Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reported that the Palestinian resistance group Hamas has released two Israeli captives as part of a gradual exchange under a ceasefire agreement. The third captive, Keith Siegel, is expected to be released shortly in northern Gaza. The two individuals handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, a city in southern Gaza, are Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli national, and Yarden Bibas, an Israeli citizen. […]
The Border Management Authority facilitated the legitimate movement of over five million travellers across South Africa’s 71 ports of entry during the 2024/25 festive period. This number represents an increase of 51,680 travellers compared to the previous festive period. OR Tambo International Airport in Gauteng facilitated the majority of travellers, over one million. BMA commissioner, Michael Masiapato, says they processed over 9 491 aircraft through the country’s international airports. “In […]
The Western Cape government has proposed redeveloping the contested Tafelberg site in Sea Point, splitting it for government services and affordable housing. The site has been at the center of a legal battle between housing activists and the provincial government, with the case set for the Constitutional Court. Activists are demanding meaningful public engagement. Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers said redevelopment aligns with service delivery needs. The Western Cape High Court […]
By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has announced that all SASSA gold cards will be discontinued at the end of February 2025. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Friday, SASSA National Spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi said the process of changing to Postbank black cards has been extended countless times and they have been left with little choice, but to have the gold cards discontinued. “From the 1 […]
By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert The repo rate was lowered by 25 basis points to 7.5% by the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee. Consequently, the prime loan rate will drop to 11%. The Reserve Bank claims that a steep drop in agricultural output was the primary cause of the economy's third-quarter contraction. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Friday morning, Economist Dawie Roodt said there are suggestions this could be the last […]
By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert A 12.7% increase in electricity tariffs for the 2025–2026 fiscal year has been approved by energy regulator Nersa and will take effect on April 1. The rise will take effect on July 1st for municipal clients. Additional increases of 5.36% in 2026/2027 and 6.19% in 2027/2028 have also been authorised. According to Nersa chairperson Thembani Bukula, the regulator must strike a balance between customer affordability and […]
The non-profit organisation (NGO) Samaritan’s Feet South Africa has collected and distributed 100,000 shoes to disadvantaged children and vulnerable individuals across the country. The charity's main focus is to serve impoverished children and elderly people who lack proper footwear. CEO Hermien Louw stated that their goals for this year are to distribute an additional 50,000 pairs of shoes, expand their national reach, and enhance their impact through collaboration with other […]
By Rachel Mohamed The Africa Energy Summit recently took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, organised by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with Mission 300. This initiative, backed by the African Development Bank Group, the World Bank Group, and global partners, aims to tackle Africa’s electricity access gap through innovative technology and financing solutions. Speaking on VOC’s News Beat show in a segment titled “Africa Energy Summit: A Feasible Vision […]
By Loushe Jordaan Gilbert Families in Khayelitsha, Site C, were left with nothing more than the clothes on their backs after destructive flames destroyed over 200 homes on Wednesday afternoon. Animal rescue service, the Mdzananda Animal Clinic said they are concerned about the animals who have been injured, lost, or are still too scared to go home during the devastation. The Clinic has been actively seeking for animals in need. […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
