By Rachel Mohamed In celebration of Heritage Month, the University of Cape Town (UCT) held the official renaming ceremony for the Sarah Baartman Hall last week. This event honors the legacy of Sarah Baartman. According to UCT spokesperson Elijah Moholola, the renaming follows a historic decision made by the UCT Council in 2018 to rename the Jameson Memorial Hall in her honor. Speaking on VOC News, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Elelwani […]
By Rachel Mohamed On Monday morning, protesters from the Gate 7 community blocked several major roads on Voortrekker Road near Maitland Cemetery in Cape Town, demanding improved delivery of basic services, including water, toilets, and electricity. The demonstration caused significant traffic disruptions in the area. Ward 56 Councillor Chesyln Steenberg told VOC News that the Gate 7 community has been occupying private land owned by the Ndabeni Trust. “This issue […]
By Rachel Mohamed Ethiopia has officially inaugurated Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), on the Blue Nile River. The dam's construction has been contentious, with Egypt challenging its development given the shared dependency of Sudan and Egypt on the Nile River. Despite these contentions, its operation is expected to generate 6,000 megawatts, transforming Ethiopia into the continent's largest power exporter. Speaking to VOC News, Doctor Paul […]
By Rachel Mohamed Cape Town will host the 4th Organisation of Islamic Cooperation–IRCICA–Awqaf SA International Conference at the Kirstenbosch Gardens Conference Centre. The event will take place from Friday, September 12, to Sunday, September 14, convening under the theme of "The Representation of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam (SAW) as Depicted in African Islamic Scholarship and Literature." Mickaeel Collier, CEO of Awqaf SA, confirmed to VOC News that the first […]
A 61-year-old man was fatally shot at the Nyanga taxi rank on Wednesday night, prompting police to open a murder investigation. SAPS spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said the motive is believed to be taxi-related. “Officers on patrol heard gunshots and rushed to the taxi rank, where they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. Medical personnel declared him dead on the scene. The suspects fled and have not yet been […]
By Rachel Mohamed South Africa is seeing a rise in murders targeting anti-corruption activists, including lawyers, whistleblowers, investigators, auditors, and journalists. The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) has expressed deep concern over the recent killing of lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk, who was shot last Friday, allegedly due to his investigative work. Speaking to VOC News, Nkosana Mvundlela, President of the LSSA, extended his condolences to van Niekerk’s family, friends, […]
By Rachel Mohamed The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) is calling for improved conditions for police officers in South Africa. This comes after the South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commemoration Day was held on Sunday at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, which honoured officers who have died in the line of duty over the past two years. Speaking to VOC News, Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU’s National Spokesperson, said […]
By Rachel Mohamed This week, Ndifuna Ukwazi invites the public to attend a meeting titled "Councillors' Imbizo: Reclaiming Democracy from Below." The event aims to facilitate face-to-face discussions with public officials. Speaking to VOC News, Ntombi Sambu, political organiser at Ndifuna Ukwazi, explained that the organisation operates within a solidarity space that includes a solidarity movement, community leaders, and individuals who are not affiliated with social movements. All these groups […]
Local authorities have opened an investigation into a murder after a 42-year-old off-duty officer was shot and killed on Mgidlana Street in Asanda Village, Lwandle, near Strand, on Thursday morning. Reports indicate that the officer, a taxi owner affiliated with the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), was fatally shot by unknown gunmen. SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the suspects are still at large. “The deceased was driving down […]
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.
