Innholdsfortegnelse for 2025-12-19 i Pretoria News

As summer graces the southern hemisphere and winter blankets the northern hemisphere, travel opportunities abound in both regions. In South Africa, long summer days invite blissful beach outings, where the beach is not merely a destination but a cherished way of life. For Mzansi, the beach is where we breathe, bond and bask in the sun. From sunrise jogs along Durban’s promenade to sunset braais in Jeffreys Bay, the ocean is intricately woven into our identity. Conversely, winter wonderlands beckon with their promise of snow adventures. Picture yourself trading the warmth of the Indian Ocean for the crisp bite of mountain air. Instead of watching waves roll in, you could be standing atop a pristine ski slope, with snowflakes glinting in the sunlight and the laughter of families echoing below.…

Pressure continued to mount on outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi with her coming under intense grilling in the ongoing Nkabinde inquiry in Pretoria while politicians and legal experts piled on criticisms over her walking out of the commission without permission this week. ActionSA said it was mulling taking Batohi to court for allegedly ignoring a court order to pursue criminal charges against the Lily Mine owners, senior officials in the minerals and energy department, and Barberton police officers. The move comes nearly a decade after the 2016 mine tragedy in which three workers – Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi, and Solomon Nyirenda – died. Meanwhile, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has requested that the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) probe Batohi’s alleged role in the 2010 killing of…

The United States has demanded answers from the South African government following a raid on a centre processing US-bound refugee applications in Johannesburg, during which seven Kenyan nationals were arrested. According to CNN, the US government is “seeking immediate clarification from the South African government” and expects “full cooperation and accountability,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott was quoted as saying. “We’ll have more to say once all the facts are confirmed, but the Trump Administration will always stand up for US interests, US personnel, and the rule of law,” Pigott told CNN. “Interfering in our refugee operations is unacceptable.” Earlier on Wednesday, IOL reported that the Department of Home Affairs has arrested seven Kenyan nationals for illegally working in South Africa while in possession of tourist visas, following…

Seasonal influenza, which is more prevalent in winter when people tend to congregate in warm, indoor spaces, has arrived early in the Northern Hemisphere – marking it as a “super flu”. The newly mutated influenza “A(H3N2) subclade K” brings with it heightened versions of typical symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and runny nose. With lower vaccination rates – for a vaccine that is not tailored to this exact flu virus – and less natural immunity in the community due to its newness, this winter is looking like the perfect storm for flu to spread far and wide.…

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo has voiced his support for Orlando Pirates midfielder Sipho Mbule, backing him to play a key role for South Africa at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana will open their tournament campaign against Angola on Monday at the Stade de Marrakech, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm. Drawn in Group B, South Africa will also face Egypt and Zimbabwe as they look to take an early step towards what would be just the second Afcon title in the nation’s history. The 2023 edition of the tournament, where Hugo Broos and his charges sent a strong message across the continent, has seen expectations rise significantly ahead of this campaign, including belief that the team can go all the way. The Belgian coach has been…

The upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco promises to be a thrilling display of talent, particularly among the goal scorers. Among the 24 nations that have qualified for the tournament, several forwards stand out with impressive statistics and form. Their consistent performances on the pitch have set the stage for an exciting series of matches. This tournament offers these elite strikers the chance to cement their legacy and potentially break a historic record, drawing global attention to African football talent and fostering national pride among participating countries. Here we look at the standout forwards vying to surpass Samuel Eto’o’s enduring record of 18 tournament goals. Sadio Mané (Senegal) The Teranga Lions’ influential captain, Mané – with nine goals, is the highest-scoring active player, making him a formidable force…

MI Cape Town coach Robin Peterson may give his Stormers counterpart John Dobson a ring about scrumhalf Imaad Khan’s availability for the Betway SA20 Season 4. Jokes aside, Khan, 22, who recently scored a try on his Champions Cup debut, was certainly the most impressive batter on show at Newlands on Tuesday with the young No 9 smashing the ball both sides of the wicket. “The scrumhalf, he spoke a big game and backed it up. He warmed into it with a few defensive shots before going big,” Peterson said at Newlands after the net session between his MI Cape Town players and the Stormers rugby team. “It certainly reminded me of years ago when I played for the (Cape) Cobras. We used to play a cricket game against them…

