insert_link South Africa Drained but proud: how it felt to organise South Africa’s first democratic election in just 4 months By Kealeboga J Maphunye, University of South Africa South Africa’s historic 27 April 1994 national election marked the end of more than three centuries of colonial and apartheid rule. The period leading to the election was one of heightened political tension, with opponents of change working hard to derail the process through deadly violence. Political scientist Kealeboga Maphunye asks Mandla Mchunu, first deputy secretary of […] todayMay 22, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa S.A President Ramaphosa Extends Deployment of Military at Eskom S.A's President, Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the deployment of the South African National Defence Force personnel at Eskom. The president deployed 746 soldiers to Eskom’s power stations in December 2022. This was to help police protect power stations where sabotage, theft, and other crimes may threaten the functioning of stations and the supply of electricity. The estimated cost is about 203.9-million-rand. Meanwhile, Ramaphosa has also extended the deployment of two-thousand-300 […] todayMay 22, 2024 8
insert_link South Africa S.A Union Announces Strike at SA Steel Mills Over Dismissal of 162 Workers S.A Metalworkers union, Numsa, says workers at SA Steel Mills, trading as Alfeco Holdings, in Johannesburg will withdraw their labour starting today. This comes as the company has dismissed 162 workers for participating in a strike on the 16th of last month. Numsa’s spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, says the Labour Court on Monday confirmed the strike was protected and ordered the company’s management not to discipline or dismiss workers: todayMay 22, 2024 102
insert_link South Africa National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa decides on political posture regarding the upcoming national elections The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has decided to take a political posture regarding the upcoming national elections. NUMSA general-secretary, Irvin Jim, says given the worsening socio-economic conditions of the working class, the union aims to guide workers in their voting choices, urging them not to support right-wing, anti-worker parties. Jim has warned workers against voting for individual candidates, parties that promote xenophobia and racism amongst others:. todayMay 22, 2024 22
insert_link South Africa South African Police Probe Multiple Offenses Including Attempted Murder and Electoral Act Violations in Limpopo Police in South Africa's Limpopo are investigating an additional four cases of attempted murder, malicious damage to properties, and two counts of infringement of the Electoral Act. This is concerning violence that erupted between EFF and ANC supporters during campaigning at Juju Valley in Seshego on Sunday. The incident resulted in a nine-year-old bystander and a 25-year-old man sustaining gunshot wounds. Police spokesperson, Hlulani Mashaba, says the minor is still […] todayMay 22, 2024 25
insert_link South Africa ANC President Ramaphosa Expresses Confidence in Party’s Election Prospects ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that he is confident that his party will secure the majority in the general elections next week. Polls suggest the ruling party could get around 45-percent of the vote, which would mean forming a coalition to secure a majority. The president was on a campaign trail in Bokamoso in the North West. Ramaphosa says no one is going to destroy the ANC, it is […] todayMay 22, 2024 10
insert_link South Africa South African political activist Attributes ANC’s Decline to Departure from Liberation Roots South African political activist, Raymond Suttner asserts that the decline of the ANC stems from its deviation from its liberation movement essence. In a recent column, he highlights the party's shift from a grassroots-centered movement to a conventional political entity, influenced by Western advisors. Suttner argues that this move towards modernization and normalization has created a disconnect between the ANC leadership and the populace. todayMay 22, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe to become third largest in SA elections A new opinion poll in South Africa shows that the party founded by former President Jacob Zuma, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, will become the third largest party after the May 29 elections. The poll, according to Bloomberg Africa predicts that the African National Congress will win 43.4% of the national vote, the Democratic Alliance 18.6%, and the MKP 14.1%. However, South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ruled that Jacob Zuma is […] todayMay 21, 2024 32
insert_link South Africa Small businesses can help South Africa fight unemployment if they get proper support – study By Karikari Amoa-Gyarteng, University of Johannesburg and Shepherd Dhliwayo, University of Johannesburg South Africa has an alarming unemployment rate of approximately 32.1%. Solutions have been elusive. The unemployment rate has been consistently high for decades. Our research has revolved around entrepreneurship. We have examined the “liability of newness” related to small and medium scale enterprises and entrepreneurial development in general. In particular, we’ve looked at […] todayMay 21, 2024 18