Lee-Yandra Paulsen, Author at Voice of the Cape

Undocumented Learners Left Hungry by School Nutrition Gaps

Undocumented children of immigrants in South Africa have a constitutional right to education, yet many remain excluded from essential school nutrition programmes. Speaking on PM Drive, education activist Hendrick Makaneta expressed concern over how these learners are often overlooked due to budget constraints linked to documentation. “Majority of our children do get access to nutrition at school, particularly those in quintile one up to quintile three schools,” Makaneta explained. “The […]

27 May 2025

Local

Police Minister Reports Crime Drop, Announces Boost to Forensic Services

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has announced a 3.1% decrease in the national murder rate during the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, with 6,467 murders recorded between January and March 2025, down from the same period last year. Mchunu noted that eight of the nine provinces recorded reductions in murder, with the Northern Cape being the only province to report an increase, although it contributes just 2% to the […]

23 May 2025

Local

ECD sector welcomes R10 billion government boost, urges focus on quality

The Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector has welcomed the retention of R10 billion in new government funding, set to enhance services for young children across South Africa. The updated allocation will increase the daily per-child subsidy from R17 to R24 and expand access to include an additional 700,000 children under the age of five. Advocacy group Real Reform for ECD has called the funding a significant step forward but emphasised […]

23 May 2025

Local

Godongwana Tables Budget 3.0 Amid Calls for Realism and Accountability

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has officially tabled the 2025 "Budget 3.0" in Parliament, introducing key adjustments aimed at stabilising South Africa’s economy and fostering growth. This revised budget follows the rejection of two earlier proposals and incorporates input from various stakeholders, including opposition parties. Speaking on PM Drive, North-West University economist Professor Raymond Parsons unpacked the implications of the latest budget, urging the public to manage expectations. “We’ve had months […]

22 May 2025

International News

Ramaphosa to Meet Trump Amid US-SA Diplomatic Tensions

President Cyril Ramaphosa is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House at approximately 5:30 PM South African Standard Time (SAST) today. The meeting takes place amid strained relations between the two nations, fueled by tensions over South Africa’s legal case against Israel, land reform policies, and the ongoing licensing impasse involving Starlink. The Presidency has yet to confirm whether Ramaphosa will also meet tech billionaire Elon […]

21 May 2025

Local

Elderly Couple Found Dead in Suspected Cape Yacht Club Drowning

Police have launched an inquest after the bodies of an elderly couple were recovered from the water near the Cape Royal Yacht Club at Table Bay Harbour on Tuesday morning. The victims, believed to be Polish nationals in their seventies, were discovered by police divers shortly after 08:15. South African Police Service spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut confirmed the discovery, stating, “At this early stage, foul play is not suspected. A […]

21 May 2025

Local

Cape Town Ratepayers Push Back Against Proposed Tariff Hikes

The Cape Town Collective Ratepayers Association, representing 45 local associations, has submitted over 10,000 signatures opposing the City of Cape Town’s proposed rate increases. A primary concern is the introduction of a new city-wide cleaning tariff linked to property values, which the group argues will disproportionately impact homeowners. The association has called on the City to explore alternative revenue sources to ease the financial burden on residents. Speaking on NewsBeat […]

19 May 2025

Local

GIWUSA Demands Drastic Interest Rate Cut Amid Soaring Job Losses

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is calling on the South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee to drastically reduce the repo rate to 3.5%, a level last seen in the 2000s, following a sharp drop in inflation to 2.7%, the lowest since 2020. The union argues that such a move is essential to reviving the manufacturing sector, boosting employment, and easing the financial burden on the […]

19 May 2025

Local

Higher Education and Training Minister Reverses Controversial SETA Appointments After Backlash

Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has reversed the controversial appointments of chairpersons to the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards following widespread public criticism. The backlash arose from the inclusion of politically connected individuals, including Minister Gwede Mantashe’s son, Buyambo Mantashe, and former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube. Nkabane stated that the decision was made “in the interest of good governance and transparency,” adding that an independent panel […]

16 May 2025

Lee-Yandra Paulsen

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