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At the end of two days of intense, high-quality competition, Chile men and Kenya women took top honours at the opening round of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 in Cape Town. Like Kenya’s men’s side, who achieved promotion to HSBC SVNS 2025 via the Challenger, Kenya’s women got off to the perfect start …
CENTURION: An astonishing batting display by the Momentum Multiply Titans saw them record 440 in 43 overs to lay the platform...
Umhlali police arrest alleged house robbers minutes after committing crime
The swift action of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Umhlali, in the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has led to the arrest of five suspects wanted for a house robbery and kidnapping - just minutes after the crime had been committed.
The suspects were arrested on Friday after they allegedly terrorised a family of three at their home in Shakashead in the Umhlali Policing Precinct.
It is alleged that the five armed suspects entered the victims’ home, removed the safe from the bedroom wall and questioned the victims about the vehicles they owned.
They are believed to have terrorised the victims and assaulted them before taking one of the victims, a 32-year-old male, to withdraw money from a nearby ATM.
It is then that the victim’s mother immediately contacted SAPS Umhlali.
Within minutes, Umhlali Police responded and intercepted the suspect’s vehicle, approximately 100m from the crime scene.
All five suspects were arrested and the victim was rescued. The vehicle used in the commission of the crime was recovered and the victims were taken to receive medical treatment.
All five suspects were charged for house robbery and kidnapping and will appear in KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court soon.
ILembe District Commissioner Major General Anthony Gopaul commended the swift and decisive action of the SAPS Umhlali.
"Their rapid response and effective coordination led to the immediate arrest of these dangerous suspects and the safe rescue of the victim. This incident serves as a clear demonstration of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to combat crime and bring perpetrators to justice. This successful operation reinforces the message that criminal activity will not be tolerated in the iLembe District," Major General Gopaul said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Mon, 03/03/2025 - 08:54
122 views
The Springbok Women’s Sevens claimed third place in the first leg of the World Rugby HSBC Sevens Challenger 2025 at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Sunday, and although SA coach Renfred Dazel was satisfied with bronze, he lamented a three-minute lapse in concentration that cost them dearly against Kenya. The South Africans beat Colombia …
Renewed focus on ECD a critical investment in SA’s future
An increased focus on Early Childhood Development (ECD) is critical for the future of South Africa.
This is according to President Cyril Ramaphosa who addressed the nation through his weekly newsletter.
“Better educational outcomes in basic education are linked to broader social and economic development. Education is a powerful tool to break the cycle of poverty, to uplift individuals and communities, and to bringing about a more equitable society.
“As was evident from the Basic Education Sector Lekgotla [held last week], all stakeholders in the education space are committed to prioritising foundational learning as the most effective means to enable young South Africans to succeed and thrive far into the future,” he said on Monday.
The President highlighted that government has spent the last 30 years “trying to correct” the devastating impact that Bantu Education under Apartheid had on foundational learning.
“This effort has now received greater impetus with the passage of the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act. This Act makes Grade R, the reception year before Grade 1, compulsory.
“Through an enhanced focus on ECD, the Act will help ensure that young children are better prepared for formal schooling. Early Childhood Development plays a critical role in developing early literacy, early numeracy and social-emotional skills during an important time in a child’s cognitive development,” he said.
READ | Call to intensify efforts to improve early childhood learning
In the State of the Nation Address in February, President Ramaphosa committed to expanding access to ECD for all children through “registering and formalising existing ECD centres and ensuring that they have the facilities, training and material that they need to provide quality early learning”.
Now, the President reiterated the importance of making ECD more accessible.
“Children who attend quality pre-primary programmes tend to have larger vocabularies, better number awareness, stronger perceptual skills, improved social skills and greater curiosity.
“Quality ECD provision promotes social equality. Children from poor families benefit most from access to ECD. As the learning journey progresses, quality ECD is also linked to better transitions into high school, lower repetition and dropout rates, and better academic performance overall.
“The Basic Education Sector Lekgotla discussed how best to realign the existing education curriculum to strengthen foundational learning, including through ongoing assessments, scaling up teacher training and development, and expanding the provision of ECD learning and teacher support material,” President Ramaphosa emphasised.
The President highlighted that further down the line, basic education must also produce learners who can find work in an evolving world.
“A recent report by the World Economic Forum on the future of jobs shows that the need for science, technology, engineering and mathematics related jobs are fast outstripping ‘traditional’ occupations, which are on the decline in the face of technological advances.
“Our basic education system has to produce learners that are able to find work in an ever-changing knowledge and technology based global economy.
