Author: staff

Minister Gwede Mantashe. (Moeletsi Mabe/ Sunday Times/Gallo Images) Mineral Resources and Petroleum Minister Gwede Mantashe has hit back at criticism of his performance in the Cabinet, denying his new-streamlined portfolio — which now excludes energy — is a demotion. Mantashe reached out to News24 on Tuesday in response to its article, which suggests his streamlined portfolio is a demotion in light of poor past performance, while crediting new Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa for his success in addressing load shedding.”It is not a demotion. I love it as it is now,” Mantashe said, adding: South Africans need to be in…

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth fronted up to the media on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Ireland at Loftus Versfeld. (Steve Haag/Gallo Images) Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has drawn a line in the sand ahead of Saturday’s first Test against Ireland, sticking by what he said on Jim Hamilton’s Rugby Podcast earlier this year about how some Ireland players said to him about meeting in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final after their Paris pool stage game.Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 in Paris in what was comfortably the game of the pool stages on 24 September at the Stade…

Ace Magashule’s former personal assistant Moroadi Cholota. (Screengrab/City Press) In a bid to avoid her extradition to face corruption charges in South Africa, former Free State premier Ace Magashule’s ex-PA told the US authorities that she would not receive a fair trial here.Moroadi Cholota also held fast to her argument – which was rejected by the US courts – that the charges against her were politically motivated.Last month, Maryland District Court Magistrate Judge Erin Aslan ordered Cholota remain behind bars while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken decides whether to authorise her extradition. South Africans need to be in the…

Positively Me by Nozibele Mayaba. (Supplied) BOOK: Positively Me: Daring to Live and Love Beyond HIV by Nozibele Mayaba with Sue Nyathi (Jonathan Ball)Nozibele Mayaba was a good girl. Obedient, pliant and pious, she was the model Christian child who took pains to avoid her mother’s wrath with the same intense effort with which she sought her approval. Born to an impoverished single mother in Gqeberha, Mayaba grew up as a sad statistic. Still, she was determined to turn things around and become the now-proverbial Tintswalo (thanks to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address), a beneficiary of the government’s…

Former President Jacob Zuma decided to fire MK Party secretary-general Arthur Zwane after allegations of “mismanagement”. (Deaan Vivier/Netwerk24) Former president Jacob Zuma decided over the weekend to fire MK Party secretary-general Arthur Zwane after allegations of “mismanagement”.Zwane was appointed only two weeks ago as a replacement for Sihle Ngubane.His political prospects elsewhere are also dim as provincial ANC secretary Bheki Mtolo said the party won’t be speaking to Zwane about a potential return. South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25 years, and we’re…

Entertainers and cultural figures expressed mixed reactions to Gayton McKenzie’s appointment as Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture. (X/@GaytonMcK) SA entertainers, artists, and comedians have weighed in on PA leader Gayton McKenzie’s appointment as the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture. Some say the move is outright laughable, and others hope he will bring about change. South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25 years, and we’re about to enter a new chapter of fearless journalism. Join our free subscription trial to unlock this…

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dr Tshepo Motsepe are seen at the Presidential Inauguration at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. (Manash Jyoti Das/Gallo Images) South Africans have been happier since the announcement of the government of national unity (GNU) Cabinet, a happiness index has found.Well-being economist Professor Talita Greyling from the University of Johannesburg said happiness increased on Sunday, shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Cabinet – the latest of an upswing in sentiment following the national elections in May. The index has also found an increase in international trust. South Africans need to be in the know if we…

SA-born Peter Fouché is dead, the UK government confirmed on Monday, saying it was supporting his family. (Project Konstantin/Facebook) SA-born Peter Fouché is dead, the UK government confirmed on Monday, saying it was supporting his family.The charity he had helped create to support Ukraine’s military, Project Konstantin, first announced his death on Sunday, saying he had died in battle after being grievously injured, and his body had been taken to Kyiv.Fouché was known in the UK popular press as the “UK cabbie” who had volunteered to fight in Ukraine and was a prominent fundraiser – but shot to prominence in February…

Johannesburg residents have had to rely on water tankers amid the ongoing water maintenance by Rand Water. (Alfonso Nqunjana/News24) Rand Water has increased the pumping capacity of the Eikenhof pump station so as to aid water recovery in Johannesburg.The entity began maintenance on Eikenhof last Monday. The maintenance ended on Friday, with the pump station pumping at 83% capacity as planned. The station was meant to continue pumping at 83% capacity until 12 July, but on Sunday evening, Rand Water said it had increased capacity to 92% to aid recovery. South Africans need to be in the know if we want…

The City of eThekwini has spent more than R9 million on the hiring of toilets and showers, most of which do not work.The toilets and showers were supplied by a private company, Msaly Trading, for two shelters for homeless people set up during Covid.The contract was due to come to an end after the epidemic but was extended by the head of the Safer Cities programme, Martin Xaba, who said the department had been monitoring the work and was satisfied.The eThekwini municipality is paying a private company about R250 000 a month for a dozen overflowing toilets and useless showers…