Author: Ariana Steenkamp

Flooding in Cape Town On July 9, 2024, heavy rains and cold fronts caused severe flooding in Retreat, Cape Town, with storms expected to continue until July 12. Residents and city officials are working hard to manage the damage and help those affected. Impact on Informal Settlements The rain and strong winds have destroyed nearly 1,000 homes in informal settlements, leaving thousands of people without shelter. Areas like Bloekombos, Khayelitsha, and Masiphumelele Township are among the hardest hit. Scenes of Destruction In Bloekombos, commuters struggled with waterlogged streets, and in Khayelitsha, residents faced flooded homes. Masiphumelele Township also saw severe…

Authorities Brace for Severe Weather Conditions Authorities across various provinces are on high alert due to severe weather conditions, including snowfall and icy temperatures. Snowfall in Western Cape The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a series of severe weather warnings effective from Monday. A Level 2 warning for snow has been issued, primarily affecting the central parts of the Western Cape and southern parts of the Northern Cape. Snow has already been reported in the Cape Winelands, including the Matroosberg. Cape Town on High Alert In Cape Town, authorities are on high alert due to continued rainfall. Traffic spokesperson Maxine Bezuidenhout…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed a new Cabinet with members from various political parties, including the ANC, DA, IFP, PA, PAC, and FF+. This move aims to create a Government of National Unity (GNU) despite earlier plans to reduce the Cabinet size. Cabinet Expansion and Changes In a Sunday evening address, President Ramaphosa announced that the Cabinet has grown from 30 to 32 ministers to ensure representation from all GNU parties. Merged and New Ministries Several ministries have been combined or separated for better focus: Electricity and Energy are now one ministry, led by Kgosientso Ramokgopa. Mineral and Petroleum Resources…

Recent Fatality in KwaZulu-Natal A 40-year-old man from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, has died from Mpox, bringing the death toll to three since the outbreak started in May 2024. The Department of Health reported that the man, who showed symptoms such as a rash, did not seek medical care. His test results came back positive for the virus on June 23, 2024. New Infections in Gauteng Gauteng has reported two new Mpox cases. A 43-year-old man from Johannesburg was diagnosed on June 22, 2024, and a 29-year-old man from Mamelodi was diagnosed on June 21, 2024. Both patients had symptoms indicative of…

Next month, expected fuel price drop of approximately 50 cents per litre this July, providing much-needed relief for consumers feeling the pinch. Why Are Prices Dropping? Economists say that two main factors are causing the expected price drop: lower international oil prices and a stronger South African rand. Eleanor Mavimbela, spokesperson for the Automobile Association (AA), shared that data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggests fuel prices will decrease in July. How Much Will Prices Decrease? According to Mavimbela, the expected fuel price drop is: ULP95 Petrol: Down by around R1.10 per litre ULP93 Petrol: Down by around R1.15…

The rise in financial scams and identity theft is alarming. These deceptive acts are not just limited to suspicious emails or unknown websites; they have evolved into more sophisticated forms, appearing in our emails, social media messages, and even phone calls.Recognising the Signs of a ScamUnsolicited ContactOne key indicator of a potential scam is unsolicited contact. This involves unexpected communication from someone you do not know, often posing as a representative of a reputable company, financial institution, or government agency.Phone Calls: Scammers may call unexpectedly, offering exclusive investment opportunities, alerting you to issues with your bank account, or claiming you…

Record-Breaking Stock Performance Propels Nvidia to the Top In a remarkable turn of events, Nvidia has claimed the title of the world’s most valuable public company, narrowly surpassing Microsoft’s market capitalisation. This milestone comes shortly after Nvidia outpaced Apple, driven by a surge in stock gains over recent months. Key Highlights Stock Surge: Nvidia’s shares rose over 3% on Tuesday afternoon, reaching approximately $135.65, while Microsoft’s shares saw a slight dip to $447.58. Market Capitalisation: These stock movements elevated Nvidia’s market cap to $3.33 trillion, just edging out Microsoft’s $3.32 trillion. Stock Split Impact: Following a recent stock split, which…

IntroductionGauteng residents and parts of the North-West province in South Africa are preparing for significant water disruptions due to essential maintenance work by Rand Water. This maintenance is scheduled to last for five weeks, starting this Saturday until the end of July.Details of MaintenanceFour Rand Water systems will be affected during this period:22-28 June: Eikenhof,  Zwartkopjes, Palmiet1-29 July: Palmiet, MapletonImpact on ResidentsWhile Rand Water has indicated that the water supply will not be completely cut off, residents are advised to prepare for possible disruptions. The affected municipalities have been urged to keep consumers informed about the ongoing maintenance.ConclusionThe maintenance work is…

Jacob Zuma, former president and current leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has called for peaceful demonstrations if his demand to overturn the May election results is not met. Zuma claims the results were manipulated to disadvantage his MK Party. Coalition Government Rejected Recently re-elected President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a Government of National Unity (GNU) comprising the ANC, DA, IFP, and PA nationally, with the NFP included in KwaZulu-Natal. However, Zuma and his party reject this coalition. MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, speaking on Zuma’s behalf, criticised the alliance and announced that the party has appealed to the Electoral Court in Bloemfontein…

Major Fuel Price Drop South African motorists are set to experience a significant fuel price drop starting Wednesday. Both 95 and 93 octane unleaded petrol (ULP) will decrease by R1.24 per litre, while diesel prices will fall between R1.09 and R1.19 per litre. Official Announcement The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy confirmed these adjustments for June in a statement released on Tuesday. This reduction surpasses earlier predictions made in May, driven by lower average international product prices for petrol and diesel and a stronger rand against the dollar from April 26 to May 30, 2024. Relief for Consumers According to the Automobile…