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Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Sean Everitt has made seven changes for his side’s away clash against Munster tomorrow evening at Virgin Media Park (28 February, 7.35pm kick-off) – live on PremierSports. The capital side head to Cork for their first away match against the men in red since the 2021/22 season, boosted by the return …
Dear Editor The DA calls for the immediate cancellation of the South African Army’s upcoming “Cadre Command Conference” with over 500 guests at the end of March to the start of April, supposedly to “align and strategise”. While deceased troops are being laid to rest and injured soldiers are being cared for, a recent communique …
Dear Editor Today, the DA wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently act on our request, dated 27 November 2024, for a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the extent of fraud within the SASSA SRD grant system. This investigation would help uncover the impact on many vulnerable South Africans, particularly youth, who are unable …
The Springboks will return to the Eastern Cape for the first time since 2021 when they take on Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the second Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July, with SA Rugby confirming the venues of the six local Tests on Thursday. The back-to-back Rugby World Cup …
Double Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones will reunite with national coach Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team in an assistant coach position in the Bok management team from 1 March 2025, following a short stint with England. Erasmus unveiled his management team on Thursday, with the three new additions to the coaching …
In a move aimed at easing financial pressures and bring more value to customers, Standard Bank has partnered with South Africa’s largest retailer, the Shoprite Checkers Group, to help households stretch their grocery budgets. This collaboration boosts UCount Rewards benefits and will allow customers to redeem Rewards Points for groceries and other products both in-store …
Cabinet sends best wishes for injured SANDF troops
Cabinet has extended its heartfelt wishes for a quick recovery to all soldiers returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are currently receiving medical treatment in South Africa.
“Cabinet expressed its well wishes for a speedy recovery for all 1returned injured soldiers who are now receiving medical treatment in South Africa, the home soil,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said on Thursday.
This as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced earlier in the week that the remaining wounded troops in need of medical attention had been successfully repatriated from the DRC and would now receive necessary care and support.
READ | Critically injured soldiers in DRC brought back home
The injured soldiers have been categorised into three priority areas for care – critical, non-critical, and those requiring psychological and social interventions.
This is after 14 troop members lost their lives and others sustained injuries at the hands of the M23 as fighting in the Goma region escalated.
The rebel group fought intensely against the Congolese armed forces, resulting in the deaths of soldiers from 23 to 27 January during M23’s advance on Sake and Goma.
These soldiers were part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.
At a post-Cabinet briefing in Cape Town, Ntshavheni announced that the Executive supports the resolutions from both the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) concerning the eastern DRC.
The AUPSC endorsed decisions from the Joint East African Community (EAC) and SADC meeting, which called for an immediate ceasefire, safe humanitarian routes, the withdrawal of uninvited forces, respect for territorial integrity, and the inclusion of all actors in the joint Luanda-Nairobi political dialogue.
“UNSC resolution urged all parties – State and non-State actors in the eastern DRC to conclude an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as called for by leaders of the EAC and SADC.”
According to the Minister, the resolution further demands that M23 rebel groups withdraw from the territories they have seized in the eastern DRC and called on the Rwanda Defence Forces to stop supporting the armed group and immediately withdraw from Congolese territory “without preconditions.” – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 13:38
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In the construction industry, having access to the right equipment is essential for completing projects efficiently and safely. However, purchasing and maintaining a full fleet of machinery can be expensive and impractical. This is why plant hire services have become a preferred option for many companies, offering a flexible and cost-effective way to access the …
Cabinet welcomes progress on Eskom recovery efforts
Cabinet has welcomed an update on Eskom’s ongoing efforts to restore stability to the country’s national power supply, including additional capacity to the grid.
This follows unforeseen incidents at multiple power stations that led to the implementation of load shedding that began at the weekend.
Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni explained that the highly unusual and unrelated incidents at the weekend resulted in a rapid depletion of reserve margins.
They included an electrical fault at Majuba power station, the loss of cooling water pumps at Camden power station and unit loss at Medupi power station.
“Cabinet noted that the upcoming addition of 1 600 megawatts with the synchronisation of Kusile Unit 6 scheduled for 9 March 2025 and Medupi Unit 4 at the end of March 2025 will further bolster our nation’s energy supply,” Ntshavheni said.
