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Katie Jones was delighted to deliver a keeping masterclass as England claimed their first win at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025. Facing Pakistan in Johor, Jones produced three stumpings, a catch and was involved in a runout as England restricted their opponents to 66. The 19-year-old was then important in the run …
Scotland’s Maisie Maceira created a little bit of history with her five-fer against Nepal. Not only was it the first five-wicket haul of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, but it also helped Scotland to their first group stage win in two editions of the tournament. A defeat to Australia could have been …
Manhunt for Stilfontein underground 'kingpin' after escaping police custody
North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, has ordered maximum resources to be mobilised in finding an alleged Stilfontein mining kingpin.
This comes after James Neo Tshoaeli, known as “Tiger”, allegedly escaped from the police custody, after resurfacing from the mine shaft 11 at Stilfontein, last week.
In a statement issued on Monday, Asaneng said extensive investigations and tracing operations were underway to find the officials who aided Tiger’s escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells.
“According to records, Tiger was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners are being kept. Tiger is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care,” Asaneng said.
The alleged kingpin and ringleader is a Lesotho national and according to records, his name is James Neo Tshoaeli but is commonly known as Tiger.
According to the Acting Commissioner, Tiger is being fingered in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled operations underground.
“He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground as being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault, and torture that is alleged to have taken place according to videos in police possession. He is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners,” Asaneng said.
Asaneng has expressed disappointment in what he terms as an “embarrassment to the Vala Umgodi operation that has been running from December 2023”.
He warned that heads would roll once they find the officials that aided the kingpin to escape from police custody.
“Tiger is a fugitive of justice and is considered dangerous. Members of the public are advised to share any information pertaining to his whereabouts to the Stilfontein Police Station,” Asaneng said. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 13:45
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the South African delegation to the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting that will take place from 20 to 24 January 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The meeting, convened under the theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”, will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology.
WEF convenes global leaders to address key global and regional challenges. These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.
South Africa's innovation and technology is crucial in driving economic development and addressing societal challenges, thus aiming to leverage technological advancements to promote inclusive growth and enhance global competitiveness. This would be achieved by modernising industries, advancing skill development, and improving public services.
President Ramaphosa will deliver a special address to the World Economic Forum, where he will present the economic priorities of South Africa's Government of National Unity and advance the country's G20 Presidency which is themed "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”.
South Africa is committed to leveraging the G20 platform to highlight the significance of fostering economic growth while ensuring social inclusion and environmental stewardship.
During the G20 Presidency, South Africa will endeavour to create equitable opportunities for all by addressing systemic disparities and promoting unity and mutual support to address shared global challenges collaboratively.
The WEF Annual Meeting is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to demonstrate its potential as a hub for global investments and its ongoing structural reforms.
South Africa's delegation, which includes key government and business leaders, will engage with international stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and advance South Africa's economic and social agenda.
Through these engagements, South Africa aims to reaffirm its role as a key player in the global community, contributing meaningfully to discussions on sustainable development and collaborative solutions for a better future.
The President will be accompanied by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ronald Lamola; Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana; Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Mr Parks Tau; Minister of Electricity and Energy Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa; Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande; Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Mr Solly Malatsi; Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment Mr Dion George; Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Minister of Agriculture Mr John Steenhuisen.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
As a recent graduate, I thought I had finally reached the pinnacle of my academic journey. I had worked hard, earned my qualification, and ready to take on the world. But, little did I know that my journey was only just beginning. The harsh reality of the job market hit me like a ton of …
President Ramaphosa leads SA delegation to WEF meeting
President Cyril Ramaphosa will be leading the South African delegation to the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting to be held in Davos, Switzerland.
The annual meeting to be held from 20 to 24 January 2025, convenes global leaders to address key global, and regional challenges. These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.
The South African delegation head into this year’s WEF annual meeting bearing the Presidency of the Group of 20 (G20).
In a statement on Monday, the Presidency said President Ramaphosa will deliver a special address to the World Economic Forum, where he will present the economic priorities of South Africa’s Government of National Unity 9GNU), and advance the country’s G20 Presidency, which is themed ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.
“South Africa is committed to leveraging the G20 platform to highlight the significance of fostering economic growth while ensuring social inclusion and environmental stewardship.
“During the G20 Presidency, South Africa will endeavour to create equitable opportunities for all, by addressing systemic disparities and promoting unity and mutual support to address shared global challenges collaboratively,” the Presidency said.
