Author: Tshegofatso Letsie
The Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, has reaffirmed the importance of humane migration policies in promoting human rights and protecting human dignity. Addressing the two-day National Conference on Human Migration hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in Johannesburg, Pandor stressed the need for continental unity in shaping and implementing meaningful migration reforms. She expressed concern about what she described as hesitation in extending the principle of Ubuntu to black migrants from poorer African nations. According to Pandor, this selective application of solidarity undermines Africa’s shared values…
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has voiced strong concern over what it describes as a troubling disregard for traffic regulations among private scholar transport operators. The warning follows nationwide law enforcement operations conducted last week, during which 5,386 scholar transport vehicles were stopped and inspected. Of these, 1,028 were found to be operating in contravention of existing traffic laws. According to the RTMC, the non-compliant vehicles included 589 privately owned vehicles, 146 contracted directly by parents, 95 contracted by the Department of Transport, 11 contracted by the Department of Basic Education, and seven that were school-owned. Inspectors found that…
A tactical operation by the Hawks has resulted in the arrest of seven suspects who were allegedly planning to bomb an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the Klerksdorp central business district (CBD), North West, on Tuesday morning. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the team acted swiftly following a tip-off received prior to the planned crime. “The suspects, aged between 30 and 58, were arrested before they could execute the crime. One rifle, one pistol and explosives were recovered during the operation. The suspects will face charges of possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, and…
The Teddy Bear Foundation has called for enhanced partnerships to help retain learners who fall pregnant during their schooling years. Foundation Director Dr Shaheda Omar expressed concern about the high number of pregnant teens who do not complete matric after falling pregnant. Her comments came during a discussion with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group on Teenage Pregnancy and Mental Health. According to Omar, this trend is largely driven by a lack of family support and the social stigma attached to teenage pregnancy. “While teenage pregnancy must be discouraged, condemning and isolating pregnant learners is a disservice to their…
Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, has announced that stringent measures will be introduced to combat racism in football, following allegations by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr. Vinicius Jr claims that during a recent Champions League clash, Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni directed racist remarks at him while he covered his mouth with his shirt. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Infantino reaffirmed FIFA’s zero-tolerance stance: “If a player covers his mouth and says something and this has a racist consequence, then he has to be sent off immediately, obviously. There must be a presumption that he said something he shouldn’t have, otherwise…
The CEO of Stadium Management South Africa, Bertie Grobbelaar, says enhanced security measures are in place to prevent counterfeit tickets at the upcoming Soweto Derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. The two rivals will meet at the FNB Stadium in a sold-out fixture expected to draw its full 94,000-seat capacity. Organisers say a newly implemented digital ticketing system is central to efforts aimed at improving access control and preventing overcrowding previously linked to fake tickets. Grobbelaar said the upgraded system is part of a broader strategy to enhance spectator safety and streamline entry into the venue. “We can’t allow…
The North West Department of Education has expressed confidence that the launch of the Life Skills HIV and AIDS Programme will strengthen efforts to address key health and social challenges affecting schools across the province. Funded through a conditional grant in line with the Division of Revenue Act (DORA), the programme aims to ensure that schools are equipped with adequate resources to promote safe, healthy, and supportive environments for teaching and learning. Chief Director Specialist of the Programme, Poppy Diale, said the initiative is expected to make a meaningful contribution to improving learner performance while fostering inclusive school communities. “Through…
Banyana Banyana strengthened their bid for a semi-final spot in the COSAFA Women’s Championship with a convincing 2–0 victory over Angola on Saturday, following a 2–0 win against Malawi last Thursday. The back-to-back wins have put the South African women’s national team three points clear at the top of Group A. Head coach Desiree Ellis emphasized the importance of starting the tournament strong. “To get the win in the first game was important because otherwise we would have been on the back foot and chasing. It was just as important to secure the Angola victory. Then we knew we were…
The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has urged higher education institutions to comply fully with South Africa’s immigration and labour laws when employing foreign nationals. The Committee expressed concern over what it described as a lack of accurate and reliable data on foreign academic staff across the post-school education sector. During a joint meeting between the Department and the Department of Home Affairs, members emphasised that the employment of foreign nationals must align with the Critical Skills List and should not displace suitably qualified South Africans. Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie stated that while internationalisation remains important, it must…
ActionSA has distanced itself from reports claiming that its Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, has been appointed to the City of Ekurhuleni’s executive. The reports followed a media statement announcing changes to the mayoral cabinet of Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, which allegedly included Khumalo as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC). ActionSA’s National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont, dismissed the claims as false and fabricated. He stressed that the party has consistently refused to support or participate in what it describes as a failing administration. “Our position has been very clear on every occasion that we will not lend credibility to an administration…