insert_link South Africa Security Operations Launched for South Africa’s Elections The S.A National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure Coordination Centre will commence operations from 22 May to 9 June, ensuring safety for the elections. Natjoints co-chairperson, Tebello Mosikili, emphasises the centre is equipped with modern technology and serves as a central point for monitoring and coordinating responses to threats. She says their five-pillar approach includes intelligence gathering, law enforcement, detection, and information sharing to enhance security. todayMay 20, 2024 13
insert_link South Africa S.A Constitutional Court to Decide on Zuma’s Parliamentary Eligibility The Constitutional Court of South Africa is today set to rule on former president Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to stand for Parliament in the upcoming elections. Last month, the Electoral Commission filed an urgent application to challenge the Electoral Court's decision, which cleared the path for the former president to run as a candidate for the MK Party. The IEC has argued that his 12-month jail sentence bars him from the […] todayMay 20, 2024 14
insert_link South Africa S.A’s Arts and Culture Minister Hosts 30-Year Celebration of Freedom and Democracy in Cape Town In Cape Town, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, is hosting a 30-year celebration of freedom and democracy in Khayelitsha. His spokesperson Litha Mpondwana says the event promotes citizen participation, and awareness of progress, and addresses challenges ahead. It reflects on the work done to ensure a better life for South Africans. He says the aim is to foster a national mood of involvement leading up to the […] todayMay 20, 2024 17
insert_link South Africa Minimum wage for South African farm workers: study shows 2013 hike helped reduce poverty even though compliance was poor By Ihsaan Bassier, London School of Economics and Political Science and Vimal Ranchhod, University of Cape Town Minimum wage policies are typically aimed at reducing poverty. Yet there is little direct evidence of this effect, especially in developing countries. And none for South Africa. In a recent paper, we consider the income, employment and poverty effects of the largest minimum wage increase South Africa has […] todayMay 17, 2024 14
insert_link Environment Leopard DNA study in South Africa traces ancestry to ice age – and will guide conservation By Laura Tensen, University of Copenhagen An ice age almost one million years ago led to a meeting between leopards from central and southern Africa that were searching for grassland. New research into the leopards’ genetics – their mitogenome – has revealed that the descendants of these two groups are the leopards found today in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. One of the researchers, molecular ecologist Laura […] todayMay 17, 2024 34
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s public service is dysfunctional – the 5 main reasons why By Marcel Nagar, University of Johannesburg A public policy works well if it’s a good policy and if it’s carried out well. Politicians make policy and specialist bureaucrats in the public service carry it out. These appointed officials are supposed to follow a strict professional and ethical code of conduct. Over the past 30 years, South Africa has not had this kind of public service. Public […] todayMay 17, 2024 16
insert_link South Africa The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says non-profit organisations in the province are in turmoil The DA in Gauteng says non-profit organisations in the province are in turmoil due to a failed adjudication process that has led to funding challenges. The provincial Department of Social Development has mishandled the adjudication process and has failed to pay eligible NPOs their subsidies. The DA’s, Refiloe Nt'sekhe, this means that many of the organisations will have to close their doors, retrench staff, or scale back operations. todayMay 17, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa S.A union, Cosatu says it does not support the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bil S.A union, Cosatu says it does not support the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill, as it remains deeply concerned about Eskom’s unbundling, including establishing its Transmission Company. The bill was passed by the National Council of Provinces yesterday, setting South Africa on an irreversible path of electricity supply reform. Cosatu’s, Matthew Parks, says separating Eskom into three utilities will create additional boards and management costs when the power utility can least […] todayMay 17, 2024 21
insert_link South Africa S.A’s COPE party Praises Ramaphosa’s George Visit, Calls for Similar Compassion at Marikana COPE has commended S.A's president Cyril Ramaphosa for visiting the George building collapse site but is challenging him to muster the same courage to fulfil his promise to visit the Marikana massacre victims. Nineteen construction workers are still unaccounted for following the building disaster in George, which has claimed the lives of 33 people. COPE’s, Pakes Dikgetsi, says in the same way that Ramaphosa showed compassion to the people of […] todayMay 17, 2024 4