Cabinet also acknowledged the swift response by Eskom’s technical team to recover 4 800 MW with four of the five tripped units at Majuba having returned to the grid and two of four tripped units returned at Camden by 8pm on Sunday.
Despite the setback, Cabinet has noted that steady progress has been made in improving generation capacity and maintaining a reliable electricity supply.
From 1 April 2024 to 20 February 2025, load-shedding was suspended for 323 days, compared to 32 days in the same period last year. Electricity supply was available 99% of the time compared to just 9.8% last year.
Eskom suspended load shedding on Wednesday morning.
READ | Eskom suspends load shedding
“We maintain our guidance that load shedding is largely behind us due to structural improvements in the generation fleet. Our focus remains on eliminating load shedding as a structural constraint on the economy.
“There will be valuable lessons to be learned from the set of multiple unit trips that were unconnected and purely technical in nature related to electrical and control system issues within auxiliary parts of our power stations,” said the utility’s Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane said in a statement at the time.– SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 13:28
33 views
As an England international, Paul Hill is quite a rarity in the Vodacom URC, but all the more so given he was born in Germany. The Edinburgh Rugby prop entered the world in Aschaffenburg, a town in north west Bavaria – a fact which often leads to a misapprehension. “Everyone either always assumes it’s military …
All eyes will be on the Tuks cricket fields in Pretoria as the inaugural Schools SA20 National Champions are crowned...
The Hollywoodbets Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers will not only have log points in mind, but they will have their sights set firmly on securing pole position in the race for the SA Shield as the Vodacom United Rugby Championship reaches round 12 this weekend. Two mouth-watering South African derbies in Gauteng are on …
WesBank, a leading vehicle and asset finance provider, today announced the formation of a strategic alliance with MG Motor South Africa, giving rise to MG Finance. This partnership aims to streamline the vehicle financing process and expand access to mobility solutions for South African consumers. MG Finance, a product of WesBank, aims to offer a …
Cabinet approves submission of AfCFTA Protocol to Parliament
Cabinet has approved the submission of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade to Parliament for ratification.
The protocol aims to enhance the participation of women and youth in trade under the AfCFTA, and it outlines specific objectives such as helping women and youth traders to effectively participate in the market.
It also strives to foster value addition and innovation for increased imports and exports by women and youth as well as their inclusion in regional and continental value chains.
“The protocol also advocates for measures to eliminate discrimination, promote equality and inclusivity to ensure that women and youth benefit from trade opportunities,” Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni told reporters on Thursday.
At the media briefing held following Cabinet’s meeting on Wednesday, the Minister said that other significant provisions of the protocol include eliminating non-tariff barriers affecting women and youth in trade, promoting their participation in policy formulation, and improving their access to finance.
“The protocol is expected to support women and youth in trade to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA and enhance their inclusive participation in intra-Africa trade.
Additionally, Cabinet has also approved the submission of the Protocol on Competition Policy under the AfCFTA to Parliament for ratification.
The protocol is an agreement by African Union (AU) member states to ensure that competition on the continent contributes to trade, inclusive growth, industrialisation and sustainable economic development.
The protocol focuses on preventing anti-competitive practices by providing a framework for addressing market concentration, abuse of power and other competition-related issues.
“The AU acknowledges that the absence of continental competition policies results in anti-competitive practices such as cartels and monopolies that abuse their market position,” said the Minister.
Cabinet said the protocol will apply to all economic activity within the AfCFTA market and will target anti-competitive practices including international and cross-border cartels that are not effectively regulated, as well as competitive practices initiated by larger enterprises operating outside the continent. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 12:33
39 views
Your Titles are Boring – How to Make Consumers Read Your Press Release Why Your Press Release Title Mustn’t exceed 65 Characters Lets Make Titles Great Again – #MTGA Most MyPR Press Release submissions succeed in telling people about a company/product. BUT, at the risk of offending you, most press release titles are boring, uninspiring …
Thinning hair or balding of the scalp are not the end of the road for your hairline. Modern treatments and surgical transplant methods have evolved to the point where it’s now relatively simple to either rejuvenate the scalp to prevent balding, or to repopulate existing bald areas via a safe and affordable hair transplant procedure. …
Cabinet welcomes reduction in crime levels
While South Africa’s crime levels remain unacceptably high, Cabinet has welcomed the decline in some categories of the country’s crime statistics.
