Eleven people have died in an accident at a platinum mine in South Africa, as reported by the mining company Implats.
The crash happened on Monday afternoon at Impala Rustenburg in the North West province.
The company’s spokesperson, Johan Theron, told our reporters that 86 people were part of the incident and 11 of them died.
Some others are really hurt and have been hospitalized.
The mine rescue is finished and they are looking into what happened.
He said that a rope connected to a lift was involved in the incident, which is used to raise and lower people in the mine shaft.
He said the elevator suddenly started going down.
Tag: South Africa
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11 mining worker perish in an accident in South Africa
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South Africa’s investigation assert that chatbot wrote Ramaphosa’s speech
The South African administration is exploring whether parts of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s discourse final week were composed utilizing the fake insights (AI) chatbot ChatGPT, neighborhood media report.
It takes after claims online that a segment of the discourse conveyed final week at an instruction gathering by the president did not come from the president or his speechwriters.
The president’s representative, Vincent Magwenya, denied this, saying they don’t utilize AI apparatuses for substance such as addresses.
He said that parts of the discourse were composed by the office of instruction for the president’s office, including that they were taking after up with respect to the source of the substance.
“The utilize of AI to create talks or any other fabric is unsatisfactory, and activity will be taken ought to these reports demonstrate to be correct,” Mr Magwenya was cited by The South African news outlet as saying. -
Malema and other MPs suspended by South Africa parliament for a month
South African opposition leader Julius Malema and five other lawmakers from his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party were suspended by Parliament for a month without pay on Wednesday.
The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Committee found them guilty of contempt of Parliament for storming the stage during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation address in February.
The speaker then suspended the proceedings while security forces took Mr Malema and other MPs out of the room.
The committee added that “each member must also personally apologize to the Speaker, the Speaker and the people of South Africa” for interrupting the president’s speech and “putting the country in a bad light. ”
” The suspension of the six MPs will last until February next year, meaning Mr Malema and the remaining five MPs will not be able to attend the president’s next State of the Union address, scheduled for February.
This there On Monday, EFF MPs refused to participate in the hearings against them after the committee rejected their request for an adjournment.
Mr Malema also objected to the appointment of lawyer Anton Katz as the initiator of the hearing. “I will not be persecuted by white people,” Mr. Malema said
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Israel removes its ambassador from South Africa
Israel called back its ambassador in South Africa to have a discussion.
On Monday, the ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat said that the decision was made because of recent statements from South Africa about Israel. He didn’t give details.
South Africa does not like what Israel is doing in Gaza with their military.
On Tuesday, the members of parliament voted to suggest closing the Israeli embassy until there is a stop to the fighting and a promise to talk things out.
248 people in parliament voted yes and 91 voted no.
All politicians from the ruling African National Congress agreed with it, but we don’t know if the government will do what was suggested.
Even though the person in charge didn’t like it, some members of parliament shouted “free, free Palestine” after the decision was made.
Israel started a big war in Gaza because hundreds of Hamas fighters attacked them. At least 1,200 people were killed and over 200 were taken captive.
US President Joe Biden said that a deal where Hamas would release some hostages is almost done.
The health ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, says that at least 13,000 people have died in the area since Israel started its campaign in response.
Israel is saying that they are protecting themselves and want to stop Hamas and prevent another attack like the one last month.
The Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotserkovsky was called back to Israel just before South Africa started hosting a virtual meeting of the Brics group of countries, including China and Russia, to talk about the Israel-Hamas war.
At the end, the Brics leaders asked for a quick and lasting break from fighting in Gaza to help people in need.
China’s leader, President Xi Jinping, also asked for the freedom of people who are not soldiers and are being held captive.
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, said it was wrong to punish all Palestinian people for the actions of a few.
Vladimir Putin said the US is stopping other countries from making peace in the Middle East.
South Africa asked the International Criminal Court to arrest Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, by the middle of December.
Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said if this didn’t happen, it would show that global leadership has failed.
South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti have asked the ICC to look into if war crimes and crimes against humanity happened in Gaza.
The UN Security Council wants to have short breaks in fighting so that UN workers can go into the area that is blocked off.
South Africa brought its diplomats back from Israel earlier this month. For five years, there has not been a South African ambassador in Israel. -
MPs in South Africa vote to sever ties with Israel
South African lawmakers voted to shut down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and stop all diplomatic ties.
The African National Congress, which controls parliament, has always disapproved of Israel and it backed the decision in parliament.
The plan asked for the embassy to be shut down and for ties to be stopped until Israel agrees to stop fighting and starts serious talks.
248 people said yes, while 91 people said no. As it happened, some people shouted “free, free Palestine”.
Before the vote in South Africa, Israel asked its ambassador to come back home for discussions. They said they did this because of the recent statements made by South Africa.
President Cyril Ramaphosa sent Israel to the International Criminal Court for possibly committing war crimes. He also called back South Africa’s diplomats from Israel.
He led an online meeting of the Brics countries on Tuesday to talk about what’s happening in Gaza.
He said that Israel was killing a lot of people in Gaza and punishing all the Palestinian people.
Israel is saying it’s protecting itself and trying to get rid of Hamas in Gaza. -
How Collins Dauda travelled to South Africa without a passport
A High Court in Accra has expressed concern about the absence of former Minister for Works and Housing, Collins Dauda, who is on trial for causing financial loss to the state, and how he was able to travel to South Africa without his passport.
The court had ordered Mr Dauda to deposit his passport with the court’s registrar as part of his bail conditions. Dauda’s counsel explained that the MP received an emergency invitation for a pan-African conference in South Africa, and the absence was not deliberate.
The court questioned how he could travel without his passport and was informed that an application for its release had been filed.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, expressed surprise and concern about how the accused, Collins Dauda, was able to travel to South Africa without his passport, considering it was supposed to be deposited with the court’s registry as part of his bail conditions.
Mr Dauda’s counsel explained that an application for the release of the passport had been filed, but travel arrangements were made before the hearing of the application. The court had ordered Dauda to deposit his passport and inform the court when he needed it, and the prosecution questioned the circumstances of his travel without notifying the court.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, expressed displeasure at the accused, Collins Dauda, traveling to South Africa without notifying the court, given that he was required to deposit his passport as part of his bail conditions.
The defense counsel explained that the travel notice came abruptly, and an application for the release of the passport had been filed but needed to be processed before Dauda’s departure.
