And the Next Lottery Operator Is…
Announcement comes after months of litigation by another bidder
Johannesburg
Spotlight on the Joburg Film Festival
The Joburg Film Festival is Johannesburg’s only major film festival and a key cultural event for the region. In a recent episode of Africa Avant Garde, it takes the spotlight, exploring its role in uniting filmmakers and fostering authentic African storytelling. Producer Rehad Desai shares how the festival builds creative communities and highlights both the …
Namibia to Host Proteas Men for Historic T20i
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) and Cricket Namibia are excited to announce a historic one-off T20 International (T20I) between the...
HOT 102.7FM Pays Tribute to Radio Legend Darren Scott
Legendary local broadcaster Darren Scott, the beloved voice behind many of South Africa’s most iconic radio shows, passed away in the early morning of 27 May 2025 at the age of 61 after a 39-year battle with cancer Lloyd Madurai, Founder and Managing Director of HOT 102.7FM and a close friend of Scott, says, “This …
Safety-First
DEKRA Industrial continues to lead from the front in industrial safety, compliance and customer-centric performance. As the company celebrates a century of safety and service this year, it does so with purpose and pride: bringing innovation, rigour and care to some of South Africa’s most complex and high-risk environments. As part of DEKRA Global’s SEMEA …
CSA Reveals Proteas Women’s Squad for West Indies White-Ball Tour
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) has today announced the Proteas Women squad set to embark on a tour to the...
Jonathan Roxmouth Returns in a Blaze of Broadway Glory!
Fresh from performing abroad to sold-out seasons, multi-award-winning theatre star and South Africa’s very own Phantom of the Opera, Jonathan Roxmouth, returns home to Johannesburg for a limited season at Montecasino’s Teatro with his latest show, MY FAVOURITE BROADWAY, presented by Howard Events. Experience eight unforgettable performances over two consecutive weekends: Friday, 25 July to …
Castle Lager Sign On As Sponsors For Proteas’ ICC World Test Championship Final
JOHANNESBURG: Castle Lager will be the official team sponsor to the Proteas Men for the duration of ICC World Test...
COGTA Committee Welcomes Seminal Review of White Paper on Local Government
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has welcomed the launch of the seminal Review of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government, hailing it as an important step towards more accountable and efficient local governments, resulting in better service delivery.
Committee Chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize and several committee members attended the launch event in Johannesburg on Monday. The review was launched under the theme “Every municipality must work – A call to collective action”.
The Chairperson said the review is long overdue, as a lot has changed in local government since the first White Paper, with many municipalities struggling and dysfunctional. He said the vision for local government as an important lever in addressing historical injustices and improving people's lives has not aligned with the lived realities in communities over the years.
“Now, this review provides an important pause to reinvigorate and chart a new trajectory of growth, development and efficiency for our municipalities,” the Chairperson said.
He invited all stakeholders to make their voices heard in the planned consultations that will follow, as the review is set to address service delivery challenges in municipalities and the funding model for local government, among other things.
“The committee is looking forward to interacting with the review process of the White Paper on Local Government,” said the Chairperson.
The review is expected to be finalised by March of next year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Adv Duma Nokwe honoured for fighting against apartheid
Adv Duma Nokwe honoured for fighting against apartheid
President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late Advocate Duma Nokwe for dedicating his life to the liberation of South Africa from the tyranny of apartheid.
“In court, Duma Nokwe was an advocate for justice. Outside the court, in the streets of our nation, in the capitals of the world, he was a respected and beloved advocate for freedom,” the President said on Saturday.
The late struggle veteran and human rights lawyer was reburied in West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg, with his wife, Vuyiswa Malangabi-Nokwe who passed away in 2008.
Nokwe passed away in Zambia in 1978, at the age of 50. He had lived in exile since 1963. His mortal remains were repatriated to South Africa in 2024.
“Duma Nokwe’s legal expertise was brought to bear in shaping the views of the liberation movement around constitutionalism and democracy.
“He was a mentor to young black lawyers, and today this noble legacy lives on with the Duma Nokwe Group, the advocates’ chambers,” President Ramaphosa said.
In recognition of the eminent position he occupied in the legal profession, the President on Friday honoured him with the posthumous conferral of the honorary title of Senior Counsel (Silk).
“In doing so, we are correcting a grave injustice done to one of our foremost legal practitioners. We are making a declaration that his legal legacy did not end in exile, nor does it end today.
