Monthly Archives: July 2025

Former apartheid police sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for murder

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Picture: Former apartheid policeman, Johan Marais/Supplied

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

10 July 2025- A former Section Leader of the Reaction Unit 6 in Dunnottar, Johan Marais (66) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Gauteng High Court sitting in Pretoria. This comes after Marais pleaded guilty and was convicted of premeditated murder of Caiphus Nyoka.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said at the time of his death, Caiphus Nyoka was a student activist and a member of the Congress of South African Students (COSAS). Mahanjana said he was also the organiser for the South African Youth Congress Organiser (SAYCO) in the East Rand, as well as the president of the Student Representative Council (SRC) at Mabuya High School.

“He was fiercely opposed to the apartheid policies and used to challenge them publicly. On the evening of 23 August 1987, Marais and some of the members of the security branch and other units within the South African Police, met to discuss a plan to kill Nyoka.

“A plan to raid his home was devised under the then commanding officer, Major Leon Louis van den Berg, who is also charged separately,” said Mahanjana.

She further said in the early hours of 24 August 1987 at about 2:30am, Marais, together with Sergeant Pieter Stander, Sergeant Abram Hercules Engelbrecht and other members of the Reaction Unit, who are also charged separately, arrived at Nyoka’s homestead and stormed Nyoka’s room. Mahanjana added that they found him sleeping with three of his friends.

“After identifying him, they removed the friends from the room and proceeded to shoot him 9 times.  He died on the scene because of multiple gunshot wounds. During the sentencing arguments, Marais told the court that he committed the offence 37 years ago under the instructions of the apartheid regime.  

“He further asked the court for a sentence of correctional supervision because of his age, medical condition, and that he showed remorse for his actions,” she said.

Mahanjana said, however, the team of prosecutors, advocate Esther Dlelwani Kabini, advocate Daniel Desi Mogotsi and advocate Vhulahani Lucus Nesengani Davhana, asked the court to impose a stringent sentence and argued that Marais, together with his co-perpetrators who are still standing trial for the same matter at the Gauteng High Court sitting in Benoni, committed a serious offence of a planned brutal killing of Nyoka. She said they targeted him, isolated him from the friends he was with and killed him execution style while half naked, sleeping in his bed.

“Furthermore, the team argued that the fact that Marais pleaded guilty does not show true remorse because even after 37 years, he still has not apologised to the family,” said Mahanjana.

When handing down the sentence, Judge Papi Mosopa agreed with the state that Marais lacked genuine remorse.  Mosopa said he only wrote the letter to the family as a mitigating factor. 

“Therefore, I found that the sentence given was fitting for the crimes committed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mahanjana said the sentence reflects the NPA and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) commitment to ensuring accountability for atrocious crimes that were referred to the NPA by the TRC. Mahanjana said TRC matters, in their nature and due to the very long lapse of time, disintegration of evidence and lack of availability of critical witnesses, are very difficult to investigate and prosecute.

“However, because of the dedicated team of prosecutors and the DPCI Investigator, Lieutenant Colonel Petrus Cornelius Beukman, the NPA secured its first sentence in the High court on TRC matters.  

“This sentence is therefore significant and impactful, not only for the state and society, but most importantly for the victims’ families to finally find closure. The NPA is resolute in ensuring prosecution and justice for the victims’ families,” she said.

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The hidden cost of a broken funding system at South Africa’s public universities

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Picture: North West University’s Teaching and Learning Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Linda du Plessis/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

10 July 2025- North West University’s Teaching and Learning Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Linda du Plessis said there is an ongoing dysfunction within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Du Plessis said various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) are not only jeopardising the futures of vulnerable students, but also placing immense strain on South Africa’s public universities.

She further said, while attention has focused on student hardships, the crippling operational, financial and reputational toll on universities has gone largely unnoticed. Du Plessis added that this is threatening universities’ ability to deliver quality education, sustain infrastructure, and drive national development.

“The dysfunction at the heart of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and various Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) has been the topic of many recent media articles.

“This focus is needed as it directly affects the academic journey and future of South Africa’s most vulnerable students. However, what continues to receive little or no acknowledgment is the burden these failures place on the very institutions tasked with delivering quality higher education: the public universities,” she said.

