Indholdsfortegnelse for 2026-01-11 i Sunday Tribune

The start of the 2026 academic year, scheduled for Wednesday, is facing a significant crisis in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and the Northern Cape, with widespread failures in resource delivery, raising serious concerns about provincial readiness. Teacher unions and school governing bodies are sounding the alarm over missing stationery, textbooks, budget cuts, and infrastructure damage in these regions. The National Teachers Union (NATU) President, Sibusiso Malinga, expressed strong apprehension about the situation in KZN. “In KwaZulu-Natal, the province is grappling with significant challenges, as most schools across its 12 districts have not received stationery or textbooks for the current academic year,” said Malinga. He described the delivery breakdown as inconsistent, noting that some districts have “received nothing at all, while others have only covered a handful of schools”. The problem is most…

THE amaBhaca ethnic group, largely concentrated in the uMzimkhulu area, are on tenterhooks over the looming installation of a new Inkosi, despite the presence of a sitting traditional leader already occupying the throne. The amaBhaca, who fall under the broader Nguni ethnic group, have accused KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, of interfering in their internal affairs, a move they say has the potential to plunge the ethnic group into a civil war over a contested traditional leadership succession. On December 30, a well-attended traditional imbizo was held at which the KwaZulu-Natal CoGTA formally introduced Xolani Zulu as Inkosi of Mfulamhle, an area that falls under uMzimkhulu. The imbizo went ahead despite repeated and emphatic objections from the amaBhaca community, who have on several occasions…

While some community members of Area 10, KwaBester, north of Durban, celebrated the killing of five men in an alleged exchange of gunfire with the police on Thursday, others in the community defended the deceased, claiming that at least one of them was caught in the crossfire. However, the founder of eThekwini Neighbourhood Watch, an anti-crime initiative, Andile Jali, said the deceased were terrorising the community and demanding weekly protection fees. “They went door to door demanding R50 per household, every week, claiming it was for protection. In many households, this ‘protection’ made no difference as these boys would later return at night and steal valuables,” said Jali. He added that many families in the area had relocated because they could not bear the high levels of crime and the…

In a bid to rejuvenate South Africa’s struggling economy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has put forth a comprehensive six-point plan aimed at improving municipal service delivery. Speaking at the ANC’s 114th anniversary event yesterday at the Moruleng Stadium, in Lesetlheng, Rustenburg, in the North West, he emphasised the vital connection between functional local government and economic growth, while addressing persistent challenges, including municipal load reduction despite the end of national load shedding. Ramaphosa presented a detailed ANC NEC-prepared statement, which seeks to improve ailing infrastructure and various service delivery challenges across the country's 259 municipalities. He acknowledged that weak municipal governance and failing service delivery are among the main factors contributing to the decline in public trust in the ANC. His announcement comes amid rising frustrations over inadequate service delivery, particularly…

In a heartwarming initiative aimed at supporting underprivileged children, the KwaZulu-Natal International Business Association (KIBA) is set to distribute 2,000 pairs of school shoes to learners in need. This significant effort highlights KIBA’s commitment to not only fostering business relationships but also uplifting local communities. KIBA, a business networking organisation comprising business leaders and professionals, its core mandate is to create opportunities for networking as well as opportunities to give back to less privileged communities. Omie Singh, president of KIBA, said the organisation actively collaborated with the provincial education department to identify schools and specific learners across KwaZulu-Natal, who would benefit from the donation. The distribution is scheduled to take place in two phases. On January 17, KIBA will provide 1,000 shoes at the Umzinto Community Hall in the Umdoni…

In a significant move to protect the rights of South African learners, Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has expressed grave concerns over the troubling practice of schools unlawfully withholding academic report cards, particularly in no-fee schools. In a meeting held on Friday, committee chairperson Joy Maimela highlighted the pressing issue of financial pressures placed on parents during a time of economic hardship. Complaints have surfaced that some schools, along with their School Governing Bodies (SGBs), are exploiting the financial disadvantages faced by many families, threatening to withhold report cards if parents are unable to engage in fundraising activities. “A learner’s academic progress and access to report cards can and must never be used as leverage to compel parents to contribute financially or participate in fundraising activities,” Maimela said. She…

