On June 28, 2023, South Africa held municipal byelections in four provinces: Gauteng, KwaZuluNatal, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape. These elections brought about some changes in the political landscape and introduced new councillors from different political parties. In this article, we explore the election outcomes, the shifts they caused, and briefly introduce the newlyelected councillors.
In January of last year, a homeless man named Dumisani Joxo was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer named Luvolwethu Kati in Rondebosch, Cape Town. The incident occurred after an alleged argument between Kati and another homeless man, Linda Mbuqe. Recent testimonies suggest that Kati fired the lethal shot without warning.
A horrifying case in the Western Cape has raised concerns about the safety of children during sleepovers. Arthur Wheeler, a 47yearold man, was accused of sexually assaulting, raping, and murdering his son’s 8yearold friend during a sleepover. This incident begs the question of whether the state is capable of protecting children and urges parents to be more vigilant.
Kevin Spacey, once a celebrated actor known for his powerful performances in movies like “Se7en” and “Superman Returns,” has fallen from grace amidst a deluge of sexual offense allegations. The actor, who won an Oscar for his role in “American Beauty” and held the prestigious position of Artistic Director at London’s Old Vic Theatre for over a decade, is currently facing a fourweek trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Load shedding, a common occurrence in South Africa, has returned yet again. Eskom, the country’s primary electricity provider, has confirmed the situation will continue for the rest of the week. The cause is the delay in returning units to service, leading to a significant decrease in capacity and leading to renewed load shedding across the nation.
The Hey Neighbour Festival is one of the most highly anticipated music events in South Africa. This December, the festival will feature American rapper Kendrick Lamar as a headliner. Spanning three days from December 8th to 10th, the festival will be hosted at the Legends Adventure Farm in Pretoria.
On June 28th, 2023, the South African Police Service (SAPS) celebrated a significant milestone for 552 newly trained constables who completed the Basic Police Learning Development Programme (BPLDP). These officers will join the police force in their mission to protect and serve the citizens of South Africa.
The South African national rugby team, the Springboks, will face a challenging journey as they enter the Rugby Championship. The team is set to take on Eddie Jones’ Australian Wallabies on July 8 at Loftus Versfeld, followed by matches against New Zealand and Argentina.
The Passing of a British Actor In a tragic turn of events, the remains of acclaimed British actor Julian Sands were recently discovered by hikers in the mountains near Los Angeles. Sands, famous for his role in the 1985 film “A Room with a View,” had gone missing in January while hiking up Mount San Antonio, also known as Mount Baldy.
On June 29, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Sihle Zikalala, visited the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) project in Okhahlamba Local Municipality, KwaZuluNatal. The visit was part of the EPWP PrePresidential Imbizo, an event to engage with local community members and assess the progress of government initiatives.
South Africa’s political economy is a complex interplay of historical injustice, aspirations for equality, and challenges posed by global and domestic environments. This article provides insights into South Africa’s path towards inclusive and prosperous development by examining the challenges and opportunities faced in addressing income inequality, promoting economic transformation, managing natural resources sustainably, and fostering international partnerships.
South Africa’s political economy is a complex tapestry interwoven with historical injustices, aspirations for equality, and ongoing challenges presented by both global and domestic environments. Addressing income inequality, promoting economic transformation, managing natural resources sustainably, and fostering international partnerships are essential components of South Africa’s path towards inclusive and prosperous development.
The Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) and the Eastern Cape SocioEconomic Consultative Council (ECSSEC) are partnering to host a twoday workshop aimed at creating an Integrated Aquaculture and Fisheries Strategy for the Eastern Cape Province. This initiative recognizes the significant contribution that aquaculture and fisheries can have on the region’s food security, economic development, job creation, and rural development.
The Department of Employment and Labour recently offered a potential exemption for employers who cannot afford to pay the National Minimum Wage. This exemption was highlighted during a threeday advocacy seminar held in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, with the theme of “Paying the National Minimum Wage is the Right Thing to Do”. The event aimed to educate stakeholders on various acts, including the National Minimum Wage Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Unemployment Insurance Act, and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) amendments.
The YizoYizo informal settlement in Rustenburg has been waiting for an upgrade for over 20 years. However, a recent announcement from Nono Maloyi, the MEC for the Department of Human Settlements in the North West, has brought hope to the over 1000 families living in the settlement.
The 15th BRICS Summit is set to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22nd to 24th, 2023. This meeting of the five major emerging national economies Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa aims to foster collaboration and cooperation on economic, political, and cultural levels. As the event approaches, organizers have opened up media accreditation for journalists to cover this significant gathering of global leaders.