Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-11-21 i Pretoria News

As summer arrives, it brings with it a wealth of opportunities to embrace the great outdoors, and one of the most enjoyable ways to do so is through camping. This season is ideal for gathering friends and family to explore nature together, as the warm weather and extended daylight hours create the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures. With an abundance of activities available, from swimming in rivers to hiking through scenic trails, summer camping allows families to reconnect and create lasting memories. The festive holiday period often grants people more free time, making it an opportune moment to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life. Camping not only fosters teamwork – whether it’s setting up a tent or preparing meals together – but also invites families to experience the…

The United States has warned South Africa not to issue a joint leaders’ declaration at the G20 summit taking place in Johannesburg this weekend, saying it will block any outcome presented as a consensus position. In a diplomatic communication delivered to Pretoria over the weekend, Washington said it would not take part in preparatory meetings before the summit or in this weekend’s gathering of world leaders in Johannesburg. According to Bloomberg News – an international financial and political news organisation based in New York that reviewed a copy of the document – the United States told South Africa that it would not support any declaration described as a consensus position of the G20. The note reportedly said Pretoria’s priorities for the summit were at odds with Washington’s policy positions. “The…

On November 10, we had the privilege to lead a delegation of the South African G20 Presidency to host the G20–Africa High-Level Dialogue on Debt Sustainability, Cost of Capital, and Financing Reforms at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Our hosting of this event fulfilled a promise made by our political leadership at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa in February this year, that South Africa would host one of its G20 Presidency events at the African Union’s headquarters. Following the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 in 2023 at the New Delhi Summit, we have been working hand-in-hand with the African Union to amplify Africa’s voice in global economic governance, whilst ensuring that the development priorities of the African Continent and the Global South find expression firmly…

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has blamed what he called “dark forces that try extremely hard” to pull the country backwards after massive power outages in Tshwane ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. A widespread outage hit the city on Wednesday morning, just days before the summit this weekend. Lesufi was speaking at a state-of-readiness briefing for law enforcement on Wednesday, 19 November, at the FNB Park and Ride space in Johannesburg. The event was led by acting Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia, joined by his deputies Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola and Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. The parade formed part of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster’s comprehensive preparations for the upcoming G20 Summit, scheduled to be held at…

The United States has overreached and now finds itself absent from the first G20 Summit to be held on African soil. Its attempt to strong-arm South Africa into abandoning its genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice by boycotting the event produced almost no traction. Only Argentina aligned itself with Washington, a decision shaped by President Javier Milei’s ideological leanings and dependence on a USD 20 billion bailout. What was intended as a display of power by the United States became a stark revelation of strategic decline. More than 130 preparatory meetings were completed without disruption, and the Leaders’ Summit on 22 and 23 November will proceed with full international commitment. The entire episode has ended up demonstrating the country’s increasing irrelevance and waning status as a…

Towering lock RG Snyman will celebrate his 50th Test cap tomorrow, and he’ll do it in a tour-defining clash as Rassie Erasmus rolls out the strongest Springbok side available for their showdown with Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. With the stakes high and momentum and an unbeaten tour on the line, Erasmus has recalled his top combinations to take on an Irish side the Boks haven’t beaten on their own turf since 2012. Most of the big guns were rested against Italy last week to ensure fresh legs and dialed minds for this weekend’s duel, and Erasmus has now restored the core of the team that overpowered France 32–17 a fortnight ago. Snyman’s milestone adds extra weight to the occasion, as he becomes the third squad member to hit a…

There is a particular calmness to Rulani Mokwena these days. Not the forced, diplomatic calm of a coach cornered by local politics or weighed down by familiar rivalries back home, but the measured serenity of a man who has finally found the kind of battlefield that sharpens his footballing sword. Speaking from his new ‘home’ in Algeria during a Zoom engagement with the South African Football Journalists’ Association (SAFJA), one thing is clear: Rulani Mokwena is being stretched, strained, and sharpened – and he loves it. Unlike the animated, sometimes embattled figure we knew during his time in the PSL, Algeria has introduced a version of Mokwena who sounds more monk than maverick. He speaks of the league with deep respect, citing razor-thin margins, defensive discipline, physicality, aggression, and an…

