Lee-Yandra Paulsen, Author at Voice of the Cape

Rising food costs strain SA households ahead of festive season

As the festive season approaches, South African households are grappling with the rising cost of food, adding pressure to already strained budgets. The November 2024 Household Affordability Index, released on Wednesday, highlighted the steady increase in the cost of essential goods, further compounding financial hardships. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Thursday, the Advocacy Coordinator at Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group, Sibusiso Mboto, detailed the trends in food prices. “In […]

28 November 2024

Local

Blind SA takes urgent action against President over Copyright Amendment Bill Delay

By Vusuthando Percyvil Dube In a pivotal move for the rights of blind and visually impaired South Africans, SECTION27 has filed an urgent application in the Constitutional Court on behalf of Blind SA, targeting President Cyril Ramaphosa. This lawsuit, initiated nearly a year after the Copyright Amendment Bill (CAB) was passed by Parliament, follows a significant Constitutional Court ruling that declared the existing Copyright Act unconstitutional. The decision underscored the […]

27 November 2024

Local

Crime stats show drop in serious offenses but alarming spike in violence against women and children

By Ragheema Mclean The latest crime statistics, released by the police ministry on Monday (25 November), reveal a slight decrease in serious crimes between July and September this year. However, the report highlights a disturbing rise in violence against women and children during the six months from April to September. According to the data, over 2,500 women and children were murdered during this period—an average of 14 daily. The grim […]

26 November 2024

Local

Matric learners urged to refrain from attending ‘pens down’ parties

By Ragheema Mclean As matric learners across the country near the end of their final exams, authorities and organizations are ramping up efforts to discourage the dangerous “pens down” celebrations that have been linked to underage drinking, drug use, and tragic incidents. World Changers Candidate, a non-governmental organization, has launched the SAY NO to Pens Down campaign to raise awareness among learners and their parents about the risks associated with […]

26 November 2024

Local

Study exposes housing inequality for women in urban South Africa

Housing activists from Ndifuna Ukwazi have recently conducted an analysis highlighting the persistent challenges women face in accessing suitable housing in South Africa, despite the country's strong constitutional and legal protections. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Tuesday, Executive Director and Attorney at Ndifuna Ukwazi, Mpho Raboeane explained, “We have a robust rights framework and legislation that should theoretically promote equality, including social and economic considerations. However, we wanted to investigate […]

26 November 2024

Local

City comments on spaza shops registrations

Local authorities have reported a sharp rise in applications for Certificates of Acceptability (COAs), with over 1,200 submissions recorded last week. The surge follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for spaza shops to register amid growing food safety concerns. Speaking on VOC Breakfast on Tuesday, Environmental Health Practitioner Zachary Rudolph, registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), provided details on the influx. “From the 18th to the 22nd […]

26 November 2024

International News

Sudanese army reports recapture of key city from Rapid Support Forces

The Sudanese army announced on Saturday that it had regained control of Sinja, the capital of the southeastern Sennar State, from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Anadolu reports. In a brief statement, the army stated that “Sinja city has been restored from the grip of the RSF.” The army shared videos showing soldiers inside the headquarters of the 17th Infantry Division in Sinja. The footage also depicted celebrations by residents of […]

24 November 2024

Local

Recode prepaid meters today or face the dark tomorrow

Customers who fail to upgrade their electricity meters today will be left in the dark tomorrow. Today is Eskom’s deadline to upgrade all prepaid meters across the country. Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has already warned that those who miss the deadline will have to pay R12 000 to replace their meter. Meanwhile, Eskom says prepaid customers with active electricity meters but have not been buying electricity must buy new […]

24 November 2024

Local

Reserve bank cuts repo rate amid declining inflation

The South African Reserve Bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) announced a 25-basis-point reduction in the repo rate to 7.75% on Thursday. This follows data released on Wednesday, which showed inflation falling to 2.8% in October, below the bank’s target range of 3% to 6%. As a result, the prime lending rate now stands at 11.25%. Economist Dawie Roodt noted that the rate cut was widely anticipated, particularly after the positive […]

22 November 2024

Lee-Yandra Paulsen

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