Free State Targets Surgical Backlogs
The three-day Cataract Marathon, held over the weekend at Boitumelo Regional Hospital in Kroonstad, was a great success, with over 100 patients receiving treatment.
Screening was conducted last week Friday with cataract operations scheduled for Saturday and Su...
From Tokyo to the Braai: Faf De Klerk Keeps SA Spirit Alive Abroad
Springbok Star Shares Glimpse of Life in Japan as Fans Speculate on What’s Next
Springboks scrum-half Faf de Klerk has given South Africans a rare and personal look into his life off the field — and it’s struck a chord back home.
Currently playing club rugby in Japan for the Yokohama Canon Eagles, De Klerk shared a series of images on social media capturing everyday moments from his time in Tokyo. But it was one simple, familiar scene that stood out above the rest — a traditional South African braai.
Thousands of kilometres from home, the image resonated deeply with fans, sparking a wave of pride, nostalgia, and humour across social platforms. For many, it was a reminder that no matter where they are in the world, South Africans carry their culture with them.
The post also featured fellow Springbok Jesse Kriel, who is also part of the Canon Eagles setup, highlighting the strong South African presence within the Japanese club scene.
Known for his high-energy performances and leadership on the field, De Klerk has spent several years playing across top international leagues, building a global career while remaining one of South Africa’s most recognisable rugby figures.
But beyond the snapshots of life abroad, his future remains a growing point of interest.
With speculation mounting about a possible return home, fans are watching closely to see what the next chapter holds for the World Cup-winning scrum-half. Whether he stays abroad or brings his experience back to South African rugby, one thing is clear — De Klerk’s connection to home remains as strong as ever.
And sometimes, all it takes is a braai to prove it.
BOSA Pushes Fair Pay Reform as Workers’ Day Sparks Wage Debate
“Past Injustice Becomes Future Injustice” — Party Targets Salary History Practice
As South Africa marked Workers’ Day, Build One South Africa (BOSA) used the moment to call for sweeping changes in workplace fairness, placing the spotlight on wage transparency and the treatment of job seekers.
At the centre of its campaign is the proposed Fair Pay Bill, which seeks to abolish the long-standing practice of employers requesting salary history from prospective employees — a move the party says entrenches inequality.
BOSA argues that using previous pay as a benchmark perpetuates systemic underpayment, particularly for young professionals and historically disadvantaged groups.
“Past injustice becomes future injustice,” the party said, warning that outdated hiring practices continue to lock workers into cycles of unfair compensation.
Deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster said the release of the bill for public comment marks the beginning of a broader national conversation about what fairness in the workplace should look like.
“Every year, thousands of graduates and job seekers enter a labour market that too often operates against them,” Hlazo-Webster said, adding that Workers’ Day provides an opportunity to rethink how economic participation is defined in South Africa.
She framed the issue as more than just wages, but as a question of dignity and access.
“What does it look like to be a worker in South Africa? What does it mean to truly exercise the right to economic participation?” she asked.
The proposal appears to be gaining traction beyond political circles. Hlazo-Webster noted that the Fair Pay Bill has received unexpected support from parts of the business community — a development that could strengthen its chances of gaining broader backing.
In a bid to build momentum, BOSA has indicated it will formally engage leaders of all political parties in Parliament, urging cross-party support for the legislation.
As debates around inequality, unemployment, and labour rights continue to intensify, the Fair Pay Bill is positioning itself as a potential flashpoint — one that could reshape how South Africans are paid, hired, and valued in the workplace.
With the 2026 local government elections fast approaching, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is urging South Africans not to delay registering to vote — warning that time is running out.
The call comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the country will head to the polls on 4 November 2026, setting in motion a critical countdown for voters.
While the date has been announced, it has not yet been formally proclaimed. That responsibility now lies with Cooperative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, whose official gazetting of the election date will trigger a key deadline.
Once proclaimed, the voters’ roll will close — meaning no new registrations or updates to residential addresses will be accepted.
IEC spokesperson David Mandaha stressed that many South Africans may not fully understand the urgency of this window.
“The announcement does not constitute the formal proclamation of the election date,” Mandaha explained. “In terms of the law, once the Minister proclaims the date, the voters’ roll will be closed.”
