South Africa, Botswana Deepen Ties at 6th Bi-National Commission in Gaborone

South Africa, Botswana Deepen Ties at 6th Bi-National Commission in Gaborone

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE KASIBC_AUDIO

GABORONE — South Africa and Botswana have moved to accelerate cross-border industrialization, bolster regional security, and confront the complexities of irregular migration during the Ministerial Session of the 6th Bi-National Commission (BNC) on Wednesday.

The high-level bilateral meeting, hosted in Gaborone, was co-chaired by South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola and his Botswana counterpart, Minister of International Relations Dr. Phenyo Butale.

The session opened under a somber cloud following the recent passing of Botswana’s former President Festus Mogae. Minister Lamola expressed deep condolences to President Duma Boko and the Batswana people, praising Mogae as a "towering giant and African statesman" whose legacy of Pan-Africanism was honored by Deputy President Paul Mashatile during the state funeral.

Turning to economic matters, Lamola highlighted that three new bilateral agreements would be signed during the summit, expanding on an existing framework of 28 agreements.

"South Africa is a major trade and investment partner of Botswana," Lamola said, stressing that South Africa’s agricultural exports and private investments are complementary to Botswana's economic diversification goals outlined in its National Development Plan 12. "Our interests in this sector are complementary. They are not mutually exclusive, nor are they in competition or contradiction."

Economic integration will see a major boost with infrastructure upgrades, including Botswana's plans to establish a One-Stop Border Post at the Tlokweng/Kopfontein border to ease transport congestion. South Africa’s development finance institutions, such as the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), are actively engaging Batswana partners on critical transport, energy, and water management projects.

Furthermore, Lamola urged joint collaboration in the mining sector amid intense global interest in critical minerals, ensuring both nations have a strategic say in how resources are extracted, beneficiated, and utilized.

A key focus of the ministerial discussions centered on regional migration. Lamola defended migration as a positive force for regional development when managed effectively, but directly addressed South Africa's domestic challenges.

"Migration itself is not a problem. The challenge facing South Africa is irregular migration and a high influx of illegal foreign nationals or migrants," Lamola stated.

He called for an honest, continent-wide dialogue within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regarding the "push and pull factors" of migration and championed the principle of "burden sharing" between countries of origin, transit, and destination. Lamola also reaffirmed that the South African government has deployed strict law enforcement to prevent xenophobic attacks, maintaining that "no one may take the law into their own hands."

Looking ahead to regional leadership, with South Africa serving as interim Chair of SADC and preparing to assume the official Chairmanship in August, Lamola emphasized that "Silencing the Guns" remains a paramount objective to protect economic development from regional instability.

The ministerial council concluded by finalizing its report for the upcoming Summit session between the two countries' Heads of State.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

Parliamentary Intervention Over 'Unprocedural' Cancellation of NSFAS Oversight Meeting

Parliamentary Intervention Over 'Unprocedural' Cancellation of NSFAS Oversight Meeting

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE KASIBC_AUDIO

EFF Applauds Parliamentary Intervention Over 'Unprocedural' Cancellation of NSFAS Oversight Meeting

CAPE TOWN — The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have welcomed a decision by National Assembly House Chairperson of Chairs, Cedric Frolick, to intervene following the abrupt and controversial cancellation of a critical parliamentary oversight meeting.

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education had been scheduled to meet to hold Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela accountable for alleged misconduct, ethical failures, and severe governance issues plaguing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

The EFF launched an urgent intervention, arguing that the cancellation was irregular and shielded the executive from necessary scrutiny. Following a high-level meeting, Frolick—who oversees committees, oversight, and public participation—concurred with the red berets, ruling that the postponement breached established parliamentary procedures and oversight practices.

To rectify the situation, the meeting with the House Chair yielded three major procedural resolutions:

Urgent Committee Convocation: Frolick will formally write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, directing them to urgently schedule a meeting specifically to address the Minister's conduct.

