Staff Writer

 The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs yesterday received the overall 2024 national and provincial elections report and appreciated the strong introspection on the part of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which will create a platform for self-correction and strengthened electoral processes. The committee is confident that the areas of improvement highlighted by the IEC did not have a direct impact on the elections being free and fair. “The […]

 The Select Committee on Agriculture, Land Reform and Mineral Resources has urged the Department of Electricity and Energy to localise the production of renewable products instead of relying on overseas countries. The committee received a briefing yesterday from the Department of Electricity and Energy about the implementation of the Renewable Energy Sector Master Plan (RESMP). The department’s presentation outlined the objectives of the Master Plan which highlighted its role as […]

  An estimated 400,000 people in Cabo Delgado province have been displaced over the eight years of conflict in northern Mozambique. Attacks are limiting people's access to healthcare, as health centres are under staffed, and humanitarian organisations are having to suspend activities due to insecurity. Health workers and facilities must be protected from violence, and the communities where displaced people are arriving to need a coordinated humanitarian response. An alarming […]

 The Portfolio Committee on Health has received briefings from the Lesedi Black Business Forum (LBBF) and the World Vapers Alliance (WVA) on the Tobacco and Electronic Delivery System Control Bill. The LBBF supported the objectives of the Bill but called for a balance between public health and economic considerations. It said it has interacted with the Department of Health, via an online workshop organised by the department in 2020 but […]

 Following the inaugural meeting of the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group at the Union Buildings on Friday, 11 July 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa has designated the following persons to lead and coordinate the group: Co-Chairs: Prof Tinyiko Maluleke Mr Roelf Meyer Deputy Chairs: Ms Lindiwe Mazibuko Mr Siyabulela Xuza Secretary: Ms Nompendulo Mkhatshwa President Ramaphosa said: “I am grateful to each of them for agreeing to take on this responsibility […]

 Eng. Abraham Daniel, head of Agricultural Infrastructure in the Central Region, reported that the dams and micro-dams in the region are in good condition. Indicating that there are 87 dams and 45 micro-dams in the region, Eng. Abraham said that they have collected a total of over 70 million cubic meters of water. He further noted that 12 of the dams, with a combined capacity of over 50 million cubic […]

 Veteran freedom fighter and member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mohammed-Omar Mahmud, passed away on 14 July in Asmara at the age of 71. Ambassador Mohammed-Omar, who joined the EPLF in 1976, was elected as a member of the Executive Committee and Secretary of the National Association of Eritrean Students at its founding congress held in Keren in 1978. He also served as head of the EPLF office […]

 The 2025 annual Eritrean community festival was colorfully conducted with patriotic zeal on 10 and 11 July in Rotterdam under the theme “Our Cohesion – Our Armour.” The festival was officially opened by Mr. Negasi Kassa, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the European Union and Benelux countries. Mr. Zeray Gebru, Chairman of the Eritrean Community, congratulated the participants and commended those who contributed to the successful organization of the festival, particularly the […]

 At least 24 boys, 11 girls and two pregnant women reportedly were among the victims of the violence, which occurred over the weekend in communities around the city of Bara, including the villages of Shag Alnom and Hilat Hamid.  UNICEF fears that with dozens more injured and many still missing, the number of child casualties could rise further. ‘A complete disregard for human life’ “These attacks are an outrage,” Executive Director […]