ANC WELCOMES BY-ELECTION RESULTS @KASIBCNEWS The African National Congress (ANC) acknowledges the outcomes of the December 4th by-elections as an important step forward for our movement. While these results reflect continued trust from the people, they also serve as a reminder that we are not out of the woods yet.  The journey of rebuilding and renewing our movement, and delivering on the needs of our people, requires intensified effort and collective commitment. In Thabazimbi, Limpopo, we secured 10 wards, reflective of the support the ANC enjoys though much more could have been achieved. A significant victory in the Northern Cape saw the ANC reclaim a ward previously held by the Democratic Alliance (DA), signaling growing confidence in the ANC’s transformative agenda.  Moreover, in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC achieved notable growth in a historically Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) ward, increasing its votes from 659 in 2021 and 211 on 29 May, to 914 votes in the latest by-election. ...

JMPD MISCONDUCT @KASIBCNEWS  The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety, Councillor Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, has responded swiftly to alarming footage circulating on social media, allegedly showing misconduct by Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers.  This incident raises serious concerns about the misuse of state resources and the violation of public trust, which this administration will not tolerate. The MMC has directed JMPD Acting Chief Mr. Patrick Jaca and Acting HOD Ms. Vicky Manyathi to lead an immediate investigation into the matter. Suspension notices have already been issued to the officers implicated in the footage, and the JMPD Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an independent investigation to ensure full accountability and transparency.   This administration remains committed to ethical governance and will not allow the actions of a few to undermine the integrity of the JMPD or the trust the public places in law enforce...

THE VICTORY OF SWAPO AND THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT IN NAMIBIA @KASIBCNEWS The ANC Women's League celebrates the affirmation of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO) by millions of Namibians as their only hope towards the attainment of a National Democratic Society. SWAPO is one of the most decorated liberation movements in Africa in both combat and as leader of the Namibian society. Its perseverance in the battlefield saw the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighting alongside our people's Umkhonto WeSizwe, in so many battles for the decolonisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, we doff our hats for the African majority who have affirmed the progressive forces to proceed with the full liberation of the African majority, and denounce the steady push for the second colonisation of the African continent.  The gradual deposition of liberation movements is a well-orchestrated counter-revolutionary agenda that is hellbent on discrediting the advance...

THE BASIC EDUCATION LAWS AMENDMENT ACT (BELA) @KASIBCNEWS  The ANC welcomes the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act of 2024 as a milestone in transforming South Africa's education system. This Act, which builds on the achievements of post-1994 reforms, addresses critical areas such as early childhood education, recognition of Sign Language as an official language in schools, curriculum development, admissions and language policies, and the regulation of special education schools. It also tackles issues of governance, learner discipline, and procurement of learning materials, ensuring a more inclusive and equitable education framework. Sections 4 and 5 of the BELA Act are particularly significant, as they clarify the roles of School Governing Bodies (SGBs) and Provincial Heads of Department regarding admission and language policies. These clauses address historical inequalities where language and admission policies were misused to exclude black learners. The ANC is resolute in ensuri...

Cabinet Reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa @KASIBCNEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns the recent cabinet reshuffle by President Cyril Ramaphosa as yet another pointless exercise that will do nothing to address the suffering of the people of South Africa. This unnecessary musical chairs of corrupt and incompetent ministers and deputy ministers is a blatant misdirection of resources that could be used to deliver basic services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. President Ramaphosa’s reshuffle, announced on Tuesday, saw Thembi Simelane moved to the Department of Human Settlements as Minister, while Mamoloko Kubayi was shifted to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development. Phumzile Mgcina, formerly the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, has been appointed Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, while Judith Nemadzinga-Tshabalala, who previously served as Deputy Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, has been appointed ...

SOUTH AFRICA OPEN FOR BUSINESS FOR NIGERIANS @KASIBCNEWS President Cyril Ramaphosa SA-Nigeria Business Roundtable Remarks on the occassion of the working visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 3 December 2024, Tuynhuys, Cape Town His Excellency, the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, Mr Parks Tau, Minister of Trade and Industry of Nigeria, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, High Commissioners, Members of the Diplomatic Corps Leaders of business,  Distinguished guests,  It gives me great pleasure to address this South Africa-Nigeria Business Roundtable. We see the purpose of this roundtable as three-fold:  firstly, to deepen economic cooperation; secondly, to provide a platform to address challenges; and, thirdly, to explore strategies for unlocking the full potential of trade and investment between the two countries. Nigeria and South Africa enjoy strong diplomatic tie...

