The Weekend View

While the Budget Justice Coalition has welcomed Treasury's reversal of the VAT hike it has slammed what it calls 'the false choice between raising taxes or slashing vital services'. The organization insists South Africa can build a fair, inclusive budget without deepening poverty. They propose credible, progressive alternatives, from tapping into reserves to curbing corporate tax breaks. The organ...

With less than 35% of South African motorists insured, understanding the right car insurance coverage is more crucial than ever. Many drivers are unaware of the different values at which they can insure their vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to unexpected costs in the event of an accident, theft, or total loss. For more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Siyakha Masiye, spokesperson at MiWay

Meanwhile Africans are hoping one of their own could become the first Black pope in modern history and build on Francis's legacy of championing the developing world, though some say the chances of that happening appear slim. A continent where religion permeates most aspects of private and public life, Africa is where the Roman Catholic Church is growing fastest, according to recently published Vat...

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to attend Pope Francis's funeral in the Vatican's St Peter's Square THIS MORNING.  Among them will be world leaders, Catholic officials and mourners from around the globe. The funeral mass is expected to begin at 10am.  After the mass his simple wooden coffin is then expected to be driven slowly to Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica where Francis w...

The DRC and Rwanda YESTERDAY signed an agreement in Washington to promote peace and economic development. The accord, signed at a ceremony with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is seen as part of a diplomatic push to end violence after an advance by Rwandan-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo. The Trump administration has taken a special interest in Congo since a Congolese senator contacted U.S...

Both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando pirates drew nil all in their CAF Champions League semi-final matches played against Egyptian sides, Al Ahly and Pyramids respectively. The Pretoria giants failed to take home advantage in Loftus Versfeld Stadium while the Buccaneers were rescued by the Video Assistant Referee at the FNB stadium.  Meanwhile Stellenbosch FC will TODAY make their debut in cont...

As Christians worldwide mark Easter, honoring the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, tradition takes center stage at family tables. Pickled fish and hot cross buns remain firm favorites for some, especially on Good Friday, when many abstain from meat and opt for fish instead. For those observing Lent, the 40-day fast ends, making way for celebration. And what better way to indulge than with E...

South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA) has deployed additional resources and introduced advanced surveillance technology at several ports of entry for the Easter long weekend travel period. This time around the BMA deployed drones and body worn cameras for additional technological support. On Friday, BMA commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapato visited the Lebombo Border Post to Mozambique to...

Authorities are on high alert this Easter Sunday as traffic volumes swell across the country. With thousands of Zion Christian Church members driving back from Moria TONIGHT and TOMORROW and holidaymakers returning from family visits, congestion is expected especially on routes leading out of Limpopo, Kwa Zulu Natal and Eastern Cape. The Road Traffic Management Corporation is urging motorists to e...

The World Changers Candidate - WCC - is calling on churches, parents, and communities to unite and take action against the normalisation of drug culture among young people. This as TOMORROW, Easter Sunday, coincides with the globally recognised "4/20" phenomenon—a day synonymous with cannabis celebration. The clash of these two dates has sparked concern over the potential escalation of youth...

It's a bumper Easter weekend of continental football with three South African teams taking on rivals in the CAF Champions League first leg, semifinal fixtures. Mamelodi Sundowns and 12-time CAF Champions league winners, Al Ahly are set for a blockbuster match-up at Loftus Versfeld THIS AFTERNOON, with a place in the final on the line. Kick-off is at 3 pm. Following that is another cliffhanger when...

The South African National Blood Service - SANBS - is this long weekend embarking on it's #EasterFamilyBloodBond to encourage families to donate blood together during the holiday season. The service says they are ready to receive you whether you're ready to donate blood or simply curious about your blood type. To tell us more Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Musiiwa Denga, SANBS External Communications Mana...

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces THIS WEEK announced the formation of a rival government, two years since the country descended into a brutal war that has left tens of thousands dead and triggered what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Since war erupted on 15 April 2023, nearly 13 million people have been displaced and there is no political solution in sight....

The MK Party says South Africa must use the next 90 days to intensify its relations with countries in the BRICS block. It has also said it will not involve itself or be used  in the machinations within the Government of National Unity with respect to the Budget. This, as the ANC met with the YESTERDAY to resolve the impasse in the executive governance structure. The country's main opposition...

The ANC continues to meet with political parties in and outside the Government of National Unity.  In an effort to resolve the impasse around a VAT increase and explore proposals for alternative revenue streams. The ruling party met the DA YESTERDAY and is expected to meet with the Freedom Front plus to also discuss the way forward for the GNU. Meanwhile, ActionSA concluded its meeting on WED...

With only about half of matric learners passing mathematics over the years, coupled with a concern about not enough learners taking mathematics as a subject, many education experts agree that the teaching of mathematics is in crisis in South Africa. This state of affairs has also been linked to the lack of Math's teachers and inadequate training for teachers. These are some of the issues that the...

The Matlosana Local Municipality, which incorporates the town of Klerksdorp in the North West, has issued a warning for people residing close to the banks of the flooded Vaal river to prepare to evacuate should the need arise. Mayor Fikile Mahlope has confirmed that notices of possible evacuation were sent to residents facing the greatest threat of flooding in the town's Orkneyvaal suburb. Disaste...

The ANC is set to meet with a DA delegation TODAY, in the continiuing effort to break the deadlock over the 0.5 percentage point VAT increase that some parties, including the DA, which is the second biggest party in the government of national unity (GNU), are opposed to. The ANC says it is pushing for a formal, rules-based agreement to legally bind parties to support future parliamentary motions w...

Improving technology , strengthening crime intelligence , upskilling detective and forensic services are some of the key takeaways from the three day National policing summit THIS WEEK. The country's first policing summit  was aimed at adapting policing strategies to a changing criminal landscape and enhancing crime-fighting methods and also provided an opportunity for police to engage and st...

US-China tensions further escalated YESTERDAY after China upped its retaliatory tariffs on US imports to 125%, ramping up the trade war between the world's two biggest economic powers. Chinese leader Xi Jinping struck a defiant tone in his first public comments on the trade war, saying his nation was "not afraid" and called on the EU to join the opposition to US tariffs.  The latest tariff hi...

A growing number  of people are developing life-changing allergies to some gel nail products. Some have reported nails loosening or falling off, skin rashes, swelling and in some rare cases , breathing difficulties. Safety concerns on the use of nail products have emerged . To look into this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Charmaine Kay , Technical Product Advisor and Product Specialist at Maskscara

Legal action has been set in motion to evict former Members of Parliament who are refusing to move out of their subsidised accommodation, despite them no longer being in Parliament. 3 former MKP MP's and one former ANC MP are reportedly resisting eviction from the parliamentary villages. The villages house MPs, party political and parliamentary staff, and department officials performing standby du...

The DA's future in the government of national unity - GNU - appears to be hanging in the balance after it voted against finance minister Enoch Godongwana's budget on Wednesday. While analysts agree that the DA and ANC have been on the brink many times before, they say this time is the worst and most perilous for stability. Pressure also appears to be mounting from the ANC NEC for President Cyril R...

An increase in VAT has a disproportionate and regressive impact on low income consumers, many of whom rely on microfinance to manage irregular or limited income. According to MicroFinance South Africa, the  consequences of an increased in VAT are far-reaching and puts consumers in a greater vulnerable financial situation.  Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Leonie van Pletzen, CEO of MicroFinance So...

Justice minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has called on National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Adv Shamila Batohi to deliver a detailed report following the scathing judgment that acquitted Nigerian televangelist pastor Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused earlier THIS WEEK. This after the outrage following the acquittal of Omotoso and his co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, who were facing...