Aneeqa Du Plessis, Author at Voice of the Cape

Yvonne Ridley calls for greater protection of Masjid al-Aqsa

By Ragheema Mclean British journalist and prominent Palestinian cause advocate Yvonne Ridley has called for greater efforts to protect Masjid al-Aqsa, describing the mosque as a central responsibility for Muslims around the world. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, Ridley reflected on her personal connection to Palestine and the significance of Al-Aqsa, which she says became even more important to her after embracing Islam. “It's Islam's third-holiest site, and it's incumbent on […]

2 October 2026

Local

AfriSA rejects genocide claims amid debate over crime and race in South Africa

By Odwa Mkentane An Afrikaner group, AfriSA, is rejecting a display of 3,000 white crosses planted in Washington by Lex Libertas, which joined forces with the New York Young Republican Club, saying the display misrepresents the experiences of Afrikaners in South Africa. The group says claims of an Afrikaner genocide amount to disinformation and has called for a more informed debate about crime, race and inequality in the country. This […]

29 September 2026

Local

Gauteng e-Panic Button security breach contained, no personal data compromised

By Odwa Mkentane The Gauteng Provincial Government is urging residents to download and use its e-Panic Button as part of efforts to improve public safety and emergency response. The digital platform is designed to connect residents to emergency assistance quickly during crises, with the government stressing that cybersecurity remains a key priority. The Department recently identified an attempted security breach involving the e-Panic Button environment. The matter was swiftly identified […]

29 September 2026

Local

Unemployment Crisis: Gqubule Calls for Stronger Industrial Policies and Public Employment

By Odwa Mkentane South Africa’s unemployment crisis is coming under renewed scrutiny, with concerns that the country is failing to create enough jobs to keep pace with the growing labour force. Economist Duma Gqubule says the problem goes beyond a skills mismatch, pointing to unemployed graduates in critical professions while public services continue to face shortages. Gqubule says that over the past 17 years, South Africa has created only about […]

28 September 2026

Local

R6.3bn in Spaza Shop Transfers Raises Concerns Over Illicit Financial Flows

By Odwa Mkentane A new report is raising concerns about illicit financial flows linked to foreign-owned spaza shops in South Africa. It estimates that around R6.3 billion generated through these businesses was moved out of the country through informal remittance networks, highlighting concerns about money laundering, terrorist financing and gaps in financial oversight. Speaking to VOC, Andre Thomashausen, a retired professor of international law at Unisa, said The Saturday Star […]

28 September 2026

Local

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Calls for UN Reform and Permanent African Representation

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola has renewed South Africa’s call for meaningful reform of global governance, urging the United Nations to grant Africa a permanent seat on the Security Council. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lamola said restoring trust in multilateralism requires making the Security Council more representative of today’s world. He noted that Africa is home to nearly one-fifth of […]

25 September 2026

Local

NSRI Marks Nearly 60 Years of Saving Lives

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is marking nearly 60 years of saving lives along South Africa’s coastline, with its celebrations coinciding with Heritage Day and World Maritime Day. The NSRI was established in 1967, following the deaths of 17 fishermen off Stilbaai in 1966. The tragedy prompted Simon’s Town teacher Patti Price to campaign for a dedicated sea rescue service. NSRI’s Andrew Ingram said the organisation […]

24 September 2026

Local

Afrikaner Family Stranded in South Africa After US Denies Re-entry

By Odwa Mkentane An Afrikaner family who were granted refugee status in the United States is reportedly unable to return after travelling back to South Africa for healthcare. The family later attempted to re-enter the US but were refused entry, leaving them stranded in South Africa despite having previously been accepted as refugees. The family had travelled to the United States with 13,000 other South Africans under President Trump’s programme […]

23 September 2026

Local

KwaMakhutha Mass Shooting Claims 11 Lives, Including Pregnant Woman

By Odwa Mkentane KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has expressed his condolences to the relatives of the victims of a mass shooting that claimed 11 lives in KwaMakhutha, south of Durban, last night. The Premier’s Office says a pregnant woman is among the victims. The victims were among a group of people gathered at a home in the Ziko area when the shooting took place. It is alleged that the attackers […]

23 September 2026

Aneeqa Du Plessis

Download our new app

Download
our new app