Road closures had to be reinstated in the Overstrand Municipality in the Western Cape yesterday morning as fires continue to rage in the area. An Oryx helicopter from the South African Air Force (SAAF) was deployed to Stanford at first light as a priority. Overstrand municipal manager Dean O’Neill yesterday confirmed that the R43 has been closed again between Stanford and De Kelders. For the detour routes, O’Neill said: “When using the Grootbos/Papiesvlei gravel road detour, please switch on your headlights and reduce your speed. “Visibility is low due to dust and uneven surfaces along several sections of the road. “Many motorists are also unfamiliar with this route, so please drive with extra caution.” On Friday evening, the municipality announced that the Pearly Beach fire was still burning actively and…

As South Africa approaches the upcoming local government elections, our democracy stands at a defining moment. History shows that when political leaders impose outcomes that undermine the will of the majority, they weaken public trust and fuel social frustration. When citizens feel that their votes do not translate into the government they chose, faith in democracy begins to crumble. Yes, voters may sometimes elect the wrong leaders or the wrong parties – but that remains their democratic choice, and societies must live with those outcomes for the electoral term. This reality does not justify depriving people of the government they voted for, nor does it legitimise political deals designed to override the will of communities. Democracy must reflect the mandate of the people, not the fears or rivalries of political…

The Government of National Unity will soon convene a cabinet lekgotla at a decisive juncture in South Africa’s political and economic trajectory. This moment is not defined by routine governance cycles, but by the convergence of domestic structural strain and an increasingly unstable global environment. The lekgotla, therefore, assumes significance as a strategic forum where the state must demonstrate clarity of purpose, coherence of action and a capacity to align political authority with material outcomes. Accordingly, the cabinet lekgotla must be approached as a moment of state consolidation within a complex coalition architecture. The presence of multiple political formations within the executive elevates the demand for discipline, co-ordination and a shared understanding of the developmental mandate of the state. The lekgotla will take place within the context of bubbling geopolitical…

US military attack on Venezuela an assault on sovereignty On January 3, the US launched an unjustified and unprovoked military attack on Venezuela, culminating in the abduction of sitting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The aggression followed weeks of escalating pressure that shifted from nominal concerns over narcotics trafficking to explicit statements regarding the need to secure Venezuela’s strategic resources. The impetus underlying the attack had little to do with democracy, human rights or counternarcotics. Trump’s declaration that the US would take control of Venezuela’s oil reserves constituted an overt admission of motive. This was a direct resource grab, echoing older colonial practices in which military power is used to seize what cannot be obtained through economic pressure or political manipulation. Executed without a mandate from the…

Wayne Rooney was bursting with pride after seeing younger brother John Rooney's Macclesfield dump holders Crystal Palace out of the FA Cup yesterday. Macclesfield became the first sixth-tier side to ever knock out Premier League opposition in a 2–1 win at Moss Rose. The 117 places that separate the clubs in the English football pyramid is the most ever overcome by an underdog in FA Cup history. "I'm getting emotional," said former England captain Wayne Rooney, who was part of the BBC commentary team. "To see my younger brother, who's not long been a manager, beat a Premier League team... I'm so proud. It's such an achievement. What he's achieved today, absolutely superb." The monumental feat was all the more poignant for the Silkmen after the death of forward Ethan…

Cosmetic surgery looks effortless online. A few photos, a big reveal, and suddenly, confidence seems instant. But what those glossy before-and-after posts rarely show is everything that happens in between. The swelling. The bruising. The waiting. The emotional rollercoaster. For many people considering cosmetic surgery, the recovery phase is something they think about last, even though it often shapes how they feel about their results the most. In South Africa, more people than ever are choosing aesthetic procedures, and while the decision to have surgery is usually carefully considered, the healing process is often underestimated. Cosmetic surgery is booming There is no denying it. Cosmetic surgery has gone mainstream. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, South Africa consistently ranks among the top 25 countries worldwide for surgical…