Du Plessis said for years, universities have had to carry the brunt of NSFAS mismanagement, often without any meaningful prior consultation or support. She said while Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane and her department continue to promise reforms, universities remain on the receiving end of a crumbling system that is fast becoming unsustainable – not just for students, but for the institutions themselves.

“The NSFAS was designed to ensure that no student is denied access to higher education due to financial barriers. Yet, despite meticulous planning from universities, every academic year begins with chaos such as delayed funding, defunding of students mid-year, and tens of thousands of students left in accommodation limbo.

“These issues do not affect only the students – they cripple university operations. Universities are not profit-driven institutions, but operate as financially accountable public entities,” said du Plessis.

She said the payment of municipal bills, maintenance of infrastructure, licences for an IT infrastructure to enable digital innovation and the payment of salaries are but a few of the basic things that are expected of any well-managed institution. Du Plessis said South Africa has no shortage of examples showing how years of limited maintenance have left once-functional infrastructure and office spaces unfit for use.

“When the NSFAS fails to disburse funds on time, what is then expected of a public university? Universities are forced into the untenable position of either blocking registrations or carrying the cost of registration and tuition, effectively becoming creditors in a relationship they never agreed to.

“When landlords stop accommodating students due to unpaid rent, the backlash is directed at universities. Institutions have had to extend registration deadlines, negotiate short-term payment terms with landlords and manage rising legitimate student frustration and unrest. They have to manage a crisis not created by them,” she said.

Du Plessis said funding challenges affect the core existence of universities and disrupt teaching and learning. She said while the public sees burning tyres and angry slogans, what remains hidden is the massive operational toll this takes on institutions.

“Academic calendars are adjusted repeatedly, and these changes often come with additional cost implications. Although the budget allocation for higher education is increasing, most of the growth is directed towards funding the NSFAS, rather than expanding universities or advancing research and innovation.

“The situation within the SETAs adds another layer of strain. SETAs are tasked with facilitating skills development, and the potential impact of these bodies is enormous. However, political appointments and poor governance have rendered many of them ineffective,” she said.

 Du Plessis said the recent allegations regarding the appointment of politically connected individuals are yet another example of how politics can be prioritised over merit and accountability in the higher-education and training sector. She said universities depend on SETA partnerships for work-integrated learning placements, funding of graduate internships and industry collaboration.

“When SETAs fail, universities are again forced to fill the gap. The notion that universities are “denying graduates access to the job market” because of student debt reflects a simple interpretation of a complex issue.

“Public universities would like to see all graduates making a contribution, either as employees or entrepreneurs, in various sectors of the economy. However, the universities cannot continue functioning if they are expected to provide a free service without financial planning, especially when government departments responsible for that funding are in disarray,” said du Plessis.

She said public universities are not just service providers, they are national assets tasked with transforming lives, producing research, driving innovation and shaping the future workforce of South Africa. Du Plessis said it is therefore important to focus on the impact of funding challenges on institutions and the dysfunction it creates too.

“Reform will require more than cosmetic changes and promises. It requires a fundamental rethink of how to establish a sustainable financial aid model for students. It requires sound and accountable management.

“The financial stability, operational effectiveness and reputation of public universities are at stake. Sustaining excellence within a failing system is difficult,” she said.

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Mosetsanyana wa dingwaga di le 16 o beteletswe

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

10 Phukwi 2025- Lekgarebe la dingwaga di le 16 la kwa motseng wa Lokgabeng, gaufi le Taung, le beteletswe. Go begwa fa lekgarebe le ga mlogo le ditsala tsa gagwe, ba ne ba ya kwa lefelong le le rekisang bojalwa la 2BoB ka ura ya bo lesome bosigo ka Lamatlhatso. Go begwa fa ba ile ba fitlha ba iphanya ka nnotagi, fela ene ya re lekgarebe le, le utlwa ekare o bo tshetse go utlwala, a ne a kopa ditsala tsa gagwe gore ba tsamaye.

Go ya ka dipego, ditsala tsa gagwe di ile tsa gana, mme ba mo kaela fa ba setse ba itisitse. Go begwa fa lekgarebe le, le ne la ipeta pelo fela, mme la wela mo tseleng. Go begwa fa le tla le lebile kwa gagabo, le ne la kopana le mosadimogolo.

