Oyisa George

South Africa is intensifying efforts to control Foot and Mouth Disease, with nearly 950 000 animals already vaccinated in high-risk areas. The vaccination programme targets feedlots, commercial and communal farms in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and Eastern Cape, while protection zones are being established to safeguard FMD-free provinces, including the Western Cape. Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen highlighted the importance of the government’s comprehensive strategy. “South Africa now has […]

South Africans are being urged to prepare for a wetter-than-usual summer, with isolated flooding possible in some areas, the South African Weather Service has warned. The outlook for the 2025/2026 summer season, running from December 2025 to April 2026, predicts above-normal rainfall across the country’s central and eastern regions, including Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, parts of North West, and the Free State. Senior forecaster Jacqueline Modika explained that the wetter […]

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed a breach in the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams. The incident involves 26 learners from seven schools in Pretoria who gained access to Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English Home Language papers before writing. The irregularity was first detected by markers during the current marking process involving over 51,000 trained markers nationwide. “Our systems did exactly what they were designed to do — detect, […]

The Western Cape has recorded 28 fatalities in 21 crashes between 1 and 7 December, with pedestrians once again emerging as the most vulnerable group on the province’s roads. Of the 28 people who died, 12 were pedestrians, making them the single largest group affected. The remaining fatalities include 10 passengers, three drivers, two motorcyclists, and one cyclist. Provincial Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku described the figures as deeply troubling, especially […]

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa’s public procurement system needs deep and urgent reform if the country is to root out widespread misconduct and corruption. Addressing the ANC’s 5th National General Council in Boksburg on Monday, the President said work is already under way, with National Treasury preparing to implement the new Public Procurement Act. The legislation will introduce an updated framework and establish a Public Procurement Office. Ramaphosa stressed […]

The National Sea Rescue Institute responded to multiple near-drowning incidents in Kleinmond and Rooi Els over the weekend. Two girls, aged 10 and 11, one from De Doorns and the other from Touws River, were treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms at the Kleinmond Lagoon. They had been walking through shallow water with their grandmother when one child slipped into a deep hole. The second girl tried to help, and both […]