VOC News

BUDGET SPEECH 2025: No plans to decrease youth unemployment

Loushe Jordaan Gilbert 13 March 2025

The 2025 Budget Speech marked a pivotal moment for South Africa, but it left many questions unanswered—particularly about how young people will be meaningfully integrated into the economy. With over R380 billion allocated to debt repayment, the government faces significant challenges in creating sustainable employment opportunities. Nkosinathi Mahlangu, Youth Employment

Ramaphosa rejects envoy to counter AfriForum’s U.S. lobbying

Lee-Yandra Paulsen 12 March 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to send an envoy to counter AfriForum’s misinformation campaign regarding the Expropriation Act despite labelling the minority lobby group’s actions as “unpatriotic.” However, he reiterated the significance of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and South Africa’s strategic partnership with the United States, particularly

Basic Education Minister: R129 Billion needed to fix school infrastructure crisis

Ragheema Mclean 12 March 2025

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has revealed that an estimated R129 billion is required to address South Africa’s severe school infrastructure backlog. Speaking before the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday (12 March), Gwarube highlighted the urgent need to eradicate unsafe pit latrines, replace mud schools, and improve access

Political analyst expectations ahead of the budget speech

Loushe Jordaan Gilbert 12 March 2025

The minister of finance, Enoch Godongwana, will be delivering the much-awaited budget speech on Wednesday, with political analysts stating that internal challenges within the Government of National Unity (GNU) are the stumbling block in terms of finalising the budget speech. Political analyst Sandile Swane said a Value Added Tax (VAT)

WCED says 2026 school admissions off to a good start

Ragheema Mclean 12 March 2025

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has reported a strong start to the 2026 school admissions process, with applications already submitted for 43,727 learners across Grade R, 1, and 8. The application window, which opened on 11 March, will close on 15 April 2025. Education MEC David Maynier has encouraged

Godongwana gears up for second attempt at budget speech amid VAT controversy

Ragheema Mclean 12 March 2025

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will take another shot at delivering his Budget Speech on Wednesday, 12 March, following its rejection in February due to a proposed two-percentage-point increase in value-added tax (VAT). The revised budget is expected to address concerns over taxation and government spending. Speaking on VOC Breakfast, economist

Is Zelensky’s trip to South Africa diplomatically sound?

Daanyaal Matthews 12 March 2025

By Daanyaal Matthews President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, is expected to visit the Republic in April. This visit follows the Ukrainian president’s public rejection by the United States and the increased tensions between the United States and the Republic of South Africa after Trump’s executive order halting aid. The decision

SAMA urges government to bridge funding gaps.

Lee-Yandra Paulsen 11 March 2025

The South African Medical Association has urged the government to intervene in the health sector following funding cuts by United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump to USAID. Reports indicate that clinical trials on HIV research, including those at the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre, have been halted due to these cuts.

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.

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