Author: Nomthandazo Ntisa

South Africa’s unemployment rate has surged to 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025. Sounding the alarm for a nation grappling with sluggish economic growth and mounting structural issues. According to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey by Statistics South Africa, this 1% quarterly rise in unemployment has reignited urgent concerns about the country’s ability to generate enough jobs and stimulate inclusive growth. Economists argue that the rise is not an isolated occurrence but a reflection of South Africa’s prolonged underperformance in economic growth. The GDP forecast for 2025 has already been downgraded to around 1.5% or lower, far below…

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has stepped up its campaign against illegal and unsafe delivery bike operations. In a recent operation around Rosebank, officers arrested 10 foreign nationals and impounded 15 delivery bikes. This enforcement comes in response to a surge in reckless delivery bike behavior. Many riders speed through intersections, park illegally, block pavements, and ignore traffic rules, turning Johannesburg’s streets into dangerous zones for motorists and pedestrians alike. ALSO READ: SAPS Operation Vala Umgodi Strikes Illegal Mining Rings Nationwide JMPD Responds to Spike in Illegal Delivery Activity JMPD officers launched the operation after receiving mounting complaints about…

South African authorities intensified their crackdown on illegal mining. Operation Vala Umgodi, a joint initiative by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), and other government agencies. The operation led to 1,857 arrests and the seizure of significant illegal goods. This includes over 100 unpolished diamonds, firearms, ammunition, and mining equipment. ALSO READ: Tembisa Hospital Arson: Insider Suspect Confesses Operation Vala Umgodi: Disrupting Illegal Mining Operations Operation Vala Umgodi targets illegal mining operations that continue to cause widespread damage across South Africa. These operations contribute to environmental degradation, violence, and illegal activities such as…

Time is running out for Rea Vaya commuters to switch to the new orange smart cards as the Johannesburg bus system moves to an Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) platform. Starting 1 July 2025, the old blue cards will no longer work, and those who haven’t switched could face delays, confusion, and financial penalties. ALSO READ: Stage 2 Load Shedding in Winter 2025: What You Need to Know What’s Changing — and Why? Rea Vaya is ditching its old automated fare collection system in favor of a more advanced, cashless ABT system. The orange smart card, priced at R50, connects directly to…

South Africans are once again facing power cuts. Eskom announced the return of Stage 2 load shedding from Tuesday, 14 May 2025, during the evening peak periods (4 pm to 10 pm) until Thursday, 16 May. This comes as the power utility grapples with limited generation capacity, compounded by delays in maintenance and unexpected breakdowns. Despite recent improvements in grid performance, the energy crisis is far from over. The current setback highlights the grid’s ongoing vulnerability to disruptions. ALSO READ: Gauteng Power Outage Alert: Eskom Load Reduction and City Power Maintenance Plans Why Is Load Shedding Back? According to Eskom,…

Although South Africa is currently enjoying a brief suspension of load shedding, residents across Johannesburg and surrounding regions are still facing planned power outages and scheduled load reduction. Eskom and City Power have both confirmed service interruptions this week as part of network maintenance and electricity demand management. Understanding when and where these power cuts will occur is essential for planning your daily routines and protecting your home appliances. Here’s a breakdown of this week’s Eskom load reduction and City Power outage schedule for the week. ALSO READ: Joburg and Tshwane Experience Water Outages City Power: Planned Power Outages for…

A man has confessed to masterminding the fire that tore through two units at Tembisa Hospital three weeks ago. During police questioning, he not only admitted to starting the blaze but also named several accomplices—including a hospital security guard—who allegedly helped carry out the attack. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed the breakthrough on Monday, describing the confession as a turning point in the investigation. The suspect now faces formal charges of arson, and the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court has scheduled his bail hearing for next week. ALSO READ: No Casualties Reported After Fire at Tembisa Hospital Emergency Unit Tembisa Hospital Fire:…

Gauteng is gearing up to make a bold statement at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025. GTA spotlighting its dynamic music, sports, and wellness tourism sectors under the vibrant campaign banner “A New Gold for Gauteng.” Taking place from 13–15 May 2025 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, GTA aims to re-energize the province’s tourism appeal. It also aims to return to pre-pandemic performance levels by tapping into the power of entertainment, wellness, and cultural vibrancy. ALSO READ: Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025: Gauteng Tourism Prepares for Global Spotlight Why Music, Sports, and Wellness Tourism? Following the NEDBANK Cup…

Reservoirs Struggle with High Demand: Joburg and Tswhane To Experience Water Outages As Johannesburg and Tshwane grapple with a water outage, both cities are facing critical challenges in ensuring a consistent water supply for their residents. These shortages are primarily caused by strained reservoir capacities. The reservoirs stretched to their limits due to an increase in water consumption and fluctuating weather conditions. The situation has sparked widespread concern, with officials working to implement measures aimed at regulating water usage and stabilizing the supply. ALSO READ: Joburg South’s R27 Billion Mega City Project Begins The Root Cause of Water Outages Water…

Joburg South’s R27 Billion Mega City Project Begins – What Does It Mean for Residents? Johannesburg has officially launched the R27 billion Southern Farms Mega City Project. This is a game-changing initiative aimed at addressing the city’s chronic housing shortage while promoting economic upliftment and environmental sustainability. After years of delay and community frustration, construction is finally underway in the Bushkoppies and Devland regions of Joburg South, offering new hope to residents in areas like Diepkloof, Freedom Park, Eldorado Park, and Naturena. ALSO READ: Montrose Mega City Collapse Highlights Failures of R11 Billion Housing Project The Mega City Project :…