AlgoAtwork’s RoboRumble STEM Innovation Challenge has sparked a wave of innovation, showcasing the ingenuity of South Africa’s brightest young minds.
Among the standout projects were an autonomous robot capable of detecting toxic gases and human presence in mines, a smart personal protective equipment (PPE) system that monitors workers’ health vitals and safety compliance, and an automated agricultural system designed to optimise irrigation and conserve water.
The student-centred competition ran over four months and aimed to foster technical excellence while bridging South Africa’s digital divide. It equipped underserved youth with hands-on experience in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, and automation.
Livingstone Mphahlele, CEO of AlgoAtwork, said he was impressed by the exceptional quality of the entries.
“What makes this challenge even more inspiring is the fact that many of the brightest ideas come from young people in rural communities that are largely underserved,” said Mphahlele.
The RoboRumble was sponsored by the University of Limpopo’s UL Digital Hub, Engen, and Sekhukhune TVET College. It attracted more than 450 young innovators from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Limpopo, with just 37 reaching the grand finale.
Participants were tasked with conceptualising, designing and developing technological solutions to real-world challenges in the manufacturing, energy, and mining sectors.
“These innovators are proving that talent is not defined by geography,” said Mphahlele. “With continued support, they will become leaders driving inclusive growth, job creation and industrial transformation across the continent.”
In addition to prize money, top solutions will be incubated through the Algorhythm Living Lab R&D Incubation programme, powered by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
*This article was first published by IOL News
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has recalled over 300 VW Amarok vehicles.
This comes after the NCC was notified by Volkswagen of South Africa of a recall of 374 vehicles made available from January 10 to June 12, 2025.
The NCC spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba, said the vehicles were recalled after a safety risk was identified.
“VW has informed the NCC that these vehicles are being recalled due to the possible loss of braking assistance that may be caused by the electromechanical brake servo control unit. “According to VW, the braking system remains functional but requires additional effort when applying the brakes. If the issue manifests whilst the vehicle is in motion, the vehicle will require increased braking distance,” Ntaba said.
Consumers with the affected vehicles have been urged to take their vehicles to any VW or Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles approved dealership for assessment at no cost to the consumer.
“The NCC reminds consumers that product recalls are vital to ensure the safety of products in the marketplace, and prompt action is essential. The NCC is monitoring this recall in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act,” Ntaba said.
Last week, Mercedes-Benz South Africa Limited recalled 102 of its vehicles.
Ntaba said the recall affected four EQE-295 models and 98 GLC-254 models, which were available from 2022 to 2025 and distributed across the country.
Days earlier, the Jeep Wrangler and Chrysler 300C was recalled.
This comes after the NCC was notified about faults from Stellantis South Africa (Pty) Ltd.
Ntaba said the supplier has recalled the vehicles due to defective Takata airbags.
*This article was first published by IOL News
By: Abigail Visagie
Learners from across the Motheo and Mangaung Metro districts gathered at Heide Primary School in Heidedal, Bloemfontein, to celebrate World Milk Day, an event highlighting the role of milk in fighting malnutrition and promoting accessibility for children in disadvantaged communities.
The event saw Grade 4 to 6 pupils showcase creative art and fashion made from recycled milk cartons, depicting South African landscapes, law enforcement uniforms, and cultural designs.
Motheo District Director, December Moloi, said the decision to involve primary schools was deliberate, as nutrition education at an early stage is crucial for healthy brain development.
“A balanced meal that includes milk keeps our learners physically fit, mentally sharp, and healthy. Milk is a staple food that supports this,” he said.
Moloi emphasised that the National School Nutrition Programme prioritises milk in daily meals, adding that if budgets are constrained, schools should cut back on luxury foods rather than exclude milk. He praised Heide Primary principal, John Page, for his commitment to feeding underprivileged children with nutritious meals.
Dietician Phozia Jansen, from the South African Processing Organisation, said such initiatives are vital for teaching children proper nutrition from an early age.
