THE US$150 MILLION OPEC FUND DEVELOPMENT POLICY LOAN TO SOUTH AFRICA

THE US$150 MILLION OPEC FUND DEVELOPMENT POLICY LOAN TO SOUTH AFRICA 

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) rejects the continued enslavement of South Africa through endless foreign policy loans, following the announcement that the Government of South Africa has secured a new US$150 million development policy loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development. 

This loan, which is linked to so-called “structural reforms” in energy and freight transport, represents yet another attempt by the National Treasury to mortgage the future of the country through debt arrangements that have neither a coherent industrial strategy nor a credible infrastructure development plan capable of transforming the productive capacity of the economy. 

South Africa today faces an expanded unemployment crisis affecting more than 40% of the population because the National Treasury has surrendered the economy to neoliberal experiments, privatisation and austerity, while abandoning the developmental responsibilities of the state. 

The EFF notes that the OPEC Fund loan follows a long list of policy loans secretly entered into with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, African Development Bank, New Development Bank and other foreign lenders, all under the false promise that debt-driven reforms would stabilise the economy and attract investment. 

Instead, these loans continue to lock South Africa into exploitative profiteering policies that undermine economic sovereignty, weaken state capacity and advance the privatisation of strategic state functions in energy, transport and logistics. 

We maintain that the National Treasury has deliberately hidden behind technical language such as “structural reforms”, “fiscal consolidation” and “investor confidence” while ordinary people experience collapsing public infrastructure, deindustrialisation, unemployment, inequality and deepening poverty. 

The reality is that these policies continue to reproduce the apartheid economy and apartheid spatial planning where millions remain excluded from economic participation and trapped far from centres of opportunity. Over the past five years, the National Treasury has repeatedly claimed that debt-toGDP would stabilise, yet government debt continues to rise from crisis to crisis. 

Treasury now projects gross loan debt at over R6.1 trillion, while debt-service costs alone consume more than R420 billion annually, diverting resources away from healthcare, education, housing and economic development. 

The incompetence of the National Treasury is reflected in its obsession with austerity, arbitrary expenditure ceilings and endless regulations that even government departments themselves routinely fail to comply with. 

Their only consistent achievement has been the destruction of state capacity, collapse of public services, rising municipal failures and suppression of economic growth through cuts in public expenditure. 

The EFF maintains that the only sustainable solution is the amendment of the Public Finance Management Act through the EFF Private Member’s Bill currently before Parliament, which seeks to make it compulsory for Ministers of Finance to obtain parliamentary approval before committing South Africa to foreign policy loans and debt agreements with international financial institutions. 

No single Minister must be allowed to secretly mortgage the future of the country and surrender democratic sovereignty to external financial interests without the consent of Parliament and the people of South Africa. 

 The EFF reiterates that South Africa will never resolve unemployment, inequality and poverty through debt dependency, privatisation and neoliberal austerity. 

What is required is a sovereign developmental state capable of driving industrialisation, infrastructure expansion, mass employment and economic transformation under democratic public control. 

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THE PASSING OF COMRADE KAOBITSA “BUSHY” MAAPE

THE PASSING OF COMRADE KAOBITSA “BUSHY” MAAPE

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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THE ANC MOURNS THE PASSING OF COMRADE KAOBITSA “BUSHY” MAAPE 

The African National Congress (ANC) has learned with a deep sense of loss and sadness of the passing of Comrade Kaobitsa “Bushy” Maape, a longstanding member of the movement, former Premier of the North West Province, freedom fighter, uMkhonto we Sizwe operative, and former Robben Island political prisoner. 

Comrade Maape dedicated his life to the struggle for liberation, the advancement of the people of South Africa, and the empowerment of communities through education, serving the movement with discipline, humility, and unwavering commitment throughout his life. 

Comrade Maape was recruited into the underground structures of the ANC during the apartheid era and became an operative within the liberation movement. In 1986, he was imprisoned for his political activities and incarcerated on Robben Island, where he continued pursuing education and intellectual development despite the harsh conditions of apartheid imprisonment. 

His passion for education remained a defining feature of his life, as he believed deeply in the power of learning to liberate and uplift communities. 

Following his release, he served the people in various leadership roles, including as Chairperson of the ANC in the Kgalagadi region, senior government official in the North West Province, and Premier of the North West Province from 2021 to 2024. 

The ANC dips its revolutionary banner in honour of Comrade Bushy Maape and extends its heartfelt condolences to the Maape family, his comrades, friends, and the people of the North West Province. 

His life remains a testament to a generation of cadres who sacrificed greatly for freedom, democracy, education, and development in South Africa and yet are not in formal leadership structures. May his revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace. 

