Mpumalanga ANC chairperson Mandla Ndlovu has been elected premier, marking a new era for the province after the 2024 general elections. He replaces embattled former Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, who was forced to relinquish the top job after ANC top brass confirmed Ndlovu’s candidacy in a statement released on Thursday, June 13. The Mpumalanga Legislature elected Ndlovu at its first sitting on Friday.  His election came hours after it emerged that the ANC and the Democratic Alliance had agreed to…

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the governing party has listened to ordinary South Africans’ issues and will deliver on the mandate after securing a decisive vote on Wednesday. Ramaphosa spoke over the weekend at the ANC’s Siyanqoba rally at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng. This was the ANC leader’s final pre-election campaign rally before the country’s hotly contested elections since democratic rule in 1994.  Ahead of the May 29 polls, various surveys have indicated that…

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema took a public oath days before the May 29 general elections, declaring his allegiance to the South African Constitution, promising to eradicate poverty and toning down on his immigration policy to allay the fears of concerned voters. Malema’s oath was taken at the party’s final pre-election rally, known as “Tshela Thupa”, at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, over the weekend. Tshela Thupa rally, a victory lap event that loosely means “whip…

LIMPOPO ANC Youth League (ANCYL) chairperson Tonny Rachuene, who has won praise from traditional leaders for championing their cause, has vowed to “narrow the gap” between the governing party and traditional leaders and restore the latter’s dignity.  Rachuene has won the hearts and minds of many, including Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) President Kgoshi Mathupa Mokoena, after leading a campaign that has seen the youth league visiting more than 20 tribal authorities and lavishing them with gifts…

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been cleared to run as a candidate and appear on the ballot for his party, uMkhonto We Sizwe (MKP), in the upcoming general elections.  The Electoral Court in Johannesburg has upheld his appeal and set aside the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa’s (IEC) decision to disqualify his candidacy due to his previous contempt of court conviction.  The ruling paves the way for Zuma to go to Parliament. It marks a dramatic political…

Kwazulu-Natal water utility Umgeni-Uthukela Water says it has expedited a R26 billion water project to alleviate crippling water shortages in the eThekwini Municipality and other parts of the province.  Spokesperson Siyabonga Maphumulo says the Umkhomazi Dam project will solve the water crisis that has left millions of residents without the precious liquid for many years.  Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu visited the Lower Umkhomazi Water Scheme project on Saturday, April 6, during his whirlwind tour of key infrastructure projects,…

Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu has called on private sector players to come forward and partner with his department to fast-track multi-billion infrastructure development projects. Amid crippling water shortage and deteriorating infrastructure nationwide, Mchunu says he has established a partnership office in his department to allow private companies to work with the government to upgrade dams and bulk water pipes in conjunction with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA).  Addressing Mvula Trust’s 30th Anniversary celebrations in Midrand on…

In a major blow to the ANC, the Electoral Court of South Africa has ruled in favour of the uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party, paving the way for former president Jacob Zuma’s party to participate in the upcoming national elections on May 29, 2024. This decision comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the party’s future, following attempts by the governing party to challenge the MKP’s registration in the court, which sat in Bloemfontein, Free State. The ANC’s objections centered on…

The Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party has accused the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of selective prosecution and weaponising the judicial system. It also claims President Cyril Ramaphosa is using the NPA to fight his political battles and prevent the party from challenging the African National Congress (ANC) in the general elections on May 29. The Electoral Court sitting in Bloemfontein is expected to deliver a verdict in the case between the ANC and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). The governing…

AFTER a decade-long delay attributed to poor performance and alleged tender irregularities, contractors appear to have made significant progress towards the R4.1 billion Giyani Bulk Water Project.   Residents say their water supply has improved since late last year, after the government made notable progress in installing water pipes and refurbishing the reservoirs.   They told African Times that while water rationing remains, the new contractors appointed by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) have repaired leaking reservoirs and connected water…