The prosecution raised concerns about Dauda’s ability to travel without his passport and questioned the circumstances. Despite objections by the defense, the prosecution began its case by calling its first witness, Rev. Stephen Yaw Osei, acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Works and Housing.
The case was adjourned for the witness to read his statement.
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South Africa requests ICC issue warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest
The government of South Africa wants the International Crime Court (ICC) to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by mid-December.
Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said that if the ICC didn’t do this, it would show that global governance has completely failed.
She said that the world cannot just watch and do nothing.
Israel says it is protecting itself after the 7 October attack by Hamas, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 200 people being held captive.
It says they are trying to reduce harm to the people who are not in the military, but Ms Ntshavheni said the Israeli government was trying to move most of the people out of Gaza and take control of it.
South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti asked the ICC to look into if war crimes and crimes against humanity happened in Gaza.
South Africa has always been a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause. -
Gaza-Israel conflict shouldn’t split us apart in South Africa – Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that South Africans should not let the Israel-Gaza conflict cause more disagreements.
Last week, there was a protest in Cape Town where people supporting Israel and Palestine argued with each other.
The president talked about the incident in his weekly letter and said it was concerning and not okay.
President Ramaphosa and the ANC support the Palestinians.
He said “It’s not the same thing to support the Palestinian cause as it is to be against Jewish people”.
Mr Ramaphosa criticized an Israeli newspaper for saying that his government’s support for the Palestinians could lead to violence against the South African Jewish community.
The letter asked South Africans to stay united as this conflict continues.
Last week, South Africa told the International Criminal Court (ICC) about what Israel’s government did during the fighting in Gaza. -
South African queen honours Ox Nche standout for Springboks
South Africa‘s famous rugby player Retshegofaditswe Nche, also called “Ox,” has been given a special award from a traditional community.
Queen Kgosi Gaboilelwe Moroka wa Barolong gave Nche a special award at a ceremony when he came home, after his team won the fourth World Cup for South Africa.
Supporters believe that Nche played a big role in helping the Springboks win, especially in the semi-final game.
Queen Moroka called him “Honour of the Nation” because he has done great things for the country and its people.
Nche was the first person to win the award.
The people of Nche’s hometown were really happy and eager to see him as he visited the town. They cheered and welcomed him because he is a rugby hero.
Queen Moroka expressed her hope that the honor would inspire people to look up to Nche, who grew up in a small village but became a world champion.
“I feel very proud and I hope this inspires others to believe that anything is possible,” Nche told the national broadcaster SABC. -
Google Maps, Waze adjust routes to bypass Cape Town’s Nyanga township amid safety concerns
In response to rising security concerns, Google’s navigation apps, Waze and Google Maps, will no longer guide road users through Cape Town’s Nyanga township and its surrounding areas. Alistair Mokoena, the company’s South Africa head, made this announcement on Monday.
The decision comes after an American tourist was robbed and shot in the face in Nyanga last week when a navigation app directed him to drive through the township, considering it the most direct route from Cape Town International Airport to the city.
This incident follows the tragic death of 40-year-old British surgeon Kar Hao Teoh, who was shot during a protest by taxi operators in the same township in September.
Reports from local media indicate that several other individuals, primarily tourists, have been attacked or killed while driving through the township, with some following navigation app recommendations.
After Mr Teoh’s killing, the British government warned citizens visiting South Africa to “be careful when following GPS navigation” and “avoid taking alternative routes away from main roads as this can often take you into less secure areas”.
It added that “most violent crimes occur in townships on the outskirts of major cities or in isolated areas”.
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Diplomats from South Africa to leave Israel
South Africa will bring back all its diplomats from Tel Aviv after Israel launched heavy air strikes on Gaza on Sunday night.
The attack was one of the largest by Israel since the war started a month ago.
According to Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, around 200 people died.
South Africa’s government, which has always strongly supported Palestinians, strongly criticized Israel on Monday.
The government said it might ask to remove the Israeli Ambassador, Eliav Belotsercovsky, because he made insulting comments about South Africa.
The text means that Ambassador Belotsercovsky’s presence in South Africa is not acceptable. The statement also says that they will use diplomatic methods to handle his behavior in the country.
The Foreign Minister, Naledi Pandor, stated that the government thinks Israel’s response is now about punishing everyone and not just individuals.
Israel says it is trying to reduce the number of civilians who get hurt and claims that Hamas is using innocent people as protection.
Many South Africans have been upset and angry about Israel’s attacks on Gaza lately, and they showed their feelings by protesting.
Earlier this year, the South African embassy in Israel was changed to a smaller office called a liaison office. -
Robbers demanded US$160K ransom for abducted SA Church of Pentecost deacon – Sources
Armed robbers, during their raid on a Church of Pentecost branch in South Africa, took a church member hostage and subsequently demanded a ransom for their release.
According to a source within the church, as reported by Joy News based in Accra, the robbers requested a sum of US$160,000 to free the deacon.
However, the source also mentioned that no payment was made before the deacon’s release.
It’s possible that the widespread attention drawn to their criminal act may have prompted the robbers to abandon their initial ransom demand.
“They had demanded that the money be paid in four days or the church would have itself to blame. Thank God the footage of the incident went viral. It is certain that is what broke their resolve and scampered with their plans.
“The church did not pay anything. Eventually, the abductors set the deacon (name withheld) free in an outlandish location.
“A good Samaritan discovered him where they abandoned him by the roadside,” the source is quoted to have said.
“The good Samaritan took him to the nearest police station, from where the Ghana High Commission and church leaders were alerted of his discovery,” they added.
The incident occurred a week ago in Johannesburg, and the release of the hostage was officially confirmed on November 1 by Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa, Charles Owiredu.
The incident was captured on video, showing the criminals entering the church premises while a service was in progress.
In the footage, the priest and other congregants can be seen lying flat on the ground, complying with the menacing robbers and surrendering their valuables.
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Final of major opera competition to be held in South Africa
This Sunday, South Africa will be hosting the final of a very important opera competition called Operalia.
Two singers from South Africa, Siphokazi Molteno and Nombulelo Yende, are going to participate in a singing competition in Cape Town. They will perform in front of judges and try to make a good impression.
At first, 800 individuals from over 15 countries wanted to participate.
Alvaro Domingo, the vice-president of Operalia, said that South Africa is well-known around the world for its talented singers.
