Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, has its sights on ensuring that more provincial soccer teams are promoted to the Betway Premiership. MEC Galebekwe Tlhapi says the government intends to help develop more teams to join Orbit College FC at the country’s top league after their recent triumph in a promotion play off against Cape Town City last month in Rustenburg. “We are going to sit as intergovernmental departments and discuss the approach. We are in this together as a government. We do not only support teams but individual persons. Despite challenges of budget constraints, the department wants to ensure…
The Miss South Africa Organisation has announced that the national beauty pageant that was expected to be held next month, has been pushed back to a later date yet to be confirmed. Competition entries were opened between the 2nd and 11th of April. Miss SA revealed this through a short press release on their website and social media platforms. “The postponement is to ensure greater alignment with international and other global events. The Organisation, through its affiliated companies, aims to broaden the reach and impact of the pageant and its contestants. The pillars of the Organisation will be expanded to…
Eskom has warned the public against illegal electricity connections during the winter season to avert blackouts. According to the entity, there is an increase in electricity demand during this period, and the illegal connections will lead to equipment damage, transformer overloads and in some cases explosions. “To help maintain a stable and uninterrupted electricity supply, customers are strongly urged to avoid bypassing meters and refrain from illegal connections. With load shedding suspended and electricity demand rising during the winter period, Eskom calls on customers to act responsibly and help safeguard the power system,” read a statement from the entity. Eskom…
Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has labelled the Springbok match tickets as too expensive for ordinary South Africans. This follows public outcry with many complaining about being unable to go watch the Bokke live, due to exorbitant ticket prices. McKenzie outlined some of the steps the department has undertaken to mitigate this challenge when he briefed the media following his Ministry’s Budget Vote in Parliament. “We have also engaged South African Breweries (SAB) for initiatives like Boktown, so people can still enjoy the experience if they can’t afford to get to the stadium. Recently, together with the South African Rugby Union…
The bail application of Tiffany Meek has been postponed to 18 July by the Roodepoort Magistrates Court. Meek was arrested last week Friday, for the alleged murder of his son, Jayden-Lee in Fleurhof in May this year, after she reported him missing. The 11-year-old boy was later found unconscious, half naked with bruises on his body on the staircase in the complex where they resided in Fleurhof and was declared dead at the hospital. Police said the arrest follows extensive investigations by various police divisions, which traced Jayden-Lee’s movement after he was dropped off by his school transport, but he…
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will today have the first part of its appeal process in the Timothy Omotoso and co-accused case heard by the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Gqeberha. The NPA is challenging Omotoso’s acquittal of all 32 charges that were levelled against him, comprising of rape and human trafficking after the trial went on for eight years. The move by the NPA follows intense public outcry from citizens, civic organisations, and Omotoso’s alleged victims when he and co-accused walked free from the charges. Despite him having already left South Africa to go back to…
Political Parties are waiting in bated breath to see the steps President Cyril Ramaphosa will take, following damning allegations of corruption and political interference against the police top brass, made by KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Among others, Mkhwanazi accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of colluding with notorious businessmen, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala and Oupa ‘Brown’ Mogotsi. The explosive media briefing by Mkhwanazi was met with enormous public outcry and left ordinary citizens with more questions than answers. Ahead of Ramaphosa’s official briefing to the nation on national security matters on Sunday, political parties are demanding swift action. Speaking on…
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. …