insert_link Africa South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights has raised concerns about the persistent challenge of overcrowding in prisons The South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights has raised concerns about the persistent challenge of overcrowding in prisons. With the current inmate population exceeding 212-thousand, the organisation’s founder, Golden Miles Bhudu, expresses concern over the impact on inmate health and security. Bhudu attributes these issues to ongoing understaffing in prisons, emphasising that the overcrowded conditions are inhumane and violate prisoners’ rights. He says that the situation underscores the urgent […] todayNovember 21, 2023
insert_link South Africa ActionSA expresses disappointment as the ANC/EFF coalition keeps the Johannesburg council speaker position ActionSA has expressed dissatisfaction as the ANC/EFF coalition retains the City of Johannesburg’s speaker. African Independent Congress councillor Margaret Arnolds assumed the role, succeeding the ousted Colleen Makhubele. ActionSA Gauteng chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni voiced disappointment in the absence of their coalition partner, the DA, during today’s council sitting. Ngobeni insists that the DA should be accountable to residents for their actions. He emphasises the commitment to persist in efforts to […] todayNovember 21, 2023 1
insert_link South Africa SA’s Employment and Labour minister says poverty contributes to child labour SA's Employment and Labour minister Thulas Nxesi says poverty and inadequate access to education in rural farming communities are compelling some young people to engage in child labour. The agricultural sector, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, witnesses a notable number of underage workers. Nxesi addressed these concerns during the launch of the Prevention and Elimination of Child Labour in Sandton, emphasising the need to tackle these challenges and […] todayNovember 21, 2023 1
insert_link Africa Massive backlog at Durban Port as delays disrupt regional trade Delays at South Africa's port of Durban have led to a huge backlog in dealing with the cargo. An estimated 70,000 containers are waiting to be off-loaded from more than 60 vessels. Local media report it will take at least seven weeks to clear the build-up. Businesses are blaming the port authority, Transnet, for failing to fix faulty equipment at the port. Moneyweb says that the problem in Durban is […] todayNovember 20, 2023 5
insert_link Africa National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it supports the calls made by minister of International Relations and Co-operation The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa says it supports the calls made by minister of International Relations and Co-operation, Naledi Pandor, that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be charged with war crimes. South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says it continues to be shocked by the […] todayNovember 20, 2023 2
insert_link South Africa Johannesburg Emergency Management Service urges religious leaders to ensure the safety of their congregants when conducting rituals The Johannesburg Emergency Management Service has called on religious leaders to ensure the safety of their congregants when conducting rituals. This comes after an 18-year-old girl and a 21-year-old man drowned at the Klip River in Olifantsvlei during a cleansing ritual on Saturday evening. Johannesburg EMS spokesperson, Robert Mulaudzi, says incidents like these can be prevented: todayNovember 20, 2023 3
insert_link South Africa DA says Gauteng municipalities spent 3.3-billion-rand on hiring chemical toilets over the last five financial years The DA says Gauteng municipalities spent 3.3-billion-rand on hiring chemical toilets over the last five financial years, instead of providing residents with dignified housing with proper toilets. According to MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mzi Khumalo, Ekurhuleni spent the most money on chemical toilets followed by the City of Johannesburg and Mogale City. The DA’s, Dorianne Arendse, says this money could have been used to improve the living […] todayNovember 20, 2023 3
insert_link Africa SA’s Electricity minister says the government is moving quickly in South Africa’s energy mix SA's Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the government is moving quickly in policy issues and giving certainty to what will constitute South Africa’s energy mix, transmission intervention, and additional generation capacity. He gave an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan. The minister said he was encouraged by the successful synchronisation of unit one at Koeberg nuclear power station in Cape Town. Ramokgopa says once unit one is […] todayNovember 20, 2023 3
insert_link Science & Technology South African university students use AI to help them understand – not to avoid work Students are not adopting digital and AI-powered tools uncritically. tzido/iStock Tanja Bosch, University of Cape Town and Chikezie E. Uzuegbunam, Rhodes University When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it sparked many conversations and moral panics. These centre on the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the information environment. People worry that AI chatbots can negatively affect the integrity of creative and academic work, especially since they can produce […] todayNovember 20, 2023 18
