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Petshop Science & Montego Pet Nutrition set Guinness World Records
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Petshop Science & Montego Pet Nutrition set Guinness World Records

By Becker Semela: Management and staff from the Petshop Science & Montego Pet Nutrition celebrated at the Bloem Show after breaking the world record.(Images: Supplied.) A new Guinness World Records title for the largest donation of pet food in 24 hours period was set at the Bloem Show by Petshop Science and Montego Pet Nutrition recently. Petshop Science and Montego Pet Nutrition collected 67,200kg of pet food, surpassing the previous record of 36,750kg set in the United States in 2023. The record attempt ran from Friday, 1 May at 5 pm to Saturday, 2 May at 5 pm with Guinness World Records officials verifying each donation, independently witnessing the process before confirming the final total. Management and staff from the P...
“I Will Not Resign” — Ramaphosa Stands Firm After Phala Phala Judgment
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“I Will Not Resign” — Ramaphosa Stands Firm After Phala Phala Judgment

By Rorisang Rampheteng: The President of The Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa (Image: Rich Malome) PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign following the Constitutional Court judgment linked to the controversial Phala Phala scandal, insisting that the ruling does not require him to step down. Ramaphosa addressed the nation during a media briefing at the Union Buildings on Monday evening after the Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament’s Section 89 impeachment process was flawed and unconstitutional in certain aspects. The case was brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters, which challenged the National Assembly’s decision not to proceed with impeachment proceedings against the President in 2022.“I therefore...
BREAKING NEWS: Ramaphosa to Address Nation Following Phala Phala Judgment; Will He Resign?
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BREAKING NEWS: Ramaphosa to Address Nation Following Phala Phala Judgment; Will He Resign?

By Rorisang Rampheteng: The President of The Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa (Image: Rich Malome) President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation tonight at 20h00 following a major judgment by the Constitutional Court of South Africa in the case brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters over the Section 89 parliamentary process linked to the controversial Phala Phala scandal. The address will take place at the Union Buildings and comes amid growing political pressure and public scrutiny over the President’s future. The Constitutional Court judgment has once again placed the Phala Phala matter at the centre of South Africa’s political landscape, raising questions about accountability, transparency and leadership at the...
FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE: The unbreakable spirit of Lerato Makena
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FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE: The unbreakable spirit of Lerato Makena

By Katlego Rammusa: In a country where countless stories of struggle go unheard, Lerato Makena is refusing silence. She is speaking from the very place many fear to look -pain, loss, and endurance - and turning it into a message of healing and hope. Her journey is not defined by the battles she has faced, but by the strength with which she continues to rise above them, becoming a powerful voice for resilience in a world that desperately needs it. In a world often overwhelmed by silence around pain, Lerato Makena has chosen something far more powerful - her voice. It is a voice shaped not by ease, but by endurance. Not by perfection, but by survival. And today, it echoes across communities as a testimony of resilience, healing, and unshakable purpos...
Rural Development Indaba Emphasises Collaboration and Inclusive Growth
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Rural Development Indaba Emphasises Collaboration and Inclusive Growth

By Rorisang Rampheteng: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has urged stronger cooperation between government, communities and the private sector to accelerate rural development. He was speaking on the last day of the two-day Rural Development Indaba held at Lemo Green Park in Bloemfontein last week.The gathering, hosted by the national Department of Land Reform and Rural Development, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, farmers, youth groups and other stakeholders to discuss ongoing challenges in rural areas and practical solutions for improving service delivery, job creation and economic development. Call for Stronger Partnerships and Investment Mashatile said rural development remains a key pillar in addressing pover...
MENTAL HEALTH MONTH: Breaking the silence in a nation under pressure
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MENTAL HEALTH MONTH: Breaking the silence in a nation under pressure

By Rorisang Rampheteng: Mental Health Month, observed annually in May, serves as a crucial reminder that emotional and psychological well-being is just as important as physical health. Yet, in South Africa and across the globe, mental health remains widely misunderstood, underreported, and often neglected. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 970 million people worldwide are living with mental health disorders, with anxiety and depression among the leading causes of disability. These conditions continue to affect individuals across all ages, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds. A Growing Crisis in South Africa Closer to home, the statistics paint a concerning picture. Research shows that 1 in 3 South Af...
Free State Education Budget Focuses on Schools, Skills and Better Learning Conditions
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Free State Education Budget Focuses on Schools, Skills and Better Learning Conditions

By Rorisang Rampheteng: Photo by Free State Department of Education KROONSTAD: Free State MEC for Education, Dr Mantlhake Julia Maboya, has announced a R20.056 billion budget for the 2026/2027 financial year, aimed at improving schools, supporting learners and teachers, and preparing young people for the future. Delivering the Budget Vote at Dr R. Cingo Secondary School in Maokeng, Kroonstad, Maboya said the department is focused on building a strong and inclusive education system. “We are committed to improving the quality of education and making sure every child has access to learning,” said Maboya. Of the total budget, R14.6 billion will go to public schools, while over R1 billion has been set aside for infrastructure development. The depa...
Free State MEC Makume Escapes Injury in N5 Crash
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Free State MEC Makume Escapes Injury in N5 Crash

By Rorisang Rampheteng:: Bloemfontein — The Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDT) has confirmed that MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ketso Makume, was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Sunday, 19 April 2026. According to an official media statement issued by the department, the incident occurred along the N5 between Paul Roux and Senekal. The accident reportedly happened when a wild animal suddenly crossed the road, leaving the driver with little time to react and avoid a collision. Despite the seriousness often associated with such crashes, the department expressed relief that Makume and his two protectors escaped without sustaining any serious injuries. ...
ZANELE MUHOLI AND JO-ANN STRAUSS: Shaping future storytellers on the West Coast
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ZANELE MUHOLI AND JO-ANN STRAUSS: Shaping future storytellers on the West Coast

By Sitha Maliwa: In the quiet fishing village of Paternoster, something extraordinary has unfolded along its windswept shores. For a week, the familiar rhythm of crashing waves and working boats was accompanied by a new sound  - the click of cameras in the hands of children discovering the power to see, and to be seen. This transformation is the heart of a bold collaboration between internationally acclaimed visual activist Zanele Muholi and former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss. Together, through the Muholi Art Institute (MAI) and the MaseKhaya Foundation, they have ignited a quiet revolution - one led not by adults, but by children. Armed with cameras instead of expectations, the young participants wandered their village freely. The...
FROM PAVEMENTS TO POWER: The unbreakable rise of Dr Kennedy Roland Okongbe
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FROM PAVEMENTS TO POWER: The unbreakable rise of Dr Kennedy Roland Okongbe

By Sitha Maliwa: In a world where adversity silences many dreams, Dr Kennedy Roland Okongbe turned hardship into a stepping stone - and built an empire from it. Born and raised in Nigeria, his story does not begin with privilege or promise. It begins with loss. At just 19, following the passing of his parents, he left everything familiar behind and journeyed to Ghana in search of opportunity. What awaited him was not opportunity - but survival. For four years, he lived without a home. Pavements became his bed. Hunger, uncertainty, and rejection were daily companions. Yet even in those darkest moments, he held tightly to something many lose far earlier - vision. While others saw despair, he saw a future waiting to be built. To survive, he did what...