“We are confirming our belief in his conviction that the law is to be used not merely to secure courtroom victories, but to achieve profound, lasting change,” the President said.
He described Nokwe’s voice as emphatic, compelling and sincere – resonating as powerfully through the halls of the United Nations as it did across the airwaves of Radio Freedom.
“He wielded his words as instruments of liberation. He sought to persuade, to empower and to inspire.
“As a person, as an activist, as a leader, he was known for his humility and understanding, for his integrity and his unyielding commitment to the cause of humanity,” the President said.
Nokwe was a youth activist who rose to become the Secretary General of the African National Congress.
“The apartheid regime tried in vain to thwart his activism. He was jailed, banned and restricted. He was dismissed as a teacher for his involvement in the Defiance of Unjust Laws Campaign. Yet nothing could crush his spirit nor temper his determination.
“He decided to enter the legal profession, believing in the power of the law as a shield for the vulnerable, as an instrument of change. He entered a profession that was designed to exclude black people. And yet he persevered, becoming the first black advocate to be admitted to the Johannesburg Bar,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President noted that the late George Bizos said that Nokwe’s admission to the bar was a moment that cracked the façade of white legal supremacy.
“Even as he reached this pinnacle, the regime continued to hound him, refusing to allow him to take chambers with his white colleagues in Johannesburg. He would not be cowed. He used his legal skills to defend those who stood up against tyranny,” President Ramaphosa said.
The President called on South Africa to embrace all that Nokwe represented and embodied.
“At this time, when we strive to make a fundamental break with the many ghosts of our past, let us hold to the values that defined him and that make us so unique as a people: courage, empathy, understanding, tolerance.
“We still have many more journeys to undertake. Our freedom is not yet fully formed. Let us affirm that as South Africans we are all of the same soil.
“We will never renege on the promise of equality, justice and freedom for all, as promised by our Constitution,” the President said.
He said government will continue to build a South Africa in which no-one – neither black nor white, neither woman nor man – feels themselves a pariah in the land of their birth.
“We owe this to the spirit and legacy of the great Duma Nokwe, who stood for non-racialism throughout his life. May his spirit rise. May it guide us in the hard work that lies ahead and may it inspire us.
“Nokwe was a revolutionary. He was a servant of the people. He was a man of unwavering principle, of great courage and of unmatched selflessness.
“As we honour Nokwe today, let us rededicate ourselves to fulfilling his dream of a non-racial, non-sexist South Africa that will forever remain democratic and free,” the President said. - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 11:50
334 views
Minister Kubayi travels to Ghana
Minister Kubayi travels to Ghana
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, will travel to the Republic of Ghana to participate in a high-level Retreat on the Kampala Amendments and International Criminal Justice.
“The Retreat will bring together Ministers of Justice and senior officials from all 33 African States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alongside representatives from the ICC Presidency, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), the ICC Trust Fund for Victims, senior African Union officials, and international legal experts,” the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development said on Sunday.
Her visit is scheduled to take place from 19 to 21 May 2025.
The event follows the successful pilot retreat in Johannesburg in October 2024, which raised awareness and fostered a sense of ownership among African States Parties to advocate for a crime of aggression regime that is both fair and legitimate and began the process of an amendment proposal being submitted by African States.
“The Kampala Amendments on the Crime of Aggression are a set of legal changes adopted in 2010 at the Review Conference of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), held in Kampala, Uganda.
“These amendments define the Crime of Aggression and establish the conditions under which the ICC can exercise jurisdiction over it. An act of aggression includes using armed force by one state against another in violation of the United Nations (UN) Charter, such as, invasion, military occupation, annexation by force, bombardment, or blockade,” the Ministry explained.
The meeting in Johannesburg laid the groundwork for an Africa-led amendment proposal and reaffirmed the continent’s commitment to a fair and legitimate international criminal justice framework.
“South Africa remains a committed advocate for international legal accountability. Minister Kubayi’s participation highlights the country’s support for multilateralism, the fight against impunity, and the advancement of an inclusive and balanced global justice system,” the Ministry said.
Organised in collaboration with the Ministries of Justice of Ghana, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Accra retreat will build on the Johannesburg outcomes and further deliberate on the amendment proposal submitted by the Group of Friends (GoF).
