Oyisa George

Consumer inflation rose sharply to 4.0% in April, up from 3.1% in March, with fuel prices driving the increase, according to Statistics South Africa. This marks the highest inflation reading since August 2024, when the headline rate stood at 4.4%, while the monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.1%. Stats SA data shows fuel prices surged by 18.2% month-on-month — the steepest increase since the current CPI series began […]

Global oil prices have extended recent gains amid renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran and fears of escalation in the Middle East. Markets are reacting to concerns over potential supply disruptions and the security of key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz. Energy security and geopolitical analyst Tshepo Kgadima has cautioned against reading too much into the current spike, saying the situation is being driven by short-term panic rather than […]

Three South African universities have approached the High Court in Pretoria in a bid to resolve a long-running dispute with the South African Dental Technicians Council (SADTC) that has halted dental technology training programmes since 2019. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Durban University of Technology (DUT), and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) said the impasse over accreditation, assessment, and registration processes has prevented new student intakes for several […]

Civil society organisations have raised concerns over what they describe as critical gaps in the proposed Whistleblower Protection Bill, calling for stronger safeguards and an extension of the deadline for public comment. The Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa, alongside other organisations, has warned that the draft legislation does not go far enough to protect whistleblowers from retaliation, particularly in the workplace. Speaking to VOC News, Executive Director at Corruption […]

The Newfields Village Anti-Eviction Community Representative Forum has criticised the City of Cape Town over warnings issued to Hanover Park residents allegedly operating businesses from their homes without the required zoning approval. The forum says residents are being threatened with penalties of up to 20 years in prison or fines of R800 000 for selling goods such as sweets and baked items from their properties. Community representative Gary Hartzenberg says […]

South Africa’s unemployment crisis has worsened, with 8.1 million people now without work, according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). The agency reports that the official unemployment rate rose to 32.7% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 31.4% in the previous quarter. Stats SA says this follows a drop of 345,000 in total employment, alongside an increase in discouraged work seekers and people unable to find jobs, reflecting […]

The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations as stock levels across the province continue to drop following disruptions caused by Monday’s Level 8 weather warning. Several donation clinics were cancelled or temporarily closed due to severe weather conditions, school closures, and access challenges, leaving the service unable to meet hospital demand. WCBS says it needs to collect around 700 units of blood daily […]

All public schools in the Western Cape will be closed on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, following severe weather warnings and growing concerns over the safety of learners and teachers. The decision was announced by the Western Cape Education Department after consultations with the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and the South African Weather Service. Western Cape Education MEC David Maynier said the closure followed updated weather projections and worsening conditions across […]