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Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe on passing of DJ Warras

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Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe on passing of DJ Warras

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, and Deputy Minister, , extend profound condolences to the family, friends, loved ones and many South Africans mourning the tragic loss of , widely known to the nation as .

DJ Warras was a dynamic and respected force in South Africa’s media and creative industries. Born in , he forged a multifaceted career that stretched across radio, television, digital platforms and live performance. Over more than a decade and a half, he established himself not only as an entertainer, but as a cultural voice whose work reflected the spirit, humour and concerns of a generation.

His broadcasting journey began at , where his confident on-air presence and natural connection with young audiences quickly set him apart. He later joined , where he became the host of , an evening show that blended music, conversation and culture, earning him a loyal national following.

DJ Warras’s influence extended beyond radio. He became a familiar and trusted face on ’s , one of the country’s most influential music television programmes. Through this platform, he played a meaningful role in showcasing South African talent and amplifying local creativity to audiences across the country.

In later years, he continued to evolve creatively, taking on the role of host of on . The reality series reflected his ability to engage with complex human stories, bringing warmth, honesty and relatability to the screen.

He also made his mark in the digital space as a co-host of , alongside . The podcast was known for its candid conversations, sharp social commentary and fearless engagement with contemporary issues — qualities that mirrored DJ Warras’s own approach to media and public dialogue.

Alongside his work in broadcasting and television, DJ Warras remained committed to the culture of DJing. As a club DJ, he brought energy and authenticity to venues around the country, celebrating South Africa’s rich and diverse musical landscape.

He was widely regarded as a mentor and supporter of emerging creatives, always willing to open doors and encourage new voices.

The nation is deeply saddened by his untimely death on 16 December 2025 in the . As investigations continue, South Africans unite in mourning the loss of a gifted creative whose life and career were cut short far too soon.

The Department salutes DJ Warras for his significant contribution to South African media and the arts, his bold and honest voice, and the lasting impact he leaves behind. His work, passion and influence will continue to live on through the many lives he touched.

May his soul rest in peace.

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DA dismayed by NLC about-turn on whistleblower reparations commitment

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DA dismayed by NLC about-turn on whistleblower reparations commitment

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

dismayed by about-turn on commitment

by - DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry and Competition

The Democratic Alliance is dismayed by the National Lotteries Commission’s about turn on its commitment to pay reparations to whistleblowers who came forward with information on years of corruption by board members, executives, staff and collusive outsiders in the awarding of grants by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

A media release issued by the NLC dated 10th December states that it has concluded its reparative measures process. But it appears to back-track on its earlier commitment that this would result in monetary and non-monetary compensation.

The media statement says the NLC is “prioritising restoration over compensation, healing over financial settlement, and fairness, dignity and responsible stewardship of public funds.” Whistleblowers who are not staff members are not included in the settlement, but will be “administered through the NLC’s ordinary operational and funding mechanisms’.

The DA believes this about-turn is a slap in the face to the whistleblowers, who had with every justification been expecting monetary compensation as part of a final settlement.

A response dated 9th January 2025 to a written question I submitted to stated that “the reparation process is expected to address various forms of restitution, which may include legal costs.” A response dated 4th April to a written question from the stated that “R20 million has been ring-fenced for individual reparative measures” and that “ has been informed about the ring-fenced R20 million as part of the NLC surplus.”

At great personal cost to themselves and their families, these whistleblowers revealed a systematic and sustained undermining of by the NLDTF that has led to the identifying up to R2 billion worth of illegal grants made to since 2013.

These grants were facilitated by corrupt NLC employees who the NLC defended in court at great expense, forcing the whistleblowers to spend their own money to defend themselves, often leading to their financial ruin and suffering severe mental stress, sickness and family breakdown.

Staff members, after blowing the whistle internally, were victimised and dismissed from the NLC and have not found gainful employment since. They turned to the media to have their stories told and taken seriously.