“The efforts of the Department of Basic Education to strengthen the provision of technical and vocational pathways to learners in high school are therefore to be welcomed. Even in more industrialised economies than ours, technical and vocational training is recognised as a solid pathway to employment and entrepreneurship,” President Ramaphosa explained. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Mon, 03/03/2025 - 09:20
9 views
CAPE TOWN: Half centuries by Jon-Jon Smuts, Tshepang Dithole the impressive Hanu Viljoen helped pave the way for Hollywoodbets Dolphins to continue their 1 Day...
Some Cape Town residents want the golf course to remain as it is
Padel tennis is capturing the hearts of sports enthusiasts globally, and as it grows in popularity, so does the demand for specialized padel gear. From the right attire to the perfect racket, having the correct equipment can enhance your playing experience significantly. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the …
2 March 2025 – Jamie Webber scored a wonder strike to secure a 1-1 draw for South Africa against Egypt in a first round African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier played at Free State Stadium on Sunday night. The Egyptians had stunned the home crowd when Mohamed Hassan Hashem Abdelaal scored a beautiful goal in the […]
The post South Africa share the spoils with Egypt in CHAN qualifier first appeared on SAFA.net.
Padel, a rapidly growing sport, combines elements from tennis and squash, offering players a unique and engaging experience. Essential to this game is the padel racket, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your performance on the court. This article explores various padel rackets from top brands, helping you find the perfect match for …
Moving can be a stressful experience, whether you’re relocating across town or across the country. Choosing the right moving company is crucial to ensuring that your belongings reach their new home safely and efficiently. In South Africa, several reputable moving companies cater to different regions, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Pretoria. This comprehensive guide will …
Pickleball, a sport that cleverly combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, has rapidly grown into a favorite pastime for people of all ages. This guide delves deep into everything you need to know about pickleball, from the essential equipment and rules of the game to finding the right places to play and connect with …
President Ramaphosa to engage Gauteng on developmental priorities
President Cyril Ramaphosa and the National Cabinet will on Thursday visit the Gauteng Executive Council and the City of Johannesburg, said the Gauteng Provincial Government.
The two-day visit beginning on Thursday is aimed at engaging with the province on its strategic development priorities.
“This meeting is part of the President’s engagement with all provinces to ensure alignment on the 7th Administration’s Medium Term Development Plan.
“The Premier and Members of the Executive Council (MECs) will use the visit to update the President and Ministers on the plans of the Gauteng Provincial Government to improve service delivery in the province,” the provincial government said on Sunday.
To date, the President and his Cabinet Ministers have visited KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 15:24
371 views
Sunday, 02 March 2025 – Unit 2 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station experienced an unplanned, non-technical trip while operating at full capacity. Koeberg Unit 2 inadvertently tripped during the execution of work on Unit 1, which is currently offline for work to be conducted as part of its Long-Term Operation (LTO) program. Unit 2...
Minister announces fund to support spaza shops
Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni has announced the creation of a R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund that aims to enhance market competitiveness to help spaza shops and food handling outlets compete with larger retailers.
Addressing media in Pretoria on Sunday, the Minister said the fund will be launched soon and will support township convenience shops, including spaza stores.
“The fund will be launched in the next two weeks and a date will be communicated,” she said adding that the fund will comprise of funds from the Department of Small Business Development (R150 million) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (R350 million).
The Minister made the announcement at the briefing that followed the close of the registration period for spaza shops and food-handling businesses to register their businesses with their local municipalities on 28 February.
READ | Spaza shops who met registration deadline to receive support
She said other businesses will still benefit from existing departmental funds and programmes including financial assistance by the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and other development finance institutions (DFIs).
The fund aims to achieve economies of scale by linking spaza shops and food handling outlets to buying groups for bulk purchasing; build business capacity through training and support to improve shop operations; enhance market competitiveness to help spaza shops and food- handling outlets compete with larger retailers.
“We are planning a to roll out a multi-disciplinary outreach programme. The purpose of the outreach program is to bring government services closer to the people through disseminating information on community convenience shops and support offerings.
“We will continue to do these things with provincial and local government and will facilitate awareness campaigns in all 52 districts and metros across the country. The awareness campaigns are scheduled to take place from 03 March 2025 to 30 March 2025.”
The awareness campaigns will continue beyond the month of March and the awareness workshops will be facilitated by district champions, SEDFA and business regulation officers.
She said that the Department of Small Business Development has recruited 61 business regulation officers on six -month contracts, each assigned to a District or Metro across the country.
