TimesLIVE - In The News

Public petition to oppose driver’s licence fee renewal hike still in effect: AA

A government gazette outlining proposed amendments to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s (RTMC) fees has caused outrage among motorists and civil society organisations in recent days. Organisations including the Automobile Association (AA) of SA and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have taken strong exception to the proposed fees.

8 Sep 2021 9AM 6 min

Former president Jacob Zuma released on medical parole

Former president Jacob Zuma has been released from prison on medical parole, the department of correctional services confirmed on Sunday.  This comes 58 days after he was admitted as an inmate at the Estcourt Correctional Services facility in KwaZulu-Natal. Jacob G Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi, provides context on the…

5 Sep 2021 11AM 1 min

The story of the world's first elephant dung-infused gin

In a world first, Western Cape scientists Les Ansley and his wife Paula have created gin made from botanicals extracted from elephant dung. Elephant herds at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape and Jabulani in Limpopo have become part of the mixology team (so to speak), with their…

3 Sep 2021 9AM 5 min

9-year-old dog attack victim set to get a new ear

In less than two months, nine-year-old Jolizne Bester will be under anesthetic on an operating table while two surgeons - one from Germany - will sculpt a new ear for her out of her ribs. Jolizne was 16 months old when doctors battled to reattach her ear after the Pretoria…

3 Sep 2021 8AM 6 min

JZ Foundation 'clears the air' after Zuma snubs NPA medical exam

Former president Jacob Zuma has refused to allow NPA doctors to examine him, his foundation said, accusing the state of “second-guessing” the state of his health. The Pietermaritzburg high court previously ordered that a medical practitioner appointed by the state be allowed access to Zuma to assess his fitness to…

1 Sep 2021 7AM 3 min

A Portrait of Grief

In Our Ghosts Were Once People, a new anthology about death and dying edited by Bongani Kona, celebrated author Sisonke Msimang writes about the multiple losses faced when her mother passed away. An intimate portrait of grief, it is both thought provoking and transformative. Sisonke Msimang is the author of…

1 Sep 2021 2AM 9 min

Malema challenges SANDF: 'Bring it on, I’m not scared of rubbish'

EFF leader Julius Malema has challenged the SA National Defence Force (SANDF), telling officials to “bring it on” in reference to any potential legal action against him. Malema sparked debate on social media recently when he shared a message allegedly from a soldier deployed in KwaZulu-Natal pleading for help, and…

25 Aug 2021 9AM 4 min

A memorial for Nosicelo Mtebeni, as violent crime spikes dramatically in SA 

The University of Fort Hare held a memorial service for slain student Nosicelo Mtebeni on Wednesday. Mtebeni was brutally murdered and her mutilated body parts discovered in a suitcase and a plastic bag last Thursday morning on the corner of Fitzpatrick and Fleet streets in Quigney, East London. Her head…

25 Aug 2021 9AM 7 min

Carl Niehaus set to fight Covid-19 violation in November trial

Suspended ANC member Carl Niehaus arrived at the Estcourt magistrate’s court on Wednesday surrounded by comrades, a strong police presence and virtual support from former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla. Niehaus was arrested last month for allegedly breaking lockdown regulations after he and a group of ANC members and…

18 Aug 2021 8AM 2 min

Young & white South Africans 'less accepting' of vaccines: survey

A recent survey by the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in collaboration with the Developmental, Ethical and Capable State research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) suggests that vaccine acceptance across SA has picked up, but that young and white South African remain hesitant about Covid-19 vaccines. In conversation…

17 Aug 2021 10AM 6 min

South Africans in Afghanistan describe the chaos as the Taliban take the capital

Afghan nationals are desperate to leave their country after  Taliban forces entered Kabul on Sunday and the Western-backed president, Ashraf Ghani, fled. The insurgents said they were seeking complete power. A South African contractor described apocalyptic scenes at Kabul’s airport as panicking Afghan civilians scaled the airport walls and stormed…

17 Aug 2021 7AM 7 min

What is behind eThekwini Metro Police’s ineffective response to last month looting?

A leadership battle, a shortage of equipment, and simple apathy are being blamed for the eThekwini Metro Police’s ineffective response to last month’s week-long looting which saw billions of rands’ damage to the city.

14 Aug 2021 6AM 5 min

Jacob Zuma Foundation threatens legal action, says medical details should remain private

The Jacob Zuma Foundation says it is greatly disturbed by the “callous and insensitive manner” in which the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and certain media outlets have reported on the health concerns of former president Jacob Zuma.

11 Aug 2021 7AM 8 min

‘The industry needs dresses’: Why Leeko Makoene wants more women to join farming

Agriculture entrepreneur Leeko Makoene is encouraging aspiring female farmers, especially young black women, to not be afraid to enter the agriculture sector, saying the industry needs “feminine” creativity and a woman’s touch to help address the challenges it faces. Makoene, 41, is the founder and CEO of Made with Rural,…

9 Aug 2021 2AM 8 min

10 new ministers as Ramaphosa rings the cabinet changes

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday night made wide-ranging changes to his cabinet, bringing in new ministers of health, finance and, in the wake of recent civil unrest, defence and military veterans. There were also new ministers appointed in the presidency, communications and digital technologies and human settlements, among others.

5 Aug 2021 4PM 13 min

Rapid PCR tests at OR Tambo International

SA's hard-pressed travel industry is inching towards recovery as foreign airlines resume flights to the country and rapid Covid-19 tests become available at airports. In what is likely to be a boon to travellers needing quick Covid-19 tests, local biotech firm Next Pathology has set up a centre offering rapid…

5 Aug 2021 7AM 1 min

Carnival atmosphere as EFF supporters prepare for Phoenix march

Busloads of EFF supporters gathered at Gandhi Park in Phoenix, north of Durban, on Thursday, ahead of a march against those involved in criminal acts which saw 36 people killed during the recent unrest. The EFF on Tuesday announced that they planned to “march to Phoenix against racist Indians” ,…

5 Aug 2021 6AM 2 min

After 66 years and an uprising, Joburg family business destroyed by Covid

After 47-years a family dry-cleaners and tailor store shut its doors last week. At the end of the month their core business, a dry cleaners in Fordsburg, will also close its doors after 66-years in Johannesburg central. 

5 Aug 2021 1AM 5 min

Years of exercise pay off for retired 89 year old doctor as he volunteers to administer Covid-19 vaccine

Between playing golf and volunteering to administer the Covid-19 vaccine, 89 year old Ebrahim Seedat, a retired doctor, regards himself as “fairly” fit for his age. He attributes his strength and resilience to years of exercise and eating healthily.

3 Aug 2021 8AM 4 min

Treasury’s R39bn relief package won’t require additional debt

Treasury has announced a R39bn package to provide relief to the poor and to support business, which won’t require new finance and will therefore not lead to additional debt. The package will be funded by higher-than-expected tax revenue, with R36.3bn being new money and R2.65bn from  adjusting the budgets of…

28 Jul 2021 9AM 8 min