This effectively leaves a narrowing gap for eligible voters — particularly first-time voters and those who have moved — to ensure they are properly registered and able to participate.
The IEC has also placed emphasis on encouraging young South Africans to take part in the democratic process, amid concerns about declining voter turnout and engagement.
As political parties ramp up campaigning ahead of November, the commission’s message is clear: participation starts with registration.
With the clock ticking and the legal cutoff approaching, the responsibility now shifts to citizens to secure their place on the voters’ roll — or risk being left out of one of the country’s most consequential electoral moments.
Siwelele FC delivered a clinical performance to defeat Kaizer Chiefs 2-0 at the Free State Stadium earlier this evening. The home side capitalised on early defensive errors to secure a vital victory that halted the visitors’ recent unbeaten run.
Tebogo Potsane, who was offloaded by Amakhosi in July 2025, opened the scoring just seven minutes into the first stanza after reacting fastest to a rebound from a saved effort by Chiefs shot stopper, Brandon Petersen.
The hosts maintained their intensity throughout the first half, frequently exploiting gaps in the Amakhosi defensive line and eventually extended their lead to two goals in the 26th minute when Ghampani Lungu orchestrated a swift counter-attack that caught the opposition off guard.
His precise pass allowed Sphesihle Jeza to strike firmly into the net, capping off a dominant opening period for the home team. Kaizer Chiefs struggled to find any meaningful rhythm despite tactical changes made at the halftime interval. Their attempts to bridge the deficit were thwarted by a resolute defensive effort and alert goalkeeping from Ricardo Goss.
The result leaves the Naturena-based club facing renewed pressure as they struggle for consistency in the final stretch of the season. Fans expressed significant frustration following the final whistle, highlighting the disconnect between the team’s performance and the standards expected by the club leadership.
“We knew that if we remained compact and hit them on the break, we would get our chances today,” Lehlohonolo Seema, Siwelele FC Coach, said in a post match interview. Kaizer Chiefs Co-Coach, Cedric Kaze, on the other hand, couldn’t hold back his disappointment.
“South Africans deserve better, and our performance today did not deliver the standard that is acceptable for this club,” he said. Meanwhile, the race for the premiership title at the top of the log intensified as Mamelodi Sundowns reclaimed the lead with a 1-0 victory over Polokwane City.
The match at the Seshego Stadium was a tightly contested affair that saw the Brazilians grind out a crucial result through MArcelo Allende 62nd minute scorcher. Sundowns controlled the tempo for long spells, though they found it difficult to break down a resilient Polokwane City defense. The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute when Marcelo Allende connected with a cross from Lebo Mothiba to score the deciding goal.
The visitors had a prime opportunity to double their lead shortly after when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Khulumani Ndamane. However, Polokwane City goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula denied Lebohang Mothiba and produced a vital save to keep his side within striking distance.
“Reclaiming the top spot was our primary objective today and I am proud of the players’ resilience,” Downs coach, Miguel Cardoso, stated. The solitary goal victory sealed Sundowns’ return to the summit of the Betway Premiership with Orlando Pirates sinking down to second spot with a two-point deficit.
Despite their disciplined defensive setup, City were unable to trouble the visitors’ goal with any significant regularity throughout the 90 minutes. The tactical discipline displayed by all sides tonight underscores the heightened stakes as the league approaches its conclusion.
Coaches have clearly shifted their focus toward securing points, often at the expense of attacking flair in these high-pressure encounters.
“We gave it our all, but one lapse in concentration against a team like Sundowns is all it takes to lose,” said City Coach, Phuti Mohofe, after the home loss. With only a handful of fixtures remaining, the momentum has shifted back to the defending champions Sundowns as they pursue their record-extending 9th league title in a row.
The chasing pack now also have to regroup quickly for the next round of matches to either keep their top eight aspirations alive or to avoid slumping into the relegation zone. Teams now face a short turnaround period to recover and prepare for another challenging round of fixtures this coming weekend.
In a decisive move to unlock new economic front iers, Northern Cape Premier Dr. Zamani Saul has taken the province’s investment drive onto the global stage, meeting Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Wu Peng in a high-level engagement aimed at attracting billions into one of the country’s most resource-rich regions.