Escalation to the Speaker: The ongoing controversy surrounding Minister Manamela’s compliance will be escalated directly to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for further intervention.

Legal Services Deployment: Parliamentary Legal Services officials will be deployed to participate in the upcoming committee proceedings. They will advise lawmakers on the constitutional ramifications of an executive minister defying parliamentary directives or refusing to cooperate with oversight processes.

The EFF characterized the breakthrough as a vital victory for accountability, asserting that executive ministers cannot treat parliamentary oversight as optional or conditional based on their personal convenience.

"Parliament has a constitutional obligation to act decisively whenever there are allegations of maladministration, governance failures, corruption, and/or executive misconduct," the EFF said in a statement. "We regard today’s intervention as an important step toward restoring procedural integrity, defending the authority of Parliament, and ensuring that committees of Parliament are not undermined through unilateral or irregular conduct."

The EFF added that it remains committed to robust oversight, vowing to safeguard the independence of Parliament against political interference or executive overreach.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

Jacob Zuma Suspends Nhlamulo Ndhlela from MK Party Pending Internal Investigation

Jacob Zuma Suspends Nhlamulo Ndhlela from MK Party Pending Internal Investigation  

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE KASIBC_AUDIO

JOHANNESBURG — uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) President Jacob Zuma has suspended the membership of the party's high-profile figure, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, with immediate effect.The suspension follows serious allegations of misconduct, fostering division within the organization, and behavior that has brought the movement into disrepute.  

The sudden disciplinary action marks an escalation in internal tensions, coming directly on the heels of the party's decision to strip Ndhlela of his roles as national spokesperson and Member of Parliament.In an official directive issued by the party, Ndhlela has been ordered to immediately surrender all organizational assets and information systems.  

"Mr. Ndhlela has been instructed to immediately return and surrender all party property, materials, account details, passwords, access credentials, documents, devices, and any other information or resources belonging to or associated with the uMkhonto weSizwe Party," the organization stated.  

The communication breakdown that triggered the fallout stems from a media briefing held over the weekend by the newly launched MK Institute in uMhlanga. During the briefing, Ndhlela read a statement suggesting that the institute would assume supreme administrative and political control over all leadership structures of the MK Party.  

The party’s national leadership swiftly rejected those claims. MK Party Secretary-General Sibonelo Nomvalo declared the institute’s pronouncements "null and void" and "unconstitutional," clarifying that the entity went far beyond its mandated powers and did not represent the executive leadership.  

The MK Party confirmed that formal correspondence has been sent to Parliamentary Chief Whip Mmabatho Mokoena Zondi to apprise her office of the suspension.  According to leadership, the suspension will remain active until a comprehensive internal investigation is finalized and a definitive ruling on Ndhlela's future is made. 

Former The Star Newspaper Editor Sifiso Mahlangu has since been appointed as the party's new National Spokesperson.  "The MK Party remains committed to organizational discipline, unity, accountability, and the protection of the integrity of the movement," the statement concluded.

Ndhlela has not yet issued a public response regarding his suspension or the pending investigation.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

Constitutional Court Ruling on National Health Act, Reaffirms Commitment to Healthcare Reform

Constitutional Court Ruling on National Health Act, Reaffirms Commitment to Healthcare Reform

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE KASIBC_AUDIO

ANC Notes Constitutional Court Ruling on National Health Act, Reaffirms Commitment to Healthcare Reform

JOHANNESBURG — The African National Congress (ANC) has formally noted the judgment delivered by the Constitutional Court regarding the National Health Act, reinforcing its commitment to the rule of law while maintaining that the ruling does not derail the implementation of universal healthcare.

The apex court's unanimous judgment, delivered on Monday, confirmed the constitutional invalidity of Sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act. These specific sections contained the controversial "Certificate of Need" provisions, which would have required private hospitals, clinics, and medical practitioners to obtain government permission regarding where they could operate.  In a statement, the governing party emphasized its respect for the judiciary and the principle of constitutional supremacy.

