TimesLIVE - In The News

Australians' distaste at ‘Novax’ Djokovic’s jab exemption puts pressure on authorities

Australians on Wednesday said they were unhappy with the decision to grant world No 1 men's tennis player Novak Djokovic medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination to enter the country and play in the Australian Open Grand Slam tournament. “I think it's a disgrace. We've all done the right thing, we've…

6 Jan 2022 6AM 4 min

'We don't see your Thuma Mina here' clergy tell Ramaphosa in Makopane

The ANC is not getting any prayers from the clergy in Mokopane, Limpopo ahead of its birthday celebration but rather a strong dose of the "shame" that its governance has subjected South Africans to. Religious leaders on Thursday greeted President Cyril Ramaphosa with fierce criticism of the ANC as an…

6 Jan 2022 6AM 6 min

‘My crime is being spokesperson for the most-hated man’ — Manyi on being implicated in state capture report

Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson and former Government Communications Information System (GCIS) CEO Mzwanele Manyi has responded to being implicated in the state capture inquiry report, claiming the commission “got it all wrong”. He said he is being targeted for being Zuma’s spokesperson. 

5 Jan 2022 3AM 1 min

Shivambu says Ramaphosa ‘irrationally praised’ response to parliament fire

EFF MP Floyd Shivambu has taken aim at President Cyril Ramaphosa for praising the City of Cape Town’s response to the fire in the parliamentary precinct on Sunday. Taking to social media, Shivambu implied the extent of the damage caused by the fire contradicted remarks made by the president about…

4 Jan 2022 6AM 1 min

Alleged parliament arsonist faces multiple charges

The case against alleged parliament arsonist Zandile Christmas Mafe has been postponed. Multiple charges have been brought against Mafe including theft, arson and housebreaking.

4 Jan 2022 5AM 2 min

Re-emergence of fire in the national assembly building

The Presiding Officers of Parliament have noted with distress yet another flare up of flames on the roof of the National Assembly Building in Cape Town. The almost two-day brave and courageous battle by firefighters against the flames that gutted various buildings of Parliament suffered a set-back when flames suddenly…

3 Jan 2022 10AM 1 min

'A crusader in the struggle for freedom, for justice, for equality and for peace' — Ramaphosa pays tribute to Tutu

President Cyril Ramaphosa was one of many who took to the podium to bid farewell to the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu at his funeral service held on Saturday 1 January 2022.

1 Jan 2022 6AM 24 min

“He was a man of enormous courage” — The SACC and interfaith communities speak of Tutu’s legacy  

The South African Council of Churches and the Anglican Church of Southern Africa hosted an inter-denominational and interfaith memorial service in celebration of the life and six-decade service of the late Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the Cathedral Church of St Alban in Pretoria on Thursday. 

30 Dec 2021 11AM 4 min

In review | A look back at the some of the biggest news stories of 2021

TimesLIVE has compiled a review of the year that was 2021 in terms of the biggest news stories — from the arrest of former President Jacob Zuma to the July unrest and looting to the death of the longest ruling Zulu monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini.

30 Dec 2021 3AM 16 min

'He had faith in God and the people': Soweto remembers Tutu

Mourners and religious leaders of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa gathered at Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's Soweto house to celebrate his life and legacy. Tutu passed away at the age of 90 on Sunday. Speakers included leaders of the church and Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse. 

29 Dec 2021 11AM 3 min

IN FULL: Media briefing on the passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

The Desmond Tutu Foundation briefed the media on Sunday after the death of the archbishop. Desmond Mpilo Tutu Born: October 7, 1931 in Klerksdorp was known for his charisma and his love for peace and humanitarianism. Desmond Tutu's influence globally remains formidable. The foundation sent its condolences to Mama Leah…

26 Dec 2021 5AM 27 min

Two years of Covid-19: Some take-aways

On December 31 2019, little did we know that a novel virus that would greatly disrupt our lives had already emerged in the city of Wuhan, China. The question of how the virus emerged still linger. It has now been two years since the emergence of Covid-19. We speak with…

26 Dec 2021 12AM 7 min

Celeste Ntuli questions 'men must' culture and speaks of 2021 success

Comedian and actress Celeste Ntuli has spoken about how expectations that men should provide money in relationships can be damaging to the fight against GBV.

23 Dec 2021 6AM 9 min

SA's scientific contributions to curb HIV/Aids

It has become apparent HIV/Aids is no longer as threatening as it was 40 years ago when the world was introduced to the human immunodeficiency virus. Perhaps this can be attributed to the work of scientists and the discoveries, innovations and research around HIV/Aids over the years. Prof Quarraisha Abdool…

22 Dec 2021 7AM 6 min

SAHRC WRAP: Blame game, crisis of leadership

One of this year’s most tragic moments was the July looting and destruction of businesses in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng after the incarceration of former president Jacob Zuma. The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) started its National Investigative Hearing into the unrest in November. Nivashni Nair, senior reporter at TimesLIVE,…

21 Dec 2021 1AM 12 min

In limbo: The long wait for gender-affirming surgery in SA

The transgender community in South Africa continue to face many battles along their journey to medically transition. One of the greatest challenges is the inaccessibility to funding to cover the high costs of treatments, and most importantly gender reassignment/affirming surgery which is pivotal part of the transitioning process.

20 Dec 2021 3AM 8 min

Political parties should 'introspect or close shop'

Sunday Times columnist Prof William Gumede argues that political parties should either be willing to introspect after the recent local government elections or “close shop”. He appeared on Eusebius on TimesLIVE, responding to a sustained critique of his recent work by veteran ANC leader and activist Mavuso Msimang. Msimang had…

17 Dec 2021 3AM 3 min

Reconciliation gap in SA is the fault of politicians, says TRC commissioner

As SA observes the Day of Reconciliation on Thursday, the legacy of apartheid continues to work against national unity. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was set up to build unity in the rainbow nation, but some believe its work was futile. Former TRC commissioner Yasmin Sooka says the blame…

15 Dec 2021 12PM 10 min

Jacob Zuma files leave to appeal medical parole ruling

Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Zwanele Manyi confirmed that the former president Jacob Zuma has filed leave to appeal the high court's rulings to set aside his medical parole, ordering him to go back to jail. 

15 Dec 2021 7AM 1 min

‘Ramaphosa made fundamental mistakes after ascending to power’ - Mavuso Msimang

Veteran ANC leader and activist Mavuso Msimang has critiqued the leadership of President Cyril Ramaphosa in a frank discussion with TimesLIVE contributor and analyst Eusebius McKaiser.

15 Dec 2021 2AM 3 min