When summer arrives, many people think of beach holidays and relaxing by the pool. However, if you want to escape the heat and crowds, a mountain getaway can be the perfect choice. South Africa is home to stunning mountain destinations that offer cooler climates, breathtaking scenery, and a chance to recharge in nature. From the lush landscapes of Champagne Valley to the unique beauty of Richtersveld National Park, these retreats provide a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of city life. South Africa’s mountains offer diverse experiences, whether you’re seeking the thrill of adventure through hiking and outdoor pursuits or simply yearning to unwind in peaceful, serene environments. So, if you’re ready for an unforgettable summer mountain adventure that promises to rejuvenate your spirit and immerse you in the…

As we wrap up this year that has been packed with incredible happenings, it’s important to stop and look back at the past dozen months. What a year it has been. There have been some sporadic but impactful bulletins of good news throughout 2025, but the harsh truth is that they were interspersed with – and sometimes overshadowed by – some big dollops of bad, shocking and sometimes unbelievable stuff. But, everything considered, I would argue that even the bad news was good for South Africa – at least for opening our eyes. It may have been painful to take in those bad news doses, but lancing a boil is necessary for cleaning up and healing – or, as President Cyril Ramaphosa would put it, “renewal”, “self correction”, “consequence management”,…

In a heartfelt tribute to her slain husband, Leanne van der Merwe, the wife of Marius van der Merwe, remembered her husband as a loving, caring father, and family superhero to his children. Van der Merwe, the former Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) reservist, also known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, was gunned down on the driveway of his Brakpan home on Friday, December 5, just after 8pm. His tragic assassination came just weeks after his testimony at the Madlanga Commission, with speculation still rife on the reasons behind his alleged hit. “Where do I begin? Our story started online with you and the boys. I knew then that our lives would be fated. We have lived our best and worst times, and through good and…

Since the dawn of democracy, the ANC has controlled the country’s education lever with an iron-fisted transformative approach committed to bringing about redress and ensuring access without apparent focus on the return on investment for South Africa. Gone was the racist apartheid-era spending on children according to the colour of one’s skin. In its place was an amalgamated single education system for all. That is well and good, but missing has been any reflection on whether the nation has been adequately served in terms of getting value for money spent. Education was chief among the bedrock of the ANC’s promise of “a better life for all”, along with social welfare, housing, health, and other competing priorities. But the slow economic growth and high unemployment rate counter the transformative good. South…

Former Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela hosted a media conference on Wednesday, which she said she held reluctantly and with a ‘heavy heart’ following the passing of her husband, Richard Edward Foxton. Madonsela recently filed an affidavit in the Johannesburg High Court challenging a 2025 will, claiming that Foxton’s children and the estate’s executor are seeking to implement an invalid document. According to the professor, this has brought on alarming issues in her life. “I have endured a vicious and relentless character assassination campaign mounted against me in the media,” she said. “I would have continued to handle the transitional challenges that have arisen due to my late partner’s passing in a quiet, dignified, private manner.” However, Madonsela claimed that she decided to speak up due to security concerns. These…

An overloaded cross-border bus travelling from Gauteng to Malawi was intercepted by traffic authorities on the N1 bypass near Polokwane yesterday morning, Limpopo transport officials said. The 65-seater bus was stopped adjacent to the Peter Mokaba Stadium, after officers observed that it was severely overloaded. According to the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the bus was carrying a total of 117 occupants – comprising one driver, 101 passengers and 15 minors – exceeding its legal capacity by 52 passengers. While being redirected to the Provincial Traffic Control Centre (PTCC), the vehicle became immobilised a short distance from the Polokwane weighbridge. During the stop, the driver allegedly attempted to flee the scene but was intercepted, restrained and arrested by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Limpopo…

When the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Sunday in Morocco, the spotlight shifts to the valiant warriors standing between the posts – the goalkeepers. Throughout AFCON history, great goalkeepers have often defined tournament outcomes, displaying iconic saves and unmatched leadership that resonate with fans and players alike. Their ability to turn a match around with a single save or an inspiring rally is unmatched, and as we approach the tournament, a new generation is ready to carry this proud legacy forward. In celebration of the goalkeeper’s pivotal role, we highlight five standout players ready to uphold the illustrious legacy of their predecessors at the 2025 AFCON. Yassine Bounou (Morocco) The Canadian-born Bounou arrives at AFCON as the current CAF Goalkeeper of the Year. With a reputation for…

