Following its successful relaunch as a recalibrated programme in 2025, the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE), will again be staged from 03 to 13 September 2026.
Distinct and distinguishable for its multicultural character, and its offering of different arts genres, the festival will continue to be hosted in the month during which the country celebrates our cultural heritage, the month of September. Revellers and patrons of MACUFE are thus implored to save the dates: 03 to 13 September for yet another scintillating and entertaining cultural programme through which our cultural heritage is elevated on the highest pedestal.
A more expanded programme, which will incorporate other arts related platforms such as Divas Music Festival, Comedy and Poetry, will be rolled out as follows:
The Department commits itself to keep on making access to various platforms of the festival affordable so as to enable a wider appreciation of our cultural heritage as the primary focus of MACUFE.
“Undoubtedly, the staging of MACUFE in 2026 will escalate the upward trajectory that the festival took with its relaunch in 2025. The benefits derived from this festival should always be at the forefront of its objectives: local economic benefaction; local artists participation; tourism promotion as well as social cohesion and nation building enhancement”, said MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ntombizanele Sifuba.
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The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has suffered a major legal blow after the Makhanda High Court declared the appointment of its Provincial Task Team (PTT), led by convenor and Premier Oscar Mabuyane, unconstitutional and unlawful.
The ruling casts uncertainty over the party's leadership arrangements in the province and hands a significant victory to ANC members who challenged the legitimacy of the interim structure imposed by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The PTT was appointed in May to administer the ANC in the Eastern Cape after the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), the party's elected leadership structure in the province, was deemed to have reached the end of its term.
In a judgment delivered by Judge Vuyokazi Pamella Noncembu, the court further ruled that all decisions taken by the PTT since its appointment are unlawful, invalid, and of no force or effect.
The court found that the installation of the PTT breached the applicants' contractual rights as governed by the ANC constitution, rules, policies, and directives. It also held that the appointment violated ANC guidelines governing branch general meetings, branch biennial general meetings, and regional, provincial, and national conferences as adopted by the NEC.
Judge Noncembu stressed that the case was not about whether the NEC had the authority to establish a PTT, but whether the Eastern Cape PEC's term had automatically expired, thereby justifying the installation of an interim structure without first dissolving the elected leadership.
"It was the applicants' submission that the PEC was never dissolved, and therefore the NEC acted unlawfully, contrary to its powers as provided for in terms of Rule 12.2.4, when it installed the PTT," the judgment states.
The applicants further argued that, should the court find that the PEC had been dissolved, such dissolution ought to have been carried out through a lawful process before a PTT could be appointed.
The PTT, however, maintained that the PEC's four-year term had already lapsed by the time the interim structure was installed, making the appointment both necessary and lawful.
A political earthquake has struck Sol Plaatje Local Municipality after the African National Congress (ANC) expelled five of its councillors in a sweeping disciplinary crackdown, a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through Northern Cape politics and exposed deepening fault lines within the governing party.
The organisation's Northern Cape Provincial Secretary's Office confirmed that councillors Magret Molatudi, John Diphahe, Itumeleng Lekoma, Christopher Lephoi, and Yvonne Tau have been expelled from the organisation after being found guilty of conduct that brought the party into disrepute and violated its constitution, values, and disciplinary code.
The expulsions have now become final after none of the affected councillors exercised their right to appeal within the prescribed 21-day period.
In a statement, the party announced that the ruling of the Regional Disciplinary Committee is now "final and binding", effectively terminating the councillors' membership in the party and disqualifying them from serving as ANC public representatives in the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality.
"The affected individuals are no longer members of the ANC and are therefore not permitted to represent the organisation in any capacity, including as public representatives deployed by the ANC," the party said.
While the ANC has not publicly disclosed the specific conduct that led to the disciplinary action, the unprecedented removal of five councillors at once has sparked speculation about internal divisions and growing tensions within the municipality.
Political analysts say the mass expulsions are likely to intensify scrutiny of governance and stability in Sol Plaatje, one of the Northern Cape's most strategically important municipalities and home to the provincial capital, Kimberley.
The ANC defended the decision, describing it as evidence of the organisation's commitment to accountability and internal discipline.
Provincial leaders said the party would continue to act decisively against members whose actions undermine the organisation's principles and the trust placed in it by communities.
"The ANC remains steadfast in upholding its constitution, values and organisational discipline without fear or favour," the statement said.
The party further stressed its commitment to strengthening governance, protecting its integrity, and ensuring that elected representatives remain accountable to both the organisation and the communities they serve.
The expulsions are expected to trigger a process to fill the vacancies left by the affected councillors, while municipal and electoral authorities consider the legal and administrative implications of the decision.
The development marks one of the most significant disciplinary interventions in recent years within ANC structures in the Northern Cape and could have far-reaching consequences for the balance of power and political dynamics in Sol Plaatje Municipality.
With five seats now effectively vacant and questions lingering over the circumstances that led to the expulsions, attention is turning to how the ANC will manage the fallout and whether the dramatic purge will restore stability or deepen divisions within its local ranks.
This is a developing story.
City of Ekurhuleni officials recently uncovered 20 makeshift shacks hidden entirely inside a hijacked building along Victoria Street in Germiston.
The startling discovery occurred during a targeted by-law enforcement operation focusing on unlawful occupation and the rampant theft of municipal services. Teams from the municipality worked directly alongside the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department to immediately remove the illegally erected structures found inside the property.
During the blitz, authorities also organised the removal of highly dangerous, unauthorised water and electricity connections linked to the building. Social media footage and photographs quickly revealed that these makeshift units were being utilised as long-term living spaces.
Many shacks were well-established with functioning appliances and alphabetical letters marked on the doors, suggesting a distinct level of internal organisation. This specific operation highlights the immense pressure local governments face when trying to maintain crumbling infrastructure and ensure public safety.
