The Weekend View

As many South Africans go back to work since the beginning of the year, questions over hybrid work models, calls for a return-to-office and mandatory vaccine policies are front and centre. Pertinent questions for employers and employees alike over vaccination, work from home and other issues have to be asked and answered.

Communications and Digital Technologies' Minister, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has expressed confidence in the country's launch of its own Communication Satellite into orbit. A commission established by President Cyril Ramaphosa previously recommended that government build and launch a geostationary telecommunications satellite, which would offer its services to the entire Southern African Development C...

The tourism sector took a serious beating in 2019 and 2020 due to hard Covid-19 regulations imposed by the government to try and control the COVID-19 infection rate in the country. It was for the first time is two years where Covid-19 regulations were eased and inter-provencial travelling, going to the beaches and social events were allowed. However, some European countries put South Africa togeth...

With the 2021 matric results due to be released in a few days, many deserving matriculants who passed with flying colours but do not qualify for limited national funding or bursaries to further their studies will be asking themselves, What now?

Scores of ANC supporters who had waited in anticipation for President Cyril Ramaphosa's January Eighth annual address, showcased their jubilation in many forms including song and dance. Some supporters who attended were dressed in exhuberent ANC regalia showcasing the colours of the party. Meanwhile small businesses outside the stadium say their businesses thrived on the day

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured ANC members that the party is doing all it can to make sure that emerges victoriously in the midst of all the challenges it is currently facing. This on the back foot of the release of the first part of the State Capture Report, which fingered a number of senior ANC officials. Ramaphosa delivered the January 8th statement, as part of the ANC's 110th birthday c...

Covid-19 hung like a threatening storm cloud over the 2021 school year - as it did in 2020. The discovery of new variants and increased COVID-19 infections resulted in a turbulent school year for both educators and learners. Many pupils endured the fallout from an unequal education system as thousands were unable to access online teaching or material on social media. Prabashini Moodley takes a loo...

As the investigation into the cause of the fire at parliament continues, we look at how those who work at the institution are coping with the aftermath. Workers union Nehawu Secretary at parliament Themba Gubula says many of their members have been traumatised.

City of Cape Town Mayor  Geordin Hill-Lewis says the City's Fire Department's  report into Parliament is not a substitute for a full forensic investigation into the cause of the fire. He says the report which could be helpful has already been submitted to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. The report is accompanied by three other reports  on various  rescue serv...

African National Congress president, Cyril Ramaphosa says it is imperative for the party to be renewed in order to connect with the people. Ramaphosa delivered a prelude address to members of the business community at Polokwane in Limpopo last night on the eve of the January eight statement to celebrate the party's 110th anniversary. Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the annual January eight statem...

The funeral service of seven family members, including four kids, who were shot and killed allegedly by another family member was held at Jimmy Jones village outside Malamulele in Limpopo. The deceased, Mpho Ndou, Portia Chauke, one-year old child Wanga Ndou, Rendani Ndou, Ndivhuwo Ndou, Dakalo Makondo-Ndou and Confidence Ndou, were shot dead on Christmas Day. Police suspect that the incident migh...

The World Health Organization has missed its own deadline of having 40-percent of every country's adult population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021. Two years on and the pandemic continues to rage on as new emerging variants pose threats to bringing the virus under control. More than 287-million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded and nearly 5-and-half-million people have died...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the public to honour the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu by championing the course of social justice that he tirelessly campaigned for during his entire life. He was speaking at the funeral service of the late Arch's funeral at the St Georges's Cathedral in Cape Town on Saturday. The funeral was attended by a number of dignitaries including former pres...

South Africans and the international community have been urged to continue to celebrate the life of late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu. A memorial service was held at the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg on Thursday. Members of the Tutu family, former Ambassador to the United States, Sheila Sisulu, Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse and Reverend Frank Chikane were among the mourners who att...

The towns of Welkom, Matjhabeng, Bothaville, Nala, and the Moqhaka municipality have been facing days without water after not being able to pay Sedibeng water. Some clinics in Mangaung were forced to close as severe water shortages continued to wreak havoc on primary health centres. BloemWater was forced to implement water cuts after not being paid an agreed amount of 20 million rand a month. Udo...

 This week marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of international NGO, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders. Since its inceptions in France in 1971, MSF has gone on to help millions of people worldwide in the international emergency aid sector. The organisation received countless accolades over the past five decades including a Nobel Peace Prize. For a look at...

South African's have been warned to brace for higher food prices as fuel prices surge. According to data released by the Automobile Association of South Africa, the price of 93 unleaded petrol inland has risen by just over 91 percent in the last 10 years, and 41 percent in the last year. Higher electricity tariff hikes are also looming which will put added pressure on consumers. Udo Carelse spoke...

Cricket South Africa has to find a new director of cricket and new head coach. This is the view of former SA cricketers Association President Omphile Ramela. The former first class cricketer was one of the loudest voices to question the respective appointments of Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher when he testified during CSA's Social Justice Network. The ombud of the SJN Dumisa Ntsebeza delivered his...

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has expressed concern over the continued poaching of rhino, with the latest 23 having taken place over a 36-hour period. Mpumalanga and the Kruger National Park accounted for seven of the poached rhino, while KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape accounted for six and four, respectively. The country has seen thousands of rhino poached for thei...

Today marks International Migration day. South Africa hosts the largest number of immigrants on the African continent. According to official estimates, the country is home to about 2.9 million immigrants, which would account for slightly less than 5 percent of the overall population of 60 million people. However, this number is thought to be an underestimate because of the presence of large number...

This week, South Africans commemorated Reconciliation Day, a day steeped in a painful and often layered history. To help us unpack what the architects of our democracy intended with the day and what reconciliation means in 2021, Udo Carelse spoke to former cabinet member of the last Apartheid Government, negotiator at CODESA, Leon Wessels and Khulumani Support Group, National Director Dr...

Traffic officials have warned that authorities are implementing a zero tolerance approach to lawlessness on the country's roads this festive season. This comes as thousands of South Africans head to their holiday destinations for the festive season. By Wednesday morning, over 1500 vehicles had been recorded at one of the country's busiest plazas, the Kranskop toll plaza, near Modimolle, Limpopo. U...

Former President Thabo Mbeki says the local economy is in crisis as it is failing to grow and create much needed  jobs. Mbeki was speaking during a lecture in honour of Chief Nkosi  Albert Luthuli on the 60th Anniversary of his receipt of the Nobel Peace Price. 

The South African Tourism industry could possibly lose between 20 and 30 billion rand this festive season. This is due to the high number of booking cancellations, following the discovery Omicron - the latest COVID-19 variant.  Several countries including the United States and United Kingdom imposed travel bans to and from South Africa, during the peak holiday season.  With a rapid incre...

The South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) says its turnaround strategy is working wonders as its licence and royalties collection grew by 4% from R325.8 Million to R338.8 Million in 2020. The organisation also says that its online revenue has increased by 110% and that it has also improved its solvency position due to lower debtor and cash management. SAMRO is also calling for pubs, mobi...