TimesLIVE - In The News

What the octopus learnt

Jonathan Ancer's Sunday Times 'interview' with the eight-legged co-star of My Octopus Teacher imagines what the famous octopus might say about the human who kept disturbing it. In the real world, here are some glimpses into what went on behind the scenes in the making of this globally acclaimed film.

23 Sep 2020 9AM 3 min

Cele sets a target on GBV in SA’s hotspots

Speaking at a briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Cele described GBV as a second pandemic that had reached crisis levels in the country. He identified 30 hotspots for gender-based violence in SA that would get special attention. Cele also revealed that since the start of lockdown in March, 310,494 people have…

23 Sep 2020 7AM 4 min

Architects fight to save heritage gem

A group of Durban architects are fighting to save an architectural gem from being turned into a medical health facility. But the owner of the property says while he is not opposed to preserving heritage sites, he is not prepared to pay for it.

18 Sep 2020 9AM 5 min

Teacher convicted of kidnapping 6-year-old outside Vanderbijlpark school

The four kidnappers of a six-year-old pupil from Vanderbijlpark a year ago were sentenced to lengthy jail terms on Thursday. Ringleader Tharina Human, a 28-year-old grade RR teacher, and accomplices Laetitia Nel, 41, Pieter van Zyl, 51 and Bafokeng Molemohi, 24, were sentenced in the Gauteng high court, sitting in…

18 Sep 2020 5AM 4 min

What you need to know about SA's lockdown level 1

International travel restrictions will be lifted from 1 October, he said. People arriving from countries permitted into SA will have to produce a negative test result taken no more than 72 hours before travel, which will grant them access without having to quarantine first. Ramaphosa said South Africa has succeeded…

17 Sep 2020 5AM 3 min

FULL ADDRESS | SA to move to Covid-19 alert level 1

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday evening said SA had weathered Covid-19's “fierce and destructive storm”, announcing a move to alert level one. "With the further progress we have made as infections have come down, we are now ready for a new phase in our response to the pandemic," said Ramaphosa…

16 Sep 2020 1PM 36 min

Covid-19 infections decline, but Prof Madhi warns the decline requires context

Here Prof Shabir Madhi explains the downward trajectory patterns in Covid-19 infections across the provinces, which represents the gains we stand to lose if we do not stay vigilant over the festive season in December.

11 Sep 2020 8AM 1 min

National Book Week celebrated under theme 'Passport to tomorrow'

September 7-13 marks the annual National Book Week headed by the South African Book Development Council in partnership with the department of sport, arts & culture, which are working to raise reading awareness under this year's theme “Passport to tomorrow”. According to the council, this theme has been described as…

10 Sep 2020 9AM 3 min

'Laws don't mean anything if they are not enforced' — experts weigh in on GBV bills

On Monday an announcement from the desk of President Cyril Ramaphosa was released to the public. It briefly detailed a R1.6bn emergency response action plan to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide in the country. The announcement comes just over a year since thousands marched to parliament to protest against…

9 Sep 2020 6AM 4 min

Why did shooter not first assess the situation?: cleric on Nathaniel Julies

On Monday community members picketed outside the Protea Magistrates court in Soweto where two police officers were set to appear in connection with the death of Nathaniel Julies.

31 Aug 2020 7AM 2 min

Five steps to fight fake news and false information on WhatsApp

On Tuesday liquor outlets across the country were jam packed when a WhatsApp voice note began to circulate, causing a wave of panic buying. "Fake news", was the simple response from the Presidency. But in 2020, when so called fake news and real news can look so similar, how do…

27 Aug 2020 7AM 3 min

Social development deputy minister defends comments that cancer contributes to GBV

Social development deputy minister Hendrietta Bagopane-Zulu has defended claims made by herself and the department about a link between cancer and gender-based violence (GBV). A tweet posted by the department on Friday claimed cancer contributes to GBV. It sparked anger and confusion among South Africans. The deputy minister was in…

24 Aug 2020 7AM 4 min

'If we do not support the current jobs in the sector now, there will be nothing to monitor'

The Covid-19 People’s Coalition — Early Childhood Development (ECD) stream is calling for the department of social development (DSD) to redirect funds to support and sustain long-term jobs that now exist in the sector. In a statement speaking to this matter, the coalition has highlighted their disappointment in the departments…

20 Aug 2020 10AM 3 min

TRIBUTE | Asithandile “Kwasa” Zozo's friends remember her

Her friendly voice and infectious, bubbly personality are no more. The devastated roommate of murdered Wits University student Asithandile “Kwasa” Lugalo told TimesLIVE on Wednesday that she would miss her “funny, crazy, adorable” friend. “I am going to miss her every day. She was so kind,” said Yonela Zatshikila.

19 Aug 2020 8AM 5 min

'It's been a roller-coaster ride': bottle stores get back to business

Alcohol sales resumed on Tuesday following the lifting of the ban under level 2 of the lockdown regulations. Liquor store owners and employees are grateful to be able to get back to business. Here is what they had to say.

18 Aug 2020 9AM 3 min

FULL ADDRESS | Lockdown level 2 implemented

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that the country will be moving to alert level 2 with bans on travel between provinces and the sale of alcohol and tobacco products being lifted. The easing from level 3 is effective from Monday midnight. The move follows a special cabinet meeting on Saturday…

15 Aug 2020 2PM 27 min

Mask sewing initiative injects over R1m into township economy

Seamstress Aletta Mashao and others do not spend much time thinking about distribution channels, market linkages or exchange rates. As the main breadwinners in their households, what they do know is that when they make face masks for the COVID-19 pandemic, they and their extended families have food on the…

15 Aug 2020 9AM 3 min

Shooting scatters Saturday morning shoppers at Pretoria Mall

Shooting scatters Saturday morning shoppers at Pretoria Mall. Centurion resident Neil Hosken was in the mall when the robbers hit. This is his story.

8 Aug 2020 6AM 1 min

Department to take disciplinary action against staff involved in baby swap incident

The Gauteng Department of Health will be instituting disciplinary proceedings against staff involved in the swapping of newly born babies at Tambo Memorial Hospital, in Boksburg. The two babies, a boy and girl were born 24 July 2020. The baby girl’s mother realised at around 9pm when she changed the…

6 Aug 2020 9AM 1 min

Something must be done to save 2020 school year, say experts

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of schools and the extension of the school year last week, but at what cost to South African students and the larger economy? Dr Nic Spaull, a senior researcher at Stellenbosch University, and associate professor Maximus Sefotho at the University of Johannesburg outline the…

30 Jul 2020 2AM 10 min