Go begwa fa mosadimogolo o, a ile a mo botsa gore ke mang, mme gobaneng a tsamaya a le nosi bosigo? Go begwa fa lekgarebe le, le ile la tlhalosetsa mosadimogolo fa ele setlogolo sa kwa ga Maine. Go begwa ga mosadimogolo a ile a mo tlhalosetsa fa rragwemogolo Maine ele ntsalae, mme a mo kopa gore a tsamaye le ene a ye go robala kwa gagagwe, gonne go le bosigo o ka tlogana a tlhaselwa ke dilalome.

Go begwa fa mosadimogolo o, a ile a tlhalosetsa lekgarebe le fa a sa bone tsela sentle, mme ba tsamaya go ya kwa legaeng la gagwe. Go begwa fa go fitlheng ga bone, mosadimogolo o ne a mo laela gore a robale mo phaphosing ya mmelaelwa wa dingwaga di le 33. Go begwa fa ka nako eo, mmelaelwa a ne a seo, mme lekgarebe le, le ile la robala.

Go ya dipego, mmelaelwa o ile a fitlha moragonyana, mme a fitlhela lekgarebe le, le robetse mo bolaong jwa gagwe. Go begwa fa lekgarebe le le ile la tsoga magareng ga ura ya borobongwe le lesome mo mosong, mme a tsosiwa ke go utlwa gore go na le motho o mo betelelang.

Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ile a botsa mongongoregi gore ele gore ene ke mang, ebile o fitlhile jang mo bolaong jwa gagwe. Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ile a bolelela mongongoregi gore a se ise pelo mafisa, gonne ke mosadi wa gagwe. Go begwa fa lekgarebe le, le ile la tlola mo godimo ga bolao, mme apara borokgwe jwa gagwe jwa mogare (panties) ga mmogo le borokgwe jwa gagwe jwa jeans, mme a se hopha selelo.

Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ile a tswela kwa ntle, mme a itsise mosadimogolo fa lekgarebe le, le lela fela ga itse gore o lelela eng. Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ile a latela lekgarebe le mo ntlung, mme a mo kopa gore a tsamaye le ene go ya go bolelela mosadimogolo gore o lelela eng.

Go begwa fa mosadimogolo a ile a laela mmelaela gore a ise lekgarebe le kwa gagabo, fela lekgarebe le ile la gana. Go begwa fa mosadimogolo a ile a neela lekgarebe le madi a kanang ka R100 gore a pagame tekesi go ya gae kgotsa a bone gore o tla dira eng ka madi ao.

Go begwa ka lekgarebe le, le ile la tsamaya ka bokukuntshwane kwa legaeng la mosadimogolo. Go ya ka dipego, lekgarebe le, le le neng le tlhapile ka dikeledi, le ile la kopana le mme mongwe mo tseleng.

Go begwa fa mme o, a ile a mo botsa gore o lelela eng, mme o ile a mo lotlegela ka se se mo diragaletseng. Mme o, go begwa fa a ile a leba kwa gagagwe le lekgarebe le, mme a fitlha a roma ngwana wa gagwe go ya go reka airtime gore motswasetlhabelo a letsetse batsadi ba gagwe.

Go begwa fa mme o, a ile a letsetsa mmagwe ngwana. Go begwa fa mmagwe ngwana a ile a ya go tsaya ngwana wa gagwe, mme kgetsi ya petelelo e ile ya bulwa.

Go begwa fa mmelaelwa a ile a tshwarwa ka Labobedi, mme o solofetswe go tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo mo letsatsing la gompieno mabapi le petelelo.

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Additional accused arrested in R7m transformer theft case

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Picture: Transformer theft case accused in court

By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025- The Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to three officials from the City of Tshwane who are accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7 million. Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve was granted bail of R35,000, while Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were each granted bail of R30,000.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in Gauteng, Lumka Mahanjana said all three are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure, relating to a transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium. Mahanjana said it is alleged that on the afternoon of 7 November 2024, the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and SAPS, responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the substation.

“Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on-site. When no proof of work authorisation could be provided, eleven people were arrested. Ten were later released from custody.

“Another City of Tshwane official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38), who was also arrested at the scene, appeared in court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail. During investigations by the police, it was found that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before police arrived,” she said.

Mahanjana further said warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces on 1 July 2025. She added that in court, the state did not oppose their release on bail.

Prosecutor Grace Komane submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Sergeant Thabo Lukhele, stating that the accused had cooperated with the police, are permanently employed by the City of Tshwane, and therefore they do not pose as a flight risk. Komane said the affidavit also noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with most witness statements already collected.