“Dairy is an essential part of a healthy diet. It is important that children learn its value, where it comes from, and how to incorporate it into their daily meals,” she said.
Jansen applauded schools for integrating nutrition into their curricula, saying this approach strengthens healthy eating habits in disadvantaged communities and challenges the misconception that starch is the only staple food.
By: Abigail Visagie
A recent court ruling allowing married couples to decide freely on adopting either spouse’s surname has been labelled “uncultural” (sic) by critics, who argue that it undermines long-standing African traditions around marriage and family identity, while others oppose it on religious grounds.
The ruling came as a result of a lawsuit against the Department of Home Affairs by Henry van der Merwe, who was denied the legal right to take the surname of his wife, Jana Jordaan, and Andreas Nicolas Bornman, who could not hyphenate his surname to include the surname of his wife, Jess Donnelly-Bornman.
The parties asked the judges to confirm an order of constitutional invalidity granted, which was ratified by the High Court in Bloemfontein.
The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) condemned the ruling as “uncultural,” further calling it a continuation of colonial influence.
Speaking exclusively to Journal News, Contralesa secretary-general, Zolani Mkiva, said the Constitutional Court’s ruling would destroy not only lineages but also traditions that form the core of South African identity.
“I strongly believe that judges should not interpret equality simplistically, because this narrative will cause more damage than colonialism itself.”
Mkiva described the ruling as devastating and symbolic of the ‘continuation of colonialism’.
While some view the decision as a step towards dismantling patriarchal traditions and advancing gender equality, Mkiva insisted that communal structure, identity, and lineage are defined through current cultural practices.
“When two people get married, it is a union of families; therefore, the ruling by the Constitutional Court shows pure ignorance of the depth of our cultures,” he argued.
Mkiva further urged the judiciary to consult heritage experts in cases touching on cultural identity.
“African heritage experts need to educate judges on the depth of African culture and offer more insight and clarity. If that happens, such rulings will not see the light of day,” he concluded.
Journal News also spoke to community members who also rendered their views on the controversial ruling.
Avuile Mthombeni echoed Mkiva’s sentiments, adding that the decision undermines the dignity of men, particularly those who traditionally pay dowry – commonly known as lobola.
“I would never do that to myself. This law is designed for foreigners who want to get green cards through marriage, where the woman doesn’t have to take her husband’s surname. That makes sense.
“But I don’t think any South African man with logic and common sense would accept this,” Mthombeni added.
He added that he had seen, on social media and reality shows, cases where women who took foreign husbands’ surnames suffered difficulties later.
Nathan van Wyk opposed the ruling on religious grounds, saying it contradicts biblical teaching on family authority.
“I am against the Constitutional Court’s decision to let a man legally adopt his wife’s surname because God made Adam first and gave him authority to rule his household. A man’s surname must be carried forward, as the Bible says a son is an inheritance from the Lord (Psalms 127:3-5). Authority was given to Adam, not Eve,” van Wyk explained.
Saskia Bruintjies, however, expressed her commitment to tradition, saying she prefers to use her husband’s surname.
“I am a firm believer in lineage and traditions. Taking my husband’s surname feels like there is a blessing in the union,” she said, half-joking that if her husband were wealthier, she would “definitely” take his surname.
In contrast, Thabo Khetele said he would have no issue taking his wife’s surname.
“The same way I’d wear your gown or slippers, I’d share the same sentiment with a surname - as long as there is mutual love and respect,” Khetele remarked.
By: Boipelo Mere
The Northern Cape government has invested R37.8 million into tourism programmes aimed at job creation, product development, as well as sustainable practices that will prospectively form part of efforts to position the sector as an economic growth catapult.
MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Venus Blennies-Magage, launched Tourism Month at Witsand Game Reserve on Tuesday under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” The Provincial Tourism Day Celebration will follow on 26 September in Kuruman.
