Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has been accused of misleading parliament about “ongoing engagements” with stakeholders involved in South Africa’s long-delayed broadcast digital migration (BDM) process. According to media companies and advocacy groups, no such engagements had taken place despite Malatsi’s claims before parliament’s portfolio committee last month that talks with stakeholders were under way in preparation for the analogue switch-off (ASO). Malatsi and the department’s director-general, Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, had presented a progress report to parliament following a court ruling in March that halted the switch-off. However, letters obtained by the Sunday Times from e.tv, Media Monitoring Africa…
Author: NationWatch
Grammy-winning R&B artist D’Angelo, a pioneer of neo-soul music, has died at the age of 51 after “a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer,” according to media reports citing a family statement released on Tuesday. “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind,” the family said in the statement. “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life.” News of his death sent shockwaves across social media, with fans and fellow musicians sharing tributes…
In the province of the rising sun, Bafana Bafana rose from the ashes in breathtaking fashion to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producing one of those “I was there” moments that will live long in the memory. The names of coach Hugo Broos, goal scorers Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa, as well as the venue Mbombela Stadium and opponents Rwanda, will forever be remembered as part of this historic night. South Africa entered the final round of qualifiers with their fate out of their own hands but did what was required, securing a convincing 3-0…
South Africa has officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010, following a convincing 3–0 victory over Rwanda in their final Group C match. Goals from Thalente Mbatha (5’), Oswin Appollis (26’), and Evidence Makgopa (72’) secured a dominant win for Bafana Bafana, who topped Group C with 18 points, ensuring their automatic qualification despite earlier sanctions for fielding an ineligible player. The triumph marks a historic achievement for South African football, ending a 15-year absence from the world’s biggest football stage. Meanwhile, the Super Eagles of Nigeria narrowly secured a…
UPINGTON, NORTHERN CAPE — A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for fatally stabbing his 15-year-old cousin during an argument over R10. The convict, identified as Geraldo Filander, from Dakotaweg in Upington, was found guilty in the town’s regional court for the January 31 murder of his cousin, Calvin Brouw. According to police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela, Filander fled the scene after the incident but was apprehended the following day by investigating officer Sergeant Bahedile Nkwadipo. The court found Filander guilty of murder and handed down a 12-year jail sentence for the crime.
PRETORIA — A 45-year-old man from Laudium, Muhammed Toahiv Bhoola, who is accused of murdering his 79-year-old father, Younds Bhoola, has abandoned his bail application in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court this week. Bhoola faces charges of murder, assault, and defeating the ends of justice. According to reports, on the evening of September 14, Bhoola allegedly assaulted his father with his fists and an unknown object at their home in Laudium. He also allegedly attacked his son, who had tried to intervene to protect his grandfather. Following the incident, the accused’s son left the house, leaving both his father and grandfather…
JOHANNESBURG — The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which is probing corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS), has temporarily suspended its proceedings amid urgent security concerns for a key witness known as Witness X. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced on Tuesday that the inquiry would not sit on Wednesday to allow time for legal disputes to be resolved on whether Thursday’s witness testimony would proceed in-camera (behind closed doors) or remain public. According to the commission, technical difficulties experienced during Tuesday’s session compromised the safety of Witness X, prompting an emergency halt to live testimony. “We ran into…
President Cyril Ramaphosa has confirmed that he knows alleged Tembisa Hospital corruption figure Hangwani Maumela, contradicting an earlier statement by his spokesperson who claimed the president had never met him. Ramaphosa made the revelation during a question-and-answer session in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, explaining that he met Maumela outside his home in Sandhurst in 2024. The admission comes a day after presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told journalists that Ramaphosa had no personal or business relationship with Maumela. In response to a question by ANC NCOP member Onica Dipuo Modupi, who asked him to clarify his relationship…
Bafana Bafana’s hopes of reaching the World Cup playoffs appear slim, as the qualification permutations make their path to Morocco’s mini-tournament highly unlikely. South Africa currently sit eighth in the second-placed teams’ table, four points behind the fourth-placed side. Even with a victory over Rwanda at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening, Bafana cannot finish among the top four runners-up who will advance to the playoff tournament next month. The situation worsened after Fifa docked South Africa three points for fielding ineligible player Teboho Mokoena during a 2-0 win over Lesotho in March. That sanction, combined with Friday’s 0-0 draw against…
Since its debut, Inimba has brought a refreshing twist to South Africa’s telenovela scene. Created by award-winning filmmaker Siphosethy Tshapu, the series follows Zoleka Bikitsha (played by Lunathi Mampofu), who returns to South Africa after 20 years to reunite with her estranged daughter and bury her late father. Upon her return, Zoleka discovers that her former lover has not told their daughter who she truly is — a role instead assumed by her cousin Thumeka (played by Zenande Mfenyane). The cast also features Siyabonga Shibe as Sydney, Zoleka’s corporate rival. Following the highly anticipated wedding episode that aired on October…