Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-06-27 i Pretoria News

Let’s face it: planning a holiday can feel like a daunting task, especially when your budget seems tighter than your jeans after a festive feast. With the rising costs of living, many of us are left dreaming of sandy beaches and mountain hikes while scrolling through social media, watching our friends explore the world and asking: how do they do it? Your bills are piling up and the high cost of petrol casts long shadows over road trip plans and your dream holiday feels forever out of reach. The reality check A recent conversation with a friend abroad reminded me of this sad reality when she extended an irresistible invitation to her bridal party in Thailand. The excitement bubbled up as I heard her enthusiasm over the phone but as…

As South Africa marked the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Freedom Charter yesterday, leading voices in South Africa have raised concerns about the ANC’s betrayal of the ideals enshrined in the nation’s founding document. Seventy years ago, in the dusty streets of Kliptown, Soweto, the African National Congress (ANC) and its allies adopted the Freedom Charter – a bold, inclusive blueprint for a democratic South Africa rooted in the principles of equality, shared wealth, and social justice. As South Africa marked this significant milestone, critics argue that the ANC has drifted far from those foundational ideals, betraying the very values that inspired the struggle against apartheid. In the decades following the advent of democracy, the ANC claimed to be the custodian of the Charter’s ideals. Yet, many South…

City of Joburg council speaker Nobuhle Mthembu, who belongs to ActionSA, was removed in a motion of no confidence that was passed on Thursday afternoon, with 212 votes in favour and 48 against. No councillors abstained. The motion was brought by Al Jama-ah and supported by the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Democratic Alliance (DA). A temporary replacement will assume the role of Speaker until a replacement is named. Meanwhile, the ANC’s Sthembiso Zungu, who is the city’s Chief Whip, survived a similar motion, with 179 councillors voting against his removal, 69 in favour and six abstaining. Earlier, IOL News reported that Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, also of the ANC, survived a motion of no confidence brought by the DA just 10 months into his term.…

ANC alliance partner, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has weighed in on the tense Middle-East standoff, condemning the US military attacks on Iran’. “In condemning attacks on Iran and genocide on the Palestinian people by Israel, on 14 June 2025, the SACP appealed to the international community not to be silent in the face of the warmongering United States-backed apartheid Israeli settler regime but to condemn the violations. The SACP reiterates this same call against the United States’ militarism, unilateralism and violations of others’ rights,” said SACP spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana. Their statement came as US President Donald Trump expressed anger and disappointment over the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Trump took credit for having brokered the ceasefire, but it appears to have faltered mere hours after its announcement.…

Tshwane council Speaker Mncedi Ndzwanana has survived a DA-backed motion of no confidence, garnering 114 votes from multiparty coalition partners in his favour, while 82 votes from the DA and opposition parties opposed him, with one councillor abstaining. The motion was tabled on Thursday during an ordinary council meeting at Tshwane House by DA caucus chief whip Ofentse Madzebatela, who accused Ndzwanana of failing to act impartially and justly as council chairperson. Ndzwanana, the sole councillor from the African Transformation Movement (ATM), was elected Speaker in March 2023. However, his tenure has been marred by controversy, including a previous motion to remove him, tabled by ActionSA. EFF councillor Tshegofatso Mashabela, also MMC for Health, described the motion as a baseless and senseless attack on the Speaker, accusing the DA of…

On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked attack on Iran. Following a series of missile strikes between the two countries, Trump gave the green light to an unprecedented and illegal bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan on 22 June. Iran retaliated, striking American military bases in the region. It did not take Trump long to declare a ceasefire effective 24 June, the sustainability of which remains uncertain. The war should never have happened. The fires of war that raged across West Asia demonstrated a deep failure of global leadership, a significant erosion of international law and the questionable morality of leaders like Donald Trump. Despite positioning himself as a champion of peace, Trump has been fully complicit in the unfounded aggression against Iran. Just as…

Despite their early exit from the Fifa Club World Cup, Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso said it was “absolutely marvellous” to witness his players perform at the highest level against Brazilian giants Fluminense. Sundowns shocked everyone by holding the highly fancied Fluminense to a goalless draw in Wednesday’s Club World Cup Group F clash at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. This outcome meant that Sundowns’ ambitious stint at the Club World Cup came to an end, as the South African champions needed a victory to advance past the group stage. After the match, Cardoso reflected on the experience of his players competing against such esteemed opposition. He expressed pride in his team’s performance in challenging match conditions. “Everybody had the chance to watch 22 players playing at the highest…

