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The Welsh Rugby Union has confirmed its Stadium naming rights deal with Principality Building Society has been extended until 2030, with the new investment directly supporting the growth of the game in Wales from grassroots up to elite levels. Wales’ national ground has been known as Principality Stadium, hosting an array of global music stars, …
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) in the Stellenbosch Local Municipality conducted an oversight visit last weekend to the Onder Papegaaiberg area, including the historic cemetery, the adjacent bridge, the railway line and surrounding informal settlement. The visit was prompted by numerous complaints from residents about illegal dumping, informal settlement, and serious safety and environmental […]
The post Onder Papegaaiberg: Veiligheid en waardigheid moet herstel word appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.
Malcolm Libera ·2 Feb 2026 Shoprite has opened hundreds of new stores across South Africa in the last 12 months, with over 50 being the group’s relatively new standalone branded stores—some of which were launched as early as 2023. On Monday, 2 February, Shoprite released an operational update for the six months ended 28 December …
Section 11 of the South African Constitution is one of the shortest provisions in the Bill of Rights, yet arguably one of the most powerful. It states simply: “Everyone has the right to life.” There are no conditions, qualifications, or exclusions. Yet questions remain about what this right means in practice. Is it merely about …
The city consumes over a billion litres per day, equating to over 210 litres per person, well above the world average of 120 to 160 litres
What 25th Passion for SpeedWhere Zwartkops Raceway, PretoriaWhen Saturday 31 January 2026Community South Africa National Epic Passion for Speed ticks all the race fan boxes An enthusiastic crowd braved searing heat followed by late afternoon thundershowers to witness a splendid day of Zwartkops’ 25th Passion for Speed racing at the Pretoria circuit on Saturday. On …
State power utility Eskom has warned that people caught using cut-rate illegal electricity vouchers can face fines, disconnection, and even prosecution in South Africa. The power utility has been fighting an ongoing battle against ghost vendors, electricity thieves, and illegal connections across the country, which it says puts local networks at risk. “Buying or selling …
JOHANNESBURG – Controversy continues to surround former president Jacob Zuma. Zuma’s name has appeared in the latest release of child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s files. According to the files, Zuma met with Epstein on 5 March 2010 whilst on a state visit to the United Kingdom. A Russian model was reportedly invited to the meeting …
Since the announcement that Chery will be taking over Nissan’s factory in Pretoria, trade unions have been split regarding the decision. Nissan agreed to sell its Rosslyn plant, as well as all of its manufacturing assets, to the Chinese giant. “Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including regulatory approvals, Chery SA will purchase the …
The South African motoring industry ended 2025 on a high note across both the new and pre-owned car markets, recording sales figures not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic. While December saw a small drop in sales compared to November’s exceptional figures, the industry ended the year with a stronger annual performance and improved market …
South Africa’s media sector is experiencing an influx of money at a time when many people have been preparing the industry’s eulogy. On Monday, 2 February 2026, Rob Rose announced that Apex Publishing Enterprises has acquired Currency News and Miningmx. Apex Publishing Enterprises is the media arm of Apex Capital Partners, an investment firm led …
Matt Smith has long been recognised as the voice of South African Rally Raid – but in January 2026, that voice echoed across the world’s biggest motorsport stage. Fresh from the Dakar Rally, where he was invited by ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) to join the global broadcast team, Smith reflects on a journey that began …
Luke Fraser ·2 Feb 2026 South Africa is one of the most difficult countries in the world in which to collect debt, but local creditors also struggle to get outstanding payments from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and China. Allianz Trade has published the fourth edition of its Collection Complexity Score and Rating, which provides a …
The CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), Wayne Duvenage, recently interviewed energy analyst Chris Yelland regarding Eskom and government demands to register their home solar systems. Eskom and some municipalities have given people with solar panels and battery storage systems until 31 March 2026 to register and migrate to more expensive post-paid and …
There is a determined narrative that mathematics and the arts are polar opposites. Curiosity about this argument became the spark that led me to the idea of ASSITEJ SA’s “art-rich schools.” Being connected to an organisation committed to spotlighting the transformative power of theatre and the performing arts in nurturing young people’s imagination only intensified …
More than 100 Mountain Club members from across the country made their way to the Cederberg in early October for the 2025 MCSA National Meet, hosted by the Tygerberg Section. Over 10 days, Sanddrif served as the hub for a steady flow of hikers and climbers, with around 80 campers each night. Roughly 50 members …
1 February 2026By Staff Writer These are the preliminary recorded rainfall figures for the 24-hour period ending at 8am on Sunday 1 February 2026, according to the SA Weather Service and readings that we get from other sources. The total recorded rainfall for December 2025 across South Africa is available by clicking here. Recorded rainfall …
Thank you so much for honouring our invitation, as weembark on the South-East Asia journey. We found it prudent to make our first stop here in Singapore before we go off to Malaysia and Indonesia. This year marks 32 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our country and Singapore. Our visit, to your …
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Office for South Africa in collaboration with the National Department of Health (NDoH) and the Limpopo Provincial Department of Health, conducted an integrated Leprosy Case Management and Mass Drug Administration (MDA) Training Workshop in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province, from 26 to 28 January 2026.
The workshop formed part of South Africa's efforts to advance the control and elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), in line with the WHO NTD Roadmap 2021–2030 and Sustainable Development Goal target 3.3.