The Presidency noted that the WEF annual meeting is a valuable opportunity for South Africa to demonstrate its potential, as a hub for global investments, and its ongoing structural reforms.
“South Africa’s delegation, which includes key government and business leaders, will engage with international stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and advance South Africa’s economic and social agenda.
“Through these engagements, South Africa aims to reaffirm its role as a key player in the global community, contributing meaningfully to discussions on sustainable development and collaborative solutions for a better future,” the Presidency said.
The Presidency described the annual meeting as a gathering of “global leaders to address key global and regional challenges”.
This year's meeting will be held under the theme “Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”.
These include responding to geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding, a just and inclusive energy transition.
“South Africa’s innovation and technology is crucial in driving economic development and addressing societal challenges, thus aiming to leverage technological advancements to promote inclusive growth and enhance global competitiveness.
“This would be achieved by modernising industries, advancing skill development, and improving public services,” the Presidency said.
The President will be accompanied by Ministers, including:
NeoB
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 11:17
As the new year unfolds, brands across industries are strategising on how to stand out in an ever-evolving market. Isilumko Activate, a leading below-the-line agency, emphasises the importance of thoughtful and well-executed brand strategies that go beyond mere visibility to create a lasting impact. Specialising in brand activation strategies, Isilumko Activate offers tailored solutions to …
KZN Premier condemns brutal killing of five men in Inanda
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has strongly condemned the brutal killing of five young men in the Bhambayi area of Inanda, north of Durban.
This follows an incident which took place in the early hours of Friday, sending shockwaves through the community.
According to preliminary police reports, the officers responded to reports of multiple murders, and discovered three bodies at a local sports ground in a nearby school.
Two additional bodies were found a kilometre away at another open field.
The victims, aged between 19 and 26, were reportedly abducted from their homes around midnight. Their bodies were found with multiple injuries, including one victim who had an arm chopped off.
Police suspect a bush knife was used in the attacks, though the motive remains unknown at this stage.
Ntuli has called for an urgent and thorough investigation into this heinous crime.
"The senseless and barbaric killing of these young men is deeply disturbing and unacceptable. These were our children, some of whom should have been celebrating their matric results, while others should be preparing for higher education.
“I am confident that the dedicated members of the South African Police Service, under the leadership of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi [in KwaZulu-Natal], will move swiftly to arrest those responsible, and ensure they face the full might of the law," Ntuli said.
The Premier also appealed to the community of Inanda and surrounding areas to come forward with any information that could assist law enforcement in tracking down the perpetrators.
"I urge members of the community safety structures and the broader public to collaborate with the police. Let us work together to ensure that those who commit such horrific crimes are brought to justice. We must not shield criminals in our communities," Ntuli said.
Ntuli further expressed concern over the persistently high crime levels in Inanda, which has been identified as one of the province’s most crime-affected areas in the latest third quarter crime statistics.
He emphasised that such violent incidents undermine government efforts to create a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.
The Premier reaffirmed the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government’s commitment to intensifying crime prevention strategies and strengthening partnerships between law enforcement agencies and communities.
Ntuli has extended his deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims during this tragic time. – SAnews.gov.za
GabiK
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 12:53
Healing trauma and building resilience: The role of art therapy in early childhood education – By Nadia Lubowski, Director of the Anton Lubowski Educational Trust (ALET) A key pillar of early childhood education is establishing social skills. Children who have learned appropriate social skills are typically able to establish connections, show empathy, and communicate better …
Maisie Maceira’s five-fer and Gabrielle Fontenla’s nerveless batting set up Scotland’s exhilarating one-wicket win over Nepal England impressed with the ball and gloves but were made to work with the bat for their six-wicket victory against Pakistan. South Africa claimed a confident win over debutants Samoa to move to two wins from two in the …
A year ago, an excited and determined David Brits arrived in Perth with the Springbok Sevens squad keen to debut for his country in the abbreviated version of the game. Prior to that, the former SA Schools and Junior Springbok representative had good memories of his previous experiences in green and gold, but playing for …
MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals shine while defending champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape keep their championship hopes alive. Betway SA20 exploded in Week 2 of Season 3 with the Western Cape teams MI Cape Town and Paarl Royals leading the way, while the Sunrisers Eastern Cape resurrected their championship title defence. After a record-breaking opening …
Following the grand opening of the Middle East’s first ornately carved Hindu Mandir (temple) in Abu Dhabi— unveiled by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the active support of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan—the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) turns its focus to South Africa. The inauguration of the largest Hindu …
Mamelodi residents say the long lines are exacerbated by the six-month closure of their labour office
South Africa takes it message of partnership and progress to Davos
President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed government’s commitment to work with all social partners in pursuit of inclusive growth that benefits all South Africans and leaves no one behind.