As your plane ascends into the skies at 30 000 feet, a lingering question often remains. The question, more palpable than the hazy scent of in-flight snacks: is it okay to recline your seat? A complex interplay of comfort, courtesy, and unspoken social contracts comes into play, ultimately influencing not just personal space but also the collective ambience of the cabin. For many travellers, the decision of whether to recline can lead to a moral quandary. The recent discourse on Reddit has unearthed nuanced opinions concerning this seemingly benign issue. User @MapledMoose firmly asserts that reclining is entirely acceptable unless expressly requested otherwise by the passenger behind. “It’s a feature, not a bug,” they emphasise, pointing out that reclinable seats are an intended design element of passenger aircraft.…

Tensions within the Tripartite Alliance between the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have come to the fore after an incident in Mpumalanga where SACP members were asked to leave an ANC election workshop. The workshop, aimed at strategising for the 2026 Local Government Elections, has exposed deepening divisions within the alliance. At the event, ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane issued a directive, asking SACP delegates to leave the workshop, citing that the party would not strategise with a group intending to contest elections independently. This move has drawn criticism from senior SACP leaders, who accuse Mokonyane of divisiveness and of breaking the longstanding relationship between the parties. According to sources, the directive also angered some SACP leaders, and they…

In his address at the 1993 ANC national conference, Pallo Jordan said, “The ANC is not the master of the people. It is the servant of the people.” Today, the portraiture of the ANC as a devoted and dutiful servant to its citizenry has all but collapsed. The party of the people has abandoned its scripture. ANC leaders rule over South Africa as if they are remote landlords. Many avoid ordinary citizens as much as possible and visit poor communities in fancy motorcades when there is a calling to collect electoral votes. Seventy years ago, in the dark days of apartheid, thousands of ordinary citizens gathered in Kliptown, Soweto, to adopt the Freedom Charter, a blueprint for a democratic and just South Africa. The ominous presence of armed policemen and…

The City of Tshwane’s Section 79 Utility Services committee has expressed satisfaction with the Department of Utility Services’ performance in refurbishing the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant, which was identified as the source of dirty water supplied to Hammanskraal residents. The committee’s position follows a meeting where they summoned senior managers from the department to account for the ongoing refurbishment work at the under-capacity wastewater treatment plant. Committee chairperson Flora Monama said the wastewater treatment works regulatory requirements report highlighted the importance of ongoing monitoring to ensure water quality meets SANS 241:2015 standards. She explained that the compliance percentage is calculated according to the blue drop certification system, and the reports indicate improvements in bulk water testing, which will provide residents with quality drinking water. Monama said: “The Water and Sanitation…

Asset Auctions will be hosting the live webcast auction of a five-bedroom home on a smallholding in Pretoria on July 1 at 11am. The double-storey property – 6388 De Bruins Avenue, Fundus AH, Wonderboom – is being sold in a liquidation matter and has an erf size of ±1.0492HA. The ground floor features an open-plan kitchen, scullery and pantry, dining room, living area and three bedrooms. The second floor comprises two bedrooms and an open-plan living area. External features include a swimming pool, thatched lapa and double garage. Additional structures include a small cottage, a single garage, a carport, workshop and flatlet. The auction will take place onsite and viewing is by appointment with the auctioneer. For more information, please contact Zander on 082 821 2665 or visit www.assetauctions.co.za…

The excitement around Kwena Maphaka is comprehensible. He sends down left-arm down thunderbolts that have touched the 150km/h mark. He is strong, mature, smart and ambitious, and hails from the same St Stithians College stock as Kagiso Rabada. The fact that he’s only 19 years old ensures he appeals to an entire generation unburdened by the country’s fractious past. In essence, Maphaka is the future of the Proteas cricket team, and with a home World Cup on the horizon in two years’ time, he is the picture-perfect image Cricket SA are trying to promote. This is an almighty load to bear for anyone – let alone someone only recently eligible to obtain a driver’s licence – with even the great Rabada admitting to having suffered from bouts of anxiety during…

FULLBACKS Thirty years ago, South Africa won their first Rugby World Cup when Springbok captain Francois Pienaar lifted the William Web Ellis Cup – Nelson Mandela standing beside him in triumph. The ’95 victory is arguably the most significant of the four World Cup victories – its place in our history protected by its socio-political importance and nation-building consequences. Many will agree that the Class of ’95 were very much the underdogs in their tournament, and were spurred on by a ravenous home support that demanded nothing but victory. There was a similar feel regarding the 2019 team that won the championship, while the 2007 winners were among the favourites to win the title. Perhaps the most complete performance by a South African side, was the 2023 squad. Not only…

