Reporters Without Borders said on Tuesday that Israel was responsible for nearly half of all journalists killed this year worldwide, with 29 Palestinian reporters slain by its forces in Gaza.
In its annual report, the Paris-based media freedom group said the total number of journalists killed reached 67 globally this year, slightly up from the 66 killed in 2024. However, data encompassing all media workers, compiled by CPJ, brings that tally up to 122.
Israeli forces accounted for 43 percent of the total, making them "the worst enemy of journalists", RSF said in its report, which documented deaths over 12 months from December 2024.
The most deadly single attack was a so-called "double-tap" strike on a hospital in south Gaza on August 25, which killed five journalists, including two contributors to international news agencies Reuters and the Associated Press.
In total, since the start of hostilities in Gaza in October 2023, nearly 220 journalists have died, making Israel the biggest killer of journalists worldwide for three years running, RSF data shows.
Foreign reporters are still unable to travel to Gaza - unless they are in tightly controlled tours organised by the Israeli military - despite calls from media groups and press freedom organisations for access.
Elsewhere in the RSF annual report, the group said that 2025 was the deadliest year in Mexico in at least three years, with nine journalists killed there, despite pledges from left-wing President Claudia Sheinbaum to help protect them.
War-wracked Ukraine (three journalists killed) and Sudan (four journalists killed) are the other most dangerous countries for reporters in the world, according to RSF.
The overall number of deaths last year is far down from the peak of 142 journalists killed in 2012, linked largely to the Syrian civil war, and is below the average since 2003 of around 80 killed per year.
The RSF annual report also counts the number of journalists imprisoned worldwide for their work, with China (121), Russia (48) and Myanmar (47) the most repressive countries, RSF figures showed.
As of December 1, 2025, 503 journalists were detained in 47 countries across the world, the report said.
*This article was first published by IOL News
President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that the growing international claims suggesting that white Afrikaners are being persecuted in South Africa are dangerous and a direct threat to the country’s unity and sovereignty.
Speaking at the ANC’s National General Council (NGC) in Boksburg on Monday, Ramaphosa said the country’s democratic project is being undermined by both domestic groups invested in racial privilege and international actors willing to legitimise disinformation for political gain.
“The sense of shared nationhood is well established among South Africans of all races,” he said.
“However, some in our society still adhere to notions of racial superiority and seek to maintain racial privilege.
“Their vehement opposition to transformation aligns conveniently with wider notions of white victimhood, fed by false claims of persecution of white Afrikaners.”
Ramaphosa said these narratives, amplified abroad by lobby groups and foreign politicians, were not merely ideological disputes, but active threats to national stability.
“The propagation of these false claims has real implications for our sovereignty, international relations and national security,” he warned.
“It is essential that we counter this narrative through frank engagement and broad social mobilisation for a vision of non-racialism, reconciliation and transformation.”
The president’s remarks come as relations between Pretoria and Washington reach their lowest point in decades.
Since beginning his second term in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that South Africa’s government was forcibly taking land and encouraging violence against white farmers, especially Afrikaners.
His claims echo presentations made in the US by civil society groups including AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement, which allege systematic targeting of white citizens.
Diplomatic tensions escalated further last month when the US boycotted the G20 leaders' summit hosted in Johannesburg, arguing that no consensus could be reached without its participation.
South Africa went ahead, producing a final communique prioritising climate action and gender equality, themes the Trump administration has openly rejected.
In a rare diplomatic snub, Washington has since invited Poland, not South Africa, to the opening meetings of its 2026 G20 presidency.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the shift, accusing Pretoria of harbouring “an appetite for racism” and tolerating violence against Afrikaners — claims South Africa dismisses as baseless.
With uncertainty now looming over South Africa’s participation in the 2026 G20 cycle, Ramaphosa said the country must confront disinformation head-on.
*This article was first published by IOL News
In the vibrant yet vulnerable landscape of South Africa, nearly 10 million adolescents grapple with the weight of survival amid systemic neglect. A new study from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Psychology lays bare the harsh truths of adolescent girls navigating poverty, food insecurity, and the life-altering consequences of transactional relationships. As these young women seek to fill their stomachs, they are often compelled to trade their safety for fleeting sustenance.
Across communities where resources are minimal, the pressures faced by adolescent girls become unbearable. pressures faced by adolescent girls become unbearable. Professor Eugene Lee Davids sheds light on the pervasive issue, stating, “Food insecurity doesn’t just mean going to bed hungry – it reverberates through every aspect of life, especially for girls in impoverished areas.” Within these confines, access to education, healthcare, and safe environments is alarmingly low, creating a terrifying cycle of vulnerability.
