The COVID-19 pandemic has put global emergency preparedness under sharp scrutiny. It’s also placed national health systems’ capacity to predict and respond to major emergencies under the microscope. Much of the response to the pandemic is focused on testing, case management and control measures such as personal hygiene, quarantine and social distancing. But in most […]

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, reeling from years of corruption, has started a recruitment process to employ 3,100 security guards to protect the country’s trains and railways, which have been battered by years of arson of stations and trains as well as rampant cable theft. Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula said that the […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has noted with grave concern the illegal protest that is currently underway at Tshwane House by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU). The protest has led to the destruction of public property in and around Tshwane House. The DA says the protest is as a result […]

Dear President Cyril Ramaphosa! I’m writing to you for a number of reasons and I hope you eventually see this letter. But I also hope many other South Africans see it too… writes Mark Sham, an entrepreneur and CEO of Suits & Sneakers (which provides informal learning content). On Tuesday, 14 July 2020, I made […]

Denel, the largest manufacturer of defence equipment in South Africa, has announced the resignation of its Group Chief Executive Officer Danie du Toit. Du Toit will continue to render his services until 15 August, while an interim Group CEO will be appointed shortly. Denel said on Monday its board has taken far-reaching steps to stabilise […]

Nestle has announced that while it will keep producing the much-beloved Peppermint Crisp, Milkybar and BarOne, it will retire a number of its well-known chocolates, namely Milkybar Double, Milkybar Peanut, Nestlé Crunch, Milo Slab and BarOne Peanut. (Watch the video below.) Four days ago Nestle also announced the end of Chocolate Log at the end […]

I was one of the thousands who watched Nelson Mandela, the South African liberation struggle hero, leave prison on 11 February 1990, and then mount the podium in front of Cape Town’s City Hall, expressing the hope that the apartheid government would agree to negotiations so that there might no longer be the need for […]

As the country observes Mandela Month, the Department of Water and Sanitation has reiterated a call upon South Africans to take part in the Clear Rivers Campaign, to protect water resources and keep them pollution-free at all times. The Clear Rivers Campaign takes place in the month of July as part of promoting volunteerism in […]

Loadshedding, which hit most of South Africa during the coldest week in winter, has been suspended from 10 p.m. tonight, Eskom announced, saying it had successfully returned four generation units to service. “These generation units returned more than 1500MW capacity to the system, taking the total returned to the system since 10 July to 3500MW. […]

Primedia is the latest South African media group to be impacted by the current situation in South Africa, today announcing that retrenchments at the company will be taking place. Primedia Broadcasting includes 947, 702, KFM and CapeTalk; national news brand EWN; and Lead SA. Primedia confirmed in a statement on Thursday that employees were today […]

The Democratic Alliance has served Finance Minister Tito Mboweni with legal notice of its intention to challenge any disbursement of public funds to SAA using his “emergency” powers under the Public Finance Management Act. Geordin Hill-Lewis MP – DA Shadow Minister of Finance – said in a statement on Thursday, that “if Mboweni does not […]

The Treasury has said it will support and source funding for a business rescue plan of South African Airways, and it appears that the government might not be the major shareholder in a rebooted airline, according to a statement released by the Department of Public Enterprises. “While maintaining a certain level of presence in the […]

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Unite Behind civil coalition have made public their support of former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa board chairperson Popo Molefe – who they call “a bulwark against corruption and state capture” – and all public servants who have fought to do the right thing at PRASA, saying the […]

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it has reported the “racist behavior of well-known diamond ponzi schemer, Louis Liebenberg” to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). This comes after a video clip of Liebenberg, imitating “Cyril” (Ramaphosa), speaking crudely and inferring that being black gives you license to be corrupt, has been circulating on social […]

An interim CEO of South African Airways has been appointed, after an overwhelming majority of creditors voted to support the business rescue plan of the airline and avoid liquidation. The Department of Public Enterprises made the announcement today, and named Phillip Saunders, now SAA chief financial officer, as the interim CEO. The BRP still needs […]

Charges were today laid against the National Lotteries Commission’s board and commissioner for failing to disclose the beneficiaries of pro-active grant funding, after the NLC and ANC MPs “fought tooth and nail” to keep the information hidden. The DA also raised the possibility of corruption behind the subterfuge. The Democratic Alliance’s Shadow Deputy Minister of […]

Stage 2 loadshedding is set to continue until 22:00 on Sunday night (so some will miss President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation), and will then resume at 09:00 tomorrow Monday morning, Eskom said in a statement on Sunday evening. The power utility said that despite its best efforts to return additional generation units to service, […]

As South Africa battles the COVID-19 pandemic, law enforcement officials are battling to bring criminals – who are brazenly land grabbing and then selling that land – to book. This week Carte Blanche investigates this and more. You can watch the show on Sunday 12 July in South Africa on DStv Now or stream it […]

Due to an increase in plant breakdowns, Eskom has begun implementing Stage 2 load shedding since midday on Friday. “The load shedding has been caused by an increase in plant breakdowns exceeding 3000MW of capacity. While five generation units were taken off the grid last and this morning, a breakdown at the Matimba power station […]

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has called for strong and immediate action to be taken against individuals, who are preventing people from being moved into their new homes in the City of Cape Town. This follows reports that a group from Cape Town informal settlements has been demanding job opportunities. Demands from […]

The population of South Africa stands at 59.6 million, according to Stats South Africa, with more than a quarter of it in Gauteng. StatsSA said that in the period 2016 – 2021, Gauteng and Western Cape showed the largest inflow of migrants, 1,553,162 and 468,568, respectively. StatsSA said Gauteng has about 15.5 million people (26 […]

Eskom has warned residents of possible load shedding in South Africa on Thursday evening, which is also likely to persist throughout the weekend as demand for electricity peaks during a cold front. The power utility has since urged the public to reduce electricity usage. “While Eskom is working hard to return generating units to service, […]

There isn’t enough clinical research being done in Africa. Less than 2.5% of all clinical trials in the world are done on the continent. This is why South Africa’s involvement in one of the COVID-19 vaccine trials is so important. The country’s effort is being led by Professor Shabir Madhi. The Conversation Africa’s health and […]

A partnership between the Department of Social Development has resulted in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in South Africa donating $1.4 million that will go towards the procurement of 20 000 food relief packages. The contribution comes as the global Coronavirus pandemic takes its toll on the most vulnerable across the […]

Clearing one last major hurdle in the creation of a new South African Airways, all but one labour union, representing the pilots, have agreed to accept voluntary severance packages for up to 2,700 people, which will cost about R2.27 billion, according to a statement by the Department of Public Enterprises. The business rescue plan put […]