The Weekend View

The Umkhonto weSizwe party urgently needs to adopt the principles of democracy,or face the risk of performing very badly in this year's local government elections. This is the sentiment of at least two political analysts, commenting on the latest expulsions at the party.  Earlier this week, two members of Parliament, Doctor Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala and Pumlani Kubukeli, were expelled...

The PAC has put land and service delivery at the centre of its manifesto ahead of the local government elections. The party on Saturday (29/08) launched its offering to voters in Jabulani Soweto, where it was founded in 1959 by Robert Sobukwe. Leader Mzwanele Nyontso declared that it would continue to struggle against apartheid spatial inequality and ensure the decolonisation of services and space...

The Department of Home Affairs has given the final warning this week to members of the public to register qualifying customary marriages before the special registration period closes on 31 August 2026 (tomorrow). The special registration period, which began on the 1st of September 2024, enables parties to customary marriages that were not registered within the prescribed period to regularise their...

The Pan Africanist Congress will today launch its election manifesto. Party members will converge at the iconic Soweto Amphitheatre. The party says this is more than a launch but it is a call to action, a programme for communities and a vision for a better future. Meanwhile, the African People's Convention says it has increased its capacity ahead of the  2026 Local Government Elections and wa...

The Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) has recently launched its #YourChoiceHasPower campaign. The aim is to bring attention to illicit trading and the impact to the economy. Illicit trade is usually associated with cigarettes, alcohol and counterfeit clothing but the crisis spreads in other areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fuel and chemicals that are also sold on the bl...

Acting Police Minister, Firoz Cachalia says the fight against organised crime, extortion, kidnapping and gang-related violence remains a major priority.  This despite declines in several serious crime categories.  He says crime is concentrated in a relatively small number of policing precincts, prompting a decision to prioritise 140 high-crime police stations for targeted operational sup...

Gravesite vandalism continues to be a growing concern in South Africa. The Southern Africa Funerals and Tombstones Industry Institute( SAFTII) says there is a rise in grave vandalism, theft at cemeteries, unauthorized grave construction, and damage to gravesite fence. In response to this crisis, SAFTII is launching SAFTII Gravesite Watch. Mpilo Khodi, spokesperson for The Southern Africa Funerals...

The State in the case involving suspended National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola and 14 others, says a review panel is currently considering the case against all the accused. Masemola and his co accused appeared in the Pretoria Regional Court on charges relating to the 228-million rand SAPS Medicare24 tender. Masemola faces four charges relating to alleged contraventions of the Public Finan...

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has initiated parliamentary processes which are aimed at providing a legislative framework for the establishment and effective functioning of coalition governments in the country. This follows the introduction of coalition politics in recent years both at municipal and national levels where no one political party has managed...

South Africa's national rugby team is raring to go in the second test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand in Cape Town on Saturday. Having lost the opening Test of the series in Johannesburg last week, backline coach Mzwandile Stick says that their focus in this week's build-up has been about finding solutions as a team and that the squad is in a good space. Samantha Marie has t...

Humanitarian Aid organisation -the Gift of the Givers - says it is on standby and ready for a possible rescue mission to Nepal following devasting flash floods which resulted in the death of over 500 people with almost two-thousand more still missing. Amongst the missing are six South Africans, including 33 year old Terricia Govender from Isipingo, South of Durban. Founder of the Gift of the Gift...

The killing of three ANC members in Knysna has raised concerns about political violence ahead of the local government elections. Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Sizakhele Dyantyi and Provincial Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais have visited the scenes of the killings, as police intensify their investigation and step up security in the town. A short...

The family of slain two time world boxing champion, Zolani "Lastborn" Tete are struggling to come to terms with his murder. The 38 year old was gunned down in front of his home in Mdantsane, bringing a tragic end to his boxing career. He was currently preparing to make his return to the ring on the 29th of November after serving a four year doping suspension. His death has sent shockwaves through...

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa will unveil his party's much vaunted election manifesto at Riverside Park in Diepsloot north of Johannesburg later this morning. This is preceded by the announcement of the party's nominees for mayoral positions in eight metros and 22 secondary cities on *YESTERDAY. Instead of unveiling its mayoral candidates, the ANC chose to reveal the names of people who have been...

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) met last week to discuss the process to be followed in handling the Municipal Structures Amendment Bill, also referred to as the Coalitions Bill.  The Bill aims to provide a clear legislative framework for the formation of coalition governments and to establish mechanisms to minimise coalition-related challenges...

The Central Student Representative Council of Cape Peninsula University of Technology has called for an investigation into the financial management at the Institution. This comes amid the suspension of the academic programme following weeks of student protests. In response, the management instructed the students to leave their residences. Among the numerous issues the SRC raised includes the safet...

INTRO: Today marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Beliefs.  Established by the United Nations, this day calls the world to remember those who have suffered  because of their faith or conscience, and to renew the global commitment to protect freedom of religion or belief for every person. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Magdalene G...

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema has been re-elected for a second term. Results released by the election commission in the early hours of Tuesday this week , revealed that Hichilema received roughly around 60% of valid votes, compared to the 38 percent of his main challenger, Brian Mundubile.  His re-election gives him a fresh mandate to continue his economic programme, but also brings r...

Crime Intelligence head Dumisani Khumalo, says he will not be deterred and will continue to serve South Africa. His comment comes after the National Prosecuting Authority withdrew the fraud and corruption charges against him and his six others. The formal retraction happened during their appearance in the Pretoria Magistrates Court. Khumalo's legal representative is Sihle Hlongwane...

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says it has identified regulatory failure in satellite spectrum licensing following an inquiry. The Authority says this has led to it drafting amendments to the Radio Frequency Spectrum Regulations of 2015, and the Radio Frequency Spectrum Fees Regulations of 2010. The Ammendments aim to enable direct-to-device satellite connectivity...

The ANC will finally announce its much-anticipated councillor and mayoral candidates for the November 4 elections in Sandton, north of Johannesburg, later this morning (Saturday 22 August). Close attention will be paid to those named as candidates for the eight metros and the 44 district municipalities or secondary cities. After the announcement of its mayoral candidates, party president Cyril Ram...

Rugby's Greatest Rivalry kicks off in earnest on *TODAY at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, when South Africa and New Zealand meet in the first of four test matches. It is the 111th meeting between the two sides, and while the Boks may be considered favorites going into this game, a clash between these two sides will always go down to the wire. Earlier we caught up with our reporter, Simon Burke...

As we continue to highlight inspiring stories this womens month. The Phakama Women's Academy (PWA), has officially welcomed its Class of 2026, marking the 12th annual intake of 22 young women being prepared for the working world. These 22 students join a network of more than 200 young women who have graduated from the programme since its inception in 2014.  The Academy aims to bridge the gap...

A new study by the Credit Association of South Africa (CASA) shows that  failure to review credit fee caps has reduced financial inclusion, strengthened illegal lending and is costing South Africa hundreds of billions in economic activity. Credit fee caps are legal limits set by governments or regulators on the maximum interest rates, initiation fees, and monthly service charges that financia...

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has announced its mayoral candidates for the 2026 Local Government Election. The Party' deputy president, Wayne Thring, is the ACDP's prefered candidate for the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Bishop Dulton Adams is the party's mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg. The ACDP president, the Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, made the announcement at...