@KASIBC_AFRICA

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...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA      McKenzie’s VAR: Vague, Unfunded and Risky The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling on Minister Gayton McKenzie to immediately release the official Treasury approval letter for the R20 million he claims has been allocated to the national VAR project , and to table a full feasibility study along with a detailed three-year financial and project plan . South Africans deserve an explanation for why the Minister publicly committed millions to this project before any verified costing, planning or technical assessment existed. Video Assistant Referee  is the technology used in football to review controversial decisions using multiple camera angles. It is expensive, highly technical and requires specialised equipment, trained operators, and stadium readiness. Yet the Minister has committed millions to a national rollout without knowing the real cost or whether such a rollout is feasible. In Parliament , he admitted that he had been given ...

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA PRETORIA HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS SGB TO FOCUS ON TRANSFORMATION  The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) welcomes the recent High Court judgment in the matter involving the Pretoria High School for Girls School Governing Body (SGB). We are pleased that the Court has clarified the situation, allowing everyone to move forward and focus on what matters most: the development of the learners and the school. The Pretoria High Court dismissed the SGB’s interim request to access the Department’s investigation report .  The report was commissioned by the GDE following allegations of racism involving learners at the school. The SGB had asked for the report as part of a judicial review , arguing it was necessary for their case. Accordingly, the report does not fall under Rule 53 , which only deals with documents showing the decisionmaking process in judicial reviews.  The Court also emphasised that the proper way to request such information is through...