Innholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-23 i Pretoria News

With 2026 now officially underway, travel enthusiasts are busy planning their next adventures. Whether you prefer to wander off the beaten path or explore iconic landmarks, some destinations cater to every type of traveller. Based on recent data from Condé Nast Traveller, several cities are emerging as the most-booked travel spots for the year. Here’s a closer look at these vibrant locations and what makes them irresistible. Bangkok, Thailand Bangkok is a city that seamlessly blends ancient traditions with modern excitement. Known for its stunning temples, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Wat Pho, Bangkok offers a rich cultural experience. The city is also famous for its world-class street food, bustling markets like Chatuchak and floating markets, and vibrant nightlife. Why you should visit Cultural highlights: The Grand…

The Supreme Court of Appeal turned down an appeal by the SA Heritage Resources Agency (Sahra) and others to stop the sale or export of various assets belonging to Dr Makaziwe Mandela and Christo Brand, Mandela’s prison warder, relating to Nelson Mandela. The possible auctioning of Mandela’s key to his Robben Island prison cell and other artefacts led to a legal battle two years ago in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Sahra, as well as the Robben Island Museum and the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, asked that Mandela’s daughter and his former prison warder be interdicted from selling the items. The High Court, however, turned down the application. Sahra and the others (the appellants) subsequently turned to the SCA to appeal the refusal by three judges. The items…

US President Donald Trump once again amplified his false claim of a “white genocide” against Afrikaners in South Africa after addressing the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos on Wednesday. “What’s happening in South Africa is terrible. It’s a terrible situation. What they’re doing to people, a certain group of people, is unbelievable. You wouldn’t think it could happen today,” Trump told reporters. “Well, we have seen the numbers, we’ve seen the records, and it is taking place and it’s gotta be stopped.” The US and South Africa’s diplomatic relations have hit rock bottom of late over Washington’s false claims that Pretoria was implementing race-based laws and grabbing land that belongs to Afrikaners. Trump used his address to the WEF to declare what he called the “fastest and most dramatic…

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Tshwane has urged the government to tackle the longstanding issue of “amaphela” – small cars operating as unlicensed taxis in townships. The call from Santaco follows Monday’s protest in Pretoria’s CBD by drivers against the impoundment of their vehicles by the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD). Protesters from Atteridgeville blocked traffic to draw attention to their demands, but they were prevented by the metro police who impounded five vehicles and arrested four of the drivers. Local Santaco spokesperson Ernest Bokaba distanced the organisation from the protest, stating that the individuals involved were unlicensed operators of small cars, colloquially known as amaphela, being used as taxis in townships. He emphasised that these operators are not part of Santaco’s membership, adding that according to…

A former manager at a Gauteng food manufacturing company has been sentenced to an effective four years’ imprisonment after defrauding his employer of more than R2 million through a long-running invoice scam. Confirming the outcome, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Jans Daniel Naude, 44, was sentenced by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to seven years’ imprisonment, with three years suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of fraud or theft during the period of suspension. The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm. Naude, a former technical and production manufacturing facilities manager at Fanatics Trading (Pty) Ltd, was convicted on 23 counts of fraud involving more than R2 million. He was employed at the company from 2014 until…

At some point in the next few months, the SACP will convene a Conference of the Left. The aim is to bring together a diverse range of trade unions, progressive non-governmental organisations, and other civil society organisations, as well as left-wing parties and individuals. The broad character of the gathering reflects the determination by the SACP and those supporting its initiative to build a popular left front to tackle the polycrisis South Africa faces. Simply put, the system we live under is unable to deliver a decent life for all. It is locked into a collapsing global framework of monopoly capitalism that promises only wealth and comfort for the few while the many slog away to create it for them. A new dispensation is needed. The Conference of the Left…

The Pretoria Capitals (PC) have all the cards stacked in their favour after booking an early ticket to the SA20 final. Whichever team they face on Sunday, will have to deal with not only a confident PC outfit but also the looming threat of physical fatigue. Ultimately, PC’s seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) in Qualifier 1 earlier this week boiled down to patience. There was a point in the game where it looked as though SEC were going to set a target in excess of 190 runs - a total that would have almost certainly taken the match away from the Capitals. During Jordan Hermann and Jonny Bairstow’s 81-run stand, the pair scored at over eight runs an over, touching the nine runs an over mark at one…

Dear Minister Gayton McKenzie, I hope this letter finds you well. Let me start by saying that I am writing not only as a football scribe but also as a concerned and discerning supporter of the game, who is watching a leech – poor refereeing – slowly suck the life out of one of the brands that has become the pride of African football. So, here we go! As the main custodian of sport in this country – not just football – I am sure you have been following the Premier Soccer League (PSL) closely this season, especially since you took office. As such, you have not been immune to the league’s thrills, spills, and shortcomings. When reports emerged last year that the PSL had a significant 9% increase in…

