acknowledged as the highest honours in the country. President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside Phindile Baleni, the Director-General in the Presidency and Chancellor of National Orders, will present these distinguished awards. The annual ceremony aims to promote inclusivity and social cohesion within the nation. Baleni, in a statement, expressed the essence of the National Orders: “These…