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has warned of the consequences of a successful vote of no confidence against him, which he said was aimed at collapsing the provincial government, and that this would be detrimental to the people of the province. He was reacting to the National Freedom Party (NFP)’s withdrawal from the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). The NFP holds the balance of power in the provincial legislature. The party, whose leader Ivan Barnes supported last month’s unsuccessful motion against Ntuli, would now join the opposition bench. The party is currently holding disciplinary hearings against its MPL, Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga, for defying its order to vote in favour of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) motion, which EFF supported, to oust Ntuli. This motion was defeated after Shinga opted…

Mention Inanda and, for many, images of guns, violence and death immediately come to mind. Yet residents are quick to counter this one-dimensional portrayal, insisting it ignores the lived reality on the ground. While the area’s notoriety cannot be wished away, normal life continues, and many people are not directly affected by crime. Within this reality lives a deep desire for the world to see a different Inanda, one defined by its rich history and cultural significance rather than its worst moments. The recent killing of five men in Bester was swiftly linked to Inanda, much to the frustration of locals. Bester, residents point out, is not in Inanda but borders KwaMashu and Ntuzuma. Still, headlines and broadcast bulletins screamed “Inanda”, reinforcing a reputation that many feel is unfairly applied,…

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Collen Malatji has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa and members of the delegation that travelled to the US last year to repay the costs of the trip, accusing them of cowardice for what he described as “explaining themselves” to US president Donald Trump. Malatji was speaking in Mogwase, Rustenburg, Bojanala Platinum District, in the North West province on Friday during the Peter Mokaba Memorial Lecture, ahead of the ANC’s 114th anniversary held at Moruleng Stadium yesterday, where Ramaphosa delivered his January 8 statement. The ANCYL president delivered a blistering attack on South Africa’s engagement with the US and the conduct of senior government officials. He said Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau should urgently explore alternative sources of investment and economies, arguing that South…

The HOPE House, a small but vital residential care facility in Palmview, Phoenix, is appealing to the community and local businesses for financial and material support. The goal is to complete crucial safety and comfort upgrades for its six elderly residents. The home offers a safe haven for women aged 65 to 89, many of whom have endured difficult lives and are now finding dignity and companionship under one roof. However, the facility, which opened its doors to residents six months ago after a two-year renovation, still has some critical needs. Renal Maistry, the chairperson and driving force behind The HOPE House, explained the pressing need for assistance. “In terms of security, we need to keep the house safe for these women,” Maistry said, highlighting the vulnerability of the residents.…

South African parents are being urged to pay closer attention to the ingredients in health supplements and baby products, following another safety alert issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) this week. In its latest communication, SAHPRA warned that it has identified products currently on the market that contain zinc picolinate and selenium, which are intended for use in children. According to the regulator, neither ingredient is permitted in health supplements for children under the age of 18. “SAHPRA has been made aware of products in the market containing zinc picolinate (as a source material for zinc) and/or selenium intended for use in children,” the authority said. The regulator said the ingredients have been flagged in its official guidance on complementary medicines and health supplements as unsuitable…

Morocco coach Walid Regragui hailed a "historic" achievement in seeing his side reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, but warned that the hosts have not yet achieved anything at the tournament. “We need to just keep going one game at a time. “We have not done anything yet,” Regragui insisted after the Atlas Lions beat Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-final in Rabat thanks to goals either side of half-time from Brahim Diaz and Ismael Saibari. Morocco, World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, set the tone with a superb first-half performance at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, and Cameroon never really looked like recovering after Diaz opened the scoring in the 26th minute. "It was our best first-half performance I think since the World Cup, with lots…