The repercussions of structural deprivation manifest in a tragic compromise: a full stomach borne from risky sexual favours.
Professor Davids explained how these dire circumstances breed desperation, leading to “transactional relationships with older men” that are highlighted by the prevalence of alcohol-fuelled underage gatherings in local taverns. Here, underage drinking is rampant, and alcohol becomes a currency, drawing adolescent girls into a world of risky behaviours that often leads to addiction, early pregnancy, and an increased risk of HIV infection.
“The implications are enormous,” warned Professor Davids. “If the root causes of these behaviours, such as food insecurity, aren’t addressed, the country risks squandering the potential of an entire generation.”
Despite existing frameworks and laws designed to protect adolescents, enforcement remains weak, and community inaction renders such policies largely ineffective. Unfortunately, laws like the Sexual Offences Act and the National Liquor Act frequently falter in their intent, allowing these young women to remain vulnerable.
"It is quite clear that addressing adolescent risk behaviours cannot be done in isolation," stressed Professor Davids. The consequences of ignoring this pressing societal crisis demand urgent collective action. Piecemeal solutions will not suffice; a comprehensive, community-based approach is essential.
School and community-based nutrition programmes aimed at alleviating food insecurity;
Strengthened enforcement of existing legal protections for adolescents;
Tougher regulations and oversight on alcohol sales, particularly in vulnerable communities;
Policy designs that reflect the realities faced by these communities, ensuring awareness and active participation of local members.
"South Africa, and indeed the broader African continent, stands at a crucial juncture, with projections estimating an unprecedented population of adolescents by the year 2100. The need for immediate action cannot be overstated. Behaviours, beliefs, and outcomes formed during adolescence will shape the trajectory of individuals and, by extension, the future of our country,” said Professor Davids.
"Now is the time to confront these challenges head-on and safeguard the future of a generation."
*This article was first published by IOL News
Matshediso Selebeleng
Is South Africa enters its final initiation season of the year, teachers, parents and communities are preparing for the month-long rite of passage that ushers young boys into manhood and young girls into womanhood. In the North West, authorities say they have strengthened systems to ensure a safer and more compliant season, following challenges experienced during the winter initiation period. According to Thebeetsile Keameditse, spokesperson for the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has tightened screening processes and ensured that all practitioners involved in this season are properly certified. “All applications for initiation schools and practitioners — including principals, traditional surgeons, caregivers and traditional health practitioners — were verified in line with the Customary Initiation Act No. 2 of 2021. PICC also ran extensive capacity-building workshops from August to September 2025 across all districts,” said Keameditse. These workshops focused on compliance, safety standards, age restrictions, consent procedures and proper registration requirements. Traditional Councils also screened practitioners at community level before applications reached the PICC. To strengthen health and safety measures, the Department of Health trained traditional surgeons on 14 November 2025 in preparation for the summer season. “Taken together, these steps give confidence to the PICC that the 446 approved initiation schools meet the criteria set out in the CIA and are adequately prepared for a safe and compliant season,” Keameditse added. He said monitoring teams from the PICC, Traditional Councils and local initiation committees will conduct frequent site visits throughout the period. One of the biggest challenges for the department remains the emergence of illegal initiation schools, many of which operate under unsafe conditions. These contributed to the six deaths recorded in the province during the winter season. “The PICC approaches customary initiation with profound respect for its sacredness. Our responsibility is to ensure that every initiate emerges healthy, protected and respected,” he said. “We believe this can be achieved through partnership, education and enforcement.” To address illegal schools, the PICC and law-enforcement agencies have run awareness campaigns, school outreach programmes and media messaging to encourage parents to choose legally registered schools and to understand the importance of consent and medical screening. “Culture thrives when it is protected, not when it is exploited,” Keameditse said, expressing hope for a safe and incident-free season. “The PICC’s goal is clear: no family should lose a child in the name of culture. By strengthening preparedness, health measures and enforcement, the province is better positioned to prevent tragedies and ensure a dignified, safe initiation season.” Keameditse emphasised that anyone wishing to host an initiation school must register at least three months before the season begins. Applications must be submitted to the PICC, and written approval is required from the relevant Traditional Council or, if conducted on private land, from the landowner or occupier.