Alex Gabriel, the boss of Cape Town Opera, said holding the event will show off the amazing skills of our South African opera singers, who are becoming hugely popular worldwide.
Pretty Yende’s sister, who is older than her, won a competition in 2011. She then got the opportunity to sing at King Charles III’s coronation this year.
In the end, each participant will perform with the creator of Operalia, Plácido Domingo – a famous conductor – and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. They will be helped by guest conductor Kamal Khan.
The two people from South Africa will take part in a competition with singers from Armenia, South Korea, and France.
Domingo started Operalia in 1993 to give a chance to young opera singers from all over the world to showcase their talents. This year, the competition is turning 30 years old and it’s a cause for celebration.
The last part of the competition will be broadcasted live by medici. tv for no cost. -
South Africa MP kicked out of shadow cabinet following remarks against Israel
The main opposition party in South Africa has taken MP Ghaleb Cachalia out of an important role in the government because of comments he made about the conflict between Israel and Gaza.
MrCachalia, who was the shadow minister for public enterprises for the Democratic Alliance (DA), is believed to have disobeyed the party’s stance on the conflict.
The party chose someone to speak for them in the Israel-Gaza conflict and told other members to not say things publicly that could make the situation worse.
But on Tuesday, Mr. Cachalia posted on Twitter: “I refuse to be kept quiet. ” Israel is killing many people.
The leader of the DA, John Steenhuisen, said that the MP’s behavior is selfish and focused only on their own interests rather than the greater good, according to SABC.
Mr Cachalia said he got a letter from the DA leader firing him, but he still supports the party.
“I will keep a close look on human rights violations here and around the world, and I will always speak honestly and fearlessly to those in authority,” he said.
Mimmy Gondwe will take over as the party’s spokesperson for public enterprises instead of him. -
South Africans alerted of proposed tax increased
South Africans will experience more difficult times as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has warned that taxes are expected to increase in the coming year.
During his speech in parliament about the budget for the next few years, he mentioned that the economy wasn’t growing well, not enough money was being collected, and the interest costs on the country’s debt were quickly rising. Because of these reasons, it is likely that taxes will be increased.
The government will continue to take steps to reduce its spending. This will involve making its departments smaller. Godogwana said this.
He said he would make sure important services like healthcare, police, and education are safe from budget reductions.
However, trade unions and civil society groups cautioned that limited funds would make it difficult to hire new teachers and put added strain on healthcare services.
The government responded to social activists’ demands and decided to extend a monthly financial assistance given to over eight million people who are facing financial problems.
The monthly payment started in 2020 to assist people temporarily during the Covid lockdowns. -
Watch video of how armed men robbed Ghanaian Pentecost church in SA
A Church of Pentecost in South Africa for the Ghanaian community was attacked by armed robbers during church service.
Prior to the operation, the pastor was delivering his sermon. In a video on social media, he dropped the microphone, lifted his hands, and proceeded to lie prostrate on the ground when the robbers arrived.
Other members, including the organist, laid low. The video captures two robbers who made away with phones and other valuable objects they set their eyes on.
It is reported that the incident occurred over the weekend. Per reports, a church elder was taken captive and is currently missing.
In the meantime, the Ghanaian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, has announced its collaboration with the Church of Pentecost (CoP) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to expedite the safe release and return of the CoP deacon who was abducted on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
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South Africa urges UN intervention to protect Gaza
South Africa has proposed the deployment of what it terms a “rapid protection force” by the United Nations to intervene in the Israel-Gaza conflict with the objective of safeguarding the civilian population from further bombardment.
In a strongly-worded statement, South Africa’s international relations ministry has drawn attention to the tragic loss of children’s lives in the ongoing conflict and has accused Israel of violating international law.
Israel, on the other hand, has justified its actions, including the bombardment and ground invasion of Gaza, by citing self-defense as a response to the killing of 1,400 people by Hamas on October 7th.
Additionally, 230 people were reported as kidnapped hostages during the conflict.
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported that more than 8,000 people have lost their lives since the commencement of Israel’s retaliatory bombing campaign.
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Pentecost Church in South Africa robbed at gunpoint during church service
A Church of Pentecost in South Africa for the Ghanaian community was attacked by armed robbers during church service.
Prior to the operation, the pastor was delivering his sermon. In a video on social media, he dropped the microphone, lifted his hands and proceeded to lie prostrate on the ground when the robbers arrived.
Other members including the organist laid low. The video captures two robbers who made away with phones and other valuable objects they set their eyes on.
It is reported that the incident occurred over the weekend. Per reports, a church elder was taken captive and is currently missing.
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Hospital in South Africa has detained suspected phoney doctor
A well-known TikToker from South Africa who pretended to be a doctor has been taken into custody after being accused of being a fake by authorities for almost three weeks.
Matthew Lani was taken into custody by the security team at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. He was trying to get into the hospital on Sunday night.
The people in charge in the Gauteng province said that he was given to the police.
The police department said in a statement that just before 8pm, Lani was caught. Lani was pretending to be someone else by wearing a hoodie, a surgical mask, and having a stethoscope around his neck.
It also said that Lani had gone to the same place before and shared wrong information, pretending to be a real doctor.
Lani became popular on TikTok because he shared medical videos and sold his own pills.
He claimed he became a doctor from the University of the Witwatersrand, but the university has confirmed that this is false.
He also said that his name was Dr. Sanele Zingelwa, but it was discovered that he pretended to be a medical intern at another place.
The Health Professions Council of South Africa stated that Lani is not officially certified as a health practitioner. -
South Africa to recieve $1bn World Bank loan to address power cut challenge
The World Bank is providing South Africa with a $1 billion loan to aid in addressing the country’s energy crisis, which has worsened due to its most severe power cuts.
The country has been grappling with power outages since 2007, and these disruptions have intensified in recent years, leading to daily blackouts lasting as long as 16 hours.
These frequent power cuts have had a detrimental impact on South Africa’s economy, causing a slowdown in its GDP growth, as noted by the World Bank.
“The loan endorses a significant and strategic response to South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis and the country’s goal of transitioning to a just and low carbon economy,” the World Bank said in a statement on Wednesday, after its board approved the loan.
Burning coal produces more than 80% of the electricity used in South Africa. The nation is therefore listed as the 14th largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world.