As rockstar Yash rang in his 40th birthday this week, the makers of his film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups marked the occasion by revealing a striking glimpse of his character, Raya raw, bold and unapologetically intense. The star took to Instagram and X to unveil a gripping clip introducing his character, Raya. Set against the eerie silence of a cemetery, the video opens with a burial in progress before cutting to Yash’s character seated in a car with a woman in an intimate moment. Behind them, a bomb is placed, yet the two remain completely unfazed. The calm at the cemetery is short-lived due to a sudden blast and gunfire shatters the moment, plunging the scene into chaos. As smoke fills the air and bodies lie scattered, Raya steps…

January has long had a reputation as the quiet month for cinema. Fewer blockbusters, lower expectations and the sense that studios are just clearing their release schedules. But January 2026 is quietly proving that theory wrong. This month brings big sequels fans have been waiting years for, buzzy book adaptations, unsettling horror and a few star-driven thrillers that could easily dominate conversation. If you are planning your watch list for the start of the year, here is what to look forward to. Greenland 2: Migration (Released on Friday) The Garrity family is back, and the world is still very broken. This sequel picks up after the events of Greenland, following survivors who are forced to leave the safety of underground bunkers and migrate across Europe in search of a new…

There are political parties, and then there are political forces. Movements that shape the soul of a nation, that imprint themselves on the collective imagination so deeply that even their failures cannot erase their mythic stature. In South Africa, the ANC occupies that rare and complicated space. It is a party that once carried the dreams of millions on its shoulders, a party that walked out of the shadows of exile and underground struggle into the bright, trembling dawn of democracy. It is also a party that, three decades later, finds itself wrestling with its contradictions, ghosts, and erosion. To speak of the ANC is to speak of South Africa itself. Its triumphs, traumas, hopes, and disappointments. It is to speak of a movement that once commanded near‑religious devotion, now…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi as South Africa’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has unleashed a storm of criticism over both the choice of candidate and the process that produced him, even as parts of the legal fraternity welcomed the move as a chance to stabilise a beleaguered National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The decision comes on the back of an already contested selection process that is the subject of an urgent court challenge, and has now drawn fire from opposition party ActionSA and anti-corruption watchdog Corruption Watch, while the Black Lawyers Association (BLA) has publicly endorsed the appointment of the soon‑to‑be former head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which has been at the heart of fighting organised crime and corruption. Against this backdrop of…

So, on Thursday morning I received a call from a concerned friend in Johannesburg, asking how we were coping with the “dire situation” in Inanda. This concern, of course, was triggered by the tragic incident in which five people lost their lives during a confrontation with police in Bester. Ironically, when he mentioned the incident, I had no idea what he was referring to. It happened quite far from where I live. In fact, the incident took place in KwaBester, an area en route to Inanda, between KwaMashu and Ntuzuma. But that, really, is beside the point. The real issue is this: people outside the area, many of whom do not even live in eThekwini, hear that something happened “in Inanda” and immediately assume the entire community is under siege.…

A group of ANC supporters from Bojanala, Rustenburg, found themselves stranded and without food yesterday, as they awaited President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address during the party’s 114th anniversary celebrations at Moruleng Stadium. “We refuse to get into the stadium without our food and money, which were provided to us by our ward leaders.” These are the words of Veronica Mahlobo, one of the coordinators of Ward 7 in Bojanala. “As you can see, there are four buses and more than 200 of us from Phetleng Municipality, who have not received what was promised. We left home early to be here, and yet we have not eaten anything." Mahlobo was in the company of more than 20 fellow Phetleng residents, who had come to celebrate the ANC’s 114th anniversary, where thousands of…

This week, eight young South Africans from KwaZulu-Natal set off for an exciting cultural immersion in India, partaking in the esteemed Know India Programme (KIP). The three week initiative is designed to reconnect individuals of Indian origin aged between 21 and 35 with their heritage while showcasing India’s vibrant culture and impressive developmental achievements. The eight were selected by the Consulate General of India, Durban. The KIP seeks to reconnect people of Indian origin aged between 21 and 35 with their ethnic roots, as well as showcase the rich cultural heritage of India and its developmental efforts. Through the programme, the Indian Ministry endeavours to present various facets of contemporary Indian art, heritage, culture, economy, innovations, start-ups, science and technology, to the Indian Diaspora and strives to motivate and inspire…

