Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-08-08 i Pretoria News

When most people imagine a vacation, they picture sunshine, relaxation and escape from the daily grind – not sites of devastation and death. However, for a growing number of travellers, tourism takes on a different form, venturing into the shadows of history. Also known as thanatourism, black tourism or grief tourism, dark tourism involves visiting locations associated with tragedy, death, suffering or the gruesome. From former concentration camps and nuclear disaster zones to abandoned prisons and battlefields, these sites offer more than just historical facts – they offer raw, often emotional insight into the darkest chapters of the human experience. So, what compels someone to spend their holiday visiting places steeped in trauma and loss? For many, the answer lies in a deep desire to understand – to engage with…

President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa has not received any formal request from the US to reconsider the genocide case against Israel in the International Criminal Court. He was responding to EFF leader Julius Malema, who also asked whether he had received any formal communication from US President Donald Trump indicating that he was now persuaded that there was no white genocide taking place in South Africa. Ramaphosa said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) communicated with the US Embassy through diplomatic channels following Trump’s February executive order according refugee status to white Afrikaners. He also said the department had pointed out that the determination of refugee status required a factual assessment, considering the prevailing circumstances and giving due regard to both subjective and objective factors. Ramaphosa told…

The victims’ families and survivors of apartheid-era gross human rights violations together with the Foundation for Human Rights (FHR), who notched up a significant victory in a side battle against former president Thabo Mbeki last week, were back in court this week to deal with another interjectory application that now stands in the way of their constitutional damages hearing. The Pretoria High Court ruled against Mbeki and former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla and the two politicians, who wanted to protect or clear their names in the proceedings, have accepted the outcome and are now waiting for the commission. In dismissing the Mbeki application the court found that “it cannot be in issue that there was political interference in the prosecution of the TRC cases. “Our Courts have found this to…

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) in Tshwane has threatened to use the 2026 local government elections to hold political parties accountable for refusing to pay outstanding salary increases of 3.5% and 5.4%. These increases, part of a collective wage agreement for the 2021/22 and 2023/2024 financial years, have been a point of contention between the union and the City of Tshwane. The workers’ demands were aired on Wednesday during their march to Tshwane House, where they gave the city a seven-day ultimatum to respond. The demands include implementing the outstanding salary increments and reinstating unfairly dismissed colleagues with immediate effect. Samwu regional chairperson Lehlogonolo Maphatsoe accused the current administration, led by ActionSA, ANC, and EFF, of hypocrisy. “It is now their time to implement and they are…

A unified regional strategy vital to managing security concerns The United States (U.S.) is romancing the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It is no whirlwind courtship. For months now, Washington has been actively engaged in the new peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In July, senior leaders from the U.S. Africa Command visited Angola and Namibia. Last week, AFRICOM Deputy Commander Lieutenant General John W. Brennan and Ambassador Robert Scott held an online press briefing to provide some insight into the U.S. intentions. There is an unmistakable desire to deepen security links and avert the threat of terrorism and insurgency, which poses a risk beyond the Continent. The U.S. also hopes to elevate its economic presence in Africa. The G-7-backed Lobito Corridor, connecting Angola to the DRC…

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has opened a criminal case at the Cape Town Police Station following shocking allegations of corruption and bribery involving senior officials at the Independent Development Trust (IDT). This follows a video that emerged showing Tebogo Malaka, the suspended IDT CEO, and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane allegedly trying to bribe investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh with R60 000 to suppress a corruption exposé. Addressing the media outside the police station on Thursday, Macpherson expressed his deep disgust and disbelief at the blatant corruption, stating, “Watching the video of Ms Malaka allegedly offering Mr Myburgh a bribe of R60,000 made me sick to my stomach and left me in disbelief. ‘’It’s one thing to hear about corruption. It’s another thing to see it take place so blatantly…

Sekhukhune United will be chasing back-to-back league victories over Orlando Pirates when the two sides meet in their 2025/26 Betway Premiership opener at Orlando Stadium tomorrow (kick-off 5:30pm). Babina Noko enter the new season with confidence following another respectable campaign, having secured a fourth-place finish in the Premiership. Sekhukhune narrowly missed out on a spot in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup, with Stellenbosch FC edging ahead late in the race to secure the final continental slot after their own deep run in the competition last season. Considering the challenges they faced, including a mid-season coaching change, Sekhukhune’s achievements were admirable. Lehlohonolo Seema departed the club midway through the campaign and was replaced by Eric Tinkler. The experienced coach wasted no time in stamping his authority, guiding the Limpopo-based outfit to…

Proteas wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta is widely heralded as one of the best cricketers in the world, but she is also a great advocate for overcoming addiction and the stigma surrounding the issue. In late 2022, Jafta was voluntarily admitted to an alcohol rehabilitation facility in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Back then, the 27-year-old could have been forgiven for thinking her cricketing career may already be over. Now Jafta is coming up to three years sober, and is one of the fixtures of the South African team. Since her debut for South Africa in 2016, Jafta has made 95 appearances across all three formats, solidifying her place in the Proteas side. One day at a time for Jafta When asked how she turned her life around, Jafta revealed how she instead saw…

