November 02, 2023
South Africa: Much Said About Nothing and Nothing Said About Much in Ramaphosa's Parliamentary Q&A
Some nimble side-stepping, some lecturing to the opposition, and a determinedly positive spin on South Africa's progress - that's how President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday wrapped… Read more »
South Africa: Rugby Fans Hit the Streets to Show the Bokke Some Gauteng Love
People came out in their thousands on Thursday to celebrate the Springbok victory at the Rugby World Cup. Read more »
South Africa: Wet Summer Still Predicted for SA's Northeast, Grain Farmers Confident Despite El Niño
The monthly forecast from the SA Weather Service still sees a wetter-than-usual summer for the northeast region, with a couple of caveats. And even with the re-emergence of El… Read more »
South Africa: High Court Overturns Minister's Appointment of Administrator for Unisa
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says he will study the order and decide on another legal route after being ordered to retract his Government Gazette placing Unisa under… Read more »
South Africa: Joburg Councillors Heckle As Bid to Tackle Water Crisis Meets Vehement Opposition
The Johannesburg Metro Council has approved a motion to conduct research on alternative water sources to decrease reliance on Johannesburg Water as residents have battled water… Read more »
South Africa: Catastrophic Budget Cuts Endanger Western Cape's Three Academic Hospitals
The CEOs of the Western Cape's three academic hospitals have warned that, because of severe funding cuts, they could run out of cash by 15 January. Read more »
November 01, 2023
South Africa: Treasury Has Been Bent to Ramaphosa's Populist Agenda - The Consequences Will Be Dire
The hard numbers won't go away. Instead of shrinking, they will grow and unless there is a dramatic change in direction, they will overwhelm the fiscus. The private sector has been… Read more »
South Africa: Muted Responses to Reality-Check MTBPS As Debt Debacle Impacts Economic Growth
Debt and rising debt repayment costs, now the biggest government expenditure, was the thread in Wednesday's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. It means everything from no… Read more »
South Africa: Rand and Bonds Post Mild Gains After Mini-Budget Allays Worst Fears
The initial market reaction to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's mini budget was cautiously positive as it allayed -- for now -- some of the graver concerns among investors. Read more »
South Africa: Treasury Has Again Neglected Country's Most Economically Vulnerable - Civil Society Organisations
Civil society organisations with a focus on education, health and social grants were less than enamoured with the 2023 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement that Finance Minister… Read more »
South Africa: Independent Report Blasts University of Cape Town's Recent Leadership
The report released this week by an independent panel investigating governance failures at UCT in recent years excoriates former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng. It paints a… Read more »
South Africa: Ramaphosa Officially Appoints Kholeka Gcaleka As Public Protector
Kholeka Gcaleka has begun her role as the country's Public Protector after President Cyril Ramaphosa formally announced her appointment. Read more »
South Africa: South Africa Likely to Secure Trade Status Extension With U.S., Say Officials - But for How Much Longer?
Maintaining South Africa's status under the African Growth and Opportunity Act will save 30,000 jobs in the Western Cape alone and increase trade from an annual R50bn-plus. But… Read more »
South Africa: More Tax to Come As Godongwana Juggles Public Finances to Extend R350 Grant
Enoch Godongwana's MTBPS highlighted tax hikes tempered by an extension to the Social Relief of Distress grant. Read more »
South Africa: Govt to Borrow More Money As Revenue Dries Up - Medium-Term Budget
The government plans to increase its borrowing requirements from R515.6-billion to R563.6-billion during the 2023/24 fiscal year. Debt has become an even bigger and scarier… Read more »
October 31, 2023
South Africa: Decline in Rhino-Poaching Rates Drives Shift to Commercial Bushmeat - Park Ranger
A void left by illegal horn income may now be driving neighbouring communities to snare and shoot species such as African buffalo in the park's southwest sector. Despite the… Read more »
South Africa: Western Cape MEC Tertuis Simmers Denies Impropriety in House Perk Row
Western Cape infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers has defended himself after it was revealed that he owns three properties yet lives in an estate where the state pays his rent. Read more »
South Africa: Proteas Rely On Coach's Knowledge for New Zealand World Cup Challenge
Cricket World Cup big guns New Zealand and South Africa face off for a crunch clash on Wednesday, which could go a long way to determining the final standings. Read more »
South Africa: Drama Over University of the Western Cape Decision to Terminate Vice-Chancellor Recruitment Process
The UWC senate is unhappy about the cancellation of the institution's vice-chancellor recruitment drive. The process is to be restarted from scratch. Read more »
South Africa: Concern in Komani After 120 Children Fall Ill From Suspected Food Poisoning
More than a hundred learners from Komani had to receive medical treatment after they bought and ate food from hawkers and shops in the town last week. The Eastern Cape MEC for… Read more »
South Africa: Chicken Back On the Festive Menu As Poultry Industry On Its Way to Avian Flu Recovery
The South African Poultry Association says the recovery process from the H7 and H5 bird flu strains is 'well under way' after its infection rate has peaked. This will come as a… Read more »
South Africa: Presidential Powers in National State Enterprises Bill Flagged As a Threat to Reforms
Investment experts say the draft law creating a new company to manage state-owned enterprises is full of flaws. Read more »
South Africa: Music Awards Mired in More Controversy
The South African Music Awards (Samas) are mired in yet another controversy as a leaked document shows concerns over how now-cancelled KwaZulu-Natal funding worth R28-million was… Read more »
South Africa: Power Utility Posts Record Financial Loss
Eskom earned less revenue than anticipated as a result of not recovering electricity payments, and spent more money, especially on diesel, to run its emergency generation fleet… Read more »
October 30, 2023
South Africa: Alleged 28s Boss Ralph Stanfield Denied Bail After Court Hears of 'Dishonesty' and 'A Clear Motive to Kill'
Alleged gang boss Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson, who face various criminal charges, have been denied bail in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court. Read more »