After a few years of “revenge travel” characterised by a frenzy of many small trips, travellers are now feeling “travel fatigue”. KAYAK’s recently released 2026 Travel Trends Forecast indicates a change in travel habits: travellers are moving away from frequent, short trips in favour of a single, highly intentional, and longer journey. International travel plans have slipped below an average of two trips per person for the first time since 2023, with people now choosing to “go big” once rather than “go often”. Reports from Explore Worldwide suggest travellers are seeking “slow travel” experiences, like rail journeys or immersive cultural stays, that require a longer time commitment to feel “rooted” rather than just “rested”. The 2026 Travel Trends Forecast also shows that international airfares are down by roughly 10-12% compared…

“Children are allowed to make mistakes, that’s how they learn. So that’s what I try to teach my kids.” This was the message David Beckham delivered during a CNBC Squawk Box interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 20. While the former footballer was technically there to discuss his work as a UNICEF ambassador, the timing of his comments on social media and parenting felt like a direct response to the firestorm involving his eldest son. Before sitting down for the interview, David had to navigate a crowd of journalists in the Davos halls. Reporters were heard shouting point-blank questions like, “David, do you have a message for Brooklyn this morning?” and “David, are you disappointed family business is being aired in public?” Despite the pressure, David…

South African homeowners are being urged to urgently review how they use their properties, as municipalities across the country intensify inspections and issue penalty rates for zoning contraventions. Illegal land‑use enforcement has rapidly become a revenue‑recovery tool – and property owners are increasingly finding themselves on the receiving end of steep, unexpected charges, says VDM Incorporated Director Cor van Deventer. Municipalities across the country have begun actively auditing properties, issuing compliance notices, and levying penalty tariffs on homes used in ways that fall outside their approved zoning categories. This shift marks a significant escalation in enforcement activity, driven by both legal authority and financial necessity. Van Deventer explains that municipalities are under fiscal pressure and are turning to penalty rates as a way to stabilise their revenue. “The enforcement activity…

In December, US President Donald Trump was awarded FIFA’s newly created “FIFA Peace Prize – Football Unites the World” by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The decision immediately sparked disbelief and criticism worldwide, raising a fundamental question: What does FIFA mean by peace? If football is truly meant to unite the world, then this prize – and the process that produced it – must be seriously reconsidered. The awarding of the Peace Prize did not emerge from a transparent or democratic process. It reflects a broader pattern in which the Trump administration has exerted political and diplomatic pressure on international institutions to secure legitimacy and public endorsement. In other words, bullying. FIFA, despite its claims of neutrality and independence, appears to have yielded to that pressure. But power imposed through coercion…

The CRL Rights Commission has rejected the allegations made last week by the former chairperson of its Section 22 Committee, Reverend Professor Musa Xulu, who resigned last week and released a damning statement. Responding to Xulu’s accusations during a media briefing on Wednesday, the CRL Rights Commission chairperson, Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, said what Xulu is “presenting out there is really not the truth, and we have documentary proof that none of this is true”. She explained in detail what led to the breakdown of relations with Xulu, culminating in his resignation on the morning of January 15, 2025, the day he addressed a media briefing facilitated by the non-profit organisation, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA). The breakdown happened “because his white paper failed dismally”, said Mkhwanazi-Xaluva referring to a…

Park Village Auctions (PVA) is inviting offers to purchase a high-capacity water and juice bottling facility with blow moulding equipment. The sale stems from a corporate restructuring and equipment upgrade, allowing bidders to acquire the complete facility or individual production lines comprising European and international brands maintained in excellent operational condition. “The equipment is ideally suited for established players looking to expand or for businesses seeking to enter the lucrative co-packing market for water and juice brands,” said PVA’s John Taylor. Key blow moulding assets include an ASB Nissei “PF24-8B” (2014) 5-litre stretch blow line with a dryer, dehumidifier, conveyors, labelling and bagger; a Sidel SB06 six-head blow moulding machine with a preform loader and conveyors; a KHS InnoPET Blowmax 6 and various bottle unscramblers and air conveyors. These units…

As Mamelodi Sundowns strive to add a second star above their crest, one of the three surviving squad members from the triumphant class of 2016 has urged the current crop of players to leave the jersey better than they found it. Sundowns are chasing their second CAF Champions League title this season, a decade after winning their maiden crown under homegrown and legendary coach Pitso Mosimane. Their pursuit of the title over the years has included heartbreak, most notably last season when they came agonisingly close, finishing as losing finalists to Pyramids, who were victorious at the first attempt. One encouraging aspect of the current squad is that they do not need to seek motivation from outside, as they still have three surviving members - Denis Onyango, Thapelo Morena and…