The case was postponed to 11 July 2025 for the Schedule 6 opposed bail application of a fourth accused, Katlego Molepo (32), who is facing the same charge. Molepo, alleged to be the buyer of the stolen transformer, handed himself over to the Atteridgeville Police Station on 6 July 2025.

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Winter Camps in full swing in the North West Province

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- The North West Department of Education said it has rolled out its flagship Winter Camps Programme for Grade 12 learners across the province from 27 June 2025. The department said a total of 124 camps have been established catering to 31,159 learners.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said camps are designed to assist learners in revising critical subject content and bridging learning gaps ahead of the final examinations. Motsumi said these camps operate in two formats, residential and walk-in.

“So, 112 centres are residential and provide full-day academic support with overnight accommodation, while 12 centres function as walk-in camps, where learners return home after lessons.

“To ensure learner safety and wellbeing, schools have proactively engaged nearby clinics and hospitals to provide emergency support services during the camp period,” she said.

She further said her department is committed to improve matric outcomes. Motsumi added that, camps are more than just revision.

“They are a critical intervention to ensure that no learner is left behind. We do this with the door purpose of closing learning gaps and building confidence before year-end exams.

“We applaud all our educators and support teams who are working tirelessly during the winter break,” said Motsumi.

Adding to Motsumi’s expression, the recently appointed Superintendent-General of the Department, Lengane Bogatsu, highlighted the importance of intensified learner support initiatives.

“As I mentioned in my introductory speech, one of my key focus areas as I assume office is to intensify the department’s learner support mechanisms. Winter camps are a vital tool in improving results. They offer learners the opportunity to engage meaningfully with subject content in a focused environment, away from distractions. This is the kind of academic discipline we want to nurture,” said Bogatsu.

Meanwhile, the camps will run until 18 July 2025 and the department said it takes this time to encourage parents, communities, and school management teams to continue supporting learners throughout the programme.

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SAUCIC welcomes R1.2bn disaster relief allocation for flood victims

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Picture: Eastern Cape floods/Google

By REGINALD KANYANE

9 July 2025- The South African Union Council of Independent Churches (SAUCIC) on Wednesday welcomed the allocation of R1.2 billion earmarked for disaster relief across municipalities in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape as well as Kwa-Zulu Natal applauding measures put in place to ensure accountability. The allocation is against an estimated R6.3 billion needed for affected municipalities in the three provinces.

SAUCIC President Cardinal Archbishop Dr Modiri Patrick Shole said the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (COGTA) had earlier in the week announced that the first R151 million is to be released this month, followed by R798 million in August with the Eastern Cape set to receive the largest share of R504 million. Should commended strict controls that COGTA has put in place to track how funds were used, the progress of repairs and the quality of reconstruction.

“The monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and stringent measures put in place within the framework of the District Development Model (DDM) will deter opportunistic and corrupt elements that cannot resist the temptation to benefit at the expense of the plight of victims that have been left destitute.

“We express hope that the mobilized resources will alleviate the plight of victims particularly those left homeless who have to rebuild their lives,” he said.

Shole further said reconstruction must be characterised by integrity, transparency and delivery of quality infrastructure to ensure that there is no collusion, corruption and unnecessary delays during project implementation. He added SAUCIC had in the aftermath of the Eastern Cape disaster that claimed over 103 lives and left over 5000 homeless, commended government’s speedy intervention and appealed for compassion for victims.

“Coordination led by the Office of the Premier, COGTA and Departments of Human Settlements, Transport and Social Development had resulted in restoration of critical services such as water, electricity as well as roll-out of relief effort.

“The declaration of a State of Disaster to assist flood victims as well as deployment of members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) assisted by humanitarian organisations like the Gift of the Givers bolstered search including recovery operations within the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities,” said Shole.

He said while the integrated government-wide responsiveness is commended, they applaud the role played by churches and traditional leaders in counselling families that lost their loved ones as part of supporting the Department of Social Development to render psycho social support. Shope emphasised that partnership between government, Faith-based organisations as well as civil society organisations is necessary for community development and tackling crisis of this nature including social ills together.