The Springbok Women were dealt a blow ahead of their Rugby World Cup campaign with experienced flanker Lusanda Dumke taking a breather from the game due to medical reasons. SA Rugby, without divulging more about her condition, announced on Thursday morning that Dumke, captain of the Bulls Daisies, is stepping away from rugby due to health reasons. The 28-year-old loose forward played 33 times for the Bok Women and captained the side on three occasions. Dumke, known for her abrasive style of play, also led the Pretoria side to three consecutive Women’s Premier Division titles, with the last one being this past season. She would’ve played a pivotal role for the Springboks at the upcoming World Cup in England if she were available. However, she hasn’t been part of the…

It has been three months since a group of “Afrikaner refugees” – primarily white South Africans of Dutch descent – left for the United States under a controversial race-based programme. The programme, established by US President Donald Trump, aimed to provide a haven for Afrikaners who claimed to be facing racial persecution in South Africa. In May this year, 59 Afrikaners boarded a chartered flight to the US, where they were welcomed by US officials and distributed in different parts of the country where they would be settling. About a month later, a dozen more followed. While some of the refugees have expressed gratitude for the opportunity to start anew in the US, others have shared stories of struggle and frustration. Charl Kleinhaus, a 47-year-old man who claimed he owned…

The gruesome murder trial of a white farmer and two of his workers accused of dumping the bodies of two women in a pigsty has reignited calls for justice and accountability across South African communities. This internationally watched case has been postponed until next week, and it has already sparked strong reactions from labour and human rights activists. This trial, which began on Monday at the Polokwane High Court, follows the discovery in August 2024 of the decomposed remains of Maria Makgato and Kudzai Ndlovu, in a pig’s enclosure on a farm in Sebayen. The two women were reportedly killed while searching for food on a farm near Polokwane, and their bodies were then allegedly fed to pigs in an attempt to destroy evidence. Their bodies were then alleged to…

THIS weekend marks the official start of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2025/2026 season after a long two-month break, which, in another world, would have been enough to iron out some thorny issues from last season. But, a warning – this is South African football; we play on, and we will find ourselves dealing with the very same issues as we have been season in, season out. Hence the phrase about “respecting the fans who spend their hard-earned money to watch games and support us” has got to be the most condescending speech in South African football. Because, really, is it respect to serve the very same hard-working fans the same problems season after season? Take the VAR (Video Assistant Referee) matter for instance. The season is starting and there…

While all civil trials in the Gauteng Division of the High Court have been subjected to the mandatory mediation route for the past four months, the Association for the Protection of Road Accident Victims (APRAV) said that the system is simply not working. According to the organisation, the justice system in Gauteng is on the brink of collapse, and said the mediation directive is lying at the heart of this crisis. “This is no longer just a matter for road accident victims. It now affects every South African whose right to fair, timely access to court is being quietly taken away,” said APRAV Deputy Chairperson, Ngoako Mohlaloga. The directive, issued in April by the then Judge President of the Gauteng Division, Dunstan Mlambo, mandates that almost all civil matters –…

In 1956, women were at the forefront of confronting deep-rooted injustices. Today, their legacy is visible, yet women’s voices are increasingly diluted. The brave spirit that inspired nearly 20,000 women to march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August of that year appears to be a distant memory. The march remains one of the most courageous acts of resistance in South Africa’s history. It was not only a bold rejection of the extension of pass laws that criminalised Black men and sought to do the same to women. It was a direct challenge to the core of racial, gender and economic oppression. Nearly seventy years later, much of that radical spirit has been softened. While National Women’s Day is widely commemorated, its original intent is often lost. Many…

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss most of the upcoming Premier league season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament. The England international missed the end of the 2024/25 campaign with a knee injury but featured in pre-season under new boss Thomas Frank. Maddison collapsed in pain during a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday with no one around him and left the pitch on a stretcher late in the game. Spurs' worst fears have now been confirmed, with the player facing surgery. "We can confirm that James Maddison will undergo surgery for a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee," said a club statement. "The 28-year-old midfielder suffered the injury during our pre-season friendly against Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul. His surgery…

Pretoria swimmer Pieter Coetze said he is honoured to be named in the same league as former Proteas swimmers and his icons like Roland Schoeman and Chad le Clos. Coetze won three of South Africa’s four medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, including the country’s only gold in the 100m backstroke. In doing so, he set a new African record and became world champion – a dream he has had since taking the sport seriously. The 21-year-old also earned silver medals in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, while Kaylene Corbett secured a bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Those results came on the back of a taxing schedule. A Tuks alum, Coetze had just returned from Germany, where he competed at the World University Games. There, he won…

Camaraderie and team spirit will stand Bafana Bafana in good stead when they begin their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign against Algeria in Kampala today. Former AmaZulu full-back Wayde Jooste, one of several seasoned journeymen currently ‘free agents’ in the South African squad, believes their time spent in camp has significantly contributed to building a strong team spirit. This, he says, will boost the team's ability to perform as a cohesive and unified unit. “I don’t think it’s been that tough to become a unified group. The majority of us have played against each other in the league, and some of us have been teammates at different clubs,” said Jooste. “We’ve become a little family because, like I said, we’ve been together in camp in South Africa, and now that…