Abigail Visagie
Honouring the storytellers shaping democracy and celebrating media excellence across the North West
It’s that time of year again when excellence in media is celebrated in the North West Province. The North West Media Awards (NWMA) are back, this year bigger and better, promising a renewed commitment to acknowledging excellence, independence, integrity, and innovation in the media landscape. Established in 2011, this annual event celebrates the pivotal role that media practitioners play in strengthening democracy, highlighting stories from a democratic and diverse South Africa, while also giving a voice to the voiceless. Spokesperson for NWMA Berlina Lekgethwane says the awards honour outstanding individuals, media houses, and organisations excelling in journalism, photography, communication, and other media-related sectors. She says the NWMA serves as a reminder of the dedication, compassion, and resilience required in the fast-paced world of media. “Some winners are chosen through public voting, while others are determined based on judges’ criteria and scores. “This year, the NWMA has partnered with North West University to feature two media icons, each with over three decades of experience. “The winners will receive awards along with special recognition from the legendary Dr Ezekiel Matjila, a prominent broadcaster best known for his role as a setswana news anchor and a former radio personality for Motsweding FM. Joining Matjila is another broadcaster Snyman Rankane, from Motsweding FM, known for his shows “Gaabo Motho” and “Leretlhabetse.” The 2025 NWMA event will also feature hosts Hector Motivator, a well-known author and motivational speaker, Lee Jay, a photography journalist, and Khumo Monde, who will serve as a red carpet presenter dressed by Rustenburg Fashion Week. “Although the NWMA is recognised as a non-governmental organisation, it has received R50 000 from North West University and significant support from Premier North West Lazarus Mokgosi through radio advertisements and promotional efforts, said Lekgethwane. The 16 categories for the NWMA amongst others include, Journalist of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Newspaper of the Year, Newsletter of the Year, Radio Current Affairs Programme of the Year and many others.
Lerato Mutlanyane
...as Homes Battle Overflowing Drains
Two neighbouring households say they’ve lived with sewage flooding, unbearable stench, and health dangers for months—revealing deeper infrastructure failures the city claims it never knew about
onths of overflowing sewage, foul odours, and rising health risks have turned daily life into a nightmare for families in Heidedal’s Ashburry division in Bloemfontein—exposing what residents say is a deepening infrastructure crisis the municipality claims it never knew about. Across two houses - 35A and 35B – homeowners told Journal News that they have reported the same ongoing nightmare to the Mangaung Metro Municipality over the past six months with no luck. What at first appears to be isolated household disasters is revealing a troubling pattern that points to a much larger infrastructure failure. For 71-year-old pensioner Sina Brown, the ordeal began with a gurgling sound in her bathroom sink, bathtub, and toilet. Soon after, a faint but unmistakable sewage odour began creeping out of the backyard drains, accompanied by a musty pool of wastewater that now makes the yard unusable. Because the houses in the area occupy much of the yard space and appear to share sections of plumbing, her neighbours’ flushes cause sewage to rise through her own toilet, bathtub, and sink. Brown fears that if the problem continues, her family will soon face serious health risks. “The issue was reported to the municipality once, but no one has assisted. The plumbing workmanship of both houses is very poor, and that’s what’s causing all these leaks. At this point, I may have to use my own money to fix this because the municipality isn’t helping and the other household can’t afford repairs,” she said. “I am really tired. We cannot live in such dire conditions and just wait for a miracle.” What Brown is experiencing is not an isolated incident—it suggests a wider pattern of neglect extending beyond a single property line. Just a street away, the Meyer family at 35A Abduraman Lane faces a similar daily crisis. Sewage frequently blocks their backdoor, leaking down to the street and creating a pool of mud, faeces, and soggy paper. The household of ten—four young adults and six children—says they have repeatedly reported the issue, including problems with the house’s pipe connections. “This problem has been here for over six months, even longer. The municipality officials came to inspect, but they never came back,” said 20-year-old Nesta Meyer. “We’ve even adapted to living like this.” The health risks associated with sewage exposure are severe: waterborne diseases such as Hepatitis A and E. coli infections, exposure to hazardous pathogens—including bacteria, viruses, and parasites—and environmental contamination. As part of its service delivery mandate, the municipality is responsible for effective sewage treatment, public health education, and routine water quality monitoring. When contacted for comment, the Mangaung Metro Municipality said they had no prior record of these complaints. “This is the first time we hear about this issue, especially in that area. We have conducted multiple sewage works around there, so this comes as a surprise—but we will attend to the matter as in yesterday,” said Communication Liaison Officer for Sanitation, Gcinumuzi Radebe. “Many times, people report issues to councillors, and these queries never reach our office. We will check our records and send a team to resolve the situation as soon as possible.” The story of Perishlaan Avenue is still unfolding. It is a story about infrastructure taken for granted—and the community resilience that emerges when it fails. By speaking up, residents hope not only to fix the pipes but to reclaim the health and dignity of their neighbourhood
