Author: Juan Jacq Oosthuizen

The world of journalism is mourning the loss of veteran journalist Derek Watts, who passed away at the age of 74 after battling lung cancer. His departure has left a void that reverberates through the industry and the hearts of those who knew him. Watts, renowned for his role as a presenter on “Carte Blanche,” transcended the title of journalist; he became a voice of reason, an inspiration, and a paragon of integrity. A Remarkable Journalistic Journey Derek Watts’ journalistic voyage stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication. Ruda Landman, his long-time friend and former co-host, described his passing…

Multi-Party Charter Sets Power-Sharing Principles and Goals for South Africa’s Future Governance In a significant move towards reshaping South Africa’s political landscape, seven opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), Freedom Front Plus (FF+), ActionSA, United Independent Movement (UIM), Independent SA National Civic Organisation (Isanco), and the Spectrum National Party (SNP), have convened under the banner of the Multi-Party Charter for South Africa. This coalition’s goal is to redefine the principles and methods of governance, leading up to the 2024 national elections. Throughout their two-day convention held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, the parties agreed…

Critical Undersea Cables Break, Causing Internet Disruptions in South Africa In a concerning turn of events for South Africa’s internet infrastructure, two essential undersea communication cables experienced breaks on the same day, leading to disruptions in internet connectivity. The West Africa Cable System (WACS) and the South Atlantic Telecommunications Cable number three (SAT-3) suffered damages on August 6th due to a rockfall in the Congo Canyon. The Impact and Efforts to Restore Connectivity As a result of these cable breaks, internet users may encounter slow-loading websites or complete unavailability. Openserve, a major network operator, confirmed the cable break and reported…

Loadshedding, a seemingly necessary evil to manage electricity demand, has inadvertently wreaked havoc on traffic flow in Benoni. The impact of scheduled power outages is far-reaching, and one alarming incident captured on video demonstrates the detrimental effects of traffic lights going dark during loadshedding. The video captures a truck stuck on a guard rail just before a highway onramp, a stark illustration of how loadshedding disrupts traffic management, causing chaos and jeopardising road safety. The Incident The video footage captures a scene of confusion and chaos near the bustling Snake Road highway onramp in Benoni. With traffic lights rendered inoperative due to…

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber drew parallels between his team’s hard-fought 22-21 victory over Argentina in the Castle Lager Rugby Championship and the intensity of a typical Rugby World Cup match. The Springboks had to endure a determined assault from Argentina in front of a passionate crowd of 44,357 at Emirates Airline Park. They found themselves pinned in their own half for long periods during the second half but managed to secure their second victory in the shortened competition. Nienaber commended his team for not succumbing to the pressure, especially when Damian de Allende was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock on…

SARS, the South African Revenue Service, has announced the commencement of the Individual Filing Season for the year 2023. Employed and self-employed individuals are required to file their tax returns between 7th July and 23rd October 2023. SARS is focused on modernizing its systems to offer a seamless online digital experience for taxpayers through various digital channels. One such channel is the free USSD service, which allows taxpayers to check if they need to file an annual Income Tax Return (ITR12) for the tax year 2022/2023 by dialing 1347277# and selecting Option 3 on their cellphone. Taxpayers who have been…

Mitsubishi Unveils Sixth-Generation Triton Bakkie Mitsubishi has recently unveiled its latest model, the sixth-generation Mitsubishi Triton, which will compete with popular bakkies like the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Mazda BT-50. The debut event took place in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 26th of July and the vehicle is expected to hit the Australian markets in late 2023 or early 2024. We don’t know when to expect it in SA just yet. Power-Packed Engine Options Replacing the previous model from 2015, the new Triton will be available globally in three different body styles: single-cab, club-cab, and double-cab. The entire…

Tragedy Strikes Bree Street in Joburg CBD In a devastating incident on Wednesday (19 July 2023) evening, an explosion rocked busy Bree Street in Joburg CBD, resulting in the loss of one life and leaving at least 48 people with injuries ranging from minor to serious. Rather than evacuating the area promptly, some individuals chose to capture the chaotic scene on their phones instead. This response highlighted the need for a more robust disaster management plan and better community education in emergency situations. Gauteng Province Acknowledges Disarray in Disaster Management Gauteng province’s disaster management plan came under scrutiny following the…

On July 21, 2023, at approximately 1:43 p.m., an unfortunate gas explosion occurred at the Zero Appliances factory situated in Chloorkop, Kempton Park. The incident resulted in one individual sustaining minor injuries. According to the spokesperson for the factory, William Ntladi, the explosion was triggered by a 48kg gas cylinder containing ammonia. As a consequence, one adult male was injured and promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention. Authorities are currently conducting an investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. The Zero Appliances factory is renowned for its specialisation in the design and production of top-quality compressor…

The Incident On July 19, 2023, a powerful explosion shook Bree Street, which is part of the Central Business District (CBD) in Johannesburg, South Africa, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The incident occurred in the evening when people were returning home after work. The explosion caused parts of Lilian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street) to collapse, resulting in injuries to at least a dozen people, who were quickly rushed to the hospital for medical attention. Initial Suspicions and Response Authorities initially suspected a gas line explosion as the cause of the disaster. Emergency services, including disaster management personnel, firefighters,…