The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for policy changes to bring about change to the country's current Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies of the ANC.
On Monday, the party slammed the current policies, which it said only benefitted a few politically-connected individuals.
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A young e-hailing driver, Siyanda Mvelase, 27, was shot and burned at Maponya Mall on Wednesday.
Mvelase was killed on Wednesday evening, August 13, when unknown gunmen attacked e-hailing drivers outside Maponya Mall.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said one vehicle was seen stopping at the entrance when four men approached and opened fire on the driver before setting the car alight.
“Another vehicle nearby was also shot at, but the driver managed to flee. That vehicle was also torched,” Nevhuhulwi said.
A passerby and the second driver sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the hospital.
A case of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and arson has been opened for investigation.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) were deployed to the scene, with police saying the violence is suspected to be linked to ongoing tensions in the taxi industry.
IOL News previously reported that the township of Pimville came to a standstill on Thursday as angry residents vowed to shut down Maponya Mall for seven days.
The protest was in response to the attack on e-hailing drivers. In retaliation, one minibus taxi was burned by community members.
The violent clash follows months of rising tensions between traditional taxi operators and e-hailing services, which have increasingly become flashpoints in South African public transport disputes.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi expressed outrage over the attack, describing it as both a criminal act and a violation of democratic values.
“The lives of innocent people were put in danger when bullets flew around Maponya Mall,” said Kubayi.
“This is not only a matter of criminality but an affront to our constitutional rights. As a daughter of Soweto, I stand in solidarity with the community.”
Kubayi also called for swift justice and a coordinated government response through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster.
In addition, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) urged the government to expedite the implementation of amended National Land Transport Act (NLTA) regulations.
SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala said the delay in enforcing the new regulations has created a “regulatory vacuum”, leading to an unchecked influx of unlicensed e-hailing operators.
“This unregulated environment is fuelling safety risks, including hijackings, abductions, and violent crimes linked to the sector,” said Phala.
“SANTACO cannot remain silent. The government must act swiftly to enforce the revised NLTA regulations to ensure the safety of all commuters and operators.”
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has publicly rejected all allegations of racism levelled against him, sparking widespread debate online, with both his supporters and detractors weighing in on the controversy.
Social media users unearthed a series of old posts on X - formerly known as Twitter - where McKenzie allegedly used derogatory terms against Black people on several separate occasions. These resurfaced posts have fueled the ongoing backlash and intensified public scrutiny.
Addressing both his political party and the public on Sunday evening, 9 August 2025, McKenzie firmly denied the allegations, claiming they are “fabricated lies” aimed at discrediting him.
In a statement released across his social media platforms, he asserted that a full-scale campaign had been launched to brand him as a racist against Black people.
“I have fought my whole life for Coloured and Black unity. I am the son of a Black mother. I was born to different races,” McKenzie stated.
“Coloured people are not supposed to stand up and fight back - we are expected to be insulted and crawl back into our corner. My crime was leading the protest against those racist young people,” he continued.
Mckenzie added that despite being met with hatred, anger, and serious accusations, he would not be deterred from his mission. He also criticised the role of certain podcasters, arguing that their influence on public perception revealed their “prejudice” towards the Coloured community.
“You are more offended by our outrage as Coloured people against the vile racism directed at us. You make excuses for these young people who hurt an entire race. You are encouraging future racists instead of nipping this in the bud. We are not you,” he said.
The sports minister stressed that he harbours no racism and has consistently worked toward racial unity.
“This is why I’m proud to be part of the Patriotic Alliance. I don’t have a racist bone in my body. I have always advocated for unity among all races.
“I’m writing this to tell you to fight racism wherever and whenever it shows up. We are one nation under God,” McKenziee concluded.
Following the recent social media spat and allegations of fake qualifications against embattled CENTLEC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Malefane Sekoboto, background screening and vetting company Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE) has confirmed the legitimacy of his educational credentials.
Earlier this month, a public dispute erupted after a social media post accused Sekoboto of falsifying his academic qualifications. Patricia Morgan-Mashale - the “whistleblower” who openly accused Sekoboto of fabricating his qualifications on Facebook – further claims the CEO allegedly secured his position at the power utility using fraudulent qualifications.
“Sekoboto, the CEO of Centlec, is a huge scammer who used bogus certificates to get hired as an electrical engineer throughout his career (sic). He genuinely took the position that should have been held by a qualified individual,” the post read in part.
Contrary to Mashale’s claims, Sekoboto’s qualifications have been cleared up and confirmed as legitimate. This is according to reputable vetting company MIE on behalf of the Central University of Technology (CUT).
In response to a request by Journal News for verification of Sekoboto’s educational credentials, Mzwakhe Maduna, who works in the enquiries office at MIE, confirmed that Sekoboto indeed holds a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, a BTech in Electrical Engineering, as well as a BTech in Project Management from the Central University of Technology (CUT).
This publication further established the authenticity of Sekoboto’s Master’s Degree qualification, which he obtained in 2019 from the Da Vinci Business School. Samantha Naidoo from the school’s registry office confirmed that the Centlec CEO completed a Master of Science in the Management of Technology and Innovation.
The two confirmations echoed Centlec’s acting spokesperson, Tseliso Leba’s sentiments, who squarely refuted Mashale’s spurious claims, dismissing them as nothing but an attempt to discredit the CEO’s public image.
Leba stated that, despite Mr. Sekoboto’s 22 years of service with the utility, Centlec can say “unequivocally” that the allegations are false and represent a deliberate attempt to tarnish his name and reputation.
“We can confirm that Mr. Sekoboto holds extensive qualifications and has consistently proven to be an asset to both Centlec and the broader academic community.