The Springboks will return to Dublin this weekend chasing a victory that has eluded them for more than a decade. South Africa last beat Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in 2012, and Saturday’s clash (7.40pm kick-off) offers the world champions a chance to end a 13-year wait for success in the Irish capital. They came agonisingly close on their previous visit in 2022, falling 19–16 in a bruising Test that still sticks with Bok winger Cheslin Kolbe. Clashes between Ireland and the world champions have been tight contests in recent years, and Kolbe admits that the Boks’ inability to grab key moments during encounters proved costly. “We came close in 2022, but we didn’t capitalise on a few opportunities and shots at goal, and that definitely cost us,” Kolbe said…

United States President Donald Trump again lashed out at South Africa this week, saying the country has “behaved extremely badly” and accusing it of pursuing “policies on the extermination of people”. Speaking alongside Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, who was visiting the United States, Trump said he would not attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this weekend, accusing South Africa of “unacceptable conduct”. “I’m not going to South Africa for the G20 because I think their policies on the extermination of people are unacceptable. So I’m not going. South Africa has behaved extremely badly,” Trump told reporters. The remarks came during a feisty interaction with the media, which also featured questions on the transportation of Palestinians from Gaza to other countries – an initiative that…

AfriForum is demanding that the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality immediately refund the money that has been unlawfully collected from Pretoria residents for the city cleaning levy over the past few months or face further court action. This comes in the wake of the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, this week taking a strong stand against the Tshwane Metro through Acting Judge George Avvakoumides’ latest ruling. The court reaffirmed that the Metro’s controversial levy is unlawful and that the original ruling remains in force pending the outcome of the appeal process, launched by the City. As such, the Metro may not levy the tariff until the appeal process is concluded. The civil rights organisation is also opposing this appeal. According to Arno Roodt, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria South, the latest ruling…

COP30 was billed as the ‘Delivery COP,’ but has it delivered for Africa? COP30 was trumpeted as a turning point, where long-awaited promises would be translated into meaningful, transformative climate programmes. Hosted in Belém, Brazil, COP30 was called the “Delivery COP”. Expectations were sky-high. Too often, though, action and accountability play second fiddle to grand acts of diplomacy, endless rounds of negotiation, and bouts of opportunism at these fancy global summits. While some are applauding progress made at COP30, others argue that it has under-delivered. For Africa, the COP30 outcomes may not be enough. Given the severity of the climate crisis in Africa, patience and passivity are not effective strategies. Unseasonal droughts, downpours, and windstorms have heightened food insecurity and displacement. Land, homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods have been destroyed. According…

In a victory for consumers, the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, ruled that a used car dealership must refund a buyer for the defective car she had bought and that it could not hide behind technical defences. Not only must Sandton Repo Cars refund the consumer the R459 900 she had paid for the car, but it must also pay a fine of R100 000 for non-compliance (an administrative penalty). The National Consumer Commission (NCC) welcomed the judgment, which followed an appeal by Repo Cars against an earlier ruling by the National Consumer Tribunal in favour of the NCC. Sandton Repo contended that the consumer’s complaint had already lapsed when the NCC referred it to the Tribunal. Section 116 of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) provides that a complaint may not…

As Kaizer Chiefs prepare for their maiden appearance in the CAF Confederation Cup group stage, a coach who previously led them to continental glory advises Amakhosi not to set overly lofty expectations. Few know better than Muhsin Ertugral the pressure that comes with being at the country’s most glamorous club, the Turk having coached Chiefs on multiple occasions. “Of course, at Chiefs you are always expected to win things,” Ertugral said. “The history of the club dictates that there is pressure automatically. “But, for this one, I think everyone needs to be realistic and not look at winning the competition as the ultimate goal. I would say to the management: ‘Don’t put too much pressure on this young team that is being built’.” Do not misinterpret that to mean the…