The meeting, held this week, brought together key provincial leaders, including MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage, in a focused effort to strengthen ties between the Northern Cape and China—one of the world’s most influential economic powers.
The goal: position the province as a prime destination for large-scale investment, industrial expansion and long-term economic partnerships. Central to discussions was the province’s vision to transform its economy—shifting from raw mineral extraction to beneficiation, infrastructure development, renewable energy and advanced industrialisat ion.
With vast reserves of iron ore, manganese and zinc, alongside world-class solar and wind potential, the Northern Cape is uniquely positioned to become a hub for both traditional and green industries.
Saul’s approach signals a shift toward active economic diplomacy—taking the province directly to global investors rather than waiting for opportunities to emerge. This strategy is already underpinned by a robust investment pipeline exceeding R100 billion, including catalytic projects such as the Boegoebaai Port and the green hydrogen corridor, a mega-development valued at over R120 billion. These initiatives are more than plans on paper— they represent a coordinated push to unlock export capacity, stimulate local industries and create thousands of jobs, particularly for young people in a province seeking economic renewal.
Media Liaison Officer Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams said the engagement reflects a deliberate and forward-looking strategy. “This forms part of Premier Saul’s broader vision to position the Northern Cape as a globally competitive investment destination. We are actively building relationships that will translate into sustainable economic opportunities, job creation and long-term growth for our communities,” she said.
She added that the province is pursuing not just investment, but partnerships that will drive inclusive development and ensure benefits reach local communities. China, with its strong track record in large-scale infrastructure and mining investments, is seen as a strategic partner capable of accelerating the province’s ambitions at scale and speed.
The meeting also sets the stage for the next phase—technical engagements, feasibility studies and ultimately binding investment agreements— where groundwork for future economic breakthroughs is laid.
For Saul, the message is clear: the Northern Cape is no longer waiting on the sidelines. It is stepping forward, competing globally and actively pursuing the partnerships needed to reshape its economic trajectory. If these talks translate into tangible deals, this moment could mark more than a diplomatic engagement—it could be the spark that ignites the Northern Cape’s rise as one of South Africa’s next economic powerhouses
The promise of dignity through housing became a lived reality this week as Northern Cape Premier Dr. Zamani Saul led the final handovers of homes in Ganspan and Jacksonville, marking key milestones in the province’s R1 billion housing programme.
In Ganspan, Saul, alongside MEC for CoGHSTA Bentley Vass and Phokwane Mayor Willem Harmse, handed over 31 newly completed houses, bringing the Ganspan 71 Housing Project to full completion.
This follows the earlier delivery of 40 homes, ensuring all 71 qualifying families now have access to secure shelter. The project is a significant step toward reducing the province’s housing backlog, restoring dignity and stability to long-waiting residents.
Momentum continued in Jacksonville, under the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, where Saul joined MEC Task team deployed to probe Mahikeng double murder The acting North West police commissioner, Ryno Naidoo, has deployed a task team to investigate a double murder and business robbery in Mahikeng.
A businessman and his wife were killed on Friday. Police Spokesperson Kelebogile Morake says the woman died on the spot, while her husband died later in the hospital.
Morake says, “It is reported that the couple rushed from their main residence after being alerted that their son was being robbed at their business. Upon entering the business premises, located not far from the house, they encountered the suspects at the entrance.” She says, “According to one of the robbery vicernment’s R1 billion housing initiative, launched in 2024 to fast-track delivery and tackle long-standing housing challenges.
Vass and Executive Mayor Cllr Barbara Bartlett to hand over five houses in the final phase of the Jacksonville 139 Housing Project. In a major boost, 110 t itle deeds were also issued, giving beneficiaries not just homes, but legal ownership and long-term security.
Officials confirmed that the remaining 22 houses will be handed over in the coming days, bringing the project to completion. Both projects form part of the Northern Cape govBeyond the numbers, the impact is deeply personal.
For many families, this marks the first time they hold the keys—and the title—to a place they can truly call home. As rollout continues, government’s message is clear: delivery is no longer a promise, but a visible reality transforming lives—one home at a time.