“These officers will be responsible for conducting awareness campaigns, research, and geo-mapping of spaza shops and food-handling facilities among other functions.”
Regulation
The Minister further added that the country’s regulatory environment needs to be streamlined, and the department has embarked on a Red Tape Reduction Program to include practical solutions.
“As a key strategic intervention to support the red tape reduction efforts, the department will ensure that municipalities are assisted with E-registration systems. We remain committed as government to streamline business licensing in South Africa, reduce regulatory burdens, and foster an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.
“Our amended National Business Licensing Bill, once approved and implemented, will provide clarity, consistency, and transparency in business licensing, enabling businesses to thrive and contribute to the country's economic growth and development,” she explained. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 16:14
272 views
Botes to co-chair political consultations with Slovak Republic counterpart
South Africa and the Slovak Republic will review the state of their bilateral political relations to consolidate and further enhance diplomatic and political cooperation.
Bilateral political relations as well as diplomatic and political cooperation will be up for discussion at the meeting between International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister, Alvin Botes and the Slovak Republic’s State Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs,Marek Eštok.
The Deputy Minister will co-chair the South Africa-Slovak Republic Political Consultations with the State Secretary on Monday in Pretoria.
“This round of political consultations provides an opportunity for the Deputy Minister and his counterpart to review the state of the bilateral political relations to consolidate and further enhance diplomatic and political cooperation between the two nations.
“The Deputy Minister and State Secretary will also share perspectives and deepen their understanding of regional, multilateral and global issues of mutual concern,” said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
Bilateral political consultations between South Africa and the Slovak Republic are based on the Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, signed in 2007 in Bratislava.
Economic and trade relations are conducted through a Joint Council for Economic Cooperation (JCEC).
“Relations between South Africa and the Slovak Republic are cordial and relatively modest, with trade and investment levels remaining at a very low base. Bilateral trade between the two countries in 2024 totalled €287.4 million, representing an increase of 3.1% in comparison to 2023,” said the department ahead of Monday’s meeting in Pretoria.
South African exports to the Slovak Republic in 2024 amounted to €92.1 million, a decrease of 4.8%. Slovak exports to South Africa amounted to €195.3 million, an increase of 7.3% compared to 2023. -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 16:43
97 views
Advancements in technology should not exclude rural communities
Technological advancements including the move to digital radio should not exclude rural and underprivileged communities, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong said.
“Today, we see new innovations in Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), internet radio, and mobile-based radio services. These advancements offer greater accessibility and interactivity, allowing audiences to receive and engage news in real-time. However, we must ensure that the transition to digital does not leave behind those in rural and underprivileged areas who still rely on traditional radio as their primary source of information,” the Deputy Minister.
Morolong was speaking at the Northern Conference of the National Community Radio Forum (NCRF) in Kuruman on Friday.
“As you know, media is not just a platform for communication; it is a vital institution that informs, educates, and empowers our people. In South Africa, government recognises the power of the media in strengthening our democracy, fostering dialogue, and ensuring accountability,” he told those attending the conference.
READ | Community media plays a vital role in promoting social change
He said that radio played an important role in the anti-apartheid struggle, providing an alternative voice when mainstream media was restricted.
In post-apartheid South Africa, the sector has grown to reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the nation.
“As South Africa celebrate 30 years of Freedom and Democracy, we acknowledge that our celebration coincides with 30 years of community media; 102 years of broadcasting and 21 years since the establishment of the MDDA [Media Development and Diversity Agency]. Community radio is an important and vibrant sector within broadcasting that is philosophically and structurally distinct from both commercial and public service models. It is owned and controlled by the communities, autonomous from commercial interests and maintains a participatory relationship with its constituent communities. Radio remains one of the most powerful and resilient forms of media, adapting to technological advancements while remaining deeply embedded in our communities,” he explained.
He added that the journey of radio can be traced from the early analogue era of AM and FM frequencies to the digital age, where streaming and podcasting have revolutionized the way, we consume audio content.
This as South Africa had a vibrant community radio sector with approximately 285 licenced community stations covering a wide range of geographies, religious and cultural interests, and in various languages.
In addition to the growth in the number of community stations licenced (from 133 in 2012), listenership has also increased.
“However with this growth there are persistent challenges. The battle for survival is the biggest concern for most stations and is more acute for stations serving poor, rural communities.
“This battle can often detract stations from their mandate of improving community involvement, programme quality and relevance. The focus on generating income through selling advertising and airtime, means that other income streams that might enhance and diversify programming (for example, programme sponsorship and membership fees and donations from the community) are often not explored sufficiently.”
