News as at
November 5, 2025, 7:09 am
Child Support Grant Must Be Increased to End Child Hunger, Report Says
- [GroundUp] The grant has reduced child hunger, but 1.2-million more children are short of food than in 2019
Judge Stops Anti-Immigrant Operation Dudula's Hate Speech
- [GroundUp] Human dignity has no nationality, says Judge Adams
Investigation Into R17-Billion Rail Signalling Tender Complete, Says Prasa Board
- [GroundUp] But a more recent whistleblower report alleges a corrupt cabal within the PRASA board
The Real Cost of Johannesburg's Water
- [GroundUp] Families living alongside the huge Thukela-Vaal Transfer Scheme get no water
Social Work Is a Serious Profession - Why Not Youth Work? What South Africa Needs to Get Right
- [The Conversation Africa] About 3.5 million South Africans aged 15-24 are disengaged from the formal economy and education system. In the first quarter of 2025, 37.1% of young people were not in employment, education, or training.
Social Media Can Cause Stress in Real Life - Our 'Digital Thermometer' Helps Track It
- [The Conversation Africa] Social media has reached more than half (63.9%) of the world's population since it got started in 1996. Social network platforms grew from 970 million users in 2010 to 5.41 billion in July 2025. The average social media user engages with between six and seven platforms. The average person spends two hours 21 minutes on social media per day.
AI in the Courtroom - the Dangers of Using ChatGTP in Legal Practice in South Africa
- [The Conversation Africa] A South African court case made headlines for all the wrong reasons in January 2025. The legal team in Mavundla v MEC: Department of Co-Operative Government and Traditional Affairs KwaZulu-Natal and Others had relied on case law that simply didn't exist. It had been generated by ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot developed by OpenAI.
The High Stakes of Principle: The Ideological Battle Dividing Washington and Pretoria
- [InfoWire] Recent months have witnessed U.S.-South African relations enter their most difficult phase since apartheid's end. A diplomatic disagreement has evolved into a geopolitical confrontation reshaping Africa's power balance. Tensions deepened after South Africa initiated legal action against Israel at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of genocide in Gaza. Washington perceived this as defiance against U.S. influence. With the Johannesburg G20 summit approaching, both nations are
Overall Cost of Basic Food Items Continues to Outstrip Support for SA Grant Recipients
- [Daily Maverick] While the price of some products including eggs and white rice decreased, products such as beef are still expensive. This, along with a rise in transport, electricity and rental costs, counteracted the mild relief offered by some staple food prices cooling.
G20 Task Force Urges Formation of Global Panel to Tackle 'Inequality Emergency'
- [Daily Maverick] The establishment of such a panel 'would be a permanent legacy' of South Africa's G20 presidency, says the G20 Inequality Committee.
President Ramaphosa Appoints IEC Commissioners
- [SAnews.gov.za] President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed commissioners for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
Biovac Opens New Product Development Laboratory in Cape Town
- [SAnews.gov.za] The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, will deliver the keynote address at the opening of Biovac's new product development laboratory in Cape Town on Thursday, 6 November 2025.
South Africa Get Victory Over Bolivia in FIFA Under-17 World Cup Opener
- [Cosafa] African teams made a strong start to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2025 with opening-day victories for South Africa and Tunisia at the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan, Qatar.
Withdrawal of US Aid Has Hurt South Africa's HIV Programme
- [spotlight] The number of HIV viral load tests is significantly lower than expected, according to an analysis of data from the National Health Laboratory Service which Spotlight and GroundUp obtained through the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
Ir Committee Chairperson Congratulates Azerbaijanis On Fifth Victory Day Anniversary
- [Parliament of South Africa] The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Supra Mahumapelo, congratulates the people of Azerbaijan on the fifth anniversary of Victory Day on 8 November 2025 and wishes them every success in their journey of development, particularly in the economic sphere.
International Relations Committee Successfully Begins Eight-Day European Oversight Visit
- [Parliament of South Africa] The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation had a successful oversight session with the first group of 10 South African Heads of Mission in Europe.
Media Statement - Scopa Continues With Oversight Enquiry Into Financial Matter of Raf
- [Parliament of South Africa] The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) will this week continue with its oversight enquiry into the financial management and related affairs of the Road Accident Fund (RAF).
Man Arrested for Trespassing G20 Venue
- [SAnews.gov.za] Police have arrested a man for allegedly trespassing at the NASREC venue in the south of Johannesburg, where South Africa's Group of Twenty (G20) conference will be hosted from 22-23 November, 2025.
Ai and Future of Journalism Explored At Johannesburg Conference
- [Namibian] Artificial intelligence (AI) could significantly shape journalism's future, with experts exploring possible scenarios and challenges facing the industry over the next decade at a regional conference in Johannesburg.
Three Mental Health Breakdowns. One Rural Clinic. And A Lesson In Ubuntu In A Time Of Scarce Resources
- [Bhekisisa] On a recent day, Indira Govender, a doctor in a rural community in northern KwaZulu-Natal, was busy with her weekly session at the local clinic when she witnessed three people breaking down mentally. There wasn't an ambulance to take the patients to hospital, which was what clinic guidelines say should have happened. But Govender says that day wasn't a system failure.
Withdrawal of U.S. Aid Has Hurt South Africa's HIV Programme
- [GroundUp] Number of viral load tests is significantly lower than expected
School Pit Latrines Demolished but Not Replaced With New Toilets
- [GroundUp] Two primary schools in Limpopo have been struggling for over a year with inadequate chemical toilets
Joburg Protesters Call for End to Water Crisis
- [GroundUp] Millions of people in the city face daily water interruptions, dry taps, and inadequate sanitation, say picketers
Boys, Bullying and Belonging - Understanding Violent Initiation At a South African School
- [The Conversation Africa] Violence among learners in South African schools is a pressing concern. The minister of basic education told parliament in 2025 that hundreds of bullying cases had been reported in the first few weeks of the year. Since then, a series of alarming incidents have further drawn public attention.
Who Recommends Nutritional Support in Fight Against TB - Government Claims to Take It On Board
- [spotlight] Evidence has been mounting that poor nutrition impacts both someone's risk of falling ill with TB and how well they do once ill. But as the World Health Organization (WHO) releases new guidelines on TB and nutrition, it is unclear to what extent the South African government is ready to invest in providing people with nutritional support as part of the fight against TB.
Informed Citizens Say Climate Change Is Worsening Life in South Africa, Call for Action
- [Afrobarometer] Many report taking steps to adjust to changing weather patterns.
South Africa's Hollow Pursuit - Bushiri Extradition Defeat Exposes Weak Case and Waning Credibility
- [Nyasa Times] South Africa's government has been left scrambling after the High Court of Malawi shattered its extradition bid against Prophet Shepherd Bushiri and his wife, Mary -- a ruling that laid bare the legal frailties and procedural blunders behind Pretoria's years-long pursuit.
Confident South Africa Ready to Make Their Mark Against Bolivia
- [Cosafa] South Africa coach Vela Khumalo says his side are ready to seize their moment when they open their FIFA Under-17 World Cup campaign against Bolivia on Monday, insisting the young Amajimbos are determined to showcase their talent on the global stage.
