Lee-Yandra Paulsen

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed that it is closely monitoring the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant recently detected in several Asian countries. The variant, believed to be a descendant of the Omicron lineage, has not yet been identified in South Africa. Speaking on VOC’s PM Drive, Dr Angelique Coetzee, former chairperson of the South African Medical Association, reassured the public that there is no cause […]

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has assured South Africans that the newly detected COVID-19 variant, known as Nimbus or NB.1.8.1, poses no immediate threat and does not warrant panic. The variant, currently circulating in parts of Asia and the United Kingdom, is under close surveillance by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). During the 4th Health Working Group meeting of the G20 in Johannesburg, Motsoaledi confirmed that the World […]

Amid escalating violent crime, the Western Cape’s Safety and Security Portfolio Committee has adopted a motion calling for the devolution of key policing powers from national to local government. The proposal aims to boost the province’s ability to combat serious crimes such as gang violence, drug trafficking, extortion, and firearm-related offences, while also improving access to crime intelligence and forensic services. The call comes amid declining public confidence in the […]

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says sustained economic growth is key to expanding employment opportunities in South Africa’s education sector. She made the remarks during a media briefing in Pretoria ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s scheduled engagements with youth beneficiaries of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) programmes. On Tuesday, Ramaphosa is set to visit several sites, including Sefako Makgatho Primary School, the South […]