“The goal is to finalise a unified African position on the Kampala Amendments ahead of discussions at the Assembly of States Parties. The Ministry welcomes this opportunity for meaningful engagement and continental collaboration as African States continue to shape a credible and effective international criminal justice system.” - SAnews.gov.za
nosihle
Sun, 05/18/2025 - 12:40
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Struggle icon, Duma Nokwe, awarded honorary title of Senior Counsel
Struggle icon, Duma Nokwe, awarded honorary title of Senior Counsel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has posthumously awarded struggle veteran human rights lawyer, Advocate Dumalisile (Duma) Philemon Pearce Nokwe, the honorary title of Senior Counsel (SC or Silk) for the Republic of South Africa.
Nokwe passed away in 1978 while in exile in Zambia.
“The posthumous honour bestowed on the first African advocate of the Supreme Court is a high honour that recognises Advocate Nokwe’s expertise and contribution to the legal profession.
“President Ramaphosa has conferred the status of Senior Counsel on Adv Nokwe in line with the provisions of the Legal Practice Act of 2014, which governs this status and sets out the criteria for its conferral.
“In this instance, the Legal Practice Council and the Duma Nokwe Group of Advocates made an application to the President for Advocate Nokwe’s posthumous appointment as a Senior Counsel,” the Presidency said in a statement.
Nokwe’s remains were repatriated to South Africa in 2024 and his reburial will be held on Saturday.
“The President has bestowed this conferral on the late Adv Nokwe on the eve of the esteemed legal practitioner’s reburial in West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg, tomorrow, Saturday, 17 May 2025. He will be reburied along with his wife, Mrs Vuyiswa Malangabi-Nokwe who passed away in 2008.
“President Ramaphosa has accorded Advocate Nokwe a Special Provincial Official Funeral and the President will deliver a tribute at tomorrow’s ceremony,” the statement read.
Struggle icon
Nokwe held a BSc degree from the University of Fort Hare and a diploma in education, which he used to foray into teaching in Krugersdorp.
However, his political activities led his imprisonment during the Defiance Campaign aimed at the apartheid government in 1952.
He was banned and restricted in 1953 by the racist government following his participation in the World Youth Festival and visits to the then Soviet Union, China and Britain.
“He subsequently studied law, obtained an LLB degree and became the first black advocate to be admitted to the Johannesburg Society of Advocates. The Native Affairs Department of the time debarred him from taking chambers with his white colleagues in the Johannesburg city centre and this development led to Adv Nokwe devoting himself to the liberation struggle.
“He was put on trial for treason and was subjected to banning orders, arrests and assault by the police,” the presidency said.
His political activism and fight for the freedom of South Africans led to him having to leave the country.
“He was elected Secretary-General of the African National Congress in 1958 and mobilised communities against apartheid until the underground leadership directed him to leave South Africa in January 1963.
“Advocate Nokwe campaigned against the apartheid state on global platforms including those of the Organisation of African Unity and African Union and remained an activist until he passed in Lusaka in January 1978,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 05/16/2025 - 11:02
1224 views
Mediation Will Unclog Court Backlog
There are far too many cases in which the litigants don’t know what they want the judge to decide
President Confers Posthumous Senior Counsel Status on Adv Dumalisile Philemon Pearce Nokwe
President Cyril Ramaphosa has honoured the late struggle veteran and human rights lawyer Advocate Dumalisile Philemon Pearce Nokwe with the posthumous conferral of the honorary title of Senior Counsel (Silk) for the Republic of South Africa.
The President has bestowed this conferral on the late Adv Nokwe on the eve of the esteemed legal practitioner's reburial in West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg, tomorrow, Saturday, 17 May 2025.
He will be reburied along with his wife, Mrs Vuyiswa Malangabi-Nokwe who passed away in 2008.
She was a distinguished activist in her own right and had obtained a BSc and Bachelor of Education degree.
Advocate “Duma” Nokwe passed away in Zambia in 1978, at the age of 50. He had lived in exile since 1963. His mortal remains were repatriated to South Africa in 2024.
President Ramaphosa has accorded Adv Nokwe a Special Provincial Official Funeral and the President will deliver a tribute at tomorrow's ceremony.
The posthumous honour bestowed on the first African advocate of the Supreme Court is a high honour that recognises Adv Nokwe's expertise and contribution to the legal profession.