He said that a key challenge for the sustainability of community stations is that they are dependent on the discretion of advertisers, the limited resources available to the MDDA and government advertising.
“Part of the problem is that sustainability is often thought of only in terms of finances, yet good governance, quality, entertaining and informative programming are interlinked elements of sustainability.
As the Presidency, we do not take our role at the MDDA for granted, because we are mindful that South Africans are at the heart of all our work, and we are therefore committed to continue to support the MDDA to maintain its agenda of enabling access, ownership, diversity and the promotion of marginalised languages and communities,” said the Deputy Minister.
He added that government values the role of NCRF as a collective voice.
“In strengthening the community radio sector, organisations like the National Community Radio Forum play an indispensable role. The NCRF has been a unifying force, advocating for the rights and sustainability of community broadcasters across the country.”
The NCREF lobbies for the diversification of the airwaves in South Africa.
“As government, we recognise and support the NCRF’s efforts in advancing the interests of community radio. We look forward to strengthening partnerships between government, media stakeholders, and the NCRF to build a robust, independent, and sustainable community broadcasting sector.”
G20
He added that the Government Communication and Information Service (GCIS) has committed to ensuring that South Africa’s G20 Presidency is made known through the use of community media broadly and community radio more specifically.
“In short, community radio will bring the agenda and discussions of the G20 to our people through community radio. This should help our people all over this province and the Republic to get updates on all the G20 meetings taking place this year,” he said.
South Africa is hosting the G20 Presidency under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” -SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 16:26
27 views
Spaza shops who met registration deadline to receive support
Spaza shop and food handling businesses that applied to register their businesses with their local municipalities but were awaiting their registration outcomes will not be penalised, Small Business Development Minister Stella Ndabeni said.
“We know the process had challenges, with many municipalities not having electronic business registration systems. All those that have applied are within their constitutional rights to do business but still await the registration outcomes will not be penalised.
She revealed that only 60 out of the municipalities in the country had a digital registration system.
Additionally, 135 registration centres were visited to gain firsthand experience of the challenges.
“We understand the difficulties and costs associated with becoming compliant and this is why over the next six months we will be supporting these spaza shops who applied but are not yet compliant with non-financial support to enable their successful registration and compliance,” the Minister said on Sunday.
Ndabeni was addressing media in Pretoria on the on Friday’s the spaza shop and food outlet registration deadline.
This as the deadline for registration was on Friday, 28 February 2025.
“This is the developmental approach to compliance we have adopted, offering assistance to those seeking to comply through training programs provided by our agency, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA). We already have a spaza shop support programme that we are running including with the Wholesale and Retail SETA and others partners where we train spaza shops on inventory management and assist with essential equipment such as point-of-sale systems as well as financial support for stock.
“This is our proof of concept which we will improve and scale going forward. We also have a range of other interventions and offerings to support township and rural enterprises, including asset assist, business infrastructure support, as well as wholesale and direct lending, as well as credit guarantees we offer to banks to get them to lend to township and rural enterprises,” the Minister explained.
She said that Friday’s deadline does not necessarily mean that the problems and challenges of compliance by spaza shops and food handling outlets are over.
“The aim of the registration drive was two-fold, to ensure compliance with all food safety standards and to rebuild a more competitive and compliant business in our country,” Ndabeni said.
Ndabeni said the registration of spaza shops is but one of the interventions in a multi-disciplinary approach to curbing foodborne illnesses.
Sunday marked exactly 107 days since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the registration of all spaza shops and food handling outlets. The announcement came after several incidents of food poisoning and deaths related to foodborne illnesses that were reported in different parts of the country.
The initial 21 days registration period, which would have ended in December last year, was subsequently extended by the President to 28 February as part of accommodating all eligible businesses to comply with the directive.
After the announcement by the President, through the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS), seven workstreams were established with the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) leading the economic workstream focussing more on interventions to build capacity in township and rural spaza shops and food convenience stores.
“We have supported the registration process which the Minister of COGTA [Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs] will speak to in the NATJOINT briefing in two weeks’ time,” she said. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 15:08
56 views
There was St David’s Day delight for the Ospreys as they beat Glasgow Warriors 32-31 at Scotstoun with “a rollercoaster ride” of a match taking a dramatic twist at the final turn. It looked as though league champions Glasgow had snatched the spoils when Duncan Weir converted Nathan McBeth’s try with just 30 seconds to …
Dear Editor It is a shame that the ANC is willing to risk South Africa’s economic stability in a desperate attempt to force a tone-deaf 0.75% VAT increase down the throats of South Africans. Just as the ANC refused to listen to objections from its coalition partners in the lead-up to its failed February Budget, …
President wishes Muslim community well over Ramadaan
President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended his best wishes to the Muslim community as they observe the fasting month of Ramadaan.