According to the World Bank, the loan will enable South Africa to restructure its state-owned electricity company, Eskom, which is in debt totaling more than $26 billion.
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Three Africans held captive by Hamas – Israel
Hamas is reportedly holding two Tanzanian individuals and one South African individual captive as stated by the Israeli government. This happened after the attacks in Israel on 7 October.
None of the three have been given a name.
The ambassador of Tanzania to Israel has said that two people from Tanzania have been captured, or taken hostage.
The BBC talked to the father of a Tanzanian person who went missing in Israel. This person’s name is Joshua Mollel and he was studying agriculture on a kibbutz that was attacked.
He said to the BBC that he still hasn’t heard any news about what happened to his son.
Earlier this week, he mentioned that they had not talked since October 5th – just two days before the attack. He also mentioned that the entire family was extremely worried.
“He said on Sunday that we are unable to eat or sleep. When I go to the market, people inquire about the reason behind my significant weight loss. ”
The people in charge in South Africa have not said anything about the report that someone from their country is one of the hostages.
Israel has stated that people from 25 different countries are currently being held by Hamas.
A total of 135 out of the 224 individuals being held are from Thailand. Thailand has the highest number, with 54 individuals.
They were captured when members of Hamas, which many countries consider a terrorist group, entered Israel from Gaza and killed around 1,400 individuals.
Israel has responded by attacking Gaza with airstrikes. The health ministry run by Hamas claims that these attacks have caused the deaths of nearly 6,500 people. -
KFC closes its branches in Lesotho due to avian flu in South Africa
KFC is shutting down all its restaurants in Lesotho because there is a serious bird flu outbreak in nearby South Africa.
The government of Lesotho has stopped allowing any poultry to be brought into the country. This decision has greatly affected KFC’s ability to get chicken for their restaurants.
KFC says the chickens it uses are from farms in South Africa that are checked and confirmed to not have bird flu.
Lesotho is a country with many mountains and it is completely surrounded by South Africa.
South Africa has been working hard to control bird flu for several months and has killed more than seven million egg-laying hens – which is about 20-30% of all the hens in the country.
Last week, Mozambique killed around 45,000 sick chickens it had brought in from South Africa.
Namibia has also forbidden the bringing in of poultry from South Africa since September.
The outbreak has caused a lack of eggs and chicken meat in a few countries in southern Africa.
KFC Lesotho said they are working to find a solution and promised customers that their restaurants will reopen soon. -
World Bank lends $1 billion to South Africa to address electricity problem
The World Bank will give South Africa $1 billion to help the country fix its energy problem. South Africa is experiencing its worst-ever power outages.
There have been electricity cuts since 2007, but they have become worse recently, with periods of no electricity lasting up to 16 hours every day.
The World Bank says that the often power outages have really hurt South Africa’s economy and made their GDP growth slower.
The World Bank said in a statement that the loan supports South Africa in tackling its energy crisis and moving towards a fair and eco-friendly economy. The loan was approved by the board.
Most of South Africa’s electricity comes from burning coal. As a result, the country is considered the 14th biggest producer of carbon dioxide in the world.
The World Bank said that the loan will help South Africa improve its state-owned power company, Eskom, which owes more than $26 billion. -
Ghana, South Africa collaborate to resolve housing deficit
Ministries of Works and Housing in Ghana and Human Settlements in South Africa have jointly announced their intent to collaborate in advancing the development of crucial areas related to housing, human settlements, and urban development in both nations.
This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of Ghana and South Africa to address the intricate challenges associated with housing and human settlements.
This development emerged during a bilateral meeting held in Accra between South Africa’s Minister for Housing and Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi (MP), and Ghana’s Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye (MP).
Minister Kubayi’s official visit to Ghana is part of a comprehensive effort to strengthen diplomatic relations and seek new opportunities for collaboration in the domains of housing delivery and human settlement development between the two nations.This visit comes in the wake of productive discussions that transpired between the respective ministers in the housing sector in Poland and South Africa, laying the foundation for exploring partnerships, particularly in enhancing the institutional framework for housing delivery in both countries.
In his welcoming address, Asenso-Boakye stressed that the intricacies associated with housing delivery not only demand immediate attention but also call for innovative solutions, underscoring the importance of a shared commitment from the governments of both nations.
Asenso-Boakye’s opening remarks emphasised that addressing the complexities of housing delivery necessitates not only a sense of urgency but also a dedication to innovative solutions, rooted in a mutual commitment from both governments.
“Our joint efforts in pressing issues of slum upgrading and improving informal settlements and the lives of those who inhabit them can have profound impacts on the well-being and living conditions of a significant portion of our populations,” Ghana’s sector minister noted.
On her part, Minister Kubayi said South Africa’s government stands ready to commit to a new partnership that will work out how to resolve the many myriads of problems in both countries’ housing delivery.
“To us, this partnership and commitments also include sharing experiences, knowledge and best practises in the housing sectors of our countries and how we can practicalize the implementation of what we seek to accomplish,” Minister Kubayi added.
Minister Kubayi and her delegation are expected to call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as well as partake in other engagements, notably a business session to be hosted by the Ghana Investments Promotion Centre (GIPC) for housing sector players from both countries.
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South African miners manage to flee underground ‘hostage situation’
Workers at a mine in South Africa have started coming back up to the surface after being trapped underground for three days. The police are calling it a situation where the workers were held as hostages.
On Wednesday, the police said that more than 500 miners at the Gold One mine were held hostage by armed people who had weapons like clubs and mining tools.
The workers were stuck in a situation where two groups disagreed with each other.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said that some troublemakers had forcefully trapped its members, not letting them go.
But the rival union called Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said it did not trap workers at the mine that is close to Johannesburg. Amcu said that the miners were there on their own accord and were doing a peaceful protest by sitting in.
Over 100 workers came out of the mine again on Wednesday morning. A worker, who didn’t want their name to be known, told the BBC: “I left because I was concerned about my well-being. ”
“Lwazi” mentioned that he understood and felt sorry for Amcu. Amcu has been trying to be officially recognized at the mine for about five months. Currently, NUM has an agreement with Gold One mine where they are the only union allowed to represent the workers there.
“Lwazi agreed with the idea of allowing another union to organize at the mine, but didn’t support the way they went about it. ”
On Wednesday, the families of the workers were waiting outside the mine for their loved ones to come out.
