Author: Anjianjei Constantine
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has doubled down on the defence of black economic empowerment (BEE), arguing that South Africa still needs more black billionaires to address deep-rooted racial inequality.Speaking in Polokwane on Wednesday during an event honouring the late ANC stalwart Peter Mokaba, Mbalula said the country’s wealth remains overwhelmingly in white hands, with mining tycoon Patrice Motsepe standing as a rare exception.- Advertisement – BEE Still Needed as Wealth Remains Racially SkewedMbalula said laws such as broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) remain critical in a country where economic power has yet to shift meaningfully.“The biggest beneficiaries of BEE [black…
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has moved to contain fallout after facing fierce backlash over comments suggesting unemployed young people are “lazy” when it comes to applying for jobs.The remarks, made during a television interview, sparked outrage across the political spectrum and reignited debate over youth unemployment in South Africa.- Advertisement – Mantashe Claims Remarks Were Taken Out of ContextMantashe came under fire after stating that youth unemployment is partly driven by laziness — comments that quickly drew condemnation from within his own party.Following the backlash, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said he had spoken directly to Mantashe, who insisted that…
The African National Congress (ANC) has called on its national chairperson, Gwede Mantashe, to clarify comments he made about unemployed young people, which have sparked widespread criticism.Mantashe came under fire after a television interview in which he suggested that jobless youth were unwilling to apply for employment opportunities, a claim that triggered backlash across political and civil society circles.- Advertisement – The ANC Youth League, along with several organisations, condemned the remarks, describing them as ignorant and tone-deaf at a time when youth unemployment remains one of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.ANC leadership responds to backlash over youth unemployment remarksAddressing…
ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane has pledged that 2026 will be a “year of doing things differently” as frustrations over poor service delivery continue to mount.The commitment was made during the ANC’s 114th anniversary celebrations, held on Thursday in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality in the North West.- Advertisement – Communities Voice Anger During ANC OutreachAs part of the build-up to the celebrations, ANC leaders conducted community engagements across the province. These visits were met with visible frustration, with residents openly raising concerns about failing services, infrastructure decay and lack of accountability at municipal level.Mokonyane acknowledged the growing dissatisfaction, saying…
President Cyril Ramaphosa says unemployment keeps him awake at night as he calls for urgent action and stronger public-private partnerships to create jobs.President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that South Africa’s crippling unemployment crisis weighs heavily on him, saying the issue often keeps him awake at night as he searches for solutions.- Advertisement – He made the remarks on Wednesday at Sun City in Rustenburg while addressing preparations for the ANC’s January 8 celebrations.Ramaphosa Says Joblessness Is His Biggest WorryWhile acknowledging the country’s many challenges — including crime, state capture and broader socio-economic pressures — Ramaphosa said unemployment remains his top…
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to appoint advocate Andy Mothibi as the new head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has triggered a political storm, with opposition parties and analysts sharply criticising both the process and the timing of the move.Mothibi was appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) on Tuesday, but the announcement has already drawn strong reactions across the political spectrum.- Advertisement – MK Party Claims Appointment Is ‘Politically Deliberate’The MK Party (MKP) accused Ramaphosa of deliberately positioning Mothibi in a powerful constitutional role for political reasons.The party raised concerns over the timing of the appointment, pointing out that…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed fears of a possible United States invasion of South Africa, saying there is no cause for alarm despite Washington’s dramatic military action against Venezuela.His comments come after US forces launched a surprise operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, triggering international outrage and heated debate at home.- Advertisement – Ramaphosa Responds to US Military Action in VenezuelaSpeaking to journalists on the sidelines of the 31st annual Joe Slovo commemoration at Avalon Cemetery in Soweto on Tuesday, Ramaphosa condemned the US operation but insisted South Africa has…
Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has triggered a fierce national debate after suggesting that South Africans have grown overly dependent on the government.Speaking in an interview with SABC News ahead of the ANC’s 8 January birthday celebrations, Mantashe argued that the ruling party has failed to fully promote its achievements, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) and the country’s social security system.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Presidency Hits Back: Ramaphosa’s Mauritius Break Was ‘No Secret’“We don’t talk about that,” Mantashe said, referring to the ANC’s record in government.Drawing a comparison with China, the ANC…
The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent holiday to Mauritius was secretive. Reports last week suggested that no acting president had been appointed while Ramaphosa was away, sparking questions about the legality of his brief trip.Ramaphosa, accompanied by his support team, took the holiday over the Christmas period to unwind. He appeared relaxed and energised while delivering his New Year’s message, thanking South Africans for their sacrifices during 2025.- Advertisement – Gwede Mantashe Took the Reins in Ramaphosa’s AbsenceVincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, clarified that Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe was acting president from 21…
The African National Congress (ANC) will convene its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Rustenburg, North West, on Monday morning.The one-day meeting is expected to focus on final preparations for the party’s January 8 Statement, as well as logistics for its main 114th anniversary celebration rally scheduled to take place at Moruleng Stadium on Saturday.- Advertisement – Party Gears Up for 114th Anniversary Rally in RustenburgThe ANC will mark its 114th birthday in Moruleng, outside Rustenburg, later this week, with senior party leaders expected to descend on the area ahead of the main event.As part of the programme, ANC top…