ANC IS READY TO CONVENE THE 5TH NATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™ 

ANC IS READY TO CONVENE THE 5TH NATIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL 

The African National Congress (ANC) affirms its full readiness to convene the 5th National General Council (NGC), which officially commences tomorrow, 

This gathering of the oldest and most enduring liberation movement marks a critical moment of reflection, evaluation, and reaffirmation of the Movement’s historic mission. The NGC provides the ANC with an opportunity to pause, take stock, and honestly assess the strides made and the setbacks encountered in the march toward the National Democratic Revolution. 

It is no secret that our organisation continues to face sustained pressure from those who seek to undermine its authority, distort its heritage, and dilute the symbols of our liberation. These machinations, including recent attempts by certain political formations to appropriate our legacy, will not deter the ANC from advancing the principles of freedom, democracy, and transformation. 

The ANC extends its gratitude to all supporters and, in particular, to members of the media for their commitment to covering this landmark event. A total of 687 journalists and media personnel, from South Africa and abroad, have registered, making this one of the most widely covered NGCs in the democratic era. 

This NGC carries significant political weight rooted in key developments within the Movement: 

• The ANC Renewal Project is firmly underway, with focused work to restore organisational integrity and reconnect with the motive forces. 

• Governance across various spheres of the state is stabilising, reflecting the movement’s commitment to credible and ethical leadership. • The message from the ground is clear: The ANC is not merely another political formation, it remains the only organisation with a broad, democratic mandate across the length and breadth of our country. 

As we move forward, the ANC will act with intention, purpose, and renewed discipline. The silence that may come from our direction at key moments will not be uncertainty—it will be deliberate listening, a vital component of renewal and reconnection. 

The ANC is ready. The delegates are ready. Most importantly, the people of South Africa are ready for this moment of organisational introspection and decisive progress. 

The Secretary General of the ANC, Cde Fikile Mbalula, has confirmed the organisation’s full state of readiness to deliver a successful, credible, and orderly 5th NGC. 

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SUICIDE AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

SUICIDE AMONG SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) is deeply concerned about the escalating rates of suicide among young people in South Africa.  South Africa has a significant and growing suicide crisis, with a national rate of around 23.5 per 100,000 people, one of the highest in Africa. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29.  

Research indicates that nearly one in five learners has attempted suicide at least once, while many more report persistent sadness, depression, hopelessness, trauma, bullying, and the emotional impact of socio-economic hardship. For young people living with disabilities, the risks can be even higher due to stigma, exclusion, and limited access to support services. 

The DWYPD emphasises that suicide is preventable. Protecting the mental well-being of young people requires a society-wide commitment. Families, schools, government departments, faith-based organisations, youth formations, and communities must collectively create safe, supportive environments where young people feel seen, heard, and valued. 

The DWYPD calls for: Greater investment in psychosocial services, including trained counsellors, social workers, and youth workers. • Access to mental health support within schools, communities, and youth-serving institutions. 

• Strengthened early intervention systems to identify warning signs before crises occur. 

• Community awareness campaigns to reduce stigma around mental illness and encourage help-seeking behaviour. 

• Support for families and caregivers, equipping them to respond compassionately and effectively. 

The Department further urges the public to recognise the signs of distress among young people, including withdrawal, hopelessness, changes in behaviour, substance abuse, and talk of self-harm. Early intervention is critical—and can save lives. 

A reminder to all young people that help is available, and they can reach out. Anyone feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or in need of support is encouraged to contact: SADAG Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567 SMS 31393 for immediate assistance. 

The DWYPD reaffirms its commitment to advancing the rights, protection, and empowerment of South Africa’s youth. Preventing suicide is a shared responsibility. 

Together, we can safeguard the mental well-being of our young people and build a society where every youth has hope, opportunity, and support. 

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FALSE “NATIONAL FAMILY SUPPORT ALLOWANCE” MESSAGE

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™ 

FALSE “NATIONAL FAMILY SUPPORT ALLOWANCE” MESSAGE

The Department of Social Development (DSD) cautions members of the public to be extremely vigilant about a fake message circulating on social media claiming that President Cyril Ramaphosa has instructed Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe to open registrations for a so-called “National Family Support Allowance” valued at R1,682 for three months.

The Department wishes to categorically dismiss this information as fake news.There is no such programme, no new cash allowance, and no registration process linked to any “National Family Support Allowance”. The message is a scam designed to mislead the public and potentially steal personal information through fraudulent links.

The Department emphasises that all official announcements on social protection programmes are issued directly by the Department, its entities, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA), or through verified government communication platforms.

Members of the public are urged not to click on suspicious links, not to share the false message, and to always verify information through:

✅The official DSD website

✅SASSA and NDA platforms

✅Government social media pages

✅The DSD WhatsApp Channel

The Department remains committed to providing reliable and accurate information and urges communities to help stop the spread of misinformation.

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Gauteng records 18 Road Fatalities December 2025

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™ 

Gauteng records 18 Road Fatalities December 2025 

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is calling for heightened vigilance as the province recorded 18 fatalities between 1 and 5 December 2025.  

Current preliminary information indicates that pedestrian deaths remain the highest, followed by drivers. 