Unauthorised utility connections place considerable strain on municipal networks and create severe hazards for surrounding neighbourhoods. Gauteng continues to function as the absolute epicentre of the hijacked building crisis gripping South Africa. The severe dangers of this regional crisis were tragically symbolised by the devastating 2023 Usindiso Building fire in Johannesburg.
Local authorities have strongly reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying these compliance operations to protect valuable public resources.
The municipality maintains that consistent enforcement remains completely essential to restoring order and safeguarding local communities.
“Our teams remain on the ground and will continue working with law enforcement partners to uphold safety, protect municipal assets and ensure compliance with by-laws across Ekurhuleni’s communities.”
The newly elected Mayor of Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality, Tumelo Thebe, has wasted no time in setting the tone for his administration, unveiling an ambitious plan to restore dignity, improve service delivery, and rebuild public confidence in a municipality that has struggled with governance and infrastructure challenges for years.
Tabling the municipality’s R2.743 billion budget for the 2026/27 financial year on Wednesday, Thebe outlined a people-centred vision aimed at addressing long-standing concerns around water, electricity, roads, housing, and economic development.
The mayor said the priorities contained in the budget are intended to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of residents and ensure that local government becomes more responsive to community needs.
“Our priorities should highlight our accountability to the Maluti-A-Phofung residents, business community, religious community, and all stakeholders,” said Thebe.
“I believe we can still do better on our public participation processes to promote inclusiveness. Our priorities should reflect a high sense of responsiveness to the challenges facing our people.”
For more than a decade, residents across QwaQwa and surrounding areas have voiced frustration over unreliable water and electricity supply, deteriorating roads, and inadequate municipal services. Businesses have also repeatedly raised concerns over the impact of poor infrastructure on investment and economic growth.
Thebe acknowledged these challenges and pledged that his administration would move decisively to address them.
“It cannot be business as usual when parts of QwaQwa do not have water and electricity. We must provide water and electricity,” he said.
“It cannot be business as usual when the whole of Tlholong is flooded when it rains. We must fix the water channels. It cannot be business as usual when roads and streets in Tshiame and Makgolokoeng are inaccessible. We must fix the roads.
“It cannot be business as usual when our young men and women share a shack with their elderly parents. We must allocate sites.”
Creating Jobs and Reviving Industry
Economic growth and youth employment emerged as key priorities in the mayor’s address.
Thebe strongly condemned the ongoing theft of electrical infrastructure and vandalism of water pipelines supplying industrial areas in Phuthaditjhaba and Tshiame, warning that these criminal activities continue to undermine economic development and discourage investment.
He called on residents to work with law enforcement agencies to identify and report those responsible.
“Some among us in the community know the perpetrators of these acts. I urge you all to report them to the authorities and help stop this crime as it contributes to investors leaving our areas and increasing unemployment,” he said.
According to figures from the Free State Development Corporation (FDC), the industrial areas of Phuthaditjhaba and Tshiame currently contain 360 factory units, of which 212 stand vacant. At least 21 of these factories have been destroyed by fire or vandalism.
The mayor described the situation as unacceptable, saying vacant industrial facilities represent lost opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
“We cannot accept a situation where factories that could be used to create new industries and employment opportunities for our young people remain empty and neglected,” he said.
Despite these challenges, Thebe pointed to significant investment opportunities on the horizon. He revealed that discussions are underway with 10 potential investors interested in establishing operations within the Maluti-A-Phofung Special Economic Zone in Tshiame.
The proposed investments are expected to exceed R3.4 billion and could create as many as 2,200 jobs if successfully implemented.
The development is being viewed as a major boost for a municipality grappling with high unemployment levels, particularly among young people.
Roads and Infrastructure Take Centre Stage
Improving road infrastructure has also been identified as a cornerstone of the municipality’s dignity restoration programme.
Thebe said several maintenance and rehabilitation projects are already underway to improve accessibility in villages, townships, and rural communities.
“These include pothole repairs, cleaning of stormwater drains, rehabilitation of base and surface layers, pavement realignment, cutting of trees, and minor spot gravelling on various roads,” he explained.
In addition to routine maintenance, the municipality is collaborating with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and the Free State Department of Roads on several major infrastructure projects.
Among these are the construction of footbridges in Monontsha, the paving of roads and installation of stormwater drainage systems in Makwane and Qoqolosing, and the first phase of a 3km paved road project in Tsheseng/Fika Patso.
The municipality is also participating in the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme, which will see 19 bridges constructed in communities including Tseki, Makong, Phazama, Mphokojoane, Paballong and Makoane.
The projects are expected to improve mobility, reduce travel risks and strengthen access to schools, healthcare facilities and economic opportunities.
Strengthening Water and Electricity Supply
Addressing ongoing electricity challenges remains a priority for the municipality.
Thebe announced that key electricity infrastructure, including the Elizabeth Ross Substation and the Moteka Substation, will be upgraded during the coming financial year.
The Moteka facility is particularly significant as it supplies electricity to more than 30 villages across the QwaQwa region.
The municipality also plans to purchase additional transformers to reduce outages and improve network reliability.
“We are going to purchase new transformers to assist with ongoing power outages,” said Thebe.
At the same time, he appealed to residents to support municipal revenue collection efforts by purchasing electricity and paying for services.
The mayor stressed that sustainable service delivery depends on the municipality's ability to generate revenue needed to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.
With a multi-billion-rand budget now in place and ambitious plans on the table, Thebe has positioned his administration around a simple but powerful promise: restoring dignity through service delivery, economic growth and responsive governance. Whether that vision translates into meaningful change for residents will be closely watched in the months ahead.
