The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC) has announced the release of its fifth and final accreditation list for Hajj 1446AH/2025. The accreditation list starts on the 01 November 2016 and ends on the 08 November 2016. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Tuesday, SAHUC President Moaaz Casoo outlined the critical steps for newly accredited pilgrims. “The most important dates for those who received accreditation two days ago are to […]
The festive season is often synonymous with celebration and togetherness but also carries a darker side for many in the Western Cape, as mental health challenges escalate during this time. The province’s healthcare sector has been inundated with emergencies, but the surge in self-harm incidents and suicides has brought the issue of mental health to the forefront. Since December, emergency centres have reported 89,500 admissions, including nearly 24,000 trauma cases. […]
South Africa is unlikely to exit the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) greylist by June 2025, with October presenting a more realistic target if progress continues steadily. Despite notable advancements in addressing key issues, challenges remain in areas such as identifying beneficial ownership information and prosecuting complex financial crimes. Experts stress that a timely exit is crucial to restoring investor confidence, as compliance concerns have already affected foreign direct investment. […]
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has raised serious concerns about ongoing retrenchments in the mining sector, as several companies issue Section 189A notices toward the end of the year. These layoffs leave workers facing a bleak festive season and an uncertain New Year. Mining and Labour expert Mamokgethi Molopyane clarified that these retrenchments are not new but are part of a longer-term trend. “The retrenchments have been taking place […]
The Constitutional Court issued a landmark ruling last week in the Bromwell Street case, upholding the Bromwell family’s appeal and declaring the City of Cape Town’s emergency housing programme unconstitutional. Disha Govender, attorney and Head of the Ndifuna Ukwazi Law Centre, highlighted the significance of the ruling for vulnerable communities in Cape Town. “It means that the most vulnerable in our communities can no longer be completely shoved to the […]
As summer arrives in Cape Town, the city’s beaches become bustling hubs of activity. To ensure a pleasant experience for everyone, the City of Cape Town’s Water and Sanitation Directorate has urged residents and visitors to dispose of waste responsibly. Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Zahid Badrodien, emphasized efforts to prevent sewer overflows that could lead to beach closures. "We’ve been proactive in cleaning pump stations and pipes […]
Three UN workers from the World Food Program (WFP) were killed in an overnight attack on their office in Sudan’s Blue Nile state, the Sudanese government said on Friday, Anadolu news agency reported. According to a statement issued by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) informed it that the WFP office in the Yabus area, near the Ethiopian border, was shelled last night, […]
President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially approved the full implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. Speaking during a signing ceremony at the Union Buildings in Pretoria this past September, Ramaphosa announced a temporary three-month delay for implementing two contested clauses. This pause aimed to provide room for deliberations within the Government of National Unity (GNU) on reconciling differing views regarding the clauses. Ramaphosa’s approval marks the resolution of […]
This weekend, several children attending madrassa in Heinz Park will be treated to a day of festive cheer, thanks to community activist Moegamat Mohammed. Mohammed shared more about the initiative: “This time of the year, places are closing, and for the kids, we’re taking them out for the day to say shukran for attending madrassa on Thursday nights and Sunday evenings. It will be a beach day on Saturday, giving […]
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.
