Politics Archives

China and Africa strengthen ties with people-to-people exchanges, boosting Afro-China relations and cooperation

16Jan

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Politics

China and Africa strengthen ties with people-to-people exchanges, boosting Afro-China relations and cooperation

By Thobile Jiwulane: China's Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, takes a photograph with the cultural groups that performed at the event. (Image: Xiang Sun/CNS) The relationship between Africa and the People's Republic of China has moved to a new level with a renewed commitment by the two sides to implement people-to-people exchanges that are bound to benefit their respective societies in various ways and further strengthen China-Africa friendships. This was the focus of the launch of the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges held at the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria this week. The launch was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Wu Peng, and African diplomats, with a huge presence of the South African government representatives, inc...

UDM CALLS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATION: Alleged racial and sexist remarks by Bafana coach

15Dec

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Politics

UDM CALLS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATION: Alleged racial and sexist remarks by Bafana coach

By Becker Semela: Nqabayomzi Kwankwa of The United Democratic Movement (Image: Facebook) The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has taken a firm stand against alleged racist and sexist comments reportedly made by Bafana Bafana head coach, Hugo Broos, calling the remarks "unacceptable, demeaning and completely out of line with the values of South Africa’s Constitution". In two formal letters sent this week to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the South African Football Association (SAFA), the UDM secretary general, Yongama Zigebe, requested an urgent investigation and strong corrective action against the national team coach. The party said the statements, if confirmed, threaten the dignity of the individuals involved and undermine South Africa’s...

WHO IS SOBUKWE: Reigniting The Legacy of a Liberation Giant

9Dec

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Politics

WHO IS SOBUKWE: Reigniting The Legacy of a Liberation Giant

By Hlumela Xaba: PAC flag (Image: From the PAC website) A name often forgotten in the lexicon of South Africa’s liberation stalwarts, yet it carries so much gravitas and reverence. I regard the attempted erasure of Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe’s legacy as paradoxical to his contributions in South Africa and the greater continent’s emancipation struggle. Perhaps Sobukwe’s life story as an anti-apartheid political activist was a precursor to his afterlife, where not a single audio of his speeches has ever been made public. I posit the latter with reference to Sobukwe’s banishment to Galashewe in Kimberley upon his release from Robben Island, where he was kept in solitary confinement under the Sobukwe Clause for six years. His banishment was accompanied by an administrative d...

3.5 TRILLION AT RISK: The Public Investment Corporation’s governance collapse demands action, says Holomisa

4Nov

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Politics

3.5 TRILLION AT RISK: The Public Investment Corporation’s governance collapse demands action, says Holomisa

UDM President and Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Major-Gen (Rt) Bantu Holomisa writes an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), Songezo Zibi. By Bantu Holomisa: General Bantu Holomisa of the UDM party Dear Mr President and Chairperson Zibi, 1. I had the privilege of attending the extended Cabinet Lekgotla at the end of September 2025, where you, Mr President, emphasised that the fight against corruption and the looting of state resources would be a top priority for the Government of National Unity. You further noted that the current climate of corruption and mismanagement has severely undermined investor confidence and that this situation must be decisiv...

JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL: UDM applauds Flotilla Mission and reaffirms support for the ICJ process

13Oct

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Politics

JUSTICE MUST PREVAIL: UDM applauds Flotilla Mission and reaffirms support for the ICJ process

By Becker Semela: Free Palestine protests (Image: Muhammed Jamil Latrach, Unsplash) The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has welcomed the safe return of the six South African activists who were detained by Israeli forces after joining the Global Sumud Flotilla on a humanitarian mission to Gaza. The party commended Nkosi Mandla Mandela, Zukiswa Warner, Carolyn Shelver, Zaheera Soomar, Dr Fatima Hendricks and Reaz Moola for their bravery and their continued solidarity with the people of Palestine. Humiliated at gunpoint The UDM Deputy President,Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, said the safe return of these South Africans is a relief to their families and to everyone who values human rights, compassion and justice. However, he added that their ordeal should disturb the conscienc...

MERGER: SA’s economic crisis has triggered the merger of Good, BOSA and Rise Mzansi, say leaders

6Oct

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Politics

MERGER: SA’s economic crisis has triggered the merger of Good, BOSA and Rise Mzansi, say leaders

By Mpumzi Mshweshwe: After identifying the country's economic crisis and management mishaps at the local government level, Build One South Africa (BOSA), GOOD, and Rise Mzansi decided to join forces to bring about change. The parties have announced that they will contest the 2026 local government elections as one party – Unite for Change (UFC). The party was officially announced by the three parties' leaderships in Johannesburg on October 5. No single leader, but one banner The three founding parties have opened the door for more parties to join in the new umbrella. Those who join are set to campaign under the Unite for Change banner. UFC currently consists of a leaders' council with no single head or party leader yet at the helm. The current p...

UDM AT 28: A party rooted in accountability and service

30Sep

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Politics

UDM AT 28: A party rooted in accountability and service

By Becker Semela The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has marked its 28th anniversary with a message of reflection, service and a renewed call for accountability in South Africa’s political landscape. Speaking truth to power In a statement to NewsSA, UDM Deputy President and Leader in parliament, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, used the opportunity to remind South Africans about the party’s founding principles and its role as a voice for integrity and clean governance. “As the UDM marks another year in its journey, we pause to reflect, not with pride alone but with renewed purpose. From its birth in 1997, the movement has never sought glory. It has always sought impact, to stand between power and the people, to guard against complacency and to speak truth to authority,”...

24Sep

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Politics

MONEY WOES: Zuma’s MKP in financial troubles, but still fund court battles to raise profile

By Thobile Jiwulane: Jacob Zuma-led Umkhonto Wesizwe party (MKP)’s financial woes are deepening – the party announced cost-cutting measures that include a wholesale travel ban for all its members and structures with immediate effect. Will Zuma stop travelling? The travel ban would also affect the party's top leadership, which includes President Jacob Zuma, the founder and president of the party and other national executives. Indications were that even the party parliamentarians may not be able to travel or the party to undertake its political tasks outside of its KwaZulu-Natal stronghold until its financial books are put in order. The party treasurer-general, Mpiyakhe Limba, has issued a notice addressed to all national officials, the national high comm...

ANC GATVOL: Takes steps to remove corrupt mayors from six municipalities

23Aug

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Politics

ANC GATVOL: Takes steps to remove corrupt mayors from six municipalities

By Becker Semela: The fed-up ANC in the Free State has announced a decisive move to remove mayors from six municipalities following ongoing corruption and service delivery failures. Provincial spokesperson Polediso Motsoeneng confirmed that the affected municipalities are Mafube, Moqhaka, Letsemeng, Nketoana, Nala local municipalities and Lejweleputswa District Municipality. He said the removals aim to restore public trust and improve service delivery in these struggling municipalities. Feed up and action "The ANC’s commitment to clean governance and accountability is being put to the test as the party prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections. We are fed-up with poor service delivery, corruption, etc. Now is the time to remove them and replace the...