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IOL News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
South Africa's Shame: How government is failing young women
With over 10,600 reported rapes in just one quarter, South Africa faces a crisis that demands urgent government action. Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers The fourth quarter crime statistics for 2024/25 paint a sobering picture. More than 10,600 cases of rape; 1,872 cases of sexual assault; 656 attempted sexual offences; 236 contact sexual offences. This is one quarter, from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. Extrapolate that over four quarters and you have well over 42,000 cases of rape in a year. That's 115 rapes a day. And those are just the reported cases. Some believe the actual number may be at least four times as high. As a woman, you are four times more likely to be assaulted in your own home. It's estimated around 90% of the victims of reported rape cases are women. Following the news coverage of the murders of young women on IOL, you'll recognise that nowhere is safe for women. You get murdered going on a date. You get murdered using ride-sharing. You get murdered going to the post office. You get murdered going to the bathroom at night. You get murdered going to school. You get murdered at varsity. The poem Siphokazi Jonas penned in 2018, first published by The Cape Argus and IOL still rings true: We Are Dying Here. And yet, year after year, we are subjected to a State of the Nation Address where our president promises to do more to end the scourge of GBV, to set up specialised task teams, to hold national dialogues, to urge the NPA and the rest of the justice system to get its act together to properly investigate and prosecute these matters, to Youth Day speeches where we are sold a dream... We are tired. We demand action. No more empty promises. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Our quarterly crime statistics may show some green shoots: There were 809 fewer murders between January 2025 and March 2025 than there were in the corresponding period in 2024 — but that's still 5,727 murders a quarter too many. Femicide accounts for about 1,500 of the country's total murders per annum — around four per day. Women are five to eight times more likely to be murdered by their intimate partner, according to SAPS in 2024. According to the World Health Organization, the femicide rate in South Africa is five times the global average. Just this year alone: Olorato Mongale, 30; Likhona Fose, 14; Imaan Syms, 30... The list goes on. This Youth Day we need to remember their names. Remember their names when President Cyril Ramaphosa is addressing us on June 16. Think about the number of young women and girls who have been raped, murdered, or gone missing, like little Joshlin Smith. Think about how this system, this society, this government has failed them. As we honour the youth activists of the June 16, 1976 Uprising, remember that many of those who participated are now in government and leadership positions in this country, in positions where they can make a difference but choose not to. Thousands of youth gave up their lives for the freedoms we now cherish. What are we prepared to offer up to stem the tide of grave crimes committed against our young women? * Lance Witten is the editor of IOL.
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Hundreds of SANDF troops returning from DRC set to land at Air Force Base Waterkloof
A second contingent of 257 South African troops are set to land at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria on Sunday. Image: Phando Jikelo / Independent Newspapers A second contingent of 257 South African troops coming from a mission in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is set to arrive at the Air Force Base Waterkloof in Tshwane on Sunday. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) announced the upcoming arrival of the second group of soldiers returning from the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (SAMIDRC). 'This group is scheduled to land at Air Force Base Waterkloof on Sunday, 15 June 2025, between 3pm and 5pm,' said SANDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Prince Tshabalala. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. A third group is also expected to return to South Africa on Monday afternoon. 'This phased return is part of the SANDF's planned withdrawal from the mission area. Upon their return, the troops will undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which includes health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services,' said Tshabalala. On Friday night, IOL reported that videos shared by the defence ministry showed soldiers in uniform dancing and chanting on arrival at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, welcomed by airbase staff with cheers and fist-bumps. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The troops were deployed under a Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission sent to the war-torn country in December 2023 to help restore peace and security in the region. But the SADC said in March it would end its military mission in the mineral-rich area after 17 of its soldiers were killed. AFP reported that earlier this year, fighting in the region erupted once more when the Rwandan-backed M23 force seized large swathes of DRC's north and south Kivu provinces -- both of which border Rwanda. Last month, Chief of the SANDF, General Rudzani Maphwanya provided clarity on the phased withdrawal. Maphwanya explained that the movement of personnel and logistics started on April 29, 2025, with the departure of the first group from eastern DRC via road through Rwanda to Tanzania. He reassured the nation that most logistical equipment will be transported by sea from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to South Africa. IOL News
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Court rejects Two Oceans Marathon chairperson's bid to silence blogger
