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 22
insert_link South Africa Kenya Airways Resumes Flights to Kinshasa as Detained Employees Released Kenya Airways announced the resumption of flights to Kinshasa after the release of two detained employees by military authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The airline had suspended flights to the DRC capital following the "unlawful" arrest of its staff, who were detained for more than two weeks. The employees, working at Kenya Airways' Kinshasa office, were reportedly detained due to missing customs documentation on cargo. Kenya Airways emphasized […] todayMay 7, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa S.A’s AfriForum says citizens must be prepared for a healthcare crisis brought about by the National Health Insurance S.A's AfriForum says citizens must be prepared for a healthcare crisis brought about by the National Health Insurance. The civil rights organisation hosted an NHI conference in Pretoria with several guests including economist Dawie Roodt and Unity Health CEO Vernon Chorn. Roodt believes the overall privatisation of the South African health industry is the only workable alternative to NHI. AfriForum’s, Louis Boshoff, says they once again urge president Cyril Ramaphosa […] todayMay 7, 2024 23
insert_link South Africa Eskom Sues City Power for Over One Billion Rand Debt Eskom is heading to the High Court in Johannesburg, escalating a dispute over a debt exceeding one billion rand owed by City Power. Unpaid invoices stretching back to October last year have compelled Eskom to pursue legal action for a declaratory order. City Power, on the other hand, challenges possible overbilling claims dating back to 2021. With the court date set for June 4th, Eskom's spokesperson, Amanda Qithi, warns that […] todayMay 7, 2024 8
insert_link South Africa Tragedy Strikes: Two Dead, Dozens Trapped in George Building Collapse In Western Cape Following the collapse of a five-story building under construction along Victoria Street in George, Western Cape, two fatalities have been confirmed. Seventy-five construction workers were present during the incident yesterday afternoon. George Municipality reports that 22 individuals have been rescued and transported to hospitals, with two casualties. A massive rescue operation involving various disaster service units, including police search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs, is underway to extricate the […] todayMay 7, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa Democratic Alliance’s Flag Burning Election Ad Draws Social Media Backlash S.A's Democratic Alliance's new elections advert, featuring the burning of the South African flag to warn of an ANC and EFF coalition, has sparked backlash on social media. Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela criticised it as ill-advised. While burning the flag is not illegal, the advert has been labelled as fear-mongering. DA leader .John Steenhuisen defended the advert, citing existing cooperation between the ANC and EFF in some cities: todayMay 7, 2024 23
insert_link South Africa ANC cancels Jacob Zuma’s disciplinary hearing over security concerns Former South African President Jacob Zuma will still attend a disciplinary hearing with the African National Congress on Tuesday despite the ruling party saying it has been cancelled. The BBC reports that Zuma was summoned by the ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee over his decision to join the newly-formed uMkhonto weSizwe party last December, of which he is now the leader, despite still being an ANC member. The ANC on Sunday […] todayMay 6, 2024 17
insert_link Environment Great white sharks off South Africa’s coast are protected by law, but not in practice. Why this needs to change By Enrico Gennari, Rhodes University; Neil Hammerschlag, University of Oregon, and Sara Andreotti, Stellenbosch University In less than eight years, white sharks in South Africa have all but disappeared from their historical hotspots in False Bay and Gansbaai, on the Western Cape coast. These areas were once known as the “white shark capital of the world” and were home to a flourishing ecotourism industry. One possible […] todayMay 6, 2024 46
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa’s national student financial aid scheme has helped millions but is in trouble: here’s why South Africa’s minister of higher education and training, Blade Nzimande. Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images By Thandi Lewin, University of Johannesburg The board of South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been dissolved by the country’s higher education and training minister, Blade Nzimande, and the organisation placed under administration. Nzimande made the decision because of “(the problem of) non-payment of (students’) allowances”. Thandi Lewin is […] todayMay 6, 2024 21
