insert_link South Africa GOOD party in Nelson Mandela Bay has submitted a motion of no confidence in mayor Gary van Niekerk The GOOD party in Nelson Mandela Bay has submitted a motion of no confidence in mayor Gary van Niekerk, as part of efforts to restore stability and ethical leadership in the municipality. Last year the mayor survived several motions of no-confidence votes. The GOOD Party’s, Janke Tolmay, says Van Niekerk has displayed escalating levels of incompetence, which has led to the significant deterioration of municipal affairs and a severe lack […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa SA Minister Nzimande dismisses reports that he intends to increase university fees SA's Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, says he has become aware of false reports that he intends to increase university fees for this academic year. He has proposed that South Africa’s 26 universities increase tuition and residence fees by 4.5-percent and 6.5-percent respectively. The department’s spokesperson, Veli Mbele, says the minister plays absolutely no role in determining the fees of universities as this lies with the […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 15
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa, Joburg building fire survivors demand better housing after their settlement floods By Kimberly Mutandiro via GroundUp Albert Street building fire survivors and activists, who are part of the Marshalltown Fire Justice Campaign, meet at the Denver settlement on the outskirts of the city centre on Wednesday to discuss their poor living conditions. Photo: Kimberly Mutandiro Survivors of the Albert Street building fire in Johannesburg and activists gathered on Wednesday for an emergency meeting. The building was engulfed in a fire in August […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 15
insert_link South Africa Protesters show support for South African case at International Court of Justice Some of the protesters included lawyers outside the Western Cape High Court on Thursday. Photo: Matthew Hirsch By Matthew Hirsch via GroundUp About 100 people gathered outside the Western Cape High Court on Thursday to express support for South Africa’s legal team at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands. The South African government submitted an application on 29 December to the ICJ. It describes the recent […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa City of Cape Town is calling for a clear deadline for private sector involvement in the Port of Cape Town The City of Cape Town is calling for a clear deadline for private sector involvement in the Port of Cape Town. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says with a private sector partner due to commence operations at the Port of Durban in April, there is continued silence from the national government on a timeline for a private sector partner boost for Cape Town. He says allowing private […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 3
insert_link South Africa SA Ambassador appeals for the safeguarding of convention rights amidst Israel’s disregard South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, Vusimuzi Madonsela, says Israel’s actions against Palestinians form a continuum of illegal acts since 1948. He addressed the the International Court of Justice in The Hague in the Netherlands as part of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel, who will present its oral arguments tomorrow. Madonsela warns of grave consequences, stressing the real risks for Palestinians in Gaza. He notes the court’s role in […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 3
insert_link South Africa SA Justice minister affirms government’s commitment to achieving long-lasting peace in Palestine SA Justice and Correctional Services minister Ronald Lamola affirms government’s commitment to achieving long-lasting peace in Palestine. He briefed the media outside the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands. Lamola notes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s repeated calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza. He also expressed gratitude for the legal team’s exceptional presentation that Israel is hellbent on wiping out Palestinians, and hopes justice will prevail in the […] todayJanuary 12, 2024 3
insert_link South Africa China cuts import tariffs on South African rooibos tea by 80% China has lowered import tariffs on South Africa’s rooibos tea by as much as 80%. According to Bloomberg News, duties on the herbal tea that’s unique to South Africa were lowered to 6% from a range of 15% to 30%. The country’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition confirmed the tariff cuts on Tuesday. todayJanuary 11, 2024 3
insert_link South Africa Israel accused at UN court of Gaza ‘genocide’ South Africa on Thursday accused Israel of breaching the UN Genocide Convention, arguing that even the deadly October 7 Hamas attack could not justify such alleged actions, as it launched a landmark case at the top UN court. Pretoria has lodged an urgent appeal at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to force Israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations in Gaza. Israel has dismissed the case as "atrocious" and […] todayJanuary 11, 2024 14