The President said this in his weekly newsletter as South Africa takes its message of partnership and progress to Davos, Switzerland, this week.
President Ramaphosa and his delegation will this week attend the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos where they will be outlining South Africa’s priorities for its G20 Presidency.
“One of the messages we will be taking to Davos is our ongoing commitment to partnerships in pursuit of inclusive growth and sustainable development.
“We will present our experiences of cooperation across society in South Africa and encourage greater emphasis on partnerships in international relations. In particular, we will make a call for global companies to partner with governments, entrepreneurs and stakeholders in emerging markets to pursue sustainable and inclusive growth,” the President said.
At the centre of South Africa’s G20 agenda is the promotion of cooperation among G20 and other countries on the most pressing issues facing the world.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that this cooperation should not only take place at a government-to-government level. It should involve all social formations.
As in previous G20 presidencies, dialogue with civil society and other non-government institutions will be conducted through various engagement groups.
These engagement groups cover sectors such as business, labour, civil society, parliamentary bodies and the judiciary. Following the approach of the Brazilian G20 Presidency in 2024, South Africa will be convening a G20 Social Forum which will bring together representatives of engagement groups and other segments of civil society.
Partnership is key to South Africa’s growth and progress
President Ramaphosa highlighted that as the 7th Administration took office last year, it has made a commitment to reach out across society to find solutions to the challenges the country faces.
Since then, the President said government has placed partnership at the centre of its work.
The President highlighted that while South Africa has a rich history of dialogue and cooperation, the nation’s experience of the COVID-19 pandemic underlined how important collaboration was in saving lives and livelihoods. It showed the value of effective coordination across the state and with other sectors of society.
“One of the areas where partnerships within the state have had the greatest impact is in Operation Vulindlela. This initiative has brought together government departments and public institutions to undertake focused reforms in areas such as energy, logistics, telecommunications and water infrastructure.
“We also have structures like the President’s Coordinating Council, which brings together leaders from national, provincial and local governments to deal collectively with common challenges,” the President said.
In other areas, the 7th Administration has brought the different spheres of Government together with other stakeholders. Last year, the President established the Presidential eThekwini Working Group to support the metro in its efforts to restore business confidence and overcome service delivery challenges.
Together, the working group has made progress on things such as water supply, tourism infrastructure and law enforcement.
“We have seen the value of partnership in our response to the electricity crisis. The progress we have made in reducing the severity of load shedding has been made possible by bringing together Government departments, State-owned companies, business, labour and other social partners. The National Electricity Crisis Committee has played a crucial role in coordinating and focusing the efforts of these many different players,” he said.
Another area that is benefiting from such partnerships is in rail and port operations. President Ramaphosa noted that these are beginning to stabilise and recover lost volumes as a result of efforts to support Transnet’s operational recovery.
“An important area of structured cooperation is the partnership between Government and business to unlock impediments to inclusive growth. Though our respective roles and mandates may differ, we are aligned on the need to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation,” the President said.
President Ramaphosa explained that areas of cooperation have extended beyond immediate economic issues. For example, Government came together with civil society partners on a national strategy to end gender-based violence and femicide.
Furthermore, government has worked with various sectors through bodies like the South African National Aids Council and the Human Resource Development Council, leveraging collective resources and capabilities to promote development. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 08:48
Dear Editor The Oncology Department at Gqeberha’s Provincial Hospital is facing devastating chemotherapy shortages because the Eastern Cape Department of Health has failed to pay its pharmaceutical suppliers. During a recent oversight inspection at Gqeberha’s Provincial Hospital it became apparent that patients did not have access to life-saving cancer treatments because the Department had failed …
Nigeria and the USA both earned their first ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup wins but did so in different ways. While the USA earned a comfortable nine-wicket victory over Ireland, Nigeria’s triumph over New Zealand went down to the final ball. For the Americans, their maiden win came after four defeats in the inaugural …
Mashatile to address the annual Nedlac Organised Labour School
Deputy President Paul Mashatile will address the annual National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) Organised Labour School on Tuesday, 21 January 2025.
