The Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has been voted out after ruling the country for 58 years since independence from Britain in 1966. The BDP lost the 2024, general elections, held on October 30, to the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), marking a historic shift in Botswana’s political landscape. On November 1, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded defeat, announcing his support for the incoming President, Duma Gideon Boko of the UDC, during a press briefing in Gaborone. Masisi also stated that he…

Cameron Dugmore, an African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, has commended the University of South Africa (UNISA) for receiving an unqualified audit opinion for the 2022/2023 financial year. In a statement released on Tuesday October 29th, Dugmore praised the university’s contributions to shaping Africa’s intellectual future, and attributed this achievement to the leadership of UNISA Principal and Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula and former President Thabo Mbeki’s support as Chancellor, highlighting their commitment to financial…

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has called for the “immediate and unconditional” removal of economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, describing them as “illegal measures that violate the basic human rights of ordinary Zimbabweans.”  This call came on the 25th of October, which SADC has designated as Anti-Sanctions Day, a day set aside annually to spotlight and protest against the sanctions imposed on SADC member states.  In a media statement released on Friday, October 25, 2024, Zimbabwean President and SADC Chairperson…

The Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs (Fole) has slammed Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC Ernest Rachoene’s decision to appeal a high court order reinstating Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) CEO Gabriel Maluleke and the agency’s board.  Siviko Mabunda, a Fole secretary, said the move proved that Rachoene and Premier Phophi Ramathuba wanted to “milk RAL through the back door”.  Last week, the Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane ordered Rachoene to reinstate Maluleke and the RAL board following their…

The Limpopo Division of the High Court in Polokwane has ordered Ernest Rachoene, MEC for Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure, to reinstate Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) CEO Gabriel Maluleke and the RAL board following their illegal removal.  This ruling, delivered by Judge Marisa Naude-Odendaal on Tuesday, October 8th, set aside Rachoene’s decision to dissolve the board on 31 July 2024, leading to Maluleke’s suspension on 30 August 2024.  The dissolved RAL board is led by businessman Matome Ralebipi, who is…

AHUIWI Netshidaulu, the former CEO of water utility Lepelle Northern Water (LNW), has accused the board’s chairperson, Dr Nndweleni Mphephu, of conspiring and abusing his power to protect a service provider and a senior official charged with criminal activities.   In an affidavit, Netshidaulu says Dr Mphephu threatened and tried to manipulate him into dropping his ongoing intimidation case against businessman Matome Sefalafala, the owner of Falaz General Trading and Construction (Pty) Ltd, and Phineas Legodi, former LNW CEO. Otherwise,…

The provincial governments of Limpopo and Gauteng have taken a significant step forward in their plans for a high-speed rail network that will connect the two provinces. According to a joint media statement released on October 9th, 2024, Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi met at Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro in Mookgophong, Waterberg, where they approved the implementation protocol document for the project. The two provinces also committed to joint consultations with key national bodies,…

University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, has emphasized that the institution is undergoing necessary transformation and has a “renewed” mandate underpinned by societal impact. He was delivering his keynote address at the official launch of the university’s Strategic Plan 2035, which will guide the university’s growth and development over the next decade. The plan, launched on Tuesday, October 8th at UJ’s Auckland Park campus in Johannesburg, focuses on three central themes: societal impact and sustainability,…

The Mpumalanga Tourism Expo has emerged as a landmark event for promoting sustainable tourism practices in South Africa. Organized annually by Jakada Holdings in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the event showcases the province’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, positioning Mpumalanga as a premier tourist destination. This year’s expo was held from 04 to 06 October 2024 at the Riverside Mall in Mbombela, and featured more than 60 exhibitors from across the country, including Gauteng,…

Nkululeko Dunga, former MMC for Finance in the City of Ekurhuleni and Chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng, survived an assassination attempt in the early hours of Wednesday, 02 October 2024.  According to a media statement from the EFF, the attack occurred at Dunga’s family home in Ekurhuleni. The statement details that at approximately midnight, suspicious footsteps were heard on the roof, prompting Dunga’s son to request a security check. Around 2 am, security personnel conducting patrols…