"The ANC respects the authority of the Constitutional Court and reaffirms its commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law and the progressive realisation of the right to healthcare as provided for in Section 27 of the Constitution," the statement read.Crucially, the ANC clarified that the legal defeat does not translate into a rejection of its flagship National Health Insurance (NHI) policy.  

"It is important to clarify that the Constitutional Court did not pronounce on or invalidate the broader National Health Insurance (NHI) framework or the constitutional objective of universal healthcare coverage," the party stated. "The judgment was confined specifically to Sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act and the manner in which broad discretionary powers were vested without sufficient safeguards."  

The apex court found the Certificate of Need provisions to be irrational and an unjustifiable limitation on the constitutional right to freely choose a trade, occupation, or profession. Opponents of the provision, including the trade union Solidarity and various private healthcare practitioners, hailed the ruling as a victory against coercive state control.  

However, the ANC argued that the ruling should not be used by critics to protect the status quo of South Africa's deeply unequal medical landscape."The ruling therefore cannot be interpreted as a rejection of the imperative to transform South Africa’s deeply unequal healthcare system and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all citizens," the party added.

The ANC has called on Parliament and all relevant state organs to thoroughly study the apex court's findings to ensure full legal compliance moving forward. 

The movement maintained that it will continue to pursue constitutionally sound reforms to rectify historical imbalances in healthcare access while balancing the rights of medical professionals.

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople

Western Cape Communities to Guard Schools Following R72,000 Vandalism Attack

Western Cape Communities to Guard Schools Following R72,000 Vandalism Attack

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA

LISTEN HERE KASIBCAFRICA

DA Urges Western Cape Communities to Guard Schools Following R72,000 Vandalism Attack

CAPE TOWN — The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has issued an urgent appeal to parents, residents, and local stakeholders to actively protect school infrastructure following a destructive break-in at Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School.

The call for community mobilization follows an oversight visit to the school by provincial officials after criminals targeted the property in the early hours of the morning.

The attackers gained entry from the rear of the premises, focusing their destruction on the Foundation Phase classrooms. The infrastructure was heavily ransacked, with thieves stealing and destroying air-conditioning cables, electrical wiring, door handles, data projectors, and window frames. The school has issued a preliminary damage estimate of approximately R72,000, noting that the incident has severely disrupted daily learning and compromised student safety.

According to provincial data, the crisis extends far beyond this single property. Schools across the Western Cape are facing a relentless wave of burglaries, with 25 schools reporting 28 separate incidents during recent term breaks alone, accumulating nearly R400,000 in repair costs. Thieves consistently target high-value assets, including computers, projectors, plumbing fixtures, and security systems.

Peter Johnson, Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) and DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education, emphasized that the financial fallout directly robs children of educational resources.

"Schools are the foundation of opportunity for every child," Johnson said. "When they are vandalised, learners lose resources and communities lose progress. This destruction takes money away from teaching and learning and weakens our education system. It must stop."

The DA highlighted that the costs of fixing intentional damages place an unsustainable strain on a budget already stretched thin by recent severe weather across the province. Every rand redirected toward fixing broken infrastructure is money stripped from hiring teachers, funding school nutrition programs, providing textbooks, and securing learner transport.

In response to the latest attack, the DA confirmed it will formally write to the Western Cape provincial Minister of Education to ensure Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary School receives emergency maintenance support.

Johnson concluded by emphasizing that law enforcement cannot solve the issue alone, calling for a shield of community vigilance. "The DA in the Western Cape urges communities to remain vigilant, take ownership of local schools, and report any suspicious activity. Protecting schools is a shared responsibility that directly impacts learners’ futures."

NEWS , AUDIO , VIDEO , EVENTS , TOURS , STORES 

VISIT WWW.KASIBC.BLOGSPOT.COM

YOUR ADVERTS

Promote your Business KASIBC_AFRICA REACH MILLIONS of viewers DAILY!

Advertise With #KasiPeople