A woman told the BBC that she had been waiting outside since Monday morning because her husband didn’t come back from work the previous night.
I feel pain. I don’t know when my husband will come back. He is sick. He has a disease called tuberculosis.
My husband is the one who earns money for our family. “I’m scared to go back home because I won’t know how to answer my kids’ questions,” she said.
Brenda Mudiri, who speaks for the police, said that officers were talking to the miners as they came out of the mine.
The people we spoke to said that they were kept somewhere without being allowed to leave. They informed us about fifteen people who were holding others captive. She said that it is difficult to tell which group these people who took hostages are associated with.
The people in charge at the mine agreed with the police and NUM’s opinion that the miners were taken captive.
Amcu claims that Gold One bosses worked together with the NUM, but the mine says this accusation is not true. -
Malema urges South Africans to boycott Israeli goods
The Economic Freedom Fighters, a political party in South Africa, held a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, the capital city.
Julius Malema, the leader of a political party, recently said that Israel’s government doesn’t care about people and he wants to close the embassy.
Mr Malema also told shops in the country to take away Israeli-made products from their shelves by the end of October.
If they don’t take out products from Israel, we will take them out ourselves. Mr Malema said that we do not want the products of Israel to be sold in South Africa. We do not want to consume food from individuals who are responsible for the deaths of innocent people.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) protested outside Israel’s embassy on Friday.
ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane urged South Africans to stop buying products from Israel to show support for the Palestinians.
Ms Mokonyane repeated South Africa’s request for an urgent stop to fighting in the Middle East.
A woman who spoke for the ANC Women’s League left her job last week. She said the party didn’t understand the “Jewish point of view” in the Israel-Palestine conflict. -
45,000 hens in Mozambique set ablaze amid spread of South African bird flu
More than 45,000 hens have been culled, incinerated, and buried in southern Mozambique to curb the spread of avian flu. These birds were originally imported from South Africa, which is grappling with a severe bird flu outbreak.
The disease has now reached Mozambique’s Morrumbene district in the southern Inhambane province, raising concerns about its potential spread.
Avian flu is highly contagious among poultry and wild birds, and it can rapidly affect entire flocks through droppings, saliva, or contaminated feed and water.
The outbreak has resulted in egg and chicken shortages, causing prices to surge in Mozambique, including the capital, Maputo.
The price of chicken has nearly doubled from 350 Mozambican metical ($5; £4) to 600, and a dozen eggs have risen from 100 to 150 metical.
The 45,000 hens were destroyed due to their contact with infected chickens from South Africa, according to Mozambique’s National Director of Livestock Development, Américo da Conceição.
These hens had been imported to Mozambique for egg production.
South Africa’s bird flu outbreak has forced the culling of seven million egg-laying hens, equivalent to 20-30% of the country’s total stock, according to the South African Poultry Association. The outbreak has also led to egg and chicken meat shortages in South Africa.
Mozambique has banned the importation of chickens, eggs, and chicken feed from South Africa as a response.
Additionally, the circulation of chickens, eggs, and animal feed from the outbreak’s epicenter, Morrumbene, to other parts of Mozambique has been halted.
Authorities have confirmed that the hens were incinerated to prevent people from taking and consuming them after the culling.
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President of South Africa to attend Cairo Gaza conflict summit
The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, is going to a meeting in Cairo to talk about ways to stop the fighting between Israel and Gaza.
Egypt’s president invited him to participate in discussions. The talks will focus on the growing conflict in Israel and the Gaza Strip, the immediate need for humanitarian aid, and the request to restart the peace process. These details were mentioned in a statement released by the South African presidency.
It was reported that Mr. Ramaphosa is very worried about the attacks on innocent people, the forcing of people out of their homes, and the severe problems faced by people in the Gaza Strip.
The South African leader previously stated that he was willing to help resolve the disagreement between Israel and the Palestinian territories.
He said his country could use its knowledge of solving problems in Africa and other places. -
Leaders of South Africa and Ukraine speak about renewing grain deal
South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky both want the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be resolved peacefully.
They met and talked on Tuesday because the Ukrainian president asked them to. This was confirmed by the South African presidency in a statement on Wednesday.
It means that Mr. Ramaphosa was happy that Mr. Zelensky wants to bring back the Black Sea Grain Initiative. They both promised to keep working together on it.
Russia stopped participating in a grain agreement that was made between the UN, Turkey, and Russia in July 2022. This agreement allowed grain from Ukraine to be sold to other countries.
Ukraine has suggested creating places in African ports where grains can be stored and traded.
Last month, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, announced that Ukraine had agreed to establish a center for storing and distributing grains in the port of Mombasa. This center will provide grains to the eastern African region.
Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan were some of the countries that gained advantages from the Black Sea Grain agreement.
During the discussions, Mr. Ramaphosa also expressed his country’s dedication to actively participating in the Africa Peace Initiative. This initiative was proposed by seven African leaders earlier this year as a potential way to achieve peace.
He agreed that his country will take part in the peace talks proposed by Ukraine, which will involve national security advisors. -
Nigerians go hard on Tinubu after Ghana-South Africa visa waiver announcement
Nigerians on Twitter, now under the X platform, have expressed their frustration with their government following a recent visa waiver agreement between Ghana and South Africa.
These concerned citizens widely shared Ghana’s foreign ministry statement, which announced the agreement with South Africa, and questioned why their government has not been able to secure similar arrangements.
While some Nigerians on social media mocked the situation, others attributed it to a lack of seriousness on the part of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government.
For some, Nigerians believed that the situation was a consequence of actions they had taken, particularly crimes that had been reported, especially in South Africa, Africa’s most industrialized nation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration made an announcement last week regarding a visa waiver for individuals holding ordinary passports in both Ghana and South Africa.
In their statement, the ministry highlighted that this agreement would lead to substantial improvements for travelers between the two countries.
The Visa Waiver Agreement is slated to come into effect on November 1, 2023.
“Travellers may transit through, depart from and stay in the territory of both countries for a cumulative period of up to ninety (90) recourse to work. The travelling public is thereby advised to take note,” the statement concluded.
Here are tweets from some Nigerians.
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South Africa invites leader of Hamas to discuss aid
The foreign affairs minister of South Africa talked to the leader of Hamas to discuss providing help to Palestine, said her office.
After a violent group called Hamas carried out a harmful attack on Israel last week, the Israeli army has put a blockade on Gaza. Gaza is a highly populated area where Hamas is centered.