President Ramaphosa has conferred the status of Senior Counsel on Adv Nokwe in line with the provisions of the Legal Practice Act of 2014, which governs this status and sets out the criteria for its conferral.
In this instance, the Legal Practice Council and the Duma Nokwe Group of Advocates made an application to the President for the Adv Nokwe's posthumous appointment as a Senior Counsel.
Adv Nokwe, who was born in 1927, obtained a BSc degree from the University of Fort Hare and a diploma in education with which he took up a teaching post in Krugersdorp.
His political activism led to imprisonment during the 1952 Defiance Campaign and his dismissal by the then Transvaal Education Department.
Following his participation in the 1953 World Youth Festival and visits to the then Soviet Union, China and Britain, the South African authorities imposed a banning and restriction order on him.
He subsequently studied law, obtained an LLB degree and became the first black advocate to be admitted to the Johannesburg Society of Advocates.
The Native Affairs Department of the time debarred him from taking chambers with his white colleagues in the Johannesburg city centre and this development led to Adv Nokwe devoting himself to the liberation struggle.
He was put on trial for treason and was subjected to banning orders, arrests and assault by the police.
He was elected Secretary-General of the African National Congress in 1958 and mobilised communities against apartheid until the underground leadership directed him to leave South Africa in January 1963.
Adv Nokwe campaigned against the apartheid state on global platforms including those of the Organisation of African Unity and African Union, and remained an activist until he passed in Lusaka in January 1978.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
Conrad Names Squad For ICC World Test Championship Final 2025
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Shukri Conrad Appointed Proteas Men’s All-Format Head Coach
Friday, 09 May 2025 JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Shukri Conrad as the...
Ponte City Pathfinder Hub
Johannesburg, South Africa – The 2Roads Foundation, in partnership with Dlala Nje, yesterday officially launched the Pathfinder Hub, a new computer room at Ponte City Apartments designed to empower local youth and community members through technology and education. The event marked a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between the 2Roads Foundation and Dlala Nje, …
Africa’s Solar Boom: How to Reap the Benefits
With 2.5 gigawatts-peak (GWp) (http://apo-opa.co/4iQtUCp) of solar capacity added across Africa in 2024 and 194.34 GWp expected in 2025, the continent is fast becoming a global hotspot for solar energy growth. Leading this shift are the commercial and industrial (C&I) sectors, where photovoltaic (PV) systems are being installed on-site at businesses, educational institutions, and government facilities to meet their own energy demands.
Dr Andrew Dickson, engineering executive at CBi-electric: low voltage (www.CBi-lowvoltage.co.za), explains that multiple factors are accelerating the continent's switch to solar. “Energy poverty remains a major issue across Africa, with reliable grid electricity reaching only 14% (http://apo-opa.co/4jICofV) of Zimbabweans, for example.”
He adds that unreliable power supply is another key driver. “Persistent nationwide blackouts are affecting countries like Botswana (http://apo-opa.co/3EZvQKM), disrupting day-to-day operations. And in hydro-electric dependent countries such as Zambia (http://apo-opa.co/3RRqvrX), climate change is reducing water levels, leading to lower electricity generation and higher prices.”
Dr Dickson points out that in countries like Namibia which are dependent on electricity imports, affordability is a growing concern, with N$8.8 billion (http://apo-opa.co/3EZvSlS) expected to be spent between January 2024 and December 2025. “As a result, Namibia now has the highest (http://apo-opa.co/3EZvSSU) electricity prices in Southern Africa. Yet it has a unique geographic advantage: its solar PV systems can produce twice (http://apo-opa.co/3EZvSSU) as much electricity as comparable systems in central Europe.”
Some African nations are proactively investing in solar to reduce their grid dependence. “Malawi is rolling out its National Compact for Energy (http://apo-opa.co/3GMlxKC), which creates a competitive framework for private-sector investment in off-grid solar through grants, subsidies, and credit lines that improve access to foreign exchange,” he notes.
Safeguarding solar investments
The shift to solar is also being driven by cost-effectiveness. Dr Dickson shares that on-site solar is now cheaper (http://apo-opa.co/3YDs1BD) than the electricity tariffs paid by C&I clients in at least seven sub-Saharan markets.
Pointing to research by GreenCape (http://apo-opa.co/3Z6UyzC), which found that solar PV can reduce business energy costs by 15%, with a return on investment reached within three to 12 years, he highlights that after that, businesses can benefit from up to 15 years of free electricity.
