In a recent development, the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court denied Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s bail request, meaning she will remain in custody awaiting additional legal proceedings. Magistrate Estelle De Lange cited Magudumana as a flight risk and expressed that no bail conditions would be sufficient to ensure otherwise.
South African films are set to make a remarkable presence at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which will showcase two productions supported by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). The 48th annual event is scheduled to run from September 8th to 17th, 2023.
The City of Cape Town recently announced plans to invest R130 million in property development of over 9,000 square meters along New Market Street in the central business district (CBD). This project aims to address the city’s housing crisis by creating more affordable housing spaces.
Nongoma, a municipality in the Zululand District of South Africa, has experienced a surge in political violence resulting in the assassinations of more than 50 councillors and over 100 political office bearers in KwaZuluNatal (KZN) province since 2011. The latest victim, NFP Councilor Ntombenhle Mchunu, was murdered in her sleep at the age of 75 in July 2023.
The recent ruling by the High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Division, Pretoria, has upheld the integrity of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and its ongoing investigation into the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The court dismissed Dr. John Marite’s application to influence the SIU’s procedures and change its NLC investigation team, labeling it as an abuse of process.
The passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, a pivotal figure in South African history, has left the nation in mourning. The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Speaker, Honourable Ntombi Mekgwe, and the Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) recently expressed their sincere condolences to his family, the Inkatha Freedom Party, and the people of KwaZulu Natal.
During a recent weekend, Cape Town experienced adverse weather conditions that resulted in an increase in motor vehicle accidents and pedestrianrelated incidents. The city’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) received an alarming 76 calls regarding motor vehicle accidents, 18 of which involved pedestrians. The surge in accidents can be attributed to drivers who failed to adapt their driving behavior to the hazardous weather conditions and negligence, including alcohol consumption.
Cape Town is taking a significant step towards providing accessible and affordable housing opportunities to its residents with a groundbreaking initiative. The city has recently released R103 million worth of prime property along New Market Street, aiming to create desirable living spaces for those earning below R22,000 per month. This 9,000 m² land parcel is set to revolutionize urban living for the city’s lowerincome residents with its proximity to major transport routes in central Cape Town.
Every year, South Africa dedicates a month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by persons with albinism. National Albinism Awareness Month seeks to dispel myths surrounding albinism, a rare genetic condition characterized by reduced melanin pigment in the skin, hair, or eyes.
The recent investment by the Gauteng Department of Health in the Forensic Pathology Digital Fingerprint System has already yielded significant results. The innovative technology was able to identify additional fire victims from Johannesburg’s innercity building blaze, providing crucial closure for families of the deceased.
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is set to embark on a weeklong journey across South Africa to oversee infrastructure projects and evaluate their impact on the delivery of services to communities. From September 11 to 15, the Provincial Week programme will proceed under the theme “Building Viable Provincial and Municipal Infrastructure for Effective Delivery of Services to Communities.”
The Western Cape Department of Police Oversight and Community Safety (POCS) has revealed alarming statistics regarding genderbased violence (GBV) cases in the South African Police Services (SAPS). According to the report, 77 GBV cases were dismissed due to inefficiencies in the SAPS between October 2022 and March 2023. This is part of the broader finding that shows a total of 283 cases linked to 82 SAPS stations across 33 courts were struck off the court roll during the same period.
Tshwane, a city in South Africa, is facing a severe water crisis due to high water usage, especially in lowlying areas. The situation has caused the slow recovery of the water reservoirs, leaving those in highlying regions without access to water.
The illegal occupation of the PRASA Central Line in Cape Town has been a cause of concern for government officials. The South African Ministers of Human Settlements, Transport, and Public Works and Infrastructure, Mmamoloko Kubayi, Sindisiwe Chikunga, and Sihle Zikalala, will visit the area on September 11, 2023, to assess the progress made and plans in place for relocating the remaining occupants through Operation Bhekela.
In an effort to promote the security of tenure and prevent property disputes among family members, the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure encourages all housing beneficiaries to draft their wills during National Wills Week. This annual event provides an opportunity for attorneys to offer free basic will drafting services to citizens.
The Importance of Collaboration in Building Resilience In today’s world, where crises and challenges abound, building resilience is more important than ever. The 28th Nedlac Annual Summit, held recently, highlighted the need for collaboration among social partners to address and adapt to crisistype situations. Whether the challenges are caused by climate change, natural disasters, failing infrastructure, or other unforeseen events, collaboration is key to building resilience among social partners and society as a whole.