In a world where travel is becoming more personalised than ever before, a new and deeply personal trend is gaining momentum – DNA tourism. Also known as heritage travel or ancestral tourism, this trend merges the science of genetics with the emotional journey of self-discovery. It’s travel with a purpose that goes far beyond sightseeing. What is DNA tourism? DNA tourism is a form of travel inspired by the results of genetic ancestry tests. Travellers use insights from DNA testing services to trace their ancestral roots and then journey to the regions or countries linked to their heritage. The experience often includes more than just a visit to a place – it might involve meeting distant relatives, exploring family records, visiting ancestral homes or towns, participating in cultural rituals or…

As the African National Congress considers expanding the size and reach of the Government of National Unity (GNU) by adding more parties to the coalition currently governing South Africa, opposition party ActionSA insists it is not interested in joining the ruling arrangement. Mashaba said so far, he has only heard from media reports that the ANC wants to approach ActionSA for negotiations around GNU inclusion, but his party has not heard a word from Luthuli House. “I can tell you as the leader of the party, the national chairperson, and our senate, which is the highest decision-making body of our party, we are hearing it from the media. “I am not really sure. Perhaps there is another ActionSA somewhere in this country that the ANC is engaged with, I don’t…

As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, the soul of South Africa’s struggle document must be returned to centre stage, especially its most uncompromising and emotive clause, “The Land Shall Be Shared Among Those Who Work It.” Born out of the searing injustice of the 1913 Land Act, this clause was not poetic idealism; it was a war cry, a confrontation with a colonial and apartheid order that uprooted, dispossessed, and dismantled the African peasantry and agrarian enterprise. The 1913 Natives Land Act was the legal scalpel that excised millions of Africans from their ancestral land, amputating them from their economic base and cultural lifeblood. It barred Africans from owning land in over 87% of South Africa and confined them to impoverished reserves, setting in motion a…

In a secluded corner of the University of Pretoria (UP) Hatfield Campus lies a gem that brought the paintings by Claude Monet, the French Impressionist known for his dreamlike depictions of light and nature, to life, literally. The campus’s lily pond, built in 1960, has since been a place of tranquility and a source of inspiration for budding painters and sketch artists. In shedding light on the history of the pond, Jason Sampson, head of the Botanical Gardens at the Manie van der Schijff Botanical Garden, said that legend has it that renowned botanist Prof. Hermanus (Manie) van der Schijff, who built the pond, took an unorthodox approach to creating the lily pond. “After approaching the UP rectorate with a proposal to build a pond outside of his office and…

The Constitutional Court, in an unanimous judgment, found that Parliament failed to comply with its constitutional obligation to facilitate a reasonable public participation process in the appointment of new members for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). Corruption Watch, which launched this application, submitted that the public participation process was defective due to insufficient information on the shortlisted candidates being made publicly available. Furthermore, they submitted that the opportunity for public participation was restricted to 2,000 character submissions and only 14 days were provided for written submissions. Corruption Watch contended that the opportunity for public participation was unreasonable and inadequate. It also argued that the Portfolio Committee misinterpreted the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), leading to unnecessary restrictions on candidate information. In doing so, the Portfolio Committee wrongly concluded…

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns are once again the team to beat, with many PSL club coaches tipping them to secure an unprecedented ninth consecutive league title. Since the 2017/18 season, the club has enjoyed an unrivalled period of coaching success under Pitso Mosimane, Rhulani Mokwena, Manqoba Mngqithi, and now Miguel Cardoso. Cardoso, who guided the team to league glory during his short stint since December 2024, maintains a laser-focused approach. He said: “We always need to push ourselves to achieve better as a team. Sundowns will continue to be a competitive side, but it will not be easy. The plan is at least to win cups this season, and the CAF Champions League will also be important.” Sundowns' formidable squad, known for its consistency and masterful navigation of the season’s…

We’re 12 races deep into the 2025 Formula 1 season, and it looks like McLaren have a firm grip on both titles. That being said, the first half of the season has not been short of big overtakes, big crashes, and first-time big moments for some. We highlight some of the most wholesome and adrenaline-filled moments, as well as some of the biggest disappointments from the first half: Best Team: McLaren It’s no surprise who takes top honours in this category, as McLaren have led from start to finish in this first segment of the F1 season. Dominant in almost every aspect of the sport – from car construction and communication to strategies and pit stop performances – McLaren have been the most solid unit. Some argue that they benefit…

South African golf is in a strange place at the moment. LIV Golf is coming to the country next year. Aldrich Potgieter is the longest hitter on the PGA TOUR, and it’s now been 13 years since a South African won a major. That last stat is often repeated, but it’s not quite true. There has been a South African major winner since Ernie Els won the 2012 Open Championship, and she happens to be a woman. That golfer, of course, is Ashleigh Buhai. Now aged 36, Buhai was a surprise winner in the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield, Scotland, in 2022. Buhai also managed a second LPGA Tour victory in 2023 at the ShopRite LPGA Classic and won for the fifth time on the Ladies European Tour as she…