Joburg pols want a glorified funeral package for pocket change. A new proposal would let city councillors pay R11.82 monthly for a lavish send-off. The plan covers a burial spot at Heroes' Acre, a police band, and a guard of honor.
The scheme is designed as a group policy, not direct public funding. This avoids past scandals where taxpayer money financed officials' funerals. Each councillor's paycheck would have the small fee deducted.
It includes catering and choir services for the ceremony. The idea aims to honor elected officials without straining municipal coffers. Critics call it a tone-deaf perk while basic services struggle.
The policy still needs a full council vote for approval. It highlights ongoing debates about benefits...
Ramaphosa stuffed a climate panel with 25 new commissioners. The appointments for the 2026-2030 term aim to implement the Climate Change Act. The group is meant to guide South Africa's shift to a low-carbon economy.
The commission provides independent advice and fosters dialogue on climate policy. Its core mission involves managing a just transition away from coal. This includes protecting jobs and supporting communities dependent on fossil fuels.
The new lineup draws from business, labor, civil society, and local government. It features Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya and Sasol executive Dr. Sarushen Pillay. Other members include traditional leaders, youth advocates, and finance experts.
A key focus will be on translating the national...
A principal just beat the government in court for closing his school during COVID. Wesley Neumann, formerly of Heathfield High School in Cape Town, has been ordered reinstated with full back pay. The Labour Court ruled his 2022 dismissal was wrong.
He was fired for refusing to reopen in 2020, defying the Western Cape Education Department's order. Neumann argued that student and staff safety during the pandemic was his priority. The court ultimately agreed with his position.
The ruling orders his return to the school and mandates compensation for lost wages since his firing. This is a major financial hit for the department. Neumann expressed relief and readiness to return to work.
Political parties and unions are celebrating the...
The rand is weirdly thriving while the country barely functions. It hit a three-year high around R16.38 per dollar this year, continuing a shock 2025 rally. This strength persists despite trash local business activity data and ongoing economic gridlock.
Analysts say the currency is being driven by global factors, not domestic wins. High gold prices and a weak US dollar are doing the heavy lifting. Investors are also using the rand for lucrative carry trades, borrowing cheap dollars to earn higher South African yields.
Local bond markets reflect this strange optimism. Government bond yields have plunged to decade lows. The cost to insure against a national default also dropped to levels not seen in over a decade. This financial...
Saudi Arabia just bombed its own allies in Yemen. Their airstrikes hammered positions held by the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. Attacks focused on southern provinces like Hadramout and al-Mahra, hitting military camps. The strikes killed multiple people, including at least seven in one reported hit, with more casualties likely.
This violence exposes a shattered coalition. Saudi Arabia and the UAE were once partners against Houthi rebels. Their split stems from competing goals, with the UAE building up southern separatists seeking independence. Saudi Arabia wants a united Yemen under its influence.
Tensions exploded after the STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, fled before planned talks. Saudi forces then targeted his group's...
Inter Miami is absolutely hoovering up talent this preseason. Their roster moves look like a serious push for another trophy haul. They snagged Canadian goalie Dayne St. Clair, last year's top keeper, on a free transfer. Veteran striker Luis Suarez also decided to stick around for another run.
The defensive line got attention, too. They brought in right back Facundo Mura and are finalizing a loan for Brazilian defender Micael. Winger Tadeo Allende's loan is becoming a permanent deal. Earlier, they added experienced left back Sergio Reguilon to the mix.
This shopping spree sets them up for a brutal schedule across multiple competitions. The strategy clearly blends big names with solid role players. Coach Javier Mascherano has a deep...
MK Party screams elite protection racket over new prosecutor pick. They are raging about President Ramaphosa selecting Andy Mothibi as the National Director of Public Prosecutions. The party calls it a blatant move to control the justice system.
They specifically demand the arrest of the president's nephew, Hangwani Maumela. He is implicated in the massive Tembisa Hospital scandal. Billions in public funds were allegedly looted through fake tenders.
The MK party believes Mothibi's job is to bury such cases for the connected. They outright reject his appointment, claiming it destroys the prosecution service's independence. They see it as turning the institution into a political weapon.
Mothibi, who is 63, currently leads the Special...
Lightning kills two at a crowded cultural festival. A sudden strike hit the Mphebatho Troop Festival in Mathibestad, North West province. The bolt killed two people immediately and injured over one hundred fifty others. Nearly fifty victims required hospital treatment for burns and other injuries.
The festival features traditional dance performances and draws local crowds. A severe storm arrived during the event with little warning. Health services and local municipality teams provided emergency response on-site. They transported the seriously injured to nearby medical facilities.
Funeral arrangements for the deceased are now underway. The community is rallying to support the grieving families with logistical and emotional help. Local...
Regulators want you to pay for their massive math error. South Africans could get slapped with a seventy-six billion rand bill because the energy regulator messed up Eskom's price calculations. A court tossed out a secret settlement deal, forcing this new public consultation. Citizens have until late January to submit comments on the proposal.
The whole mess started with incorrect depreciation values and asset costs. Nersa admitted to mistakes but tried to settle privately. A High Court judge ruled that the backroom deal was unfair and lacked transparency. The corrected figures show a much larger financial shortfall than initially thought.
This would directly impact electricity tariffs starting next April. Households and businesses...
