A fancy eco hotel is rising near the OIC building, catching the tourism minister's eye. Minister Abdoulie Jobe inspected the Sama Hotel construction site in Bijilo. He called the project the country's first sustainable five-star hotel. The visit aimed to assess progress and engage with the investors behind the development.
Developer Ali Arezki outlined plans for a ten-floor luxury business hotel. Facilities will include a spa, multiple swimming pools, and eight exclusive villas. The design emphasizes renewable energy, using solar power for daytime operations. This system will cut grid reliance significantly after dark.
Project backers expect over a hundred new jobs from the hotel. Tourism board director Ida Jeng Njie welcomed the...
A reparations body has started paying victims of the former regime's abuses. The Gambian commission is issuing funds to those who suffered human rights violations under Yahya Jammeh. Chairman Dr. Badara Loum leads the effort alongside vice chair Isatou Ndow. Their statement called this disbursement a significant milestone for justice and dignity.
Payments are rolling out in phases, sorted by the year each violation occurred. The process began with individuals harmed in 1994. The commission is contacting eligible victims and groups to verify their information. They urge unregistered individuals to complete their profiles promptly.
Required documentation includes a valid ID and banking details. Supporting papers from the earlier truth...
A regional maritime group is hosting a major workshop on buying navigational gear. The Gambia Maritime Administration launched a training program with an international lighthouse authority. Professionals from several West African coastal nations are attending the sessions focused on procurement systems. Effective purchasing is vital for safe shipping routes and port operations.
GMA Director General Olimatou Danso Malang labeled the training timely for regional trade. The sessions aim to help countries meet international maritime safety conventions. Proper procurement reduces navigational risks and can lower insurance costs for shipping. A government transport official emphasized that navigation aids form the backbone of maritime...
An alumni group is rallying to fix their old school's crumbling access road. The Bottrop Ex Students Association held a major meeting led by President Lamin Darboe. Their central goal is to rehabilitate the vital road used by students, buses, and local residents. Darboe called the project a critical priority for both the school and the surrounding community.
The association launched fundraising through lunch sales and branded merchandise. Proceeds from T-shirts and coffee mugs are dedicated to the roadwork. Members also conducted mentorship sessions for current students during the gathering. These sessions promoted academic excellence and practical skill development.
Past initiatives from the group include campus cleanups and tree...
Gambian drug agents just rolled up a major network in nationwide raids. The Drug Law Enforcement Agency arrested numerous individuals and seized large hauls of narcotics. A significant bust involved a Kanilai resident caught with one hundred fifty bundles of suspected cannabis. The drugs were hidden inside flour bags on the outskirts of Sibanor.
Multiple other arrests occurred across various communities. Suspects included both Gambian and foreign nationals. Seized substances ranged from cannabis and skunk to kush and ecstasy pills. Officers discovered crack cocaine in at least one operation. Concealment methods included medical bags, plastic wrapping, and cement paper.
Those apprehended come from towns like Bakoteh, Brufut, Brikama...
A coastal tourist town is nearly out of water with days of supply left. Knysna in the Western Cape faces an acute crisis as its main dam plunges to fifteen percent capacity. Officials warn residents have about ten days of drinking water without rain or drastic conservation. The broader Garden Route region contends with a severe drought, compounding the emergency.
The Akkerkloof Dam's critically low level triggered municipal action. Level four water restrictions now ban garden irrigation, car washing, and pool filling. Provincial dam storage sits at fifty-eight percent, a significant drop from last year. Authorities consider declaring a national disaster to access emergency funding and resources.
Multiple factors created this shortage...
KZN just snatched the matric crown from its rival province. The coastal region posted a 90.6 percent pass rate, beating the previous leader. Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli quickly praised the collective effort behind the score. This performance helped push the national average to a record high. Over nine hundred thousand students took the final exams this cycle.
The provincial education chief credited teachers, unions, and parents for the jump. He called it a win for unified governance and disciplined leadership. The opposition IFP party also celebrated the student achievement. This outcome flipped the rankings from the prior assessment period.
The Free State province followed closely in second place. Gauteng, North West, and the Western...
The government is scrambling to fix a broken school transport system as kids head back to class. Transport chief Barbara Creecy is pushing safety checks on buses and minibuses after alarming inspection failures. Her department found dozens of vehicles with critical faults like bald tires and faulty brakes. These crackdowns follow tragic accidents involving student riders in previous years.
Officials report shocking failure rates during recent inspections. In one province alone, over sixty vehicles failed safety tests. Problems included missing seatbelts, poor suspension, and defective brakes. Unroadworthy vehicles face immediate impoundment, with drivers risking arrest for lacking proper permits. Ministers are urging a zero-tolerance...
A kwaito legend is now suing his ex-girlfriend for over a million rand. Arthur Mafokate filed a defamation case against singer Busisiwe Thwala, known as Cici, in the Johannesburg High Court. He claims her social media posts caused him harassment and lost income. These posts revisited past assault allegations from their relationship. Mafokate seeks R1.5 million for reputational harm and emotional distress.
Their history involves a prior criminal assault case. Cici accused Mafokate of dragging her behind a car, causing serious injury. He was found not guilty after a trial. The recent lawsuit focuses on her online statements, which included medical images. Mafokate argues these claims are false and malicious since his acquittal.
His...