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Umkhonto WeSizwe Party in North West calls for Mkhwanazi’s protection

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Picture: KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

By OBAKENG MAJE

9 July 2025- The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) in North West said it stands firmly with KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The party described Mkhwanazi as a brave and principled police leader, who has exposed the deep and dangerous connections between political leaders and organised crime.

MKP provincial convenor, Alfred Motsi said they are disturbed by recent political attacks directed at Mkhwanazi, especially from ANC-aligned figures following his public statements linking high-profile individuals to criminal syndicates and political assassinations. Motsi said Mkhwanazi’s courage in exposing these networks must be protected — not punished.

“In the North West, we have already witnessed the deadly consequences of political corruption and silence. Moss Phakoe, a respected Rustenburg Local Municipality councillor and anti-corruption activist, was assassinated shortly after submitting a dossier to then-President Jacob Zuma.

“The dossier exposed rampant corruption in the Rustenburg Local Municipality. Instead of being protected, Phakoe was silenced — killed for doing the right thing,” he said.

Motsi further said a prominent businessman, the Wandile Bozwana, was murdered after the Constitutional Court ruled that he must be paid for completed work at Brits Hospital. He added that the North West Premier at the time refused to pay and dragged the matter through the courts.

“Bozwana’s assassination is widely believed to be politically motivated, and his name was specifically referenced by Mkhwanazi when speaking about political interference and corruption.

“These are not isolated incidents. These are targeted attacks — part of a broader pattern to eliminate those who expose corruption, refuse to participate in looting, or stand up to political mafias,” said Motsi.

He said the uMkhonto weSizwe Party in the North West demands the immediate protection for Mkhwanazi and other whistleblowers. Motsi said they demand a full investigation into the assassinations of Moss Phakoe Wandile Bozwana, and the political figures behind them.

“We demand accountability from ANC leaders who are linked to, or benefit from, the silencing of truth-tellers. In response, the MKP will begin mobilising ground forces, members and communities across the North West to agree on a date for a complete provincial shutdown.

“This mass action will be a peaceful, but firm demonstration of solidarity with Mkhwanazi and a demand for justice for Phakoe and Bozwana. We will not allow political gangsters to continue operating with impunity. We stand for truth, justice, and a government that serves the people — not criminal networks,” he said.

Meanwhile, embattled Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu said in response to the recent allegations made by Mkhwanazi, and while respecting the President’s call for calm, he feels it is important to clarify that he has never met Vusimuzi Matlala, has never spoken to him, nor has ever requested or received anything from him.

Mchunu said did however, initiate a review of the SAPS tender awarded to him when suspicions of possible wrongdoing surfaced.

“It was the same tender which has since been terminated. Furthermore, whilst I know and has met Brown Mogotsi, he is just a comrade and not an associate. I had never requested or received anything from him,” he said.

However, a few months ago, Mchunu told Parliament that he does not know Mogotsi and never met with him.

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‘Municipalities should ensure water reaches residents’

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Picture: The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina/Supplied

By AGISANANG SCUFF

9 July 2025- The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina said municipalities are responsible for reticulation and ensuring that water reaches the homes of residents. Majodina who tabled the departmental budget today in Parliament said, it is important for government officials to understand the value chain of water provision so that they can properly guide members of the community, whenever issues of water are raised in their constituencies.

She further said in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered on 6 February 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “An urgent priority is to ensure a secure and reliable supply of water across the country. Many people in our cities, towns and villages are experiencing more and more frequent water shortages as a result of failing water infrastructure.

“It is impossible to live without water and it is impossible for the economy to grow without water.”

Majodina said Ramaphosa declared water as an immediate crisis and made a firm and unequivocal commitment for the government to take a series of decisive actions to resolve the water crisis. She further said perhaps at this point, they must restate the point that as a national department, they are responsible for bulk water supply and water resources.

“You will recall that we held a Water and Sanitation Indaba on 27 and 28 March 2025, which was attended by delegates from national government and national 2 entities, provincial government, the municipalities which are water services authorities, SALGA, the private sector, and water and sanitation experts. 

“The Indaba unanimously agreed on a set of practical resolutions related to delivery or implementation models. There are five pillars identified such as increasing investment through financing options, ensuring the financial viability of the sector, enhancing and strengthening technical and operational capacity and efficiency,” said Majodina.

She added that this includes building partnerships through building water sensitive and resilient communities and fighting criminality and corruption in the water and sanitation sector.