A breakdown of the reported fatalities is as follows:

• Johannesburg: 3 fatalities - all pedestrians 

• Ekurhuleni: 5 fatalities - 3 pedestrians, 1 driver, 1 unknown 

• Tshwane: 6 fatalities - 1 pedestrian, 4 drivers, 1 passenger, 1 unknown 

• Emfuleni: 2 fatalities - 1 pedestrian, 1 driver 

• Merafong: 1 fatality - 1 passenger Gauteng 

MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, says the numbers are deeply concerning. “Eighteen lives lost in just five days is alarming. These are families torn apart,not mere statistics,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela. The MEC urged motorists to exercise caution and look out for pedestrians, who remain the most vulnerable road users. “Our pedestrians are dying at an unacceptable rate. Drivers must slow down, remain alert, and share the road safely,” she said. She added that while enforcement has been intensified across high-risk corridors, citizen behaviour remains key. 

“Law enforcement is on the ground, but safety ultimately depends on each of us. We cannot police every stretch of road,” she said. The Department will continue monitoring critical routes and issue updates as part of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign. 

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Youth Employment Service (YES ) 200 000 Jobs Celebration

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

Youth Employment Service (YES ) 200 000 Jobs Celebration 

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a keynote address at the Youth Employment Service (YES ) 200 000 Jobs Celebration held at the GIBS Business School in Illovo, Johannesburg.

The celebration is held under the theme “Impact Multiplied. Futures Unlocked,” marking a major milestone for South Africa’s largest private-sector-funded youth employment initiative.

The event highlights YES’s achievement of placing over 200 000 young South Africans in quality 12-month work opportunities, supported by more than 1 900 corporate partners across the country.

The programme showcases the transformative impact of YES through digital skills development, entrepreneurship pathways, and alumni who have gone on to establish small businesses contributing to economic growth. 

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS

ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers remarks during the Free State Provincial Men’s Indaba held at Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein.

In his address President Ramaphosa said South Africa needs Men’s Indaba’s and organised dialogues with men and boys across the country, with regularity, not just during the 16 Days of Activism campaign. 

"South Africa needs men who have respect for women, who are compassionate, accountable, and strong in character, not with their fists. We need men who are protectors of women, not perpetrators".

The event  brought together over 4,500 participants from diverse sectors, including government, political parties, faith-based organizations, the sports fraternity, civil society, and young men from across the province.

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LOTTERY LICENCE COURT BATTLE

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CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE_EDITOR©®™

LOTTERY LICENCE COURT BATTLE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has intervened in ongoing litigation concerning the awarding of the fourth National Lottery Licence. This is after every attempt to resolve the matter through Parliament, and the Executive was ignored despite there being clear evidence of several discrepancies in the awarding of the license to the ANC-linked Sizekhaya Holdings. 

The intervening challenge comes after months of unexplained delays and cautions around political exposure and capacity with regards to Sizekhaya Holdings, which was announced as the winning bidder. Concerningly, the Minister has provided no clarity on how Sizekhaya met the mandatory requirements, including the requirement that bidders be capable of taking over operations within five months, something Sizekhaya is unable to do, according to evidence filed by the Minister himself. 

The EFF is therefore intervening in this existing case precisely because we have noted from the very beginning that the awarding of the fourth lottery licence violated the principles of transparency, fairness, and the strict anti-political influence provisions of the Lotteries Act. Our constitutional challenge centres on section 13(2)(b)(iv) of the Lotteries Act, which prohibits only direct financial interests by political parties and political office-bearers in lottery operators.  

The law is silent on indirect interests, such as those held through spouses, siblings, children, in-laws, family trusts or layered corporate structures. This loophole is regularly exploited, as shown in the award to Sizekhaya Holdings, whose shareholders include individuals closely tied to senior office bearers in government. 

A provision intended to prevent political influence, yet drafted so narrowly that it permits easy circumvention, fails the rationality test, undermines the constitutional standards of lawful and transparent procurement under section 217, and weakens the state’s obligation under sections 7(2) and 195 to prevent corruption. Our intervention therefore asks the Court to declare the provision constitutionally defective and to interpret the Act in a manner that prohibits both direct and indirect political interests. Before approaching the courts, the EFF made extensive attempts to address these concerns through the institutional channels that are supposed to provide oversight over the National Lottery Licensing process. In the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, the EFF consistently raised concerns about the loopholes in the Act, the vague and irregular nature of the evaluation process, and the political proximity of certain bidders. These concerns were dismissed, debated superficially, or ignored entirely. 

The Committee failed to exercise its constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive accountable or to intervene in a process that was clearly compromised. We further cautioned the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in writing that the licence process was vulnerable to manipulation, and the Minister ignored these warnings. 

When the matter was escalated to the Presidency, outlining the political risks, our submissions were met with silence and inaction. Even our attempt to obtain the full court record of the existing review, so as to avoid duplication and assist the court with a complete factual foundation were obstructed, despite the fact that court papers are public documents. Having exhausted every political and administrative avenue: Parliament, the Minister, and the Presidency, the courts remained the only constitutional mechanism capable of addressing a defect that has enabled repeated acts of corruption. 

The Lottery is a R58-billion public concession meant to support community organisations, schools, sports development and vulnerable groups. It cannot continue to be a playground for politically connected networks who hide behind families, trusts and shell companies while looting what should rightfully reach the poorest. 

The EFF remains firmly committed to ensuring that South Africa’s legislative framework closes every avenue for political capture. We will not permit the fourth lottery licence to become yet another chapter in the long and painful history of state capture. 

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