“His publication of two journal articles during his PhD studies further attests to his expertise, with these works accessible on reputable scholarly platforms,” concluded Leba.
After years of being sidelined and playing second fiddle to more prominent headliners on their home turf, Free State artists are finally stepping into the spotlight at this year’s highly anticipated Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE).
Last month, Journal News published a story titled FS Festivals Overlook Local Artists, where local performers raised concerns about being excluded from the festival and called for 90% representation at the annual event.
They described MACUFE as a platform rooted in community pride and cultural celebration - one meant to showcase local talent in music, art, and culture.
Now, their cries have finally been heard through the Journal News.
The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR) has announced that 67% of the artists featured in this year’s main MACUFE programmes will be from the Free State.
In a statement released on Tuesday, departmental spokesperson Tankiso Zola confirmed that of the 57 artists booked for MACUFE’s three flagship programmes, 38 are local artists, which is 67% of the artists lined up for the mega festival.
“When considering all 2025 MACUFE platforms - 121 out of 140 artists - an impressive 86% are Free State-based,” Zola said.
He highlighted that this development follows a commitment made by Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and MEC Zanele Sifuba during the official MACUFE launch.
Sifuba emphasised that the festival would now prioritise the development of local talent.
“Our resolve to ensure artistic development in the Free State is a matter of principle, and this growth will continue on an upward trajectory,” said Sifuba, adding that “this level of participation by our local artists across district and provincial arts and culture programmes is a testament to our commitment to creating platforms for artistic expression, showcasing talent, and enabling Free State artists to earn a living.”
MACUFE is officially scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 September 2025.
With up to 65% of adult men who participated in the Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) study into the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), and another study finding that chronic illnesses like hypertension, diabetes, depression, obesity, anxiety and cardiovascular diseases often led to ED in men.
ED will affect 322 million men globally by 2025, as estimated by the Journal of Urology International (BJUI). While the International Journal of Impotence Research estimated in its 2010 study that 85% of men living with ED across Africa did not seek treatment.
The EmpowerED for Life campaign under global healthcare company Viatris aims to shift the narrative by ending the stigma around men’s sexual health and encouraging health-seeking behaviour.
Launched during a virtual event that was attended by various health experts on the African continent, policymakers, men’s health advocacy organisations and the media, the company indicated that the campaign would take place in key African countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
During the campaign, the impact of ED on men’s physical, emotional and psychological well-being will be spotlighted as a growing public health crisis that requires urgent attention.
The multi-channel campaign will use digital media, community outreach programmes, academic institutions, and partnerships with healthcare providers will attempt to reach men and their partners from both urban and rural communities.
A focus will be given to promoting awareness, education, engagement and empowerment as the four pillars of the campaign.
“Through the EmpowerED for Life campaign, we are not only promoting awareness but also advocating for empathy, evidence-based care, and the normalisation of open dialogue. At Viatris, our mission is to empower people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life, and that includes providing solutions to support men across Africa to access the information and healthcare they need to thrive,” said Head of India & Access Market (ARVs, India, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa), Arvind Kanda.
In its National Integrated Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2025, South Africa reports that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were among the leading causes of death in men aged 45 years and older. Stigma, poverty, feelings of compromised masculinity, confidentiality concerns, distance between facilities, gender norms and inconvenient times were some of the drivers for men not seeking healthcare services sooner.
Head of Urology Department at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), Dr Shingai Mutambirw, expressed the importance of the campaign in ending some of the challenges men face and breaking the silence about ED.
“Erectile dysfunction is often dismissed as merely a performance issue or a private matter, yet it can be an early warning sign of serious health concerns like cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” he said.
“Recognising and addressing ED early allows us to intervene before complications arise. It’s time we stop treating ED as a taboo and start viewing it as a gateway to better overall health for men across Africa.”
The campaign further aims to regulate the treatment of ED and advance equity for men on the continent.
In an effort to curb the escalating crisis of gender-based violence (GBV), Matjhabeng Local Municipality Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha and Deputy Minister of Public Service and Administration Pinky Kekana have jointly issued a passionate call for the protection of women in South Africa.
Speaking during a Women’s Month celebration at the Meloding Multi-Purpose Centre in Virginia, both the Mayor and the Deputy Minister highlighted the devastating impact of GBV on families and communities, urging citizens to break the silence and report abuse.
They emphasized the need for education, empowerment, and stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and local stakeholders to create safer spaces for women and children.
“Building a stronger, more cohesive society requires a collective effort, where men and women work hand in hand to address social challenges, promote safety, and foster healthy lifestyles. In this regard, I would like to reiterate that women play a critical role in shaping communities, and it is therefore essential that they are afforded equal opportunities to participate in all economically driven initiatives - whether spearheaded by government or the private sector,” said Khalipha.
He also reflected on the recent Men’s Dialogue convened by his office on 31 July 2025, where men from various sectors engaged in meaningful discussions under the theme: “Reclaiming Our Role – Men Taking Responsibility in Building Safer, Healthier Communities.”
According to Khalipha, the dialogue offered a vital platform for men to reflect on their responsibilities within families, workplaces, and communities, and to commit themselves to becoming agents of positive change.
Deputy Minister Kekana encouraged women to distance themselves from abusive relationships, warning that abuse often begins with minor acts and can escalate to tragic outcomes. She also called upon women in churches to pray for society and take a firm stand against all forms of social ills.
“We must continue to confront gender-based violence, economic exclusion, and the persistent inequalities that affect women, especially in rural and underserved communities. I call on every South African to be part of the solution - to uplift, protect, and empower women in their homes, workplaces, and communities. Together, we can shape a nation where gender equality is not just a goal, but a lived reality,” said Kekana.
