the ultimate mother city guide
Cape Town News
Across South Africa’s wide, sunlit farms, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) threatens the cattle that many families depend on for their lives and work. To fight back, the country is vaccinating hundreds of thousands of animals with vaccines made right at home, spending big on research, and tightening safety rules at markets. Farmers, scientists, and the government are joining hands, sharing knowledge and hope to stop the virus from spreading. This united effort is not just about saving animals—it’s about protecting jobs, communities, and the soul of South Africa’s farming heartland.
Parliament’s Portfolio Committee is carefully reviewing the National Council on GenderBased Violence and Femicide Act to make sure it truly protects women, girls, and genderdiverse people. They want to create a strong, efficient Council that can act quickly and include voices from civil society without getting bogged down in bureaucracy. The Committee is focused on clear timelines and real accountability, determined to turn promises into real safety and justice. This careful work shows South Africa’s deep commitment to fighting genderbased violence now and for the future.
South Africa’s 2025/26 health budget aims to make health care fair and available to everyone through the National Health Insurance (NHI). It focuses on fighting diseases like cancer, mental illness, and malaria, while promoting healthy living to prevent growing health problems. Big steps are planned to improve hospitals, research, and health services across the country. This budget honors a 70yearold promise that health is a human right and shows the country’s strong hope and effort to build a healthier future for all.
South Africa’s 2025/26 tourism plan is all about using travel to grow the economy and help all people, especially those in remote and poor areas. Minister Patricia de Lille wants tourism to create jobs, support local businesses, and protect the environment, while making sure everyone shares the benefits. Big investments are going into better roads, lodges, and marketing to attract visitors from places like China and India. The plan also uses smart technology to track progress and calls for teamwork between government, communities, and businesses. Overall, South Africa aims to build a strong, fair, and exciting tourism future for everyone.
The Global Citizen Festival 2025 is back in Central Park, mixing music and powerful messages to inspire change worldwide. Big stars like Ayra Starr, The Weeknd, and Shakira will light up the stage, while the festival focuses on important causes like bringing energy to Africa, protecting the Amazon rainforest, and improving education. Hosted by Hugh Jackman, the event turns fans into activists, encouraging everyone to take action for a better future. It’s more than a concert—it’s a celebration of hope, unity, and making real impact together.
FlySafair faced tough times during recent labor strikes but kept most flights flying on time by planning ahead and working closely with partners like South African Airways. The airline’s team stayed strong and worked together, making sure passengers felt cared for and informed throughout. Even with challenges inside the company, FlySafair showed how being ready, open, and cooperative can help keep journeys smooth and safe.
In July 2025, Limpopo’s Executive Council met with energy and clear purpose to push the province forward. They set up a special team to fix roads and buildings, hired skilled people for important jobs, and gave more money to support traditional leaders’ ceremonies. The Council also focused on being ready for disasters and chose new leaders to improve education, social services, and farming. Their bold actions show a strong commitment to growing Limpopo while honoring its rich traditions.
Deep in South Africa’s mysterious Knysna Forest roams the last Knysna elephant, a strong and lonely female who carries the memory of a vanished herd. She moves quietly beneath towering trees, a living symbol of survival and loss, reminding us how nature can shrink but still hold hope. Thanks to hidden cameras, people have glimpsed her rare steps, inspiring efforts to protect her and the forest she calls home. Her story teaches us to respect wild places and cherish the fragile life that still lingers within them.
The Patriotic Alliance is in the spotlight after its deputy president, Kenny Kunene, got linked to the murder investigation of DJ Sumbody, a famous Amapiano music star. Kunene was put on leave while an independent probe looks into his role, showing the party’s effort to stay clean. Police also arrested four men, including a businessman tied to the crime world, in a dramatic raid connected to the case. This scandal has shaken South African politics and sparked tough questions about crime, leadership, and justice.
Many South Africans are buying property overseas to protect their money and find better chances to grow it. Places like Dubai, Mauritius, and Namibia are popular because they offer stability, good tax rules, and nice lifestyles. Dubai shines with fast growth and big profits, Mauritius charms with calm beaches and easy residency, while Namibia feels familiar and peaceful. This trend shows how South Africans are looking beyond their borders for safer and brighter futures. Investing abroad is not just about money—it’s about new adventures and hope.
In 2024, South Africa’s passport ranks 48th in the world, letting its citizens visit 103 countries without a visa or with easy access. This shows the country is regaining its place on the global travel map, giving many South Africans new hope and pride. Though some countries like Ireland and Nigeria have tightened their visa rules, making travel harder for some, South Africans remain strong and determined to explore the world. The passport is more than just a travel tool—it tells a story of freedom, identity, and a bright future after a tough past.
In today’s world filled with screens, children need unstructured play more than ever to grow strong, creative, and happy. Toys R Us South Africa’s “The Superpower of Play” campaign invites families to put down devices and dive into fun, handson activities like building forts and racing toy blasters. This play helps kids learn problemsolving, teamwork, and emotional skills that screens just can’t give. By making play a daily priority, the campaign hopes to bring back the magic of childhood and help every child shine bright in a digital age.
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness,” changed music forever with his deep, powerful voice and wild stage shows as Black Sabbath’s frontman. Growing up in tough, gray Birmingham, he turned his struggles into dark, heavy sounds that spoke to a restless generation. Even after battles with addiction and chaos in his life, Ozzy rose again as a solo star, inspiring countless musicians and fans worldwide. His raw energy, bold style, and unforgettable spirit made him a rock icon whose influence will live on forever.
South Africa’s Parliament is fighting hard against gang violence by rebuilding the AntiGang Unit, making police more responsible, and bringing in social support to help communities heal. They are also working to fix pension problems for former civil servants who have waited too long for fair payments. Stories from places like Nelson Mandela Bay show how deeply violence hurts families, while pension struggles reveal old wounds from the past. Parliament is pushing for honest, clear actions that protect people’s safety and dignity. Together, they hope to build a safer, fairer country where everyone can live with peace and respect.
South Africa’s 2025 Revenue Laws Amendment Bill improves the country’s “twopot” retirement system by letting workers access a small part of their savings early during tough times, while keeping most funds safe for retirement. It clears up confusing tax rules and adds stronger oversight to protect longterm savings. This reform helps balance urgent needs with future security, giving people more flexibility without risking their financial future.
Parliament’s joint oversight visit to Free State’s troubled municipalities is a bold effort to fix deep problems like money mismanagement and poor services. Leaders from different government bodies have come together to ask tough questions and demand clear plans for change. Communities, tired of broken promises, watch closely, hoping this teamwork will bring back clean water, rubbish collection, and trust in local leaders. This visit marks a hopeful step toward better, fairer local government that truly listens to its people.