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Oversight Visit to Settlers Hospital amid Water Challenges in Makhanda

Oversight Visit to Settlers Hospital amid Water Challenges in Makhanda

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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Commission for Gender Equality conducts oversight visit to Settlers Hospital amid water challenges in Makhanda

On 06 May 2026, the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), in line with its constitutional mandate, conducted an oversight visit to Settlers Hospital in response to public concerns about water access challenges at the institution. The Commission met with the Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) and the Matron to assess the impact of water disruptions on healthcare services. At the time of the visit, the hospital's water supply was stable.

Hospital management informed the Commission that the recurring water challenges are linked to longstanding infrastructural shortcomings, including ageing systems and outdated water mapping. The hospital continues to receive municipal water tank support during broader outages affecting the town.

The CGE observed three boreholes on the premises, although additional pumping capacity is required to optimise supply. The Commission also observed acceptable standards of cleanliness across key units, including maternity, neonatal, nursery, and theatre sections. Management further indicated that regular water quality testing is conducted.

The Commission was informed that the recent incident involving women carrying water within the hospital occurred during a temporary disruption over the long weekend. The hospital responded immediately after being alerted, while mothers in the pediatric section reportedly fetched water from a borehole-connected tap during the disruption.

In an engagement with the CGE, the Municipality highlighted worsening drought conditions in Makhanda and indicated that interventions are underway, including plans to expand dam capacity. While acknowledging the historical and infrastructural dimensions of the crisis, the Commission remains concerned that communities, healthcare institutions, and particularly women continue to bear the burden of systemic failures in service delivery.

Persistent water insecurity undermines the constitutional rights to dignity, equality, healthcare, and access to sufficient water. Due to the extended duration of engagements, the Commission was unable to proceed with its intended engagement at the local university.

The Commission calls for urgent collaboration among all stakeholders to address recurring water shortages in the district. The CGE will continue to monitor developments relating to water access and service delivery challenges in Makhanda and surrounding areas.

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SAPS to release Names of Suspected Poachers killed near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

SAPS to release Names of Suspected Poachers killed near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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DA KZN calls for SAPS to release names of suspected poachers killed near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) calls for SAPS to urgently release the names of suspected poachers killed in a shootout near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park last Saturday evening.

The appeal comes after allegations that a senior politically-connected individual may have been one of the South Africans killed.

This is now a matter of clear public interest.

SAPS must explain why the names of the deceased suspects have not yet been released. 

The DA will also write to the Hawks to request a full investigation into the matter.

Rhino poaching is not petty crime. It is organised crime, driven by syndicates, money, weapons, corruption and violence. Where there are allegations that politically-connected individuals may be involved, the incident becomes even more grave.

KZN has a duty of custodianship over its wildlife. Any involvement by individuals in positions of political influence would represent a serious betrayal of that duty.

The DA, as a partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), will continue to push for transparency, accountability and the proper prioritisation of wildlife crime in our province.

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Champions Boy Child Empowerment and Protection on International Day of the Boy Child

Champions Boy Child Empowerment and Protection on International Day of the Boy Child 

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

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Gauteng Department of Social Development Champions Boy Child Empowerment and Protection on International Day of the Boy Child 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development joins the global community in observing the International Day of the Boy Child, celebrated annually on 16 May, under the theme: “Building Self-Esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen.” This day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to nurture, protect and empower boys to become responsible, confident and productive members of society. It also highlights the need to address social challenges affecting boys, including violence, substance abuse, mental health struggles, school dropout, absent parenting and exposure to crime. 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development implements programmes and interventions aimed at supporting and uplifting the boy child across the province. Through parenting programmes, the Department continues to strengthen family structures while promoting positive parenting and responsible fatherhood. Vulnerable children are provided with care, protection and psychosocial support through Child and Youth Care Centres across the province. 

The Department also continues to implement substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation programmes targeting young boys and youth at risk, while school and community awareness campaigns focus on issues such as genderbased violence prevention, mental health and social cohesion. In addition, the Department advances skills development and youth empowerment initiatives aimed at equipping young boys with life skills and economic opportunities to help them become self-reliant and active participants in society. 

Psychosocial support services are also provided through social workers, community development practitioners and partner Non-Profit Organisations to ensure that young boys receive the guidance and support they need to thrive. MEC for Gauteng Social Development, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, said the day should encourage society to intentionally invest in the wellbeing and development of boys. “As government, we recognise that boys also face significant social and emotional challenges that require attention and support. 

We must create safe spaces where boys can express themselves, receive guidance and grow into respectful and responsible men who contribute positively to society. The future of our communities depends on how we nurture and support our children today,” said MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko. 

The MEC further called on families, schools, faith-based organisations, community leaders and civil society to work together in restoring positive values, discipline and hope among young boys. The Department is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all children and ensuring that no child is left behind in the province’s social development agenda. 

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