KwaZulu-Natal endurance racer Stuart Gregory navigates the treacherous Saudi Arabian dunes at the Dakar Rally, an annual off-road endurance challenge that tests both man and machine across unforgiving terrains. This year’s 48th edition, which kicked off last week and will end on January 17, spans a staggering 8,000km of harsh landscapes, drawing competitors from across the globe, including a strong representation of South African talent. Hailing from Port Edward on the south coast, Gregory is navigating not on two wheels but from the cockpit of a T1 plus car run by team WCT for PS Laser, with German driver Jürgen Schröder by his side. Gregory participated in five previous Dakar events on a motorcycle and this is his second year in a car as a navigator. “This year has been…

Support your child through matric results As the release of the 2025 matric results approaches, the South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) is urging parents to be attentive and seek professional help if they notice signs of serious distress in their children. Parents should look out for changes in behaviour, such as withdrawal, isolation and a loss of interest in activities the child typically enjoys. Dr Lauren Martin, a counselling psychologist and dean at SACAP, highlights the importance of helping young people understand that their entire success is not solely dependent on their marks. This perception creates high pressure and can lead to mental health challenges. “It's time for parents to keep focus their on their child’s strengths, efforts and their emerging identity, shifting attention away from concerns on…

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has vowed to contest all provinces and all municipalities in the country during the 2026 local government election, highlighting that strategies and tactics will be developed along the way, based on the letter, intent, and spirit of the congress that declared a wall-to-wall resolution. The party has been in disagreement with its alliance partner, the ANC, over the policy direction taken by the government, despite the ANC’s protest, among others. SACP national spokesperson Mbulelo Mandlana stated that the party is contesting the elections, not an individual organisation, nor the ANC. He added that the SACP will fundraise for elections like all other parties and will follow the laws and regulations governing that process. “The SACP expects all its members and its leaders to campaign…

The exercise allegedly under way with the South African Navy and its Russia, China, and Iran counterparts could spell further troubles for relations with the US. Reports from Cape Town reveal that there is a joint exercise with foreign vessels largely thought to be from Russia, China, and Iran. International relations expert Prof John Stremlau said while he has not seen reports about the joint SA naval exercises with China, Russia, and Iran, he feared that they will play into US President Donald Trump’s hand. “He is a ‘multipolar’ guy, it seems to me. He moved against Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and will now try him in New York for (the) drug deal, while pardoning another Latin former president serving a 45-year sentence for committing the crime of supporting narcotics…

For decades, the demand for colonial reparations in Africa was treated by Western capitals as a rhetorical exercise – a radical plea from the fringes that could be safely ignored or pacified with vague “expressions of regret”. By the end of 2025, the era of Western comfort officially ended in Algiers. With the adoption of the Algiers Declaration, the AU has moved from moral grievance to a structured legal offensive. The declaration, born from the International Conference on the Crimes of Colonialism (November 30 to December 1), provides the first concrete roadmap for the AU’s 2025 theme – Justice Through Reparations. It demands the codification of colonialism as a crime against humanity in international law, the restitution of plundered wealth and an audit of the “ecological debt”. The ink…

Your ultimate 2026 Bollywood movie guide 2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for Bollywood fans in South Africa, with several high-budget sequels and star-studded dramas scheduled for international release. Here are five of the most anticipated movies hitting our shores this year: 1. ‘Border 2’ (January 23) Nearly 30 years after the original cult classic, Sunny Deol returns in this patriotic war epic. While the original focused on the Battle of Longewala, this sequel expands the scope to highlight the coordinated valor of the Army, Navy and Air Force. Deol returns as a veteran commander, leading a new generation of heroes played by Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh. The film explores untold true stories of sacrifice and strategic brilliance, blending intense battlefield action with deep emotional…