The Foreign Minister of South Africa, Naledi Pandor, spoke on the phone with Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, representing the South African government.
Hamas, not South Africa, started the conversations, according to the office.
Minister Pandor, while talking on the phone, agreed with the government and said that South Africa is on the same side as Palestine. They also expressed feelings of sadness and regret for the innocent people who died in both Palestine and Israel.
“Minister Pandor and the leader of Hamas talked about ways to provide important help to Gaza and other areas of the Palestinian territories. ”
The minister’s office said they did not support the Hamas attack on Israel, contradicting what a local media house reported.
South Africa is one of the few countries that has openly admitted to having conversations with Hamas since the war started last weekend. -
‘Fake doctor’ on the run detained by South Africa’s police
A fugitive accused of posing as a doctor, has reportedly been re-arrested, according to South African police.
As we previously reported, the police claimed to have started a manhunt for the defendant who escaped from custody the previous week.
They called him a “Facebook con artist” who preyed on female users.
He was allegedly detained once more early on Monday in Vosloorus, a town close to Johannesburg, as a result of a tip from a media outlet.
“[The] police in Gauteng appreciates the role played by the media in particular and the community in general in the fight against crime,” a police statement said.
The suspect, whose birthplace has not yet been made public by the police, was supposed to appear in court in Pretoria on Tuesday but managed to flee.
He was already charged with several offenses, but now he also faces the allegation of evading arrest.
He is said to have posted on Facebook that he was looking for investors before defrauding health professionals in two separate instances.
Chele hasn’t responded to the charges yet.
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Police in South Africa looking for phoney doctor who fled custody
Police in South Africa are searching for a suspect who ran away from custody. The suspect is accused of pretending to be a doctor.
Kingsley Leeto Chele is someone who pretended to be a doctor or pharmacist on Facebook and tricked women into giving him their money, according to the police.
He is also known as Dr Kingsley Chele or Dr KJ Ncube.
Chele is being accused of lying to healthcare workers on Facebook about wanting to find investors. He then took their money without actually having any projects to invest in.
He got caught by the police on October 2nd because people reported he was doing fraudulent things in June.
A court in Pretoria said he couldn’t be released from jail and he had to stay there until his next court date, which was set for this Tuesday.
He got away on the day before yesterday, while the police were arranging his things at his home, and he has been running away ever since, says the police.
The police want anyone who knows where he is to contact them.The man, Dr. Matthew Lani, recently appeared on the app TikTok. He was seen wearing medical clothing called scrubs and giving advice on health matters at a public hospital.
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Ghanaians to be able to apply for South African visas online starting November 1 – MFA
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration (MFA) has announced that, starting from November 1, 2023, Ghanaians interested in traveling to South Africa can now apply online. This development follows Ghana’s formal inclusion in South Africa’s e-Visa program.
In a statement released on October 13, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Ghana had reached an agreement regarding a visa waiver program for individuals holding regular passports. The Ministry also clarified that applicants are permitted to stay for a total of 90 days without seeking employment.
“Travelers may transit through, depart from and stay in the territory of both countries for a cumulative period of up to ninety (90) days without recourse to work,” the MFA noted.
In the meantime, the South African High Commission, in a statement released on September 29, 2023, expressed optimism that this advancement will lead to an improved visa application process.
Furthermore, it emphasized that the implementation of the e-Visa program will optimize and simplify the visa application procedure, offering increased convenience for Ghanaian travelers.
The commission also directed Ghanaian travelers to access comprehensive information on the Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa’s portal.
“The information is available on the portal of the Department of Homes Affairs of the Republic of South Africa. The Ghanaians are urged to visit the following website https://www.dha.gov.za to obtain more information.
“It should be noted that the normal requirements such as passport details, letter of invitation/ proof of accommodation and bank statement would be verified on arrival at a point of entry,” the commission earlier said.
The announcement also stated that anyone who have been waiting longer than three months for their passports because of this modification can now pick them up at the VFS Global Office.
“Passports that have been more than 3 months at the High Commission could be collected at the VFS Global Offices,” it stated.
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Two South Africans perish in Israel-Hamas conflict
Two people from South Africa have died in the ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas.
South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) shared this news on Friday, but they did not say who died.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has been told that two South Africans have died in the conflict between Palestine and Israel, according to spokesperson Clayson Monyela.
“We are currently investigating because one of the people has an Israeli ID number. We need to find out if they have dual citizenship or what the situation is. ”
Mr Monyela, representing the government, expressed sympathy to the family and friends of the individuals who have passed away.
He said: “Our teams in Ramallah and Tel Aviv are working together and helping the families of our citizens with consular services. ”
The fighting started because Hamas militants started a very violent attack on Israel recently.
Over 2,700 people in Israel and Gaza have died. -
Egypt uses Sinai airport to provide assistance to Gaza
Egypt has revealed that it is routing international aid flights for Gaza through an airport in northern Sinai.
Egypt, a significant mediator between Israel and the Palestinians, has urged Israel to refrain from targeting the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which was subjected to multiple bombings earlier in the week.
Several nations, including South Africa, have extended offers to assist in resolving the crisis. Multiple sources indicate that Egypt had alerted Israel to a looming attack days before Hamas initiated a deadly cross-border raid into Israel.
However, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed these reports as “absolutely false.”
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Manhunt continues as six South African convicts escape prison
The South African officials in the Western Cape are looking for six prisoners who ran away from the cell at a court.
One of the prisoners got caught, but the other five are still running away.
Officials warn that the inmates, who are between the ages of 20 and 33, are “carrying weapons and are a threat to others. ”
The prisoners were waiting to go to a jail after they went to court earlier today.
Initial findings indicate that the detainees took control of one of the police officers and took away his weapon. Someone shot at the police, but no one got hurt or injured, said police spokesman Malcolm Pojie to South Africa’s News 24 outlet.
He said that the people who did the bad thing got away by running.
The criminals were in court for many serious crimes, such as killing someone, trying to kill someone, stealing violently, and attacking someone.
After they ran away, the police have added more charges against them. They are now being accused of escaping from custody, trying to kill someone, and stealing a gun. -
3% migrants make up South Africa’s population – 2022 cencus
The 2022 census results for South Africa indicate that the country’s population has increased to 62 million, up from 51.7 million in 2011.
