Author: Anjianjei Constantine

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to step into 2026 with a renewed sense of hope, reflection and determination, while candidly acknowledging the serious challenges the country faced throughout 2025.“A new year is upon us. As we welcome the New Year, we do so with reflection, resolve, and hope.”- Advertisement – In his New Year address, the President spoke openly about the economic strain on households, persistent unemployment, deep-rooted poverty and inequality, as well as the ongoing threat posed by crime, including gang activity and gender-based violence.“It is a matter of concern that many South Africans are unemployed and…

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka has cleared the Presidency and the Department of Defence (DoD) of any wrongdoing related to catering expenses on the Presidential aircraft Inkwazi.Gcaleka released a statement on 768 investigations finalised during the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, which ended on 31 December 2025.- Advertisement – The cases included 638 service delivery complaints, 107 good governance and integrity matters, 23 early resolution cases, the Inkwazi catering scandal, and allegations of nepotism and corruption involving uMngeni Local Municipality Mayor Christopher Pappas.Inkwazi Catering Costs Under ScrutinyThe Inkwazi scandal centred on claims that passengers travelling with President Cyril Ramaphosa…

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is facing renewed scrutiny as allegations emerge that senior figures are using state resources to advance factional interests, mirroring accusations the party has long levelled against the ANC.Political analyst Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast argues that the DA’s internal conflict has exposed a growing contradiction between its public stance and internal conduct, particularly as the party moves closer to its elective conference next year.- Advertisement – These tensions have now escalated beyond internal disputes, with a formal complaint submitted to the Public Protector, raising questions about governance, accountability and leadership within South Africa’s official opposition.Public Protector Complaint Sparks…

Thirty-six Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in KwaZulu-Natal have been suspended without pay following chaotic scenes in the provincial legislature, Speaker Nontembeko Boyce has confirmed.The suspensions affect 35 MPLs from the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party (MKP) and one from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), stemming from conduct during a sitting held on 15 December 2025.- Advertisement – Boyce said the decision was taken after what she described as “gross disorderly, violent and unlawful conduct”, adding that the affected members will forfeit remuneration for five sitting days, from 12 to 17 January 2026, in accordance with the legislature’s standing rules.KZN Legislature…

The City of Johannesburg has moved quickly to dismiss reports suggesting that the ANC’s headquarters, Luthuli House, was plunged into darkness over unpaid municipal bills.City of Joburg Denies Luthuli House Electricity CutReports circulating online claimed that Luthuli House owed the City R365,000 and had its electricity supply disconnected as part of a municipal debt crackdown. However, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has firmly rejected these allegations.- Advertisement – In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Morero said the ANC headquarters was never targeted for disconnection in December.YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Canada Joins US In Raising Red Flag Over South…

Former president Thabo Mbeki has issued a stark warning about the state of the African National Congress (ANC) and the country it has governed for three decades, saying both are facing grave challenges with no clear path forward.Mbeki made the remarks on Friday while delivering a tribute at the funeral of veteran anti-apartheid activist and senior ANC figure Titus Mafolo in Johannesburg. Mafolo, 69, passed away last week after a short illness.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Reconciliation Day 2025: KZN Premier Ntuli Calls For Sustained Action To End Rural ViolenceReflecting on the loss, Mbeki said Mafolo’s death comes…

As South Africa marks Reconciliation Day, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has stressed that meaningful peace in the province’s rural areas remains a work in progress.Communities across parts of KZN have, in recent years, been rocked by village disputes that often escalate into deadly confrontations.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: DJ Warras Shot Dead After Parking His Vehicle In Johannesburg CentralAreas such as Ulundi and Nongoma have been particularly affected, with many of the conflicts reportedly tied to stock theft and other local grievances.Ntuli raised these concerns while welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is scheduled to deliver the keynote address…

Francois Rodgers has confirmed that he will not stand for a third term as the Democratic Alliance’s leader in KwaZulu-Natal, bringing his tenure in the role to an end after two terms.The 64-year-old said the decision was driven by a desire to open opportunities for younger leaders within the party as he approaches what he described as the latter stage of his political career.- Advertisement – Rodgers made the announcement in an interview with EWN ahead of the DA’s provincial elective congress, scheduled to take place in 2026.DA KwaZulu-Natal leadership transition ahead of 2026 congressRodgers’ political journey began at the…

The Presidency has strongly rebuked comments by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who claimed South Africa now enforces more racially discriminatory laws than it did under apartheid.Musk made the remarks in a social media post referencing research by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), arguing that post-apartheid legislation unfairly targets white South Africans and should be abolished.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: High Court Throws Out MK Party Bid To Overturn Senzo Mchunu Suspension“South Africa now has more anti-white laws than apartheid had anti-black laws,” Musk said.Elon Musk’s PostHe further argued that race-based legislation is inherently unjust, regardless of historical…

The contest to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa as leader of the ANC has taken an unexpected turn, with new polling revealing a dramatically shifting landscape—one in which Patrice Motsepe, a billionaire who insists he is not a candidate has emerged as the public’s favourite.Succession chatter has dominated the sidelines of this week’s ANC National General Council (NGC) gathering, despite repeated assurances from party leaders that no leadership battle is under way.- Advertisement – YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Gwede Mantashe Shuts Down ANC Succession Rumours: ‘I’m Too Old And Retiring Soon’The NGC, held at the Birchwood conference centre, effectively signals the…