“For our Muslim brethren here at home and around the world, this is a sacred time of reflection, prayer and performing acts of charity – values that unite us all,” President Ramaphosa said on Saturday.
In his statement, the President added that South Africa is a country united in its diversity, “and this is our greatest strength as we work together to build a better South Africa of equality and opportunity for all.”
For the world’s approximately 1,9 billion Muslims, the month of Ramadaan is observed by fasting from sunrise to sunset, performing special prayers, and feeding the needy.
“As a country we laud these acts of compassion, empathy and generosity by the Muslim community [as they] are even more sorely needed in today’s troubled world.
“Even as this is a time of fraternity and spiritual growth for Muslims, we are keenly aware that [the] suffering peoples in Gaza, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in the troubled Sahel region will experience little cheer this Ramadaan,” said President Ramaphosa.
The President also reaffirmed the country’s solidarity with oppressed peoples everywhere, and a call for an end to intolerance, conflict and war.
“We are grateful to be a nation where many cultures and faiths co-exist in harmony - may this also be a time for outreach and building bridges of tolerance and understanding between our different communities,” the President said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 12:04
119 views
1 March 2025 – The SAFA Coaching Education Department hosted a Coach Educators Course this week and it ended on a successful note. There were 22 coaches in attendance at the course held at SAFA House and Head of Coach Education Keneilwe Mathibela said they were introduced to the new teaching and learning methods, which […]
The post SAFA Coaching Education Department hosts successful Coach Educators Course first appeared on SAFA.net.
Ministry provides update on Foot and Mouth Disease
The Ministry of Agriculture has encouraged livestock farmers across the country to limit animal movement as much as possible given the ongoing presence of Foot and Mouth Disease viruses in KwaZulu-Natal.
“The department recently received test results confirming the ongoing presence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) viruses in KwaZulu-Natal Province. Cattle at a dip tank in Mtubatuba have tested positive for FMD.
“These cattle showed clinical signs of FMD in December, prompting sample collection, and laboratory results confirmed the introduction of a SAT1 FMD virus into the area,” it said in a statement on Friday.
Given that a SAT2 FMD event has been ongoing in the region since 2021, further investigations were conducted, confirming that the detected SAT1 virus is similar to one recently identified in the northern part of the Kruger National Park.
Over the past two weeks, clinical signs of FMD have also been observed in districts around Vryheid and Newcastle Laboratory tests have confirmed the presence of the FMD virus, with virus typing still in progress to determine whether these outbreaks were caused by a SAT1 or SAT2 strain.
Control measures within the Disease Management Area (DMA) remain unchanged.
READ | Minister meets His Majesty King Misuzulu kaZwelithini over FMD
The Ministry said the affected dip tanks remain under quarantine, and vaccination efforts in the area continue. The vaccine being used covers all three FMD SAT strains. Dip tanks in newly affected areas have also been placed under quarantine.
“These outbreaks highlight the persistent threat of FMD and the critical need for stringent control measures to prevent its spread. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen stressed the importance of strict compliance with biosecurity protocols and urged farmers and livestock owners to promptly report any suspected cases to veterinary authorities.”
Additionally, it reminded livestock owners that control measures implemented nationwide since October 2022 must be strictly followed to reduce the risk of further spread.
These measures include:
• Cloven-hoofed livestock across South Africa may only be moved if accompanied by a health declaration from the owner, confirming the animals’ health at the time of movement.
• Any newly introduced cattle, sheep, or goats must be kept separate from resident herds for at least 28 days.
“All livestock farmers across the country are strongly encouraged to limit animal movement as much as possible. Auctioneers and livestock owners should be particularly cautious when purchasing cloven-hoofed animals from provinces with active FMD outbreaks. No cloven-hoofed animals should be accepted from areas under FMD restrictions in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces.”
The Ministry added that Section 11 of the Animal Diseases Act imposes a legal duty on all animal owners or managers to take reasonable steps to prevent their animals from becoming infected and to prevent the spread of any disease from their animals or property to others.-SAnews.gov.za
Neo
Sun, 03/02/2025 - 14:21
119 views
The inspiration for this piece came from the e-mails sent to United States Government Federal Employees by DOGE Czar, Elon Musk, asking employees to list 5 notable actions they completed in pursuit of their employee mandate the previous week. Initially I just wanted to get answers to this question; “Did Trump and Musk also have …