It always starts the same way: a date, a city, a familiar name, and then the realisation that something big is coming back. This time, it’s Africa’s Grandest Gathering, which is returning to Cape Town. On March 27 and 28, 2026, the Cape Town International Jazz Festival will once again take over the Cape Town International Convention Centre, launching its 23rd edition with a bold new visual identity and a first-wave line-up that signals confidence, ambition and global reach. Ranked as the fourth largest jazz and music festival in the world, CTIJF 2026 places Cape Town firmly back at the centre of the international jazz map. This is where the world comes to listen and where South Africa answers back. Leading the charge is seven-time Grammy Award winner Jacob Collier,…

In 2025, we said goodbye to a remarkable group of notable figures, including Pope Francis, Italian designer Giorgio Armani, architect Frank Gehry, Peruvian writer Mario Vargas Llosa and renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall. Film and entertainment also suffered major losses, with the deaths of directors David Lynch and Rob Reiner; actors such as Val Kilmer and Terence Stamp; Hollywood legends Robert Redford, Gene Hackman, and Diane Keaton; and Claudia Cardinale, the glamorous symbol of post-war Italian cinema. • David Lynch, 78 Film director of classics such as Twin Peaks and Mulholland Drive • Robert Redford, 89 Actor, director, producer, who embodied the classic Hollywood leading man • Jane Goodall, 91 Renowned chimpanzee expert and tireless wildlife advocate • Val Kilmer, 65 Uncompromising star of Top Gun, The Doors and Batman…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has received the long-awaited interim report of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. His office confirmed the commission formally handed the report to Ramaphosa on Wednesday. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the president would study the interim findings while the commission goes into recess to prepare for further hearings, including testimony from new witnesses and individuals who have already appeared. “Ramaphosa has expressed his appreciation for the interim report as well as his expectation that the Commission will, as part of its terms of reference, refer actions thought to be criminal acts for prosecution,” he said. However, Magwenya stressed on Monday that the interim report will not be released to the public, underscoring that it does not represent the commission’s final conclusions. Only the final report, expected in…

United States administration signals a troubling shift in continental relations Donald Trump’s second presidential term signals a recalibration of U.S. policy toward Africa that is likely to impact the Continent even more negatively than his first. The 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS), released in November, sets out the direction of the new Trump administration. It reveals how Africa is viewed not as a partner in development or stability, but as a geopolitical battlefield on which rivalries with China and Russia will be aggressively pursued. One can expect a more militarised and politically charged U.S. presence in Africa. Security agreements are framed around U.S. global competitiveness rather than sustainable or African-centred solutions to conflict and insecurity. This orientation was very evident in the Washington Accords of 4 December. This so-called…

The Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s legal action to have private firefighting services operating in the Metro declared illegal has failed, after the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, found that the rendering of firefighting services by businesses to their clients and by volunteers affiliated with associations is not prohibited by legislation. Judge Norman Davis, however, stressed that private firefighting services may not interfere with the fire brigade’s powers granted by the Fire Services Act. The judgment delivered on Wednesday followed an application by the Tshwane metro to have private firefighting services operating in the metro declared illegal. Its legal team maintained that private firefighting services are illegal, as it is against the Act, but AfriForum argued that no law prohibits the existence or operation of private firefighting services. The application was aimed at…

After thirty years of single-party rule, South Africa has moved into a period where coalitions seem unavoidable. In the 2024 national elections, the African National Congress won just 40 percent of the vote, leading to a Government of National Unity comprised of ten political parties. This shift marks a significant change in how the country is governed, establishing a multiparty system that will shape politics and governance for years to come. With local government elections coming up in 2026, reflections on coalition governance are particularly pertinent, since experiences at both national and local spheres will shape what voters expect and how parties plan. South Africa’s experience with coalitions has been marked by instability within local government. Since 2016, hung councils have produced fragile administrations characterised by frequent leadership changes and…

Proteas Women’s wicket-keeper batter Sinalo Jafta reflected fondly on the year the team has had, highlighting the ICC Women’s World Cup final as the standout moment for her and the team as the squad heads into the last fixture of the year this year. What a year the Proteas Women have had. It has been a rollercoaster, having been bowled out for 70 odd in their first game of the World Cup, bringing back all the demons and traumas of South African cricket in ICC events, to going on to reach their first ever ODI World Cup final in Navi Mumbai last month. Both as a team and individuals, there have been standout performances, moments the country will remember for many years to come. Who can forget Tazmin Brits’ five…