While leprosy prevalence in South Africa remains low, sporadic cases continue to occur, underscoring the need for sustained capacity in early detection, effective treatment, and prevention of disability. In parallel, schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) remain endemic in several provinces, particularly affecting school-aged children and underserved communities. As the country prepares to scale up MDA using WHO-donated medicines, strengthening provincial and district readiness is critical.
The three-day workshop focused on improving technical and operational capacity for leprosy diagnosis and case management, promoting stigma reduction and referral pathways, and strengthening planning and implementation for safe and effective MDA. Participants also worked on developing provincial and district microplans to support programme rollout.
The workshop had 70 multi-disciplinary participants, which included provincial and district health officials, clinicians, environmental health practitioners, pharmacists, and programme managers. Technical facilitation was provided by WHO experts, the National Department of Health, academic institutions, The Leprosy Mission South Africa and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases. Mr Patrick Hlungwani from the National Department of Health emphasised the need to strengthen leprosy surveillance and reinforce multisectoral stakeholder collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the MDA.
Dr Dhruv Pandey, Medical Officer, Tropical and Vector Borne Diseases Multicounty Assignment Team working with WHO in Southern Africa, underscored the urgency by saying that: “Schistosomiasis and STH control require sustained, multi-sectoral commitment. Integrating MDA into existing platforms is essential to reach vulnerable populations efficiently, in line with the WHO NTD Roadmap.”
The workshop strengthened coordination, readiness, and technical capacity, contributing to South Africa's broader commitment to equitable access to NTD prevention and care, and coinciding with preparations for the World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day.
Together, these efforts highlight South Africa's continued leadership in advancing the prevention, control and elimination of neglected tropical diseases.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa.
The fate of trade relations between the US and Africa is reaching a tipping point. As a part of the government funding package, the Senate passed a short-term extension to revive AGOA, the US-Africa trade program. But even if the package succeeds when it returns to the House in the coming days, there are jitters …
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Department of Health (NDoH), and the Border Management Authority (BMA) successfully concluded South Africa's first ever Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) for Points of Entry (PoE) Frontline staff from 26–30 January 2026 in Johannesburg. This inaugural cohort marks a historic advancement in national border health surveillance and frontline detection capacities.
“This ceremony marks more than the completion of a training programme; it represents an important step forward in strengthening South Africa's public health security—your journey has been both demanding and transformative.” — Ms. Shenaaz El-Halabi, WHO Representative.
This first of its kind initiative was designed to strengthen capacity for outbreak detection, surveillance and rapid response to public health threats at PoE and across provinces. The twelve weeks training followed a rigorous cycle that began with curriculum adaptation to suit PoE nature of work and staffing in October 2025 and included three workshops, two phases of fieldwork and sustained mentorship from WHO and NICD Technical Officers. The full cycle ran from 3 November 2025 to 30 January 2026.
Broadly, participants completed modules covering POE surveillance, traveler screening, reporting pathways and International Health Regulations (IHR) obligations, complemented by applied epidemiology projects, real-time site assessments and field based exercises. The PoE FETP curriculum covered foundational epidemiology, border health surveillance, data management and analysis, emergency preparedness, and full outbreak investigation skills. It also built strong competencies in applied epidemiology through case studies, problem analysis, laboratory linkages, scientific writing, communication, and preparation of documentation through group and individual work.
Speaking on the importance of mentorship and frontline vigilance, the NICD Director of South African FETP and AFENET Board Chair, Dr. Lazarus Kuonza, reminded the cohort:
“Your role at our borders is vital—every alert you detect and every decision you make protects the entire nation. Continue mentoring others, because strengthening each colleague strengthens South Africa's first line of defense against cross border disease threats.”
The NDoH Chief Director for Environmental Health and Port Health Services, Ms. Aneliswa Cele as the leader who envisions the future of PoE capacity, emphasized the need to build on this achievement: “Let us not end here — we need to expand this training to more officials and integrate the skills gained into routine surveillance and response functions at Points of Entry. Let us not lose the momentum we have started.” Her message reinforces the commitment to sustained capacity building within border environments.
Echoing this forward focused vision, Ms. Funeka Bongweni, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the BMA, highlighted the sector's long-term aspirations:
“From this work we want to see a growing contribution to the body of knowledge for Ports of Entry—this is only the beginning in laying a strong foundation.”
As South Africa's first POE FETP frontline cohort, graduates are now equipped to enhance routine surveillance, improve early detection and reporting, support outbreak investigations and contribute to future training cycles through mentorship.
WHO, NDoH, NICD and BMA congratulate the pioneering cohort and extend appreciation to all facilitators, mentors and partners whose dedication made this milestone possible. Together, we advance towards a more resilient South Africa, capable of detecting and responding to public health threats at every point of entry.
This milestone was made possible through the Pandemic Fund-supported project.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) - South Africa.
Shelby Talcott and Yinka Adegoke The Trump administration is overhauling how it handles aid to Africa with an aim towards dislodging China from “priority” sectors in the region — not from the entire continent. The administration’s approach, which Nick Checker, the State Department’s head of the Bureau of African Affairs, outlined in an interview with …
PSL Betway Premiership – South Africa’s Premier Football League The PSL Betway Premiership is the pinnacle of South African football, where the country’s top clubs battle it out for glory, pride, and championship status. From electrifying derbies to last-minute goals, the league delivers non-stop action, passion, and unforgettable moments. Join thousands of fans across the …
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa is set to deliver an unforgettable Pink Day when the Proteas Men host the West Indies in the final KFC T20 International (T20I) at a sold-out DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 31 January. The match will mark the first time the national side takes the field in a …