“The Infrastructure Fund which was established by Ramaphosa has been assisting the department to put in place such blended finance projects. Secondly, we identified a need to diversify the water mix and increasingly make use of other sources of water, including increased sustainable use of groundwater, seawater desalination, and water reuse.

“In this regard, the department is providing funding for groundwater projects through its grants in many different municipalities, including in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in the North West, Oudtshoorn Local Municipality in the Western Cape, Dikgatlong Local Municipality in the Northern Cape and Thaba Chweu in the Free State,” she said. 

Majodina said in addition, their Water Partnerships Office is assisting various water services authorities to put in place partnerships with the private sector for waste water reuse projects, including for the Umhloti, Umkomaas, Northern and Kwa-Mashu wastewater treatment works in eThekwini. She said this includes the Olifantsfontein and Waterval waste water treatment works in Ekurhuleni, the Rooiwal waste water treatment works in Tshwane; the Sebokeng waste water treatment works in Emfuleni, the Pelsvale waste water treatment works in Rand West City, the waste water treatment works in Outeniqua and the waste water treatment works in George.

“More municipalities are starting to develop seawater desalination projects, including Overstrand, Saldanha Bay and the City of Cape Town in the Western Cape, the City of eThekwini in KZN, and Ndlambe municipality in the Eastern Cape.   

“Thirdly, we made an undertaking to continue to monitor the implementation of more effective water conservation and demand management programmes to bring our water consumption per capita levels in line with, or below, the international average, and to ensure that industries use water as sparingly as possible,” said Majodina.

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COPE appoints Teboho Loate as its new acting Deputy President

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

9 July 2025- The Congress National Committee (CNC) of the Congress of the People (COPE) has appointed Teboho Loate as acting Deputy President, effective immediately, following the vacancy in that capacity. COPE said Loate is a seasoned and highly respected anti-apartheid activist and founding member of COPE.

COPE acting national chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi said Loate brings a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to the struggle for democracy, freedom, and development. Dikgetsi said his deep knowledge and loyalty to the party’s vision makes him the ideal leader to carry forward the party’s vision.

“The CNC has expressed its full confidence in Comrade Loate’s ability to lead with integrity and dedication, ensuring COPE’s rebuilding programme and that it remains steadfast in its mission to serve the people of South Africa,” he said.

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New Urban agenda all of Society workshop delegates to engage with Yarona Rapid Transport System

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Picture: Yarona Rapid Buses

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

9 July 2025- Delegates attending the National Department of Human Settlements and New Urban Agenda “All of Society Stakeholder Workshop” are expected to engage with the Ya Rona Rapid Transport System as they gather cross-section perspectives on the urbanisation process in South African cities and towns.

The department said the country is in the process of formulating a report that reviews the implementation of government policy on the Integrated Urban Development Framework over the last five years, taking stock of current realities and what can be done for the next five-year period.

The acting Director: International Relations, Dr Lwandiso Mpepho, said this is an opportunity for various stakeholders to discuss and share their experiences in cities, towns, and villages, and contribute to planning for the future. Mpepho said the first day of the engagement will be spent on understanding the context and background for the formulation of South Africa’s 2026 report to UN-Habitat for a review and progress about the country’s implementation of the New Urban Agenda and site visits to learn from projects in the province.

“The second day will involve discussions with various stakeholders to provide their experiences for inclusion in the report. The workshops also create a platform for delegates to review their past performances, plan for the future of their cities, towns, and villages for the progressive realisation of sustainable development.

“As part of the process to compile the report, the department is also calling for impactful initiatives from communities, municipalities, NGOs, businesses and individuals that support better housing, inclusive cities, basic services, or climate action to submit their projects for possible inclusion on the report,” he said.

Mpepho further said 20 projects will be selected and featured in the national report, gaining exposure both locally and internationally and the submission deadline for this is 16 July 2025. He added that individuals can submit their story on the Google Form: https://forms.gle/mhCFX1APd8fbs1hr9

“Background information on the New Urban Agenda and the Integrated Urban Development Framework can be accessed using these links: SA-NUA-REPORT-final-15122022-compressed.pdf,” said Mpepho.

He said they can also use IUDF – Integrated Urban Development Framework IUDF-2016_WEB-min.pdf. According to Mpepho, the event will be held at Rustenburg Civic Centre from 10 until 11 July 2025 from 8am.

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