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Saturday, June 7, 2025

South Africa’s Innovation Fund pilot phase shows promise amid challenges

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation reveals that while its Innovation Fund has supported 96 startups since 2020, significant disparities in provincial representation and private-sector hesitancy pose serious challenges to its future scalability

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Spaza shop fund under fire: Questions over R500m initiative

During a chaotic virtual briefing, MPs from various parties raised serious concerns over the R500m Spaza Shop Support Fund, questioning its transparency and the potential for corruption amid a backdrop of bureaucratic hurdles

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

The plight of women farmworkers: Abuse, neglect, and systemic slavery

A powerful report reveals the systemic abuse and neglect faced by women farmworkers in South Africa, urging immediate action from Parliament

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Zwelabantu CPA and Mbadlanyana family disputes expose land reform failures

Decades-old land disputes in South Africa expose a tangled web of corruption and mismanagement. What do the Zwelabantu CPA and Mbadlanyana family conflicts reveal about the failures of land reform?

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

CAPET condemns Minister’s ‘reckless’ policy shift to accommodate Elon Musk

The Centre for Alternative Political and Economic Thought (CAPET) has issued a scathing condemnation of the DA-led Ministry of Communication’s move to relax South Africa’s ICT policies, allegedly to favour billionaire Elon Musk warning that this shift undermines national sovereignty and social cohesion

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SEDFA and DSBD face performance scrutiny amid merger challenges

The Department of Small Business Development and the newly merged Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency reveal their fourth-quarter performance, showcasing both significant achievements and ongoing challenges that could impact the future of small businesses in South Africa

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Looted Lottery: How NLC became a playground for the corrupt

Discover how the National Lotteries Commission, once a beacon of hope for South African communities, has become embroiled in a scandal that siphoned billions meant for social upliftment into the pockets of corrupt officials

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Creecy approves R51bn guarantee facility for Transnet

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has approved a R51 billion guarantee facility for Transnet, a crucial step to support the state-owned entity's capital investment programme and address its debt obligations amid pressing economic challenges

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SITA audit hearing exposes institutional rot

Recent revelations from the SCOPA hearing expose alarming mismanagement and financial irregularities at SITA, raising questions about accountability and governance within South Africa's State Information Technology Agency

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

R1bn corruption and alarming vacancy rates exposed

In a revealing session, MPs expose governance failures in Gauteng and North West, rejecting a misleading oversight report that fails to address systemic corruption and mismanagement

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

CTIJF 2025: Uniting people through music and culture

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival (CTIJF) is not just a celebration of music; it is a powerful catalyst for social cohesion in South Africa, uniting diverse communities through cultural exchange and economic empowerment

Sunday Independent Opinion
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SANDF soldiers return home after successful Goma mission

Supra Mahumapelo praises the SANDF soldiers for their pivotal role in stabilising Goma, as they return home after a successful mission that underscores South Africa's commitment to peace in Africa

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SA imposes safeguard duties on Chinese hot-rolled steel imports

To protect its domestic steel industry from foreign competition, South Africa has imposed safeguard duties on hot-rolled steel imports from China, a move expected to stabilise the market and safeguard thousands of jobs

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Workers Day: A call for economic revival amid rising challenges

As South Africa marks Workers’ Day, the nation confronts a staggering 43. 2% youth unemployment rate and calls for urgent economic reform echo through the streets

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SME Ombudsman report sparks fierce parliamentary debate

Parliament's virtual meeting on the Small Enterprise Ombudsperson's appointment devolves into a battleground of accusations and political strife, overshadowing the critical support needed for South Africa's small businesses

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

RAF Plundered: MPs demand accountability amid R50bn scandal

Last week, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts revealed alarming corruption and mismanagement within the RAF, highlighting its failure to compensate accident victims while serving as a cash cow for corrupt officials

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

SITA's financial meltdown threatens government services

Parliament's Scopa meeting reveals alarming governance failures at SITA, with the Auditor-General's report highlighting a dire situation that threatens the integrity of government services

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

FPB under fire for online content regulation as Sapo BRPs evade accountability

During a tense NCOP session, the FPB faced tough questions about its ability to regulate harmful online content, while the Sapo BRPs evaded accountability, raising concerns among legislators about governance and public safety

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

How tech is reclaiming service and digital access

Discover how GoodApp and Opera Mini are transforming South Africa's service landscape by addressing hidden fees and data costs, empowering citizens with transparency and access to cutting-edge technology

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Zimbabwe's Gambit: From peaceful protest to the spectre of insurgency

As tensions rise in Zimbabwe, a war veteran warns civilians to stay home to avoid becoming collateral damage in a potential civil conflict, highlighting the alarming shift from peaceful protests to the spectre of insurgency and the implications of escalating tensions in the country

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

South Africa’s silent water crisis deepens amid broken systems and public distrust

With one in three water supply systems on the brink of collapse, South Africa faces a dire water crisis… as municipalities turn to recycled wastewater, experts warn of the dangers posed by outdated infrastructure and public distrust

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Progress, perils, and political tensions in South Africa’s energy sector

In a critical meeting, South Africa’s energy giants, Eskom and Necsa, faced scrutiny over their financial performance and operational challenges, revealing both progress and significant concerns that threaten the nation’s energy stability

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

R525 000 in UIF benefits distributed amid labour law violations

During a significant inter-governmental effort, over R525 000 in UIF benefits were processed for 4 600 residents in Gqeberha, highlighting both the importance of accessible government services and the troubling reality of widespread labour law violations

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Agsa exposes provincial financial failures and service delivery collapse

Discover how the Eastern Cape and North West provinces are grappling with severe financial mismanagement and service delivery failures, as unveiled by the Auditor-General's shocking report to Parliament

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published

Global trade war sparks concerns for South African property market

Explore how the recent U. S. tariff pause may reshape South Africa's property market, as experts warn of potential economic instability and investor confidence challenges

Sunday Independent News
Sizwe Dlamini|Published