FLYHALVES De Allende was a certainty in any midfield conversation. He was terrific in 2019 and four years later – physical in attack, disciplined in defence – remained rock-solid across both campaigns. The real debate came in choosing his partner, with the discussion centring around 2019’s Lukhanyo Am and Jaque Fourie’s effort in 2007. Am’s tactical nuance and calm decision-making laid the foundation for the Springboks’ World Cup success. His iconic offload to Mapimpi in the final – which resulted in South Africa’s first ever try in a World Cup final – is the kind of moment that deserves to be looped on repeat. Stransky’s heroics in the 1995 final will forever be etched in Springbok folklore. James, meanwhile, was an uncompromising No 10 whose physicality and defensive steel put…

In a city filled with creativity, diversity and remarkable experiences, the Tshwane Tourism Awards stand as a proud celebration of local achievement. Organised by the Tshwane Tourism Association, these annual awards honour outstanding tourism products including hotels, attractions, conference and events venues and many more that contribute to the vibrancy of South Africa’s capital. The 2025 Awards focus on recognising excellence across four key pillars: Community Contribution & Sustainability, Internal Environment & Team Culture, Industry Collaboration & Engagement and Business Growth & Improvement. More than just accolades, the awards are a platform to inspire best practices, uplift the sector and promote a safe, thriving and welcoming city. Finalists for the 2025 edition will be announced soon, following a robust scoring and judging process by industry leaders with rich experience across…

“We are going to make sure that it is driven down. It is just an estimate,” he said when responding to questions in the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday. Ramaphosa said they are going to make sure that they spend as little as possible, but at the same time, have as much consultation as possible. “What has been put out as the budgeted amount is going to be looked at. I have said to my colleagues that the cost that has been put out must be driven down, and we must get to the bare bones and make sure that we have a very rich process of giving South Africans an opportunity of coming up with a very good outcome of the dialogue.” He maintained that the National…

A group of students from universities and TVET colleges took to the streets on Wednesday to express their frustrations over delayed funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), despite previous promises from the Department of Higher Education and Training and NSFAS to address the issues. Accompanied by activists and concerned citizens, students marched to the department’s offices in Pretoria, expressing ongoing frustration over delayed funding. The march follows a similar protest last month by students at Tshwane University of Technology, who demanded that the department and NSFAS take immediate action to address delayed funding. Kemogelo Masike, national president of the South African Students Federation, said students staged the march due to their anger and frustration with the NSFAS and the department. He said students at universities and TVET…

Prioritising youth empowerment, inclusive economic growth and sustainability Since December 1 last year until the Leaders’ Summit in November 2025, South Africa chairs the world’s most influential economic forum, that is the G20, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”. The theme signals our determination to put people – not profits – at the centre of global decision-making. Our high-level priorities are clear and interlinked. Firstly, inclusive economic growth, industrialisation, employment and the reduction of inequality. Secondly, food security in an era of climate disruption. Thirdly, harnessing artificial intelligence and broader technological innovation for sustainable development. Complementing these three priorities is our drive for disaster-risk resilience and fair debt-relief architecture so that climate-vulnerable and heavily indebted countries are not forced to choose between servicing loans and saving lives. The stakes could…

The fate of City of Tshwane senior managers appointed during the DA’s tenure hangs in the balance, with the regional ANC threatening to push for their dismissal if their appointments are found to be irregular. This comes in the light of a letter from Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, to Mayor Nasiphi Moya questioning the integrity of the appointment process for Section 56 managers. ANC regional secretary George Matjila said the appointments of City Manager Johann Mettler and several senior managers are under scrutiny, with concerns raised over potential irregularities in the composition of their interview panels. The ANC is part of a multiparty coalition government in Tshwane, alongside the EFF, ActionSA, and other parties. Former DA mayor in Tshwane, Cilliers Brink, this week issued…

Former Minister Malusi Gigaba has successfully obtained a temporary court order to stop the airing of an interview featuring his ex-wife, Noma Mngoma, on the Showmax series “Untied.” The interview, which delves into the turbulent aspects of their marriage, including allegations of infidelity, pornography addiction, and misuse of public funds, has raised significant public interest and concern. In the application, MultiChoice is cited as the first respondent, while Goat Originals, which produced the show, is the second respondent, and Mngoma is the third. Gigaba”s legal action comes after he received a WhatsApp communication from Vanessa Tloubatla, the executive producer of the show, who wanted to give a right to reply to allegations that were made against him. “Vanessa indicated that the third respondent (Mngoma) shared her experience of our former…