Convened under the theme: ‘Building unity of workers to defend labour rights and advance decent work for all’, the gathering will take place at Kievits Kroon, Gauteng, in Pretoria at 9 am.
The Nedlac Organised Labour School is held annually to assess the current state of the labour market and the challenges workers face in the country.
Delegations from various labour federations, guests from the International Labour Organisation, and representatives from government departments are expected to attend this event.
Nedlac is the vehicle by which government, labour, business, and community organisations seek to cooperate, through problem-solving and negotiation, on economic, labour, and development issues and related challenges facing the country. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 09:55
As businesses continue to adapt to the dynamic needs of the modern workplace, the demand for flexible and efficient recruitment has never been greater. Isilumko Staffing, a leading recruitment and temporary staffing agency, is committed to helping businesses streamline their operations by providing top-tier recruitment solutions that are both flexible and reliable. With over two …
Dear Editor Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, should be removed from Cabinet immediately, after the revelation that a Hawks investigation into her conduct as Municipal Manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality, involving R2,5 million in tender corruption, is ready for prosecution. She cannot serve as Minister in this portfolio (or any), while under such a …
There was a ray of light for the South African franchises this past weekend as the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks, and Emirates Lions qualified for the EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 following the completion of the pool rounds in both European competitions. The Emirates Lions secured the most impressive result of the weekend as …
Nigeria and USA claimed their first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup victories on a thrilling day. Nigeria beat 2023 semi-finalists New Zealand by two runs while the USA defeated Ireland by nine wickets. Australia enacted revenge over Bangladesh with a nervy final-over win for their second win of the tournament. Nigeria make history with …
SA celebrates 15 years of collaboration with European lab for particle physics
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, will reflect on South Africa’s 15-year partnership with CERN, the European organisation for nuclear research, in Cape Town, this week.
The two-day event, on 20 and 21 January 2025, will be held at the National Research Foundation’s iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Science (iThemba-LABS).
It will recognise South Africa’s contributions to pioneering scientific research and innovation on the global stage.
CERN is the world’s largest particle physics laboratory and the SA-CERN collaboration has fostered advancements in physics, technology, and human capital development.
The SA-CERN programme was officially launched in 2008 and chaired by the late Professor Jean Cleymans.
“The programme has built on the rich history of experimental science in South Africa, increasing the local and international footprint of the country in high-energy physics, and facilitating South African researchers, engineers, and students’ access to CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva,” the statement read. – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 10:27
All fraudulent COVID-19 SRD grants automatically canceled
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in Mpumalanga has announced the automatic cancellation of all fraudulent R370 COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant payments.
The SRD grant is administered in terms of app-section 32 of the Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No. 13 of 2004) and is implemented with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance. The grant is meant for South African citizens, refugees, asylum seekers and special permit holders, who are between the ages of 18 and 60 years, who have insufficient means, who do not receive social grants on behalf of themselves, or who are not contributing to or eligible for Unemployment Insurance Fund payment, and have no financial support from any other source.
In a statement on Monday, the agency informed all beneficiaries that it is mandated to cancel all fraudulent grant payments, while emphasising its commitment to combatting fraud and ensuring that grants are paid to the rightful beneficiaries.
Beneficiaries, whose grants are cancelled due to suspected fraud, are allowed to reapply.
“SASSSA implemented this activity to ensure that the Agency pays social grants to the right people and avoid fraud.
“The agency is encouraging people to take responsibility to make sure that their identity numbers are not utilised for fraudulent activities. SASSA beneficiaries must ensure that they do not share their identity numbers with strangers to avoid becoming aiding fraudsters,” the Agency said.
To manage these cases effectively, SASSA has deployed a team of well-trained officials assigned to deal with COVID-19 SRD grant cases.
Beneficiaries, who suspect fraudulent activity involving their grants, are encouraged to report it immediately via SASSA's toll-free hotline or WhatsApp service.
“Beneficiaries are encouraged to note that when they check their status and find out that it states “referred” it means that the SASSA system is suspecting fraudulent activity therefore the beneficiary must contact SASSA immediately to resolve the case,” the Agency said.
SASSA also warned beneficiaries not to keep changing their banking details and contact numbers because those processes delay the payment processes.
For further assistance or information, beneficiaries can contact SASSA toll-free on 0800 60 10 11, or call 013 754 9428/9363 during working hours, Monday to Friday. WhatsApp inquiries can be directed to 082 046 8553. – SAnews.gov.za
DikelediM
Mon, 01/20/2025 - 10:01