@KASIBC_AFRICA

  SONA EFF @KASIBCNEWS  The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects, with contempt, the directionless, inept, and incoherent State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by Cyril Ramaphosa.  The SONA was nothing but a desperate attempt to mask the catastrophic failures of the neoliberal, right-wing so-called Government of National Unity (GNU). Since the formation of the GNU, this unholy alliance between the African National Congress (ANC) and the racist Democratic Alliance (DA) has delivered nothing but chaos, regression, and suffering for the people of South Africa, particularly workers and the poor.  The GNU was supposedly established to stabilise the economy, promote economic growth, reduce poverty, and build a capable and ethical state—yet, in every measurable aspect, it has failed dismally. When opening the 7th Administration in July 2024, Ramaphosa boldly proclaimed that the GNU would place inclusive economic growth at the centre of its agenda. This was suppose...

ETHNIC MOBILIZATION @KASIBCNEWS Dangerous divisions: Foundation rejects Vhavenda ‘Superiority’ claims …Dangerous echoes: Why ethnic superiority claims resemble Orania’s ideology  The Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation has strongly condemned remarks made by former Statistician General Pali Lehohla, who recently stated in a podcast that the Vhavenda people are a “superior nation” in South Africa. The foundation has distanced itself from these comments, warning that such classifications are divisive and dangerous to a nation still grappling with the wounds of apartheid and white supremacy.  In a statement, the foundation described Lehohla’s remarks as “inflammatory” and likened them to the rhetoric of right-wing groups advocating for racial segregation. “This type of innuendo is not different from the call by right-wingers to create a white-only province of Orania,” said Dr. Tshenuwani Farisani, the foundation’s patron. The foundation emphasised that the Vhavenda people, like all Sou...

GAUTENG EDUCATION NEW CLASSROOMS @KASIBCNEWS  The rapid growth in demand for education infrastructure due to socioeconomic migration is receiving serious attention from Gauteng Provincial Government. In its latest update the Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has reported on the construction project pipeline of new schools and classrooms and the rehabilitation and refurbishment of existing education facilities to help reduce the backlog.  The MEC for Infrastructure Development and COGTA Mr. Jacob Mamabolo has announced that a total 367 classrooms will be made available to a combined 12 478 learners in Gauteng this year. This consists of 309 newly built classrooms catering for 10 506 learners and a further 58 rehabilitated and refurbished existing classrooms to accommodate 1 972 other learners.  The MEC Mamabolo said the aim of government is to improve lives through quality infrastructure. The Rehabilitation and Refurbishment (R&R) programme is currently fo...

SONA IFP EDITION @KASIBCNEWS The Inkatha Freedom Party expects President Cyril Ramaphosa to provide a comprehensive outline of the government's plans to address the country's pressing challenges when he delivers the State of the Nation Address tomorrow. We expect the President to delve into the Medium Term Development Plan as the agreed upon minimum programme of the GNU, providing tangible solutions to the socio-economic issues confronting our nation. Specifically, we expect him to elaborate on the three pillars of the MTDP he emphasised at the Opening of Parliament Address last year, which are, inclusive growth and job creation, reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living, and building a capable, ethical, and developmental state.  We expect the President to outline the concrete GNU plans for stimulating economic growth, creating jobs, and promoting entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and women. Reducing poverty and tackling the high cost of living must preoccu...

SONA RISE MZANSI EDITION @KASIBCNEWS The first State of the Nation Address (SONA) under the Government of National Unity (GNU) needs to send a clear message to the people of South Africa, and the investment community, that it there is a clear set of priorities and plans for implementation. These priorities must cover all spheres of government and remain consistent until 2029. President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to show that he is in charge and can practice leadership that gets government working in coordination and as a focused unit with the people of South Africa. South Africa has long passed the point of lofty speeches.  South Africans are besieged by organised and violent crime; small businesses struggle to survive; communities are without quality basic services; millions go to bed hungry; and the climate crisis threatens established ways of farming and living. RISE Mzansi therefore calls on the President, in his SONA, to clearly outline and commitment to these four broad, but all-e...

STATE CAPTURE ELON MUSK AND PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA @KASIBCNEWS The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is dismayed by the decision of South African President Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa to break diplomatic protocols by calling an unelected government official, Mr. Elon Musk to explain himself about the Expropriation Act that he has recently signed into law.  This breaking of diplomatic protocol should never be taken lightly by the citizens, as it is a clear indication of how the sovereignty of our country is compromised at the behest of pandering for U.S foreign aid; and a reflection of how Ramaphosa is willing to embarrass the country to the world as a result of a dependency syndrome.  The irony about this is that few days ago, the government spokesperson Vincent Magwenya was scolding the Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe for failing to follow diplomatic protocols in addressing a similar issue, when Mantashe threatened to cut the supply of minerals to the U.S should they cut thei...