President Cyril Ramaphosa announces National Executive changes @KASIBCNEWS  The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (“Constitution”) vests executive authority of the Republic in the President. The President exercises executive authority together with other members of cabinet in fulfilling various provisions of the Constitution and national legislation.   In order to ensure the effectiveness of cabinet in delivering to its mandate and in accordance with section 91(2) of the Constitution, I have decided to make the following changes to the national executive;  1. Ms Mmamoloko Tryphosa Kubayi, currently the Minister of Human Settlements is appointed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. 2. Ms Thembi Nkadimeng, currently the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is appointed the Minister of Human Settlements Furthermore, in accordance with the section 93(1) (a) of the Constitution, 3. Ms Phumzile Mgcina, is appointed the Dep...

CLARITY ON THE BELA ACT PROCESS @KASIBCNEWS  THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS  WELCOMES CLARITY ON THE BELA ACT PROCESS  African National Congress (ANC) welcomes clarification of the processes surrounding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. It is important that all parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU) uphold the integrity of the agreed Clearing House Mechanism to ensure transparency and collective decision-making.  The ANC strongly condemns attempts by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to bypass established processes in a desperate effort to perpetuate apartheid-era standards in our education system. Such actions are a direct affront to the principles of transformation and equity that underpin our democracy.  The ANC remains committed to ensuring that legislative processes, including the BELA Act, reflect the shared vision of a united and transformed South Africa.  We call on all GNU parties to respect the spirit of collaboration and wor...

BELA BELA BILL CHAOS @KASIBCNEWS  MEC CHILOANE REJECTS BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON BELA BY MINISTER AND PARTNERS The Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Matome Chiloane, wishes to express his disappointment and firm rejection of the so-called bilateral agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and her partners regarding the BELA Act. The so-called agreement among others proposes that: “Sections 4(d), 4(f), and 5(c) of the BELA Act should not be implemented until national policies, regulations, and norms and standards are developed. Furthermore, Sections 4 and 5 are to be introduced on a phased basis, subject to these developments”. This bilateral agreement, entered into by the Minister, National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and Solidarity, represents the minority and as such undermines what was intended by the President. MEC Chiloane is deeply concerned that this agreement effectively “ring-fences” certain public schools for the exclusive use of specific societal group...

Honouring the Living Legends in the Creative Sector @KASIBCNEWS Honouring the living legends in the creative sector - “giving the living legends their flowers, while they can still smell them”  Yesterday, 28 November, Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe honoured some of South Africa’s greatest living legends in the creative sector. Hosted at Radisson hotel in Ekurhuleni, the session launched a newly envisioned approach to supporting and honouring senior creative giants for their immense contribution to the creative industry. In his address, the Minister emphasised that the department was working on a new funding model so that legends can have sustainable livelihoods. An honorarium payment of R100,000 is also being made to selected legends ahead of the Christmas break. Living legends such as Lillian Dube, Dr John Kani, ⁠⁠Sue Williamson, ⁠⁠Noria Mabasa, ⁠⁠Helen Sebidi, ⁠⁠David Mothibi, Andrew Chabeli, ⁠⁠Omar Badsha, Thembi Mtshali-Jones, Marah Louw, Ouma Katrina E...

REA VAYA BUS SERVICES VERSUS TAXI ASSOCIATION @KASIBCNEWS  JOHANNESBURG POLICE METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT AND SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE GETS INVOLED WITH THE REA VAYA BUS SERVICES BEING HALTED BY TAXI ASSOCIATION  On Friday, November 29, 2024, the Rea Vaya 45 feeder buses began operations, as confirmed in a media statement from the Executive Director (ED) for Transport on Thursday, November 28, 2024.  However, the Taxi Association (TA) defied a court order and disrupted the bus services by blocking roads with their patrol cars. In response, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) acknowledged a shortage of personnel to handle the situation but has pledged to bolster their presence going forward.   A meeting will be held this weekend between the JMPD and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to discuss the ongoing situation.  The 45 feeder buses are scheduled to resume operations on Monday, December 2, 2024. 

SOUTH AFRICA’S HISTORIC G20 PRESIDENCY @KASIBCNEWS The African National Congress (ANC) proudly welcomes the announcement that South Africa, under the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa, will assume the Presidency of the G20 for the year 2025 from the 1st of December 2024.  This historic milestone marks the first time an African nation will lead this important global forum, providing a platform to champion the development priorities of South Africa, the African continent, and the Global South. The ANC commends President Ramaphosa for his bold and inclusive vision, encapsulated in the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” This aligns seamlessly with the ANC’s 2024 Manifesto commitments to create jobs, reduce inequality, and drive inclusive economic growth. Under this Presidency, South Africa will focus on three critical areas: inclusive economic growth and industrialisation, food security, and innovation through artificial intelligence and sustainable development....