Whistleblowers who ran NPOs whose committed grants never materialised and instead were channelled to corrupt staff members or to NPOs hijacked by corrupt collaborators, have had to close their businesses. They have in many cases suffered death threats but nevertheless cooperated with the and signed affidavits to help nail the culprits.

The DA believes an appalling injustice has been meted out to these whistleblowers. To obtain the record of decision leading to this about turn, the DA has submitted further written questions to Minister Tau, including:

What is the detailed chronology of all steps taken in this process, from the first raising of the issue of the concept of reparations to whistleblowers, until the current date,

During this process, which (i) government and (ii) non-governmental entities were consulted and what was the nature of their involvement,

What is the total cost of the administrative process to provide these reparations, including all fees paid to lawyers, consultants, advisors, and any other relevant fees in this regard?

The reparations process appears to have handsomely compensated everyone apart from the intended beneficiaries. The DA will not rest until a fair settlement that includes monetary compensation is reached with the whistleblowers.

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Residents of Thembisa, Burgersdorp facing a waterless Christmas

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Residents of Thembisa, Burgersdorp facing a waterless Christmas

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

Residents of Ward 5 in Thembisa, Burgersdorp, have been without running water for more than seven consecutive days, despite water provision being a core municipal responsibility and a constitutional right. For families in this community, the consequences are severe and degrading.

Water tankers are wholly inadequate. They do not arrive daily and do not provide near enough water to meet basic household needs.

Elderly residents and children are forced to walk long distances in extreme December heat, carrying heavy buckets in the hope of collecting as little as five litres of water. At communal water points, desperation quickly turns into conflict as supplies run out. Many households cannot afford bottled water, leaving them with no safe alternative at all during peak summer temperatures.

The Democratic Alliance is deeply concerned that communities like Thembisa continue to suffer prolonged service delivery failures while municipal leadership fails to execute the most basic of functions. The result is a crisis that has become routine and normalised, and calls for remedial action is ignored.

The Joe Gqabi District Municipality is responsible for water provision, yet outages in Thembisa are frequent and often go unresolved. This points to serious failures in infrastructure maintenance and contingency planning. Emergency measures such as water tankers are clearly insufficient and cannot be turned into an ongoing substitute for a functioning water system.

I have written to the Municipal Manager demanding an urgent explanation for why residents of Thembisa are repeatedly left without water, and insisting on a permanent and reliable solution. At an absolute minimum, water must be restored to household taps on a predictable schedule, no less than every second day, while long-term infrastructure failures are addressed.

Access to water is fundamental to human dignity and health. No community should be expected to endure prolonged outages, especially over the Christmas period, when families should be focused on rest and care rather than survival.

The Democratic Alliance will continue to hold those responsible accountable until residents of Thembisa receive the reliable water supply they deserve. The people of the Eastern Cape deserve leadership that delivers basic services consistently and competently.

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Thohoyandou police has activated a manhunt for suspect

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Thohoyandou police has activated a manhunt for suspect

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

- has activated a manhunt for suspect following a murder and attempted murder committed at a on at about 00:05.

Police received a complaint of a murder at a and rushed to the premise. Upon arrival found a medical personnel who pointed out a lifeless body of a 27-year-old male on the bed with a stab wound on the chest.

Furthermore, police were shown a 29-year-old male victim who was also having a stab wound on the right shoulder. The police were informed that the victim was standing outside a with his friend (deceased) and a female companion at .

Suddenly, an unknown male approached and started to stab a 27-year-old victim and also 29 year old with a sharp object without saying a word. The suspect immediately fled the scene on foot following the incident.

The duo were immediately rushed to a local hospital with a , but a 27 year-old male victim was certified dead on arrival at the medical facility.

A 29 year-old male victim survived the incident and is admitted at the hospital for medical attention. The motive of the incident is unknown at this stage

Anyone with information that can assist with the investigations should contact the Investigating Officer on or or or .

Police investigations are continuing.

