insert_link South Africa GOOD Party Urges Swift Inquiry into George Building Collapse The GOOD Party in the Western Cape is calling for speedy investigations into the cause of the building collapse in George in the Western Cape. Seven workers have died while 41 are still unaccounted for as rescue operations continue. GOOD’s, Ricky Seekoei, says those involved in the construction of the project, and municipal building inspectors, must provide answers about whether the construction was compliant with building regulations: todayMay 8, 2024 4
insert_link South Africa S.A. Tourism Soars: 15.4% Rise in International Arrivals Boosts Economy S.A Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, has welcomed the increase in international travellers, saying it is a significant contributor to the economy and job creation. According to the latest international arrival figures for January to March this year, the country totalled 2.4 million, representing a 15.4-percent increase when compared with the same period in 2023. The department’s spokesperson, Zara Nicholson, says South Africa welcomed 1.8 million tourist arrivals from […] todayMay 8, 2024 4
insert_link South Africa S.A Labour and Employment minister says his department will thoroughly investigate the George building collapse in the Western Cape S.A Labour and Employment minister, Thulas Nxesi says his department will thoroughly investigate the George building collapse in the Western Cape. The five-storey construction site collapse has claimed the lives of seven workers so far, while 41 are still missing. This is shaping to be one of the worst engineering disasters in South African history. Nxesi told Newzroom Afrika that once the rescue operation is completed, the department will begin […] todayMay 8, 2024 9
insert_link South Africa South African Parliament Expresses Concern Over Shell’s Divestment Decision The chairperson of the South Africa Parliament’s portfolio committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Sahlulele Luzipo, has expressed concern at Shell’s decision to divest from South Africa. The British multinational oil and gas company is reshaping its portfolio and will divest its shareholding in Shell Downstream South Africa. Shell operates about 700 service stations in the country. Luzipo says any company leaving the country at a time when investment is […] todayMay 8, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa Search Intensifies And Hope Persists for Trapped George Building Collapse Victims in Western Cape Western Cape Disaster Management says all individuals still trapped under the rubble of the collapsed multi-storey building under construction in George, will be treated as alive for the next three days. This is as search and rescue efforts continue. Seven of the 75 construction workers who were on-site at the time of the collapse have been killed, while 41 remain trapped. Western Cape Disaster Management chief, Colin Deiner, says rescuers […] todayMay 8, 2024 4
insert_link South Africa Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned the media and the public against the spread of fake news Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has cautioned the media and the public against the spread of fake news, including playing politics in the wake of the five-story George building collapse. He emphasised the need to focus on the rescue efforts, with 47 people still trapped under the rubble and six confirmed dead. Winde condemns the reports of misinformation, including false claims about the number of casualties: todayMay 8, 2024 7
insert_link South Africa The death toll in George building collapse has risen Rescue teams in South Africa are searching for survivors after a five-story building under construction collapsed on Monday, killing six people and leaving at least 50 trapped. Officials in the city of George, Western Cape province, say 24 people have been pulled from the wreckage and taken to hospital. BBC Africa further reports that Rescuers heard from 11 more survivors in the ruins of the under-construction building on Tuesday. They […] todayMay 7, 2024 8
insert_link Opinion Pieces South African elections: research explores how disillusioned ANC supporters might use their vote By Michael Braun, University of the Witwatersrand The African National Congress (ANC) has been in power since South Africa became a democracy in 1994. The party has been electorally dominant since then, reaching a peak of 69.7% of national votes in 2004. However, support for the party has declined sharply since the 2014 national and provincial elections, reaching a low of 57.5% in 2019. Negative attitudes […] todayMay 7, 2024 10
insert_link Health / Medical Caesarean births: South Africa’s rates are too high – they can be dangerous for mothers and babies By Priya Soma-Pillay, University of Pretoria and Andre Van Niekerk, University of Pretoria A caesarean section is an important surgical intervention that can save the lives of mother and baby. Caesarean sections are essential in complicated labours such as prolonged or obstructed labour or if the baby is distressed. The World Health Organization says that while “every effort should be made to provide a caesarean section […] todayMay 7, 2024 14
Paying it forward: Kenyan coastal doctor Bashrahil Mohammed Mafudh has made it his life’s work to care for the most vulnerable in his community, at no cost.
