KHOI SAN JOINS GNU @KASIBCNEWS 

*The GNU Must Not Turn a Blind Eye to the Khoisan Question of Indigenous People*

The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) unequivocally supports the quest for recognition and inclusion of the Khoisan people as the aboriginal and indigenous owners of the land south of Africa. 

It is worth the good of the national agenda to engage their spokespersons in earnest dialogue, rather than shove their concerns under the carpet and call upon the courts to treat them as vagrants on the grounds of the Union Buildings.

The failure of the authorities to make the hairline distinction between form and content is appalling, to say the least. The form of protestations is superseded by the content of the matters they raise for the immediate attention of the office of the State President.

The PAC therefore calls on the Government of National Unity, in which we play a role, to take up the question of the rights of the First Nation people to be unapologetically included in the agenda of the National Dialogue.

It is not prudent nor in the interest of cohesive and remedial justice to use coersive instruments, such as the sheriff or the so-called Red Ants, on the protesting group occupying a small site on the Union Buildings grounds.

The PAC and the Greater Aboriginal Community Council of Southern Africa (GACCSA), as a united front, are already engaged in the conversation of inclusion to address the bigger picture of the status of the original owners of the land, the preservation of their great civilisation, the development of their languages, and other related issues.

The two organizations are as ready and as willing to engage the Government of National Unity to urgently resolve the impasse and to chart the road ahead.

SESFIKILE YACHT TO ROBBEN ISLAND @KASIBCNEWS 

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted with concern certain misleading narratives surrounding the mode of transport utilised by the Secretary General, Comrade Fikile Mbalula, during the recent visit to Robben Island as part of the ANC’s 113th Anniversary commemorations. 

We categorically reject the misrepresentation that the Secretary General’s transport choice was an indulgence in luxury. This operational decision was guided solely by practical and logistical considerations to ensure the efficient execution of a tightly packed programme. The Secretary General had an intense schedule on the day, which began in Robben Island, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of Comrade Songezo Mjongile, a regional cake-cutting ceremony and multiple stakeholder engagements. 

Every engagement required precise coordination to ensure that all obligations were met without delay or disruption. To suggest that such logistical decisions were anything other than necessary is to wilfully ignore the realities of a demanding leadership role during a historic occasion. There was no unethical conduct or undue benefit derived from these arrangements. 

The businessman in question is a reputable, above-board entrepreneur, whose relationship with the ANC is limited to being a stakeholder, as is the case with many other legitimate partners who share in the goal of building a better South Africa. There is also a need to acknowledge the apparent coordinated effort to discredit the ANC by painting its stakeholders and associates in a negative light. This growing trend seeks to delegitimise lawful partnerships between the ANC and credible businesspeople, relationships that remain essential in driving forward the socio-economic transformation agenda. 

The ANC will continue to defend and foster these partnerships, as they are critical to achieving the goals of the National Democratic Revolution. The ANC remains resolute In its mission to address the socio-economic challenges facing our country. Reflecting on the overwhelming success of the January 8 Statement Rally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the people of Khayelitsha and the Western Cape for their enthusiasm, and unwavering support. 

The rally Let us remain focused on what truly matters—building a united, prosperous, and inclusive South Africa where dignity, opportunity, and shared prosperity are realised for all. Together, we can and will build the future envisioned in the Freedom Charter. 

Cautions Scholar Transport Operators #KASIBCNEWS  

MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has cautioned unregistered scholar transport operators to comply with operating licensing regulations or face the full might of the law.  This comes after the expected start of the academic year on Wednesday, 15 January 2025. 

The Department has issued a notice to all scholar transport operators, through their various associations, to ensure they operate legally and that vehicles are roadworthy.   MEC further warned that operators who do not possess valid operating licenses will not be allowed to transport learners and may have their vehicles fined or impounded.  "Our priority is to save lives in the learner transport system. 

Those scholar transport operators without operating licenses will not be allowed to ferry learners and those who do can expect to face the harshest consequences”, said MEC Diale-Tlabela  Traffic law enforcement officials will be conducting routine checks and those found not to be compliant will face the full might of the law" warned the MEC.  

GONE TO SOON WINNIE KHUMALO @KASIBCNEWS

It is with profound sadness to learn of the passing of the legendary Winnie Khumalo, who tragically left us on 7 January 2025 at the age of 51. Her untimely death marks a great loss for South Africa and the music industry.

Born on 20 July 1973 in Soweto, Winnie Khumalo was raised by her grandmother in a time of vibrant cultural life.

Her early education began at Vuyo Lower Primary and continued at Esiyalwini Higher Primary, ultimately culminating in her matriculation at Mncube Senior Secondary School.