“While overall levels of crime continue to remain unacceptably high, the decline shows that interventions by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to make South Africa safer are making a difference,” Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday.
In its statement following its meeting on Wednesday, Cabinet stated that “Fighting crime is a shared responsibility between the police, the community and the business sector.”
This as the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu presented the Quarterly Crime Statistics for the third quarter of the current financial year (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024) on Friday.
The stats showed that there had been a decline across multiple crime categories, including a notable decline in carjackings and robberies.
The third quarter showed a 9.8% decrease in murder, a 3.3% reduction in rape, and a 3.2% drop in attempted sexual offences
At the time, the Minister said that while there was a reduction in several categories, more still needs to be done to reduce the country’s crime levels.
“We are positioning ourselves accordingly in terms of policing whilst we continue our work throughout the whole country,” Mchunu said.
READ | Crime Stats reveal reduction in some categories of crime
On Thursday, Cabinet called on South Africans to play their part in the fight against crime by reporting any criminal activity to their nearest police station or calling the Crime Stop number: 08600 10111.
Mchunu appealed to communities to work hand in hand with law enforcement. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 12:14
63 views
PAARL: Goldrush Boland captain, Clyde Reeves-Fortuin, believes ‘everyone pulling in the same direction’ has been a key reason for their early...
5 Notable Actions by Musk and Trump Elon Musk appears to have a ‘soft spot’ for Dogecoin (Maybe we will have to eventually call it the preferred currency of all Department Of Government Efficiency Departments?). Musk has publicly expressed that he enjoys Dogecoin, referring to it as his favorite cryptocurrency. He appreciates its fun and …
Call for urgency in assisting KZN flood victims
Officials responsible for emergency housing within the Department of Human Settlements have been directed to speed up the process of assisting flood-affected households in KwaZulu Natal.
The areas affected by the inclement weather include eThekwini townships such as Lamontville, Umlazi, uGu and King Cetshwayo District Municipalities.
“We regret that the floods have resulted in the loss of life. Our deepest condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. I have impressed upon our team to work with other spheres of government and relevant institutions to assist the affected households.
“Key to this is the provision of emergency shelter. Our team will conduct the necessary assessment that will inform our intervention in line with our Emergency Housing Policy,” Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane said in a statement.
A team from the department is expected to conduct preliminary technical assessments and beneficiary registration.
These will inform possible interventions such as rebuilding the damaged structures, relocating the affected households and providing building materials to enable the affected to restore their damaged houses or structures.
Simelane appealed for maximum cooperation between government and other stakeholders including communities.
“It is only through cooperation that we will be able to effectively respond to housing emergencies such as this one,” the Minister said.
Accordingly, the department is already working with the provincial structures to ensure that affected households are assisted with adequate shelter.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Facebook, the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements in the province, Siboniso Duma expressed his condolences to the families who have lost loved ones following the adverse weather.
This as he together with the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi and eThekwini Mator Cyril Xaba among others, visited the bereaved families on Wednesday.
“This follows last night's heavy rainfall that resulted in the collapse of houses, destruction of roads and people being washed away.An intergrated approach involving all spheres of government has been adopted to assist affected families,” said the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements.
In addition, the eThekwini Municipality will assist with burials.
“Importantly, a decision has been made to move families living in flood prone areas around Ward 74,” it said.
Duma announced that Temporary Residential Units are being arranged for families whose houses collapsed.
Earlier this week, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued a yellow level 2 heavy rain warning for the province following widespread flooding.
READ | Level 2 heavy rain warning issued for KwaZulu-Natal
On Tuesday, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli visited the families of those affected by the recent severe weather conditions in the KwaMakhutha Township, south of Durban. -SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 11:04
74 views
Community media plays a vital role in promoting social change
In a world where information is power, community media stands as a vital force in empowering marginalised voices, driving social change and strengthening democracy.
Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, has underscored the significance of this sector, emphasising its role in fostering community engagement and supporting local development.
Speaking during Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communication and Digital Technologies oversight visit to the Government Communication and Information System in Pretoria on Wednesday, Morolong urged the GCIS to harness the power of strategic partnerships to inform South Africans about government’s social transformation agenda.
"We have a network of communicators across all three spheres of government to ensure effective coordination," Morolong said, highlighting the need to build professional capacity in government communication.
He stressed the importance of adapting to the rapid growth of new media to bridge the gap between government and citizens.
According to Morolong, communication is not just a bureaucratic function but a constitutional responsibility.
"An appreciation of this premise will ensure that we fulfil the prescripts of the Constitution, including upholding political, social and other rights," he said.
GCIS Deputy Director-General: Intergovernmental Coordination and Stakeholder Management, Michael Currin, echoed this sentiment, explaining that effective government communication plays a crucial role in shaping national sentiment, fostering social cohesion and inspiring positive behavioural change.
"Through a coordinated communication system, government proactively responds to the evolving political and socio-economic landscape, fostering a direct relationship with citizens," Currin said.
He emphasised that clear and coherent messaging is essential to building public confidence and national unity.
Portfolio Committee commends GCIS's efforts
Portfolio Committee on Communication chairperson, Khusela Diko, expressed her satisfaction with the GCIS’s performance.
"I was impressed with the presentations [on the GCIS operations and its programmes], especially those involving community print media. These discussions help us, as lawmakers, understand the core issues that affect our citizens," she told SAnews.
Diko affirmed that lessons learned from these engagements would shape the committee’s oversight efforts.
"We hope that GCIS and its partnerships will continue to empower people with vital information, enabling them to improve their lives," she said.
Diko further stressed the importance of citizens knowing how to access job opportunities, start businesses, and benefit from government programmes.
"When South Africans can confidently say: 'I know what my government is doing for me and how I can access services', we will have achieved our goal," she said.
Established in 1998 and operating under the Presidency, the GCIS has a clear mission: to strengthen government communication, ensure transparency, and keep citizens informed about policies, programmes, and achievements. By embracing innovation and leveraging new media, it continues to play a crucial role in fostering a well-informed and engaged society.
Bringing government closer to the people
The Portfolio Committee is committed to ensuring that government communication is effective and accessible. As part of its mandate, the committee is conducting oversight visits to various entities in Gauteng, engaging with staff members and reviewing government communication strategies.
The committee has also listened to presentations from the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) and other entities, evaluating their effectiveness in delivering critical information to the public. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 09:25
300 views
Final countdown for spaza shop owners to register
The clock is ticking for spaza shop owners and food businesses to register with their municipalities or face legal repercussions.
The deadline for registration is Friday 28 February 2025.
📢 Why shop owners must register now
In November 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that spaza shop owners and food businesses had 21 days to register their businesses with their respective municipalities.
This followed hundreds of cases of foodborne illnesses in parts of the country, where nearly 30 people, including children, passed away after consuming snacks purchased at some spaza shops last year.
SAnews Report | Law enforcement urged to act on shops selling expired food
After the directive was issued by the President in November, an extension was granted for spaza shops and other food handling outlets to register by 28 February 2025, as reported by SAnews.
READ | Deadline for spaza shop registrations extended to February 2025
The directive to register spaza shops is meant to prevent dangerous foodborne illnesses and protect communities.
📍 Where to register
✅Business owners must visit their municipal registration centre on business days only (public holidays & weekends excluded).
✅ Call the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) at 086 010 3703 or 012 748 9600 for support.
🚫 Non-compliance will not be tolerated. Law enforcement and health inspectors will deal with unregistered businesses and ensure strict food safety regulations are followed.
🚨Register today and protect your business, your customers, and your community. - SAnews.gov.za
Matona
Thu, 02/27/2025 - 11:02
22 views
Make 2025 the year we all step up Stepping up is exactly what leadership demands especially in times of uncertainty. In May last year, we all raised our hands to serve and made that choice. But leadership does not only begin when you are elected. Leadership is about how we act and how we are …
CAPE TOWN: Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Matthew Boast both starred to help the Momentum Multiply Titans secure their first win of the...
