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Some travelers faced uncertainty at Cape Town International Airport as FlySafair's check-in counters and grounded planes reflected the ongoing pilot strike, with many flights canceled on July 21, 2025, amid wage disputes and demands for better working conditions.

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has been roped in to mediate the dispute between FlySafair and trade union Solidarity, in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act.

This comes as around 200 pilots represented by Solidarity embarked on a 14-day strike at FlySafair on Monday after wage negotiations deadlocked.

The pilots are demanding a 10.5% baseline increase alongside adjustments to flight pay and bonuses for the next financial year, and then 4.5% and 4% respectively for the two years thereafter. They rejected the proposed 5.7% salary increase by FlySafair.

Solidarity deputy general secretary of public sector, Helgard Cronjé, on Monday expressed cautious optimism following FlySafair's turnabout to engage in mediation at the insistence of the CCMA.

Cronjé said the negotiations could have begun earlier, potentially averting a strike that threatens to disrupt air travel for thousands of passengers as FlySafair had to cancel at least 26 flights on Monday.

Cronjé articulated doubts regarding FlySafair's urgency in addressing the ongoing crisis, adding that their request to negotiate was not being taken seriously.

“FlySafair underestimated how disruptive the lock-out will be. It is costing them too much and the passengers are paying the price,” Cronjé said.

“Still, FlySafair has indicated that they are willing to start the negotiation process only by Wednesday. As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table.”

Cronjé said Solidarity was hoping that FlySafair’s agreement to the mediation process will mark the beginning of real solutions that address the concerns of their pilots with genuine seriousness and that could pave the way for improved working relations in the future.

 The trade union last week accused FlySafair of failing to agree to pilots’ demands while most senior management members, CEO Elmar Conradie and CFO Pieter Richards, had allegedly earned more than R90 million by selling shares as the company is in a very favourable financial position.

Meanwhile, FlySafair had earlier defended the offer it made to its pilots, saying that it was already 1.5% above the rate of consumer inflation when factoring in additional benefits, and was a competitive rate in the market.

FlySafair said its pilots, particularly its captains, were among the highest-paid professionals in the country, earning between R1.8m and R2.3m a year, landing them in the top 1% of earners nationally.

The airline said while such raises as per Solidarity demands may appear justifiable to some, the total economic impact proposed would exceed a staggering 20% increase in overall compensation, and this was unsustainable.

In terms of workload, FlySafair said captains spent an average of 63 hours last month in the cockpit flying passengers, well within regulatory limits set by the Civil Aviation Authority, IATA, and ICAO, which cap flight duty at 100 hours per month.

Kirby Gordon, chief marketing officer at FlySafair, said the management team's offer was crafted with the intention of balancing fair compensation with the financial realities faced by the airline and its 1 700 employees.

“A second area of contention is the pilot roster system implemented by FlySafair at the start of the year. This system—standard across the global airline industry and in force in every other airline in South Africa—allows pilots to receive their full monthly rosters by the 20th of the preceding month, enabling personal planning and scheduling. It also includes a preferential leave bidding process and a structured marketplace to facilitate duty swaps within regulated flight and duty limits,” Gordon said.

“The system was designed to improve operational efficiency and provide pilots with maximum flexibility. Attempts by Solidarity to alter or limit this system would strip away its key benefits, undermining FlySafair’s ability to compete with other airlines and maintain cost-effective operations.”

Gordon said their goal remained to reach a reasonable resolution quickly and committed the airline to engaging with our pilots in good faith and finding a way forward that balances fairness for our people with our responsibility to customers and the sustainability of the business.

*This article was first published by IOL News

This comes as some industries face a possible 30% levy on goods shipped to the US at the start of August, with South Africa’s citrus growers expected to take a hammering.

The Citrus Growers Association is calling on government to speed up efforts to identify new markets, amid some anxiety of US President Donald Trump's looming import tariffs.

This comes as some industries face a possible 30% levy on goods shipped to the US at the start of August, with South Africa’s citrus growers expected to take a hammering.

The association said talks with government had already begun on alternative markets to avoid crippling businesses and massive job losses. 

CEO of the association, Boitshoko Ntshabele, said that while exact figures were not possible to predict, they fear that next season will be tough.