Red Bull’s hopes in Las Vegas hinge on one technical priority above all else: finding the RB21’s operating window. Without that, Max Verstappen simply cannot fight for victory — and the team knows it. As Laurent Mekies put it bluntly, Red Bull’s recent dip comes down to a single truth: “We just need to get the car in the right window.” Until they do, the RB21's pace will remain unpredictable, leaving Verstappen’s weekends defined more by setup fortune than by the car’s true potential. Red Bull’s struggles are not about track characteristics, and Mekies was emphatic on that point. “It’s not a case that the tracks are bad for us,” he said, dismissing claims that recent results reflect circuit-specific weaknesses. The real issue is consistency. The RB21 is devastatingly fast…

Questions are mounting over Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen’s ability to run a government department after reports revealed he has a default judgment for nearly R150 000 in unpaid credit card debt. Steenhuisen, who serves as Minister of Agriculture, is reportedly struggling with personal financial management despite earning a ministerial salary of over R2.6 million per year. According to a Daily Maverick report, Steenhuisen had a default judgment granted against him in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court in May for unpaid personal credit card debt of nearly R150 000. It has also been alleged that the DA’s federal finance committee removed his party’s credit card earlier this year because the account could not be reconciled. African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has taken a dig at Steenhuisen,…

Some of us may not be feeling it, but it is here – the G20, that is, the first to be held on African soil. Those of us who have been caught in traffic jams, roadblocks and suchlike, have really been feeling it, the arrival of the world leaders in our once-glorious City of Gold. It’s been annoying for the local residents to see attention and public spending devoted to this G20 this whole long year. But put aside the emotions and you’ll realise how important the moment culminating in the next couple of days really is for Joburg, South Africa and the whole continent. To me it almost feels like back in 2010 when we hosted the FIFA World Cup, except instead of superstars like Andres Iniesta and Luis…

Live animal exports are once again under the spotlight following a hard-hitting Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Agriculture that took place on November 18. During the two-hour session requested by Stop Live Exports South Africa (SLESA), the charitable organisation set out to persuade Members of Parliament (MPs) to reject the Department of Agriculture’s attempt to formalise the live animal export trade. However, these arguments were met with widespread opposition, as SLESA co-founder Michelle Taberer explained: “There was high engagement during the session, and some very tough questions from the MPs – disappointingly, only around the economics of the matter, considering that the Ministry has an equal responsibility to ensure animal welfare. “But it seems as if the MPs view animal suffering as an ‘accepted consequence’ of commerce.” Taberer said the organisation…

Forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan may have landed himself in hot water after he allegedly sent suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s chief of staff, Cedrick Nkabinde, a threatening message on Wednesday. Nkabinde disclosed about the threatening message while giving evidence at the parliamentary inquiry into allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. After one of the breaks, Nkabinde asked to read into the inquiry’s record the message he allegedly received from O’Sullivan. “Get ready, you lying crook. I am going to make sure you spend some years in prison. You were bribed by Mkhwanazi and Mapula,” reads part of the message. O’Sullivan allegedly sent the message while he was one of the potential witnesses who have yet to be allocated dates at the inquiry, after several witnesses mentioned his name.…

Former Mamelodi Sundowns defender and captain Thabo Nthethe is tipping his former side to correct Orlando Pirates’ mistake against St Eloi Lupopo whom they face in their opening Caf Champions League group stage opener at Loftus Versfeld tomorrow afternoon at 3pm. It is nothing short of a coincidence that Sundowns open with Lupopo, the Democratic Republic of Congo side that eliminated Pirates – the Brazilians' closest domestic rivals – in the final preliminary stages. Nthethe, a key figure in Sundowns’ historic 2016 Champions League triumph, expects a demanding battle in the opener but remains confident that his former club have enough quality to stamp their superiority. “It’s going to be a tough encounter for Sundowns,” Nthethe told Independent Newspapers. “But I definitely know that they will do their homework against…

With the Proteas riding high after their historic victory in the first Test against India at Eden Gardens last week, they will fancy their chances of sealing the series — regardless of the conditions India may throw at them in Guwahati. Proteas Test teams of the past were known for being slow starters, often beginning series on the back foot and relying on their resilience-based identity to claw their way back. This current crop appears to be on a different trajectory after winning the opening Test in Kolkata. They seem intent on throwing the first punch rather than absorbing it. At the same time, this new group continues to embody the grit of previous generations. The first Test showed they can withstand the swings and setbacks that come with long-format…