Blennies-Magage said the province is shifting from traditional tourism promotion to an experience-driven approach, showcasing its cultural heritage, natural attractions, and adventure opportunities.
She also acknowledged challenges such as poor road access and declining domestic arrivals, but expressed confidence in the sector’s growth potential.
The province has supported 16 small tourism enterprises through the investment, including four youth-owned businesses. The funding also enabled five enterprises to exhibit at the Africa Travel Indaba in Durban, established seven Astro-tourism ventures, incubated seven tour operators with Sol Plaatje University, and enhanced nine tourism experiences.
Blennies-Magage called for greater investment in smaller provinces, saying tourism can rebalance national growth and drive job creation.
“Tourism is transformation in action. When done right, it creates dignity, inclusion and sustainability,” she said.
The Northern Cape will host a series of tourism and cultural events this month to promote the sector, which the MEC described as a catalyst for regional development and a meaningful contributor to the national economy.
By: Abigail Visagie
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State has stamped its authority against defiant mayors it sought to recall from office.
Journal News can reveal that the seven mayors who were ordered to step down from office have now been served with immediate suspension letters of their party membership by the Provincial Working Committee (PEC). This follows their refusal to obey the provincial leadership’s instruction to resign.
According to the letter – seen by this publication and signed by Provincial Secretary Polediso Motsoeneng on 16 September 2025 – the mayors will “attend the Council Caucus and council sittings” as directed by Motsoeneng or the regional secretaries until the disciplinary process is concluded.
Last month, the ANC provincial leadership announced the removal of seven troikas - comprising mayors, speakers and chief whips - from the Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala and Masilonyana local municipalities, as well as the Lejweleputswa District Municipality. The decision was justified on grounds of poor performance and failure to deliver services.
The affected officials, however, have since written to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula appealing for intervention. This prompted Mbalula to summon the provincial executive committee (PEC) to the party’s headquarters, Luthuli House.
According to a memo from Mbalula – also seen by this publication - the PEC meeting will deliberate on the “redeployment” of the mayors, scheduled for today (19 September 2025) at 13:00.
A source within the PEC, however, revealed that only three of the seven mayors have received suspension letters so far.
“Only three mayors have received their letters, while others are still waiting. The process was halted by Mbalula’s call for a meeting, which could see it reversed,” the source said.
When contacted by Journal News on Thursday, Mafube mayor, Tlhoare Motsoeneng, declined to confirm or deny whether his ANC membership had been suspended.
“The rules of the ANC stipulate that, once the matter has been finalised, the province will release a statement on whether the mayors’ memberships have been suspended. I therefore cannot confirm or deny my suspension,” he said.
Similarly, Letsemeng mayor Bonolo Mocwaledi would not confirm if she had received a suspension letter - but instead referred this publication to the ANC’s provincial office.
Provincial spokesperson, Thabo Meeko, explained that the process of managing communication with deployees from the seven municipalities was still underway, adding that the ANC “has its own processes to manage redeployment.”
“The ANC cannot be inhumane towards its own members, so the decision to redeploy the mayors takes into account the constitutional requirements of the organisation.”
Meeko stressed that the seven mayors should not be treated as though they had committed individual offences, noting that the ANC views their failures as a collective, with the respective mayors serving as ‘commanders-in-chief’. He also emphasised that the process is about reconfiguration, not suspension.
“We don’t act arrogantly. We are a disciplined organisation, and once a decision is taken, its implementation requires that the ANC convene before reconfiguration.”
Meeko, however, confirmed that some members were resisting the decision and cautioned them against openly defying the party.
“That is why we are considering invoking clauses dealing with ill-discipline, particularly after members leaked internal letters into the public domain, knowing the ANC does not discuss such matters publicly.
“When people say they will not be removed, we remind them that they were deployed by the ANC. We urge members of the media to wait for us until the process is concluded,” Meeko added.