The government has been called to enforce mandatory training and licensing for scholar transport drivers following the horrific accident that killed 14 learners in the Vaal area. Scholar transportation associations stated that, although current regulations exist, enforcement is uneven. This is after a minibus taxi transporting learners to school collided head-on with a truck on Monday morning, claiming the lives of 12 learners. However, the death toll later rose to 14 after two more pupils succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Preliminary investigations and truck dashcam footage indicate the 22-year-old minibus driver attempted to overtake multiple vehicles. The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation (GGLTO) said many drivers operate without roadworthiness checks, while some are not adequately vetted and trained. The association said stronger monitoring and consistent enforcement are urgently…

ActionSA has confirmed that it has finalised its internal nominations process for its Johannesburg mayoral candidate and is expecting to announce the nominee in February, but the party is not ruling out party leader Herman Mashaba as a contender. “ActionSA has concluded its internal nomination process, and plans are underway to announce our candidate in February,” national spokesperson Matthew George told IOL News. “We are confident that the individual we put forward in the next month will be the most qualified and competent candidate, who will represent the best interests of the residents of Johannesburg.” In a sit-down interview with IOL News in November last year, Mashaba indicated that he would consider contesting the mayoral position ahead of the 2026 local government elections if the party could not identify a…

Concerns about dynastic succession and democratic backsliding are growing Most Ugandans are under 30 years of age. They have never known a President other than Yoweri Museveni, who has been in power for 40 years. The 81-year-old is one of the world’s longest-serving presidents. With a stronghold over Parliament, his tinkering of the Constitution and a cabinet which includes family members in key and influential roles, it looks like the Museveni name will continue to dominate the political topography of Uganda. This week, Shola Lawal, writing for Al Jazeera, reported that analysts have warned that Museveni’s control over Uganda appears absolute. She also writes that the appointment of his son, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, as army chief in 2024 has triggered “worries among activists of a dynastic succession plan in the…

In a remarkable demonstration of resilience and compassion, 18-year-old Andru Van Zyl has completed an extraordinary solo journey, cycling more than 2 500 kilometres from Polokwane to Cape Town to raise funds and awareness for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa. This remarkable feat not only exemplifies the spirit of youth empowerment but also serves as a poignant reminder of the battles faced by children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders. Andru’s journey, which is part of the broader mission of The Cows – a collective dedicated to turning personal challenges into life-affirming support for childhood cancer families – was inspired by the heart-wrenching experience of witnessing a close friend endure cancer treatment while he served as head boy at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies). Determined to…

The Madibeng Local Municipality in the North West Province has again found itself in trouble with the City of Tshwane over unpaid electricity bills amounting to R20 million. The city’s mayor, Nasiphi Moya, led a revenue-collection drive called Tshwane Ya Tima, targeting government departments and municipalities in a bid to recoup R1.9 billion in debt. Among the debtors was Madibeng, which had previously struggled with payments, forcing residents to face service delivery disruptions. In 2022, the city took Madibeng to the Gauteng High Court, seeking to freeze its bank account over an unpaid R258m bill for bulk water supply. At the time, Madibeng chief of staff Senzo Mgqongolo said the municipality entered into an agreement with Tshwane to pay its debt. However, he conceded that the debt was not serviced…

For the first time in over two decades, Bafana Bafana have fought their way back to the pinnacle of global football. For South African fans, the 2026 Fifa World Cup represents a long-awaited homecoming to the world stage – an opportunity to witness our national team compete in a spectacle unlike any other. Yet, as the countdown to the tournament in North America begins, the excitement is being met with a sobering reality. From the skyrocketing costs of “dynamic” ticket pricing to the volatile geopolitical climate of the host nation, the road to 2026 is paved with as many obstacles as there are opportunities. Here, Matshelane Mamabolo and Morgan Bolton debate the two sides of the South African coin: the unmissable magic of the beautiful game versus the mounting case…

The Lions’ demise in the Challenge Cup has at least given them clarity of purpose for the remainder of the season, and to that end, they have picked their strongest possible side for Friday’s United Rugby Championship encounter with the Ospreys in Bridgend. Coach Ivan van Rooyen held back a few senior stars for last week’s Challenge Cup match against Perpignan. The 20-20 draw was hard-fought, but the two points were not enough for the Joburgers to advance to the Round of 16. Now it is all about the URC and making the playoffs for the first time in Lions history. The Lions will empty the tank against the Ospreys in a bid to end their tour on a high and build on their current position of seventh on the…

Proteas batter Dewald Brevis has validated the high standard of the SA20, further highlighting the flaws in Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) rushed decision to select the national squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The 22-year-old smashed the Pretoria Capitals (PC) into the SA20 final on Wednesday night with a daring display of power hitting to lead his team to a seven-wicket victory over the Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) in Qualifier 1. Luckily, Brevis has been selected to play for the Proteas in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in February, but his recent display calls into question CSA’s selection policy regarding the impact of the SA20 on form. In that light, the policy did not make sense then, and it does not make sense now, as to…