Furthermore, the census reveals that there are over 2.4 million migrants in the country, constituting approximately 3% of the total population.
The majority of these migrants originated from neighboring countries, with 45.5% coming from Zimbabwe, 18.7% from Mozambique, and 10.2% from Lesotho.
Additionally, the statistics demonstrate a decline in the white population, decreasing from 11% in 1996 to 7.3% in 2022.
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8 Ghana Air Force officers fly to SA for Basic Air Traffic Control Course
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), AVM Bekoe, has encouraged eight officers who are embarking on the “Basic Air Traffic Control Course” in South Africa to give their utmost effort and strive for excellence.
He emphasized the importance of this phase in their careers, noting that it would significantly expand their knowledge and expertise.
“I believe that, the exposure you will gain on this course will enhance your skills and enable you to tackle challenging situations with a global perspective. This will enable you to perform your duties effortlessly in ensuring the safety and efficiency of air travel” he underscored.
AVM Bekoe delivered these remarks on Friday, October 6, 2023, during a meeting at the Air Force Headquarters with the eight Air Force officers who are preparing to embark on their overseas “Basic Air Traffic Control Course.”
Furthermore, the CAS emphasized that the officers should recognize the broader scope of their roles, extending beyond the military sphere. He urged them to serve as exemplary ambassadors for their nation while in South Africa.
In response, the officers expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff for the invaluable opportunity to acquire knowledge that would contribute to their personal growth and professional advancement.
They conveyed their unwavering commitment to remain dedicated to their studies and aspire to become outstanding air traffic controllers.
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South Africa takes steps to secure its open borders
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has started a new border force to make the country’s borders stronger.
The inauguration happened in the town of Musina, where the busy Beitbridge border post with Zimbabwe is located.
Immigration is a very important political problem in South Africa.
Controlling the borders has become chaotic, and the government is being asked to do more to limit the number of people entering the most advanced country in sub-Saharan Africa from its neighboring countries.
At the same time, political parties are using xenophobia to gain support from unhappy South Africans before the 2024 elections.
Until now, four different government departments were responsible for looking after the borders. They had to follow 58 laws made by the government.
But now the Border Management Authority, which was very expensive to create, is now South Africa’s third organization responsible for enforcing laws, after the police and army.
The creation of the agency means that South Africa now has a border police bureau that works together under one leadership.
Many border guards have been hired and will be working alongside the defense force. They will be working at the entry points of South Africa, which include eight ports where ships arrive, 52 borders where people can enter by land, and eleven airports where people can come from other countries.
The event was also attended by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had discussions with Mr Ramaphosa earlier.
The leader of South Africa said that both men agreed that our countries want to live peacefully beside each other.
South Africa has faced more problems with its border control recently.
A really expensive fence that was built between South Africa and Zimbabwe fell down, making it hard to prevent people from illegally immigrating.
In simpler terms, many police officers have been caught and arrested for being corrupt. They were asking for bribes.
South Africa counted its population in 2022, and the compiled information will be made public on 10 October.
Information from the 2011 census showed that there were 3. 96 million people from other countries living in South Africa, some of whom did not have official documents. Statistics South Africa confirmed that this means approximately 6% of the people living in the country.
Many people think there might be a lot more illegal immigrants than what is officially reported. They say the government is not doing enough to stop undocumented foreigners from coming into the country.
Some groups, like the street movement Operation Dudula, say that illegal migrants are causing a lot of crime.
The argument about immigration is often spoiled by violence, fear of foreigners, and false information. Some jobless people in South Africa have been made to think that undocumented migrants from other African countries are taking their jobs.
This week, the police closed down shops owned and operated by people from outside South Africa in Soweto. This happened when two kids died after eating biscuits they bought from a nearby store. -
South Africa limits sale and purchase of eggs amid bird-flu outbreak
South African supermarkets are imposing egg rationing measures as the country faces a shortage of poultry products due to a severe avian flu outbreak.
According to local reports, some supermarkets are restricting customers to purchasing a maximum of six eggs.
Woolworths, a major retail chain, confirmed that they have “implemented a limit on whole egg purchases in our stores to six eggs per customer,” as reported by local media outlet News24.
Another chain, Pick n Pay, has reportedly urged customers to “shop responsibly” and will restrict purchases to one or two egg packs per customer.
Producers have been issuing warnings about the scarcity of eggs and poultry meat caused by the outbreak and the impact of power shortages on the industry.
The agriculture ministry reported last week that more than 2.5 million chickens had been culled, with five out of eight provinces affected by the outbreak.
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Ministers and MPs from South Africa exonerated of corruption
A government official from South Africa and three other members of the ANC political party have been found not guilty of corruption by a group in parliament.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi and MPs Cedric Frolick, Mosebenzi Zwane, and Winnie Ngwenya were accused of being involved in a big corruption scandal called “state capture” while Jacob Zuma was the president.
Mr Nxesi was accused of getting money from a well-known businessman named Edwin Sodi. The other three MPs were linked to different corruption accusations.
On Tuesday, the parliament’s Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests said that the four lawmakers did nothing wrong.
The Zondo commission, led by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, discovered that many government-owned organizations were involved in corrupt activities. This investigation took place from 2018 to 2022.
No one has been found guilty in a court case for a crime yet.
The President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said that suggestions from the inquiry will be put into action when the time is right.
In 2018, Zuma stepped down from his position as president before his second term was supposed to finish. He stepped down because of accusations of corruption. -
Ex-South African Airways official faces corruption charge
Former chair of South African Airways, Dudu Myeni, faces corruption charges, including receiving bribes and home security upgrades from Bosasa, a company implicated in various corrupt deals during Jacob Zuma’s presidency.
A Commission of Inquiry found that Myeni had influenced Zuma to favor Bosasa, which received over $100 million in government contracts.
Trevor Mathenjwa, a Bosasa subsidiary director, also faces corruption charges. Both have been released on bail, with a court appearance scheduled for November.
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Kenya part of 10 countries ranked for efficient usage of Truecaller App
Kenya ranks among the top 10 countries worldwide in terms of monthly active users of Truecaller, a caller identification service, according to a company announcement.
Truecaller, which aids users in identifying potential spam calls, boasts a presence in 175 countries and a global user base of 356 million active monthly users.
In Africa, other leading users of the platform include Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, and South Africa. Truecaller has offices located in seven different regions, spanning Sweden, India, Israel, Egypt, and Kenya.