SANDF SOLDIERS GUNNED DOWN IN DRC @KASIBCNEWS   Today’s Joint Portfolio Committee meeting on Defence was a crucial moment for the government to be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where our troops are once again caught in the crossfire of a foreign conflict. The meeting saw MPs from the DA push the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, and the chiefs of the defence force for clarity on key questions. The DA’s MPs demanded to know where the advice for the SANDF deployment came from, who gave that advice, and what oversight measures were in place to ensure the safety and readiness of our troops. Additionally, they asked where the counterintelligence operations were, given the precise coordination and mortar fire of M23 rebels—indicating that the attack was meticulously planned over a number of weeks. Instead of providing the answers South Africans deserve, the Minister and President continue to stonewall and...

JOBURG LIBRARIES OPEN FOR STUDY @KASIBCNEWS December holidays are over, and students are heading back to school, technical colleges, and universities. While many are already hitting the books, a surprising number are turning to their local libraries for a quiet place to study, reliable resources, and a supportive learning environment. Zilondle Nkosi, a third-year engineering student, was spotted at Florida Library even before classes resumed. "I'm revising some key concepts," she explained. "Engineering is tough, and I need a solid understanding." She added that the library’s peaceful atmosphere helps her concentrate, free from the distractions of home. Tyron Malan shares the sentiment. "The library is the perfect place to focus," he said. "It’s peaceful, and you can really get into your studies. I love being surrounded by books and like-minded people – it’s inspiring." City of Johannesburg Libraries are rolling out the red carpet for student...

2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS  @KASIBCNEWS  The DA’s Federal Council met yesterday, 27 January, to finalise our Candidate Nomination Regulations in preparation for the upcoming local government elections. This is the culmination of a six-month process during which DA provincial and regional structures submitted proposals to improve and streamline the party’s candidate nomination regulations, following the general election last May. The DA Federal Council also adopted new Candidate Nomination Regulations, ahead of the upcoming Local Government Elections. With the revised regulations, the DA today announces that applications will officially open on 01 February 2025, for aspirant candidates who share the DA’s values and are committed to serving their community. We are looking for skilled South Africans who have an interest in rescuing the towns and cities in which they live, from mismanagement and decay, and who are committed to undertaking the responsibility of the critical wo...

KASIBCAFRICA  Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia. It covers about 30.3 million square kilometers (11.7 million square miles), including adjacent islands, and accounts for about 6% of Earth's total surface area and 20% of its land area. With a population of over 1.3 billion people as of 2021, it accounts for about 16% of the world's human population. ### Key Facts about Africa: 1. **Geography**: Africa is surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean to the south. It is home to diverse landscapes, including deserts (e.g., the Sahara, the largest hot desert in the world), savannas, rainforests, mountains (e.g., Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa), and rivers (e.g., the Nile, the longest river in the world). 2. **Countries**: Africa comprises 54 recognized sovereign states, including Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa,...

PHUMELELA MUNICIPALITY @KASIBCNEWS The DA demands that the MEC of Health, Mr Monyatso Mahlatsi, provide an urgent indication of when the department will fill vacant positions and reintroduce the mobile clinic services in Phumelela.  This after the department’s decision to discontinue mobile clinics in Phumelela Municipality, which will be detrimental to rural and isolated communities in the district. The Department initially had two mobile clinics serving the community and surrounding towns of Warden and Vrede that helped to alleviate some of the strain on the local clinic. The DA recently conducted oversight in the area and discovered that the two mobile vehicles that were initially used to serve as mobile clinics have since been parked at the Vrede hospital and were no longer being used to service these communities. Residents informed the DA that out of the six nurses allocated to operate the mobiles, only one of them was left in service following the termination of the...

NDWEDWE MUNICIPALITY @KASIBCNEWS  The Democratic Alliance in Ndwedwe Municipality is deeply alarmed and outraged by the rising levels of crime plaguing our communities, particularly the recent spate of violent incidents in the Noodsberg Ekho area. On Saturday, 13 January 2025, two men, Mr. Sihle Dlamini and Mr. Nkosi Magwaza, were brutally gunned down by unknown assailants outside Ngcobo Shop at around midnight. This tragedy marks yet another senseless loss of life in our municipality. Shockingly, just weeks prior, on 1 January 2025, Mr. Pius Chiyi was shot while celebrating New Year’s Day at his home. Thankfully, he survived the attack but continues to endure medical treatment. These incidents are not isolated. Reports of firearm-related violence in Ndwedwe have become disturbingly frequent. Gunshots echo through our rural communities almost daily, creating an environment of fear and instability. As the DA, we propose the following measures to address the root causes of crime in r...