insert_link South Africa DA Criticizes ANC, Claims South Africa Falling Behind in Embracing 21st Century Connectivity The Democratic Alliance in South Africa has highlighted that Argentina has overtaken South Africa in embracing 21st-century connectivity and global integration, citing the recent announcement of Argentina gaining access to Space X's Starlink internet connectivity, founded by South African-born Elon Musk. Natasha Mazzone of the DA criticized the ANC's reluctance, alleging that instead of embracing the digital age, the ANC is focused on maintaining control. todayApril 2, 2024 11
insert_link Environment South Africa’s laws aren’t geared to protecting against climate change: judges are trying to fill the gap By Melanie Murcott, University of Cape Town and Clive Vinti, University of the Witwatersrand South Africa has plenty of environmental laws but none that specifically oblige government officials to consider the risks and impacts of climate change when they approve new developments. In their research, environmental law experts Clive Vinti and Melanie Jean Murcott set out how judges are dealing with this gap in the law. What are […] todayApril 2, 2024 27
insert_link South Africa Deadline Looms for Appeals as SA Electoral Court Faces Challenges Ahead of May 29 Elections Today marks the deadline for political parties or candidates, including former president Jacob Zuma, who are discontented with objections raised for the May 29 elections, to appeal to the Electoral Court. The Independent Electoral Commission received a total of 82 objections against candidates nominated by 21 political parties. Among these objections, 31 implicated eight candidates, alleging their disqualification due to criminal records or convictions. Notably, the IEC has upheld an […] todayApril 2, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa SA’s Health Minister to Oversee Recovery Efforts in Limpopo Bus Crash Tragedy Today, SA's Health Minister Joe Phaahla will supervise the progress made by health authorities in Limpopo as they endeavor to identify and repatriate the victims and remains of a bus crash. Last week Thursday, forty-five individuals lost their lives in the accident that transpired at the Mmamatlakala bridge on the R518 in Limpopo, as a bus carrying passengers from Botswana to Moria crashed. According to Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the […] todayApril 2, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa DA Raises Concerns Over Alleged Hiring of Individual with Sexual Harassment Allegations The DA in Gauteng has voiced its dismay over the alleged hiring of Vernon Naidoo by the provincial Department of Social Development, who reportedly has a history of facing sexual harassment allegations. Naidoo has been employed as a member of the forensic audit team. MEC for Social Development, Mbali Hlophe, has stated that hiring forensic auditors is not under her jurisdiction. Refiloe Nt'sekhe from the DA expressed serious concerns over […] todayMarch 28, 2024 39
insert_link South Africa SA’s Homeowners Await Financial Relief as Reserve Bank Keeps Rates Unchanged South Africa's BetterBond has announced that homeowners will need to wait longer for financial relief as the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee has unanimously decided to maintain the repo rate at 8.25%. Similarly, the prime lending rate will remain at 11.75%. Interim CEO of BetterBond, Bradd Bendall, expressed hope for a rate cut this month due to a drop in inflation expectations for the next two years. However, […] todayMarch 28, 2024 52
insert_link Business / Economics South Africa’s electricity crisis: what political parties say in their election manifestos about solving it By Hartmut Winkler, University of Johannesburg South Africa is in the middle of a deep electricity crisis. In 2023 the public, many of whom are voters, experienced the worst loadshedding to date, losing power for an average of five hours a day. The power shortages were largely due to excessive breakdowns in the country’s coal power plant fleet, which generates over 80% of South Africa’s electricity, combined […] todayMarch 28, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa General Industries Workers Union of South Africa Condemns Job Losses The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa has decried the loss of 194,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2023, pointing out a 1.8% decline in the labor force. Mametlwe Sebei, the union's president, has attributed this to neocolonial capitalism and the ANC's neoliberal policies. Sebei advocates for the nationalization of key sectors and prioritization of job creation, particularly in industries like construction. Urgent action, he emphasizes, is necessary […] todayMarch 28, 2024 30
insert_link South Africa Freedom Front Plus in SA Condemns Expropriation Without Compensation The Freedom Front Plus in South Africa has vehemently opposed expropriation without compensation, stating that it would further deteriorate the country after 30 years under ANC rule. The party has once again rejected the Expropriation Bill in the National Assembly, even after it was referred back with amendments by the National Council of Provinces. While the bill aims to expropriate land and property in the public interest, the FF Plus […] todayMarch 28, 2024 21