“Truecaller’s 10 largest markets (are) India, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, South Africa, Malaysia, Iraq, Kenya, Colombia, and Jordan – based on monthly active users (MAU),” said the company.
Truecaller identifies a caller, detects and prevents spam calls and texts, allows call recording, allows users to search for the identification of a mobile number, and checks the availability of the person they are attempting to contact.
Local and international criminals, marketing firms, and digital credit providers (DCPs) are among the most prominent sources of spam calls and SMS in Kenya.
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Western Cape in South Africa devastated by deadly floods
At least 11 people died when strong rain and winds hit South Africa’s Western Cape province, including Cape Town, over the weekend. There was a lot of damage caused.
Officials are cautioning that more people might die as the floodwater goes down.
The bad weather caused flooding in homes, and damaged roofs, crops, roads, and other things.
Rescue teams are still looking for people who may be stuck in homes that are partially under water.
72 children and 10 grown-ups couldn’t leave a resort in Oudtshoorn because the Le Roux River next to it flooded. They were saved on Wednesday morning, after the water went down.
Around 200 farm workers are stuck in places that have been separated due to flooding. We are trying hard to save them.
According to Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, over 80 roads were shut down and approximately 15,000 homes lost electricity.
Train services in certain areas of the Western and Eastern Cape provinces have temporarily halted.
The floods had a big impact on the farmland in the area, which includes the famous vineyards. The harvests are expected to be very negatively affected.
The Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has asked for more help and support to deal with the consequences of the heavy rainfall.
The city has shut down the Steenbras Nature Reserve and Gorge hiking route to see how the floods have affected them.
Anton Bredell, a minister in charge of the environment, said that helicopters were looking for people who were stuck and needed help. “He said that we anticipate the most severe outcome there. ”
The heavy rains that caused damage stopped on Monday. These rains happened one week after unusually high tides during the spring season.
Climate change has been accused of causing certain recent weather events in South Africa.
In 2022, heavy rain caused flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and over 430 people died. The coastal city of Gqeberha also faced a shortage of water last year. -
Namibia bans South African chicken imports due to bird flu
“In a response to the severe bird flu outbreak in South Africa, Namibia has suspended all imports of live poultry and poultry products from its neighboring country.
The decision comes as a result of the rapid and alarming spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in various regions of South Africa.
According to Namibia’s agricultural ministry, new cases of HPAI have been reported across several provinces in South Africa, including Kwazulu-Natal, Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West.
The outbreak has already resulted in the loss of over two million chickens. Namibian authorities have clarified that this suspension applies to the following:
Live poultry, Fresh frozen poultry meat, Table eggs, Day-old chicks, Hatching eggs.
This measure has been taken to safeguard Namibia’s poultry industry and prevent the spread of the virus across borders.”
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South Africa names road after Mandela’s late wife
The city of Johannesburg in South Africa has given a road the name of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who fought against apartheid.
On Tuesday, the city changed the name of William Nicol Drive to Winnie Mandela Drive.
The city administration said that this achievement shows how determined the city is to remember and honor Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s important life and legacy.
William Nicol was a church minister and teacher during the time of apartheid. He believed that Afrikaans should be used in schools in South Africa.
The mayor of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, said that renaming is a way to get rid of things that represent the bad treatment and control of people in South Africa.
The road will be revealed on 26 September, which is the same day Mrs. Mandela would have turned 87.
She passed away in 2018 after being sick for a while.
South Africa’s ruling African National Congress proposed a motion in 2018 to change the name of the road. They believe that this change will help future generations remember the brave people who fought against apartheid and other unfairness. -
Google unveils a doodle in honour of Late South African artist Matshikiza
Google paid tribute to South African jazz pianist, composer, and journalist Todd Matshikiza by unveiling a doodle on Monday.
Matshikiza, who passed away in 1968 at the age of 47, is celebrated as one of South Africa’s most significant trailblazers in the realms of arts and culture.
The doodle, prominently displayed on Google’s homepage, was crafted by South African artist Keith Vlahakis.
Google stated, “On this day in 1956, his commissioned cantata Uxolo (peace) was played by the orchestra at the 70th Johannesburg Festival,” explaining the choice to honor Matshikiza on September 25.
Notably, Matshikiza is recognized for his composition “Quickly in Love,” featured in the 2013 film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” He is also acclaimed for his musical contributions to stage productions like “King Kong” and “Mkhumbane.”
Google frequently employs its doodles, creative variations of its logos, to commemorate anniversaries or celebrate the lives of notable individuals.
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South Africa ends power outages in Cape area due to flooding
Arranged control cuts in parts of South Africa have been suspended in the midst of overwhelming flooding.
Seriously storms caused broad harm within the Western Cape and Eastern Cape areas over the end of the week.
After flooding proceeded into Monday, state-owned control utility Eskom said the downpour had caused “broad harm to electricity infrastructure”.
Within the two influenced territories, load-shedding “will be suspended with prompt impact”, Eskom said.
In spite of being Africa’s most created economy, South Africa has been encountering load-shedding – or an composed arrangement of rolling power outages – for the past 15 a long time. The control cuts are required since the framework cannot adapt with the request for vitality.
Eskom included that the point of Monday’s suspension is to help the secure rebuilding of power supplies, whereas load-shedding will proceed in zones unaffected by the surges. -
Isle of Man Island to honour South African culture
A festival to celebrate the culture, food, and music of South Africa will happen for the first time on the Isle of Man.
Approximately 1,200 individuals from our country currently reside on the island.
The organizer, Vanessa Naude, said that the event would help newcomers feel more comfortable and meet new people.
The festival is a joint effort between Isle Settle, an events company, and the Isle of Man Chapter of the UK South African Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Naude said that more people from South Africa are interested in moving to the island for work. This interest has been made stronger because the Manx government has been working to encourage business connections between the two countries.
Officials from Finance Isle of Man, a government agency, went to the country alongside the chief minister to build stronger connections and promote business opportunities.
Ms Naude said that the event on Saturday at the Nunnery in Douglas was planned to happen at the same time as the nation’s Heritage Weekend. It was a chance for people to gather and celebrate the special South African way of life.
The event was meant to help people fit in with the local communities in South Africa and the Isle of Man. Moving to a new country can be tough, so the event aimed to make it easier for them.