The chairperson of the Two Oceans Marathon tried to gag a runner from publishing what she deemed to be defamatory statements regarding her and the event Image: Ian Landsberg/Independent Newspapers The chairperson of Cape Town's well-known Two Oceans Marathon failed in her urgent court bid to gag a runner, who is also the author of a blog in which he has mentioned a number of "irregularities" and 'problems' which he said had arisen in races such as the Two Oceans Marathon. Antoinette Cavanagh turned to the Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, as she claimed that Stuart Mann - the author of a blog known as The Running Mann - has made defamatory statements on his blog. He shares information about road running events and what he calls 'exposé articles'. He has apparently brought public attention to a number of irregularities and problems that arose in races including the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon. Cavanagh approached the court for relief stemming from four posts which Mann published on social media. These include an article that appeared in December last year in which he queries whether Cavanagh is an appropriate person to chair the board of the Two Oceans. He set out apparent inconsistencies between her professional and running credentials as set out in a press release announcing her election on the one hand, and those details of her credentials which Mann was able to verify on the other hand. In April this year he dealt with certain controversies that emerged during the 2025 iteration of the Two Oceans, including a shortage of bronze medals, which Mann contends was due to Two Oceans accepting more entries than it had a permit for. He also insinuated that she has the board completely under her thumb, as well as publishing her CV which served before the board when she was elected chair. Cavanagh, in claiming the publications are defamatory and unlawful, wanted Mann to remove them and publish an apology. She also wanted an order preventing future publication of similar content. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mann disputed the urgency of the application and denied that the content of the posts is defamatory or otherwise unlawful. Judge Seena Yacoob commented that the 'chaotic' and 'vague' manner in which the application is pleaded does not commend itself to determination on an urgent basis, but she agreed to hear it on an urgent basis. She said both Cavanagh and the Two Oceans Marathon (cited as the second applicant) fail to set out a clear factual background. In addition, the judge said, the applicant's papers contain neither the dates of the publications, nor the specific statements or utterances complained of. Cavanagh, however, said that she considers each publication defamatory in its entirety. Judge Yacoob further noted that the publications consist of much material which is either not obviously defamatory, or not defamatory at all. 'Neither of the applicants have made out a case that the esteem in which they are held is of a particular type. Cavanagh does not favour the court with her own full history nor does she demonstrate that she is viewed with any particular esteem or that she has a reputation for integrity and good leadership.' The judge added that the Two Oceans does not contend that it has run its events in a manner reasonably beyond criticism and above board. It does not even contend, let alone attempt to demonstrate that it has conducted its events lawfully and in a manner compliant with its permits from the City of Cape Town. 'There is no attempt to demonstrate that any of the factual claims made in the publications is untrue, although there is a bald allegation that they are all false,' Judge Yacoob said in turning down the application.
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Nomzamo Mbatha, Bonko Khoza and more stars turn heads at 'Shaka iLembe' season 2 launch
"Shaka iLembe" actors Lemogang Tsipa, Nomzamo Mbatha and Zamani Mbatha. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers African royalty lit up the gold carpet at the launch of season two of Mzansi Magic's award-winning series 'Shaka iLembe'. Mzansi stars made sure to put their best fashion foot forward and supported local designers with their outfits. From House of NTU, ImprintZA, NN Vintage to Gert Johan Coetzee were some of the local designers spotted on the gold carpet. Drums and traditional dancing had Montecasino in Fourways Johannesburg buzzing. Actors Bonko and Lesego Khoza on the gold carpet at the "Shaka iLembe" season two premiere. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Actor Bonko Khoza and his wife Lesego matched in blue for their entrance on the gold carpet. Lesego was dressed in a beaded couture look by Ntsike Ensembled that had her looking like the bell of the ball. Bonko for his first look was dressed by House Of Suitability, he later changed into a second look when he hosted the premiere's proceedings. House Of Suitability also dressed actor Vuyo Biyela, whose look was a fusion of African Royalty - with the hat borrowed from Nigeria and leopard skin for the Zulu touch. Musician and 'Genesis' actress also dazzled in blue in an outfit by NN Vintage that honoured her Tswana culture, with a little Zulu flair in honour of the occasion. Musician and actress KB Motsilanyane on the gold carpet at the "Shaka iLembe" season two premiere. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Presenter Ntombee Ngcobo-Mzolo enlisted ImprintZA for her outfits for the gold carpet and her premiere hosting duties, but her outfits failed to impress fashion critics. The cast of 'The Real Housewives of Durban' made an appearance on the gold carpet but some of the cast members' outfits were giving unplanned. Jojo Robinson threw on a leopard print jumpsuit, in the name of Zulu and Londie London even repeated an outfit but sustainable fashion, so how can we judge? Actress Sive Mabuya, also practised sustainable fashion by repeating her Xhosa wedding dress, for the premiere and added accessories from Sheila Masondo, who is the costume designer for 'Shaka iLembe'. The cast of season five of "The Real Housewives of Durban" on the gold carpet at the "Shaka iLembe" season two premiere. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Image: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers Nomzamo Mbatha was the talk of the premiere, in her one-of-a-kind couture dress by Gert Johan Coetzee. The couture ensemble entirely handcrafted took over 260 meticulous hours to complete, featuring more than 10,000 individually hand-stitched beads and over 1000 cowrie shells. Mbatha who is also an executive producer and lead actress of the historic series, wore the design with striking pride, turning heads all over the venue.
