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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA  Mangaung Cash Flow as Treasury threatens to withhold equitable share The Democratic Alliance confirmed that the National Treasury has issued a formal notice to Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality under section 216(2) of the Constitution , warning that the Metro’s December equitable-share allocation may be withheld due to severe and persistent breaches of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). This is one of the most serious financial enforcement measures available to the Treasury and signals a Metro on the brink of fiscal failure and service delivery collapse. Despite the gravity of this threat, the Executive Mayor has failed to table the Treasury letter and its implications before Council, keeping both councillors and residents in the dark. This is not in compliance with legislation. In terms of MFMA section 52(d), the Mayor must report to Council on “the implementation of the budget and the financial state of the municipality.” A threaten...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA  NATIONAL CRISES GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AND FEMICIDE  The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) welcomes and fully supports the Presidential call to declare Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) as a national crisis.  This bold and necessary pronouncement marks a significant step in strengthening South Africa’s multi-sectoral response to one of the most devastating and persistent human rights violations affecting women, children, Persons with disabilities , and other vulnerable groups. As the custodian of strategic leadership, advocacy, and coordination to mainstream the socio-economic empowerment of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, the Department will continue to lead efforts to ensure the full implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF (NSP-GBVF).  The declaration underscores the government’s commitment towards accelerating the implementation of the Six Pillars of the National Strat...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA  INTEREST RATE CUT AS RELIEF FOR HOUSEHOLDS Government welcomes the decision by the South African Reserve Bank ’s Monetary Policy Committee to cut the interest rate by 25 basis points , bringing the repo rate to 6.75% and the prime lending rate to 10.25%. The rate cut is expected to ease pressure on consumers with loans, support small businesses, and encourage investment and economic activity. Government continues to prioritise measures that help reduce the cost of living, create jobs, and improve economic stability.  The decision aligns with the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen growth, support vulnerable communities, and build an economy that works for all. Government will continue to work with social partners to improve the economic environment and ensure that the benefits of growth reach the poor and those most affected by rising prices. MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA  MINISTER STEENHUISEN SALUTES SOUTH AFRICA’S SIX WORLD-CLASS VINEYARDS  The Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen , is today celebrating the remarkable achievement of the South African wine industry for being awarded six coveted spots on the top 100 list of the World’s 50 Best Vineyard 2025 Awards . “We have always known we have great wine, and this exceptional performance, with six of our winery estates securing places amongst the world’s best, is a resounding endorsement of our wine tourism ’s consistent standards and innovation,” the minister said. Two vineyards made it to the top ten list. Klein Constantia Wine Estate , in the Western Cape , was named the Best Vinyard in Africa and also the recipient of the Highest Climber Award .  This estate is now ranked as the sixth top vineyard globally. It has climbed 35 places from its 2024 ranking.  Creation , in the Hemel-en-Aarde area, Western Cape, is ranked number seven globally. ...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA GAUTENG HANDS OVER 300 OPERATING LICENCES AS IT INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO CLEAR BACKLOG  The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport today handed over 300 operating licences to compliant public transport operators during a ceremony held at the Ekurhuleni Council Chambers . This forms part of the province’s ongoing programme to clear the operating license backlog and stabilise the public transport sector. Since 1 September 2025, the department has issued a total of 525 operating licenses . MEC for Roads and Transport , Kedibone Diale-Tlabela , said that the handover demonstrates government’s commitment to strengthening regulation and improving service delivery to operators and commuters. “Today is more than a handover ceremony. It is a statement of our commitment to rebuilding a licensing system that is transparent, efficient and fair. We are working tirelessly to ensure operators receive services closer to their communities and within predictable tim...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA MEETS EUROPEAN UNION LEADERS ON THE MARGINS OF G20 SUMMIT 1. President Cyril Ramaphosa , President of the European Council , Mr António Costa , and President of the European Commission , Dr Ursula von der Leyen met on the margins of the G20 Summit on 20 November 2025. 2. This meeting follows a series of engagements between the leaders, including at the multilateral fora such as the UNGA80 in New York, the EU’s Global Gateway Forum in Brussels and the recent ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur .  3. The Leaders reviewed progress on the key political and economic outcomes agreed to at the 8th South Africa – EU Summit held in March 2025 , in Cape Town . 4. In the context of South Africa’s G20 Presidency and ahead of the 7th AU-EU Summit on 24-25 November in Luanda, Angola , this meeting took place against the backdrop of growing challenges to multilateralism and the ongoing conflict in Sudan . Leaders reiterated their March commi...