He said there needed to be stronger collaboration to keep the markets open.

“We want to appeal to government, especially the department of trade and industry we know that the president has employed all of us to find new markets but new markets will not come in the short term, they will come in the medium term but clearly when the new tariffs are implemented there is going to be immediate pain for our growers.”  

*This article was first published by Eye Witness News

Jayden-Lee’s naked body was discovered just a few metres away from the unit he and his mother shared in Swazi Complex.

The investigating officer assigned to slain 11-year-old Jayden-Lee Meek’s case has raised concerns about the child’s body being found shortly after his mother left their Fleurhof apartment.

Jayden-Lee’s naked body was discovered just a few metres away from the unit he and his mother shared in Swazi Complex.

This was a day after his mother, Tiffinay Nicole Meek, had reported him missing in May.

During her bail application, Meek insisted that she is being framed for her son’s murder.

In Monday’s proceedings, the investigating officer, Ncebo Diko, had revealed some of his findings that link Meek to her son’s death.

Meek was arrested two months after Jayden-Lee’s body was discovered by some residents in the Fleurhof apartment building.

The court heard that Meek had returned to her apartment alone in the early hours of the day and Jayden-Lee’s lifeless body was found by a staircase.

“Shortly afterwards, one of the residents went to the flat. The child was lying on the floor of the first floor just after the staircase, naked, only having underwear on. The security then rushed to the place that was mentioned to him.”

Diko is expected back on the stand on Tuesday for a cross examination.

*This article was first published by Eye Witness News

By Lerato Mutlanyane

Tributes are pouring in for one of the Free State’s most beloved DJs, Thokozile "DJ Zile" Mokgang, who passed away on Monday morning.
Known for her infectious beats, magnetic energy, and unforgettable deep house sets, DJ Zile was a respected figure in South Africa's music scene for over 15 years.

The exact circumstances surrounding her passing remain unclear. However, a haunting final message posted to her Facebook status has left fans heartbroken and searching for answers.

Just two weeks ago, Journal News highlighted DJ Zile’s powerful presence and her ability to move crowds with passion and precision. Her legacy spans countless performances, where she not only played music but told stories through sound.

Among the many heartfelt tributes, one came from longtime fan Asavela Mbatha, who wrote:
“You represented females in the DJ space with so much grace and integrity. Your aura could not be ignored, and you wore your heart on your sleeve for music. Thank you for the dope sounds.”

She was widely regarded as a driving force in the deep house community—a trailblazer who transformed every set into a memorable experience. DJ Zile didn’t just play music; she created moments that defined a culture.

“With her kind and charismatic personality, DJ Zile will truly be missed,” one fan posted. “Her sets taught us the meaning of culture within the deep house pool. Her legacy shall never fade.”

May her soul rest in peace. DJ Zile, thank you for the music.

By: Mpho Sekharume

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as the new Minister of Higher education after axing Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, the Presidency announced through a media statement this evening.

Manamela, who has been serving as the Deputy Minister in the same department since October 2017, takes full charge of the ministry with former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube coming in as his deputy.

This appointment follows Ramaphosa's decision to remove Nkabane from her Ministerial role amid accusations that she misled parliament about the appointments of chairpersons inthe Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) boards.

Nkabane also faced allegations of corruption and political interference and failed to appear before Parliament to account for the controversial appointments on previous occasions. 

The Department of Health is embarking on a massive campaign to encourage members of the public to donate body organs and tissues in a bid to save lives.

Department’s spokesperson, Forster Mohale, says there are more than 2,000 patients awaiting organ and tissue donors across the country.

He says members of society can donate organs while still alive or issue instructions to have their organs donated after they’ve passed away.

The department says there’s much reluctance in donating organs due to cultural and religious stereotypes.

“Definitely, there are over 2,500 people who are on the active waiting list to receive organ or tissue in South Africa. So, this is the only list that we know. So, we’ve realized that, because of lack of knowledge and cultural or religious barriers, which we believe that, as the Department of Health, working with our partner organizations like Organ Donor Foundation and other organizations, we can be able to change people’s perceptions around the issue of tissue and organ donation and save lives,” says Mohale.

*This article was first published by SABC News