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Debating the R700 million National Dialogue budget amid South Africa's economic challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa this week announced that the National Dialogue will be held in August. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The draft budget of more than R700 million for preparations for the National Dialogue has sparked anger amid concerns that it could just be another government-sponsored talk shop. President Cyril Ramaphosa this week announced the eminent persons group for the National Dialogue, which is scheduled to be held on August 15. Mduduzi Mbada, head of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's office, said the preparatory task team has drafted a budget for the gathering to be presented to the ministerial committee. 'What we can say is that democracy is not cheap, building a nation is very costly,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mbada said the R700m price tag included provinces and municipalities, and admitted that it was quite a lot of money. The government also intends to use its existing infrastructure and programmes provided by Statistics South Africa and the Department of Home Affairs to cover some operational costs for the National Dialogue. The R700m to be spent has irritated the trade union federation Cosatu, which described it as 'ill-considered, rash and grossly insensitive to the frustrations of society'. 'Cosatu, like other sober-minded South Africans, was amazed that anyone could even suggest the dialogue should be allocated R700m. This rash estimate should be dismissed as a verbal gaffe and a reckless typo better left deleted and forgotten,' the federation stated. According to Cosatu, the country has borne the brunt of the government's brutal austerity budget cuts to frontline services, in particular, health, education, police and home affairs, among others, while also expected to tighten their belts in the midst of battling rising costs of living in a fragile economy saddled with unbearable levels of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. The federation added that it was comforted by the fact that these are still draft proposals by officials and have yet to be costed, tabled, or approved by the government, let alone Parliament, and trusted the National Treasury to keep a hawk's eye on the matter and ensure that a modest budget be allocated. The EFF has described the R700m as outrageous and wasteful while South Africans are subjected to a brutal cost-of-living crisis, rising unemployment, and collapsing public services. 'It is, therefore, an insult to millions of South Africans, who are battling with food insecurity, load shedding, broken healthcare, and unaffordable education, that the same government would consider wasting close to a billion rand on elite talk shows while failing to deliver basic services,' the party observed. The EFF is demanding full transparency and public disclosure of the budget for the dialogue and is considering legal action to halt what it called a 'reckless allocation of public funds to a non-essential, unmandated vanity project'. Former Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali, who is part of the 32-member eminent persons group, said many people and organisations have been calling or in support of the National Dialogue, and some believe it will be an opportunity to reflect on the journey travelled since 1994. Ntshalintshali said it would also be an opportunity to engage on the challenges and opportunities that exist, priorities on the competing needs, and suggestions on what South Africans can do together in building the rainbow nation that they are envisaging, but more importantly, what strategies are needed to realise such a dream. 'So, challenges are known, but commitment by all is missing, so this is an opportunity for a social compact that has to be balanced. For workers, without being their spokesperson, this idea of a social impact is not new. 'There have been many social compacts agreed upon, others successful and others not, so they would share their experience and proposals and what needs to be done in an equitable and fair contribution,' he explained. Academic head of the University of the Free State's department of sociology, Professor Sethulego Matebesi, said the National Dialogue will be another public relations exercise that will not lead to tangible outcomes. He said the National Dialogue is a great initiative that will enable South Africans to openly discuss how the country must navigate some of the most pressing challenges it faces. Matebesi added that democracy was achieved through dialogue, but the country needs decisive leaders who can implement policies, fight crime, create job opportunities