Daily Archives: November 18, 2025

‘Absence of member states at G20 Summit not new’

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Picture: Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo

By REGINALD KANYANE

18 November 2025 – In noting the absence of certain member states at the G20 Summit currently under way in Johannesburg, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Supra Mahumapelo said, it is not the first time that some of the G20 member states are absent for various reasons. Mahumapelo said of key importance is that the summit continues, despite any absences and continues to engage on the items on the agenda and make decisions to achieve desired and meaningful impact for individual nations and their citizens.

He further said divergence of views and contradictions among G20 member states is an unavoidable reality and the only course to adopt is through persuasion and discourse to reach common ground, thereby uniting member nations. Mahumapelo added that this enables G20 nations to reach a position that allows for cooperation rather than differences – thereby giving meaning to the initial creation of the G20 platform for the purposes of development of member nations.

“As the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, I commend South Africa and Africa for hosting a successful G20 Summit. South Africa continued on a path of constructive engagement with the United States to attend the G20 Summit and will continue with that engagement, notwithstanding the absence of the US from the summit.

“South Africa and the rest of the African continent celebrate the hosting of the G20 Summit for the first time on African soil. This day will remain memorable in the minds of South Africans and take its special glory in the annals of South African history,” he emphasised.

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Transport operators urged to be extra cautious when commuting learners

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

18 November 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape said it has noted with grave concern an accident, where school learners were injured. The DA said a minibus taxi carrying 15 learners from New Orleans Secondary School overturned on Sonstraal Road, near Nederburg Wine Estate on Monday.

DA’s Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP), Prof Nomafrench Mbombo said they commend the Drakenstein Municipality and its Public Safety Department for their swift response, showing what good, caring and responsive governance looks like. Mbombo said they also call on all transport operators to exercise extreme caution, especially when transporting minors.

“Sadly, two learners sustained serious injuries, while six sustained minor injuries. The driver and the remaining six learners, who appeared uninjured, were all transported to hospital by the Western Cape Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and private ambulance services as a precaution.

“The DA in the Western Cape will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for safer roads for all residents, especially our children. We urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of this incident and to help prevent similar tragedies in the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, Western Cape Department of Education spokesperson, Peter Johnson said their hearts are with the learners, their families and the staff of New Orleans Secondary School affected by this traumatic event. Johnson said the well-being of these children is their foremost concern and they wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the immense responsibility borne by those tasked with transporting our children. We commend the swift and coordinated response from all emergency services. While we are thankful that the situation was not worse, this accident underscores the non-negotiable need for constant vigilance and the highest safety standards from every operator on our roads. There is no margin for error when children’s lives are in your hands,” she said.

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A call to deploy SANDF soldiers in EC to deal with extortionists welcomed  

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Picture: SANDF soldiers during patrol/Generic

By BAKANG MOKOTO

18 November 2025 – A delegation of the Eastern Cape’s permanent delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) said it fully supports the province’s Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s initiative to request the deployment of soldiers to deal with deadly extortionists in the province. The delegates said this is a necessary and long-overdue intervention that the delegation will in equal measure urge the president to adopt.

The Provincial Whip and leader of the delegation, Nkosi Mwelo Nonkonyane said their province has lagged behind for too long on infrastructure development. Nonkonyane further said it is not fair on the companies, it is not fair on communities and ordinary South Africans that a few selfish thugs offer nothing and want to benefit from projects.

“This is criminal behaviour that should not be tolerated. Extortionists are not backing down, which begs the question whether arresting them and imprisoning them is adequate action to mitigate their behaviour. As permanent delegates to the NCOP, we are visiting our home provinces through the NCOP’s Provincial Week flagship programme, themed for 2025: Building viable municipalities for enhanced delivery of basic services to our communities.

“The delegation welcomes the fact that the Eastern Cape is not only a construction site by word, but also by deed, as evidenced through a number of new road projects and bridges it has seen through the province. We are set to visit various infrastructure projects, including Mzimvubu Dam, Ludeke Dam, Msikaba Bridge projects on the Wild Coast and the Ngquza Memorial Hill project,” he added.

Nonkonyane said they want to see their communities working and benefitting on these mega-infrastructure projects. He said any criminal project intended to hold this work back should be dealt with decisively and without fear or hesitation.

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Update on VAR Implementation Project

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Picture: SAFA to implement VAR in South Africa/Generic

By AGISANANG SCUFF

18 November 2025- The South African Football Association’s (SAFA) Referees Department in conjunction with the VAR Project Team said they have noted the recent keen public interest and discussions regarding the implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in South African football. SAFA said the VAR project is a complex, high-priority initiative and is currently in its infancy stages of technical assessment, planning, and stakeholder alignment.

SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said: “A dedicated VAR Project Team is in place, tasked with managing the entire implementation process, which includes procurement, infrastructure development, and training. This Project team is the sole, authorised body by SAFA, to provide official updates on the project’s progress.

“The VAR Project Team has not yet held formal briefings with the media to provide comprehensive updates. All official project developments, milestones, and necessary announcements will be communicated by the Project Team in due course through the official SAFA Media Channels and planned media engagements.”

Monyepao further said to ensure that everyone receives the most accurate and reliable updates, they ask the general public and stakeholders to kindly rely on official statements issued directly by SAFA.

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