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Home Affairs arrests seven Kenyan nationals illegally working on “refugee” applications

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Home Affairs arrests seven Kenyan nationals illegally working on “refugee” applications

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The Department of Home Affairs, in collaboration with other arms of law enforcement, executed a routine, lawful operation in Johannesburg targeted at suspected violations of South African immigration law. The operation followed after intelligence reports indicated that a number of Kenyan nationals had recently entered South Africa on tourist visas and had illegally taken up work at a centre processing the applications of so-called “refugees” to the United States. This was despite the fact that earlier visa applications for Kenyan nationals to perform this work had been lawfully declined by the Department.

During the operation, seven Kenyan nationals were discovered engaging in work despite only being in possession of tourist visas, in clear violation of their conditions of entry into the country. They were arrested and issued with deportation orders, and will be prohibited from entering South Africa again for a five-year period.

The operation was carried out according to the same procedures that has seen Home Affairs dramatically intensify deportations over the past 18 months, as the South African government diligently works to turn around the long-standing abuse of our immigration and visa system. No US officials were arrested in the process, the operation was not conducted at a diplomatic site, and no members of the public or prospective “refugees” were harassed.

The operation reinforces Home Affairs’ commitment to enforcing the rule of law without fear or favour, as no person or entity is above these laws. It also showcases the commitment that South Africa shares with the United States to combating illegal immigration and visa abuse in all its forms.

The presence of foreign officials apparently coordinating with undocumented workers naturally raises serious questions about intent and diplomatic protocol. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has initiated formal diplomatic engagements with both the United States and Kenya to resolve this matter.

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Joburg Market deepens producer partnerships through farm visit

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Joburg Market deepens producer partnerships through farm visit

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The recently conducted a strategic farm visit to in , , as part of its ongoing commitment to building strong, sustainable relationships with producers.

The visit was led by the , in collaboration with the , and spearheaded by Transformation Specialist .

The engagement formed part of the Market’s broader efforts to gain first-hand insight into producers’ operational realities and to ensure that its transformation and support initiatives remain responsive and impactful across the .

“Farm visits like these are critical for the Joburg Market,” said Sibeko. “They allow us to better understand the day-to-day realities faced by our producers and ensure that our transformation and support strategies are both relevant and effective.”

The team visited Vhegies Farm, owned by award-winning farmer , a recognised Joburg Market success story. The 20-hectare farm is one of Litshani’s most recent acquisitions and is primarily dedicated to . In addition to farming, Vhegies Farm is actively involved in , adding significant value to its operations.

The farm features a small on-site where fresh vegetable packs are prepared for major commercial retailers, including , , , and . An on-site supports the operation, ensuring quality and freshness throughout the supply chain.

To meet consistent market demand, Vhegies Farm employs around 75 people and operates a fleet of seven trucks. The farm also places strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, with a mobile clinic available on site to support workers’ health needs.

Reflecting on her journey, Litshani said: “Being an award-winning farmer and recently receiving the is a proud milestone. It shows that with perseverance and strong partnerships, women can thrive and lead successfully in agriculture.”

The visit provided valuable insight into both the challenges and successes experienced by market-aligned producers. Such engagements play a key role in strengthening partnerships, informing transformation strategies and ensuring that the Joburg Market remains responsive to the needs of its growers.

Ultimately, these visits reinforce the Market’s role in supporting sustainable and inclusive growth across the agricultural value chain.

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Arrest of Suspect linked to Theft of Traffic Signal Infrastructure

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Arrest of Suspect linked to Theft of Traffic Signal Infrastructure

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

welcomes arrest of suspect linked to theft of traffic signal infrastructure

The , , has welcomed the arrest of a suspect found in possession of stolen public infrastructure, including traffic signal equipment, following a joint operation by law-enforcement agencies in . The arrest was effected this week where members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) , , working closely with the apprehended the suspect.

The operation forms part of intensified efforts to clamp down on infrastructure vandalism and organised syndicates targeting critical road assets. During the arrest, officers recovered , , as well as driving licences and identity documents found in the suspect’s possession.