However, Dr Dickson stresses that unlocking these savings requires protecting system components from damage and disruption. “Voltage spikes caused by lightning or grid instability can seriously damage inverters and batteries. Installing surge protection devices (SPDs) is critical, not just to prevent damage, but also to avoid voiding manufacturer warranties.”
Arcing is another serious threat. “When electrical currents jump across gaps, the heat generated can damage components or even start fires,” he explains. “DC circuit breakers designed specifically for solar systems are essential for mitigating this risk. They're built to handle the direct current generated by PV panels, ensuring safer and more reliable operation.”
Smart tech enables smarter solar use
In addition to physical protection, Dr Dickson advises businesses to embrace smart energy management tools to extend system life and optimise performance. “A smart power indicator can detect grid interruptions and send immediate alerts, helping businesses respond quickly. These systems can temporarily disconnect non-essential high-energy devices during an outage to prevent overload and preserve battery life. At the same time, they ensure that essential systems like security and lighting continue operating during downtime.”
Optimising solar ROI in 2025
He believes that the key to unlocking solar's full potential lies in strategic system design and management. “By combining surge protection, DC breakers, and monitoring tools, businesses can reduce unexpected costs, minimise downtime, and extend the life of their investment.”
“As Africa's solar energy market continues to expand in 2025, organisations have an opportunity to capitalise on its long-term benefits. With the right technologies and safeguards in place, solar is not only a clean energy solution it's a strategic asset that pays off,” concludes Dr Dickson.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CBI-electric: low voltage.
About CBi-electric: low voltage:
- Established in 1949, CBi-electric: low voltage is a manufacturer and supplier of quality low voltage electrical distribution, protection, and control equipment. Previously known as Circuit Breaker Industries or CBI, the company specialises in the design, development, and manufacturing of circuit breakers, residential current devices, surge protection, wiring accessories, and metering products.
- Headquartered in Johannesburg, South Africa, the company is a subsidiary of renowned JSE listed industrial group Reunert (http://apo-opa.co/4iV5abY), established in 1888, with international operations across Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and USA.
- CBi-electric: low voltage can be found in almost every home and has firmly become a market leader over the last 75 years while supplying products to authorities, utilities, manufacturers, commercial property developers, industrial, mining, telecommunications, and general power distribution applications.
- In 2021, the brand launched its smart IoT (internet-of-things) home automation range, called the Astute Range.
Revolutionising Laser Welding Efficiency and Cost With Nitraweld
Laser welding represents the most significant advancement in welding technology in nearly 80 years. Nitralife, a local and international pioneer of nitrogen used for tyre inflation – as well as on-demand, on-site nitrogen generation – is at the forefront of this pivotal development. As laser welding increasingly replaces traditional TIG welding in fabrication, the ability …
Words Are Not Enough
Despite acknowledging Johannesburg’s worsening service crisis, the Mayor’s 2025 State of the City Address address lacked credible plans, timelines, or consequences, leaving residents with more promises and no delivery. The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and the Johannesburg Community Action Network (JoburgCAN) have reviewed Executive Mayor Dada Morero’s 2025 State of the City Address (SOCA) …
Cook for a Cause at the 2025 Nicarela Potjiekos Competition!
Join us for a heartwarming Sunday filled with delicious food, community spirit, and giving back. The annual Nicarela Potjiekos Competition is back, and here’s what you need to know: Event Details: o Date: Sunday, July 27, 2025 o Time: Gates open at 9:30 AM o Venue: George Hay Park, Lurgan Road, Parkview What to Expect: …
CSA Welcomes ISDIN As The Official Sunscreen Partner To CSA And The Proteas
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) today announced ISDIN as the official sunscreen partner to CSA and the Proteas Men and...
New Burger
McDonald’s South Africa is expanding its chicken offering with the nationwide launch of the McCrispy, a new crispy chicken burger that aims to elevate the brand’s presence in the competitive chicken market. Made with 100% South African-raised chicken breast, the McCrispy features a seasoned, crispy fillet served on a soft potato bun with shredded lettuce …
Motion of No Confidence Time
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg has officially submitted motions of no confidence in both the Executive Mayor, Cllr Dada Morero and the Speaker of the Johannesburg City Council, Cllr Nobuhle Mthembu. Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa is falling apart. Under the current leadership, basic services are crumbling, communities are being …