At the tender age of 15, Winnie released her debut album, Hey Laitie, Tshina Tshina, produced by the renowned Sello Chicco Twala. She followed this with another album, Dlamini, setting the stage for a prolific music career that spanned decades.

Her musical journey was nothing short of remarkable. In the 1990s, she recorded the gospel album Izono Zami, produced by Pastor Langa Dube, and collaborated with iconic artists and groups such as the late Brenda Fassie, Brothers of Peace, Bongo Maffin, DJ Cleo, and Zonke Dikana. She was not only a talented lead vocalist but a formidable backing vocalist, enriching the work of those she collaborated with.

After a seven-year hiatus, she returned with the electrifying album Live My Life, which became an instant classic. The title track, I Just Wanna Live My Life, dominated music charts, earning gold certification with over 25,000 copies sold and 50,000 mobile downloads. The song’s success saw her nominated for prestigious awards such as the Channel O Music Awards and the South African Music Awards, cementing her place as a trailblazer in the industry.

She collaborated with Sello Chicco Twala on Mina Ngiyohlala Nginje, and starred as Brenda Fassie in The Brenda Fassie Musical under the direction of Jerry Mofokeng.

Her later albums, including Woman (2013), Higher and Higher (2013), Ncgocgo Lo Mfazi (2015), and The Storm: Isivunguvungu (2022), reflected her personal growth and resilience. Tracks like Woman and Impilo showcased her ability to channel life’s challenges into powerful and relatable music.

On behalf of the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to her children, family, friends and the countless fans whose lives she touched. South Africa has lost a legend, but her music and contributions to our cultural tapestry will live on forever.

Rest in power, Winnie Khumalo.

RESIGNATION OF DR. MBUYISENI NDLOZI @KASIBCNEWS 

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has received the voluntary resignations of Fighter Yazini Tetyana and Fighter Dr. Mbuyiseni Ndlozi as representatives of the EFF in the Parliament of South Africa. 

The voluntary requests to be released from deployment, which were sent to the Secretary General of the EFF consecutively and within days of each other, expressed gratitude to the EFF for the opportunity to serve the organization and the people of South Africa. 

The EFF has accepted the respective voluntary requests to be released from deployment of the two Fighters, who have diligently served the organization in their respective deployments since the EFF has had representation in the legislative sphere.

 Fighter Tetyana has served in the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature and subsequently the Parliament of South Africa, while Fighter 

Dr. Ndlozi has served in the National Assembly since 2014. They have both been exemplary in their deployments and acted as commendable Public Representatives. The EFF wishes the Fighters well in their future endeavors. 

Grounding of City Power Fleet @KASIBCNEWS 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg is deeply concerned by the worsening service delivery crisis caused by the grounding of City Power's Test Branch Fleet. With over 500 outages per depot still unresolved, the grounding of essential vehicles has critically hampered the ability to restore power to residents across the City.

The grounding of the almost 200 vehicles, particularly the Test Branch vehicles, has left depots unable to attend to faults swiftly. This has resulted in outages escalating and delays in resolving them stretching to several days, leaving residents in distress.

Despite assurances from Mayor Dada Morero following a News24 report on 21 December 2024 that only Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) vehicles were grounded and that resolutions would be sought, it has now emerged that more vehicles across various entities are being grounded.

The DA calls on Mayor Morero to urgently intervene in this crisis by directing the relevant Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) for Executive Business and Environment & Infrastructure Services (EIS) to resolve this matter immediately.

We seek clarity from the City on the following:

1. What is the status of the Afrirent debt and the payment plan to address it?
2. What actions is the City taking to ensure uninterrupted service delivery in City Power during this period?
3. What measures will be implemented to prevent such a crisis from recurring in the future?

We will continue to hold the Executive accountable and ensure that service delivery to residents remains at the forefront of the City’s priorities.

NELSON MANDELA HOUSE A CRIME SCENE @KASIBCNEWS 

 

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Tactical Response Unit for their swift and decisive action in apprehending five suspects involved in the possession of a hijacked vehicle and an unlicensed firearm in Houghton, Johannesburg. Thanks to vital information from a vehicle tracking company, the JMPD quickly located a hijacked Toyota Corolla and proceeded to a residence in Houghton, where they recovered the vehicle and arrested the suspects. One unlicensed firearm was also seized. 

The female suspect renting the property is believed to be connected to the male suspects, one of whom is reportedly a grandchild of President Nelson Mandela. 

The suspects are in custody at Norwood SAPS, and the victim of the hijacking is unharmed. 

This operation highlights the JMPD’s commitment to keeping our communities safe and sending a clear message that crime will not be tolerated in Johannesburg. 

The Public Safety Department fully supports the JMPD’s continued efforts to protect residents and ensure the security of the city.