The suspect has since been detained at . MEC Diale-Tlabela commended the officers involved for their swift and coordinated action. “This arrest demonstrates the unwavering commitment of our traffic inspectorate and law-enforcement partners to protect public infrastructure. Traffic signal theft is not a victimless crime,it endangers lives, disrupts mobility, and places an unnecessary burden on the public purse,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.

The MEC further emphasised that government remains resolute in its fight against infrastructure vandalism and criminal syndicates. “This arrest sends a clear message: those who damage and steal public assets will be found and brought to book. We will continue to strengthen our collaboration with metro police, SAPS, and specialised units to safeguard our roads and traffic management systems,” she added.

The MEC also called on communities to play an active role by reporting suspicious activities around traffic lights, control boxes, and other road infrastructure. The investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests are not ruled out.

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Government welcomes decline in SA’s poverty levels

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

Government welcomes decline in SA’s poverty levels

Government welcomes the latest Poverty Trends in South Africa report released by , which shows a significant decline in poverty levels over the past seventeen years. The findings mark an important step forward in the country’s ongoing efforts to reduce poverty, improve living conditions, and advance inclusive development.

According to the report, the proportion of South Africans living below the Lower-Bound Poverty Line (LBPL) set at , has fallen to 37.9% in 2023. This represents a notable 19.6 percentage point reduction since 2006. The data further highlights that progress in reducing poverty has been most pronounced among , reflecting the positive impact of targeted social and economic interventions.

The report also highlights areas where continued focus is needed, including improving the economic conditions of women and addressing the emerging rise of poverty among . The report also reaffirms that the country is moving in the right direction and that sustained investment in , , education, and economic support measures is yielding tangible results.

Government reiterates its commitment to working with all sectors of society to accelerate poverty reduction and broaden access to economic opportunities. Through coordinated policies and targeted programmes, the country will continue striving toward a more .

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Minister Patricia de Lille welcomes Cabinet Concurrence of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (2025-2029)

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Minister Patricia de Lille welcomes Cabinet Concurrence of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (2025-2029)

CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille welcomes Cabinet’s concurrence of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (TGPP), a unified actionable five-year roadmap developed jointly by government and the tourism private sector to unlock the full potential of tourism as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and job creation in South Africa.

The TGPP is aligned with key national policies, including: the National Development Plan (NDP); the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS); the Tourism Sector Master Plan; the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP), and the Tourism White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa (2024).

The TGPP sets ambitious but achievable targets to be realised by the end of the seventh administration (2029):

Increase international tourist arrivals from 8.9 to 15 million per year
Increase international tourist spend from R92 billion to R115 billion per year
Grow direct employment in tourism from 750 000 to1 million direct jobs
Grow total employment (direct and indirect) to 2.3 million jobs
Increase annual domestic trips from 40m to 45 million per year

South Africa’s Tourism sector is already an important contributor to the economy, comprising 8.9% of GDP and providing 750 000 direct jobs. Indirect employment attributable to Tourism is estimated at 1.1m jobs, making Tourism one of the largest employers in the economy.

“In line with the priorities of the GNU, MTDP, and , the tourism sector (public and private) conducted a comprehensive analysis of existing strategies and policies. This culminated in the development of the Tourism Growth Partnership Plan (2025–2029) a contribution of the tourism sector to the 7th Administration” said Minister De Lille.

Following the extensive consultation, which included various government and private entities in the tourism sector, five priority pillars have been identified to drive accelerated growth:

Each pillar is accompanied by a plan in the form of strategic interventions designed to unlock progress and remove obstacles to development. An execution lab was formed leading to the establishment of a working group for each pillar, comprising a combination of public and private sector participants, and includes a number of key industry leaders. Public and private tourism entities, including the Department of Tourism, , and the are involved.

Cabinet’s concurrence of TGPP has been welcomed by the Tourism industry. Chairperson of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, commented as follows:

“We welcome this ambitious and practical plan which will allow the Tourism sector to take its place as a leading sector of the economy. The industry really appreciates the changes in the tourist visa regime and we look forward to substantial growth in

international arrivals. We believe that the will be a game changer and will allow us to grow international air arrivals by 40-50% over the next few years.”

He added that “A number of substantial challenges still need to be addressed including an aviation strategy that will increase the number of international flights to South Africa, and the resolution of the tourist road transport licensing system which has been a constraint on the movement of tourists to outlying provinces.”

Cabinet commended the sector-wide collaboration that informed the TGPP and noted the important role of the Ministers of Tourism, and in delivering on the Plan. Cabinet reaffirmed its support for the Plan as a critical lever to accelerate economic recovery, stimulate investment, and expand opportunities for communities across the country.

This year has been a highly significant year for Tourism in South Africa. There have been four highly significant developments:

The Tourism Growth Partnership Plan has been developed and endorsed by both the industry and the Cabinet.

The Electronic Travel Authorisation system has been introduced and successfully piloted over the period of the , which is expected to be a major enabler of international arrivals.

Tourism arrivals are up by 18.3% year on year to the end of October.

This includes a 13% rise in overseas air arrivals and a 16% increase in African air arrivals.

The G20 has given a boost to international tourism numbers and we expect November arrivals to be up significantly year on year, due to the G20 leaders summit.

Total international arrivals and are projected to grow by 20% for the full calendar year.

Processes are underway to address aviation route development and the tourist land transport licensing system.

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MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe launches first phase of Commercialisation of 100 Farms

MEC for Agriculture will launch the flagship provincial programme designed to boost agricultural productivity, strengthen local food systems, and expand economic opportunities for rural communities through targeted support to grain, citrus, and livestock (red meat) enterprises, including the handover of livestock and feedlot in on Monday morning.

To realise growth frontier, directed the Department to commercialise through district aggregation of suitable commodities.

The commercialisation of these farmers will ensure that black farmers are not confined to subsistence and primary producer level but rather drive development of food products for domestic and international markets.

The goal Is to support farmers in transitioning from to more commercially viable operations.

The Department is developing and implementing a to support the producers comprehensively to achieve developmental objectives and financial sustainability.

Commercialisation is an instrument that enables the Department to provide targeted support to qualifying farms.

This targeted financial and non-financial will enhance production and profitability along agricultural value chains.

The targeted commodities are labour-intensive, export-oriented that serve as catalysts for the unlocking of economic opportunities within the sector.

It Is anticipated that this Programme will boost the province’s economy by increasing the amount and value of primary and agro-processing contributions

Based on the directive of the Premier, in the 2025/26 financial year, the department will strengthen the current production in the 100 farms and improve business compliance (business plans, registration, , record keeping) for access to funding.

Furthermore, these farms will be provided with infrastructure, equipment, and access to markets throughout this term.

For the current financial year, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) and Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the department has set aside R20 million blended finance schemes.

The ECRDA Is envisioned as a key driver in transforming subsistence agriculture into commercially viable enterprises.

These prioritised farms will also be targeted by R200 million blended finance co-funding with the , which will be based on approval of projects and front-loading.

The department will engage Provincial Treasury on the modalities on how this initiative could be best implemented.

The Department 2025-2030 Strategic Plan is aligned with the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Provincial Development Plan (PDP), which describe important government priorities.

The plan seeks to support the strategic focus of promoting economic growth and innovation through an efficient infrastructure network.

Our approach aligns with the PDP’s emphasis on advancing high-value agriculture as a basis for the expansion of the rural economy and the improvement of livelihoods. In the seventh administration place a high priority on providing Eastern Cape citizens with effective and efficient services making the department a catalyst for significant socioeconomic change.

The department will dedicate to expediting the execution of and the Provincial Development Plan (PDP) projects and updating our operational framework and delivery strategy in the last ten years of the National Development Plan (NDP).

To improve food security, inclusive growth, and employment, the Department is introducing Provincial AAMP which aims to make the district commodities value chains more productive and competitive.

Presidency on Government’s performance in 2025

A snapshot of Government’s performance in 2025 December is a silly season in . It’s a season where there is a scarcity of news and whoever has an opinion about the performance of Government, publishes it on the different platforms.

Some opinions are far-fetched, some are constructive, some are critical and others are emotional.

Nevertheless, this time of the year makes for interesting reading.

In the , where the term originated, the silly season is associated with the summer Parliamentary recess, while in our country it refers to the shut down over the festive season.

While some opinion-makers started their assessments soon after the successful hosting of the in November, the majority will follow over the next few days.

Most assessments are done by media houses and the results are either a boost for a politician or a negative score with consequences to those in close proximity to a politician.

The beauty of these assessments is the safeguards in our which protects freedom of speech and the media.

In light of the scarcity of news, it is apt for Government’s voice to be heard. It is important to note that the information is voluminous and this is just a snapshot of successes.

One can rightly ask what is the yardstick we should use for Government. That is easy. The document to study is the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) and in this instance, it is the SoNA 2025 delivered by President in February of this year.

In his address, President Ramaphosa, announced that the has adopted the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) for the period 2024-2029. The MTDP which sets out three key priorities of Government,

These priorities are to drive inclusive growth and job creation; to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living; and to build a capable, ethical and developmental state.

The President said the immediate task was to grow our economy so that we can create jobs, reduce poverty and improve the lives of all South Africans.

The emphasis on the economy is reminiscent of the famous slogan by , a strategist in ’s presidential campaign in 1992 when he wrote, “It’s the economy, stupid.”

The green shoots for an economy recovery are visible. Some key indicators are:

The rand holding its own against major currencies and has breached the level of R17 to the .

grew by 0.5% in the third quarter meaning that the economy is expanding. Much remains in the pipeline to achieve a higher growth rate given its centrality to attaining the country’s developmental aspirations.

Unemployment for Quarter 3 was down by 1.3 percentage points to 31.9% with the construction sector the major contributor with 130 000 new jobs out of the total of 248 000 new jobs.

Government will spend R1 trillion over the next three years on infrastructure projects.

Stability of energy supply is central to this turn around and we should be building on the successes thus far to the next level.

This year the reached the milestone of 200 000 young South Africans funded and placed into quality first-job experiences.

SA achieved its first rating upgrade in 20 years when the ratings agency, upgraded the country’s foreign currency long-term sovereign credit rating to BB from BB-. In addition, the local currency long-term sovereign credit rating to BB+ from BB.

The lifted its growth forecast for the country to 1.3% in 2025 and 1.4% in 2026 from 1.1% and 1.2% respectively

Phase 2 of is gaining traction. The results of this initiative led by President Ramaphosa to unlock growth and remove obstacles in areas that impedes on growth are starting to filter through.

Tourism is on an upward trajectory and the number of foreign visitors increased by 18% year-on-year from 2024. reported that most visitors were from the (331 378), followed by the , , the and .

The has collected a net revenue of R924,7-bilion by 30 September of this year. This is a year-on-year growth of R78,6-billion and an overall surplus of R18 billion against its printed estimates.

Yes, there are challenges, but Government is not afraid to confront them. Local government remains a challenge and President Ramaphosa and the Cabinet have met with seven of the nine provincial executives to address key issues in this sphere.

Accusations of corruption in the criminal justice system are before the . The is continuously looking at measures to fight crime and keep citizens safe.

The GNU priorities to reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living. In this regard, we are particularly seized with intervention on assisting households cope with food price volatility, as well as the measures to make public transport affordable. Rising cost of living has become a challenge in many parts of the world, as we have learnt from the G20 engagements.

In conclusion, this is not a review of Government but it is a high-level glance of successes and issues challenges since 6 February 2025.

The silly season, indeed has highlighted the need for Government to improve its communication with its key stakeholders, the people of South Africa and the media.

Furthermore, the measures introduced by the 6th Administration in 2019 are beginning to bear fruit. The focus is for the GNU to accelerate this process and ensure that the green shoots of the economic upswing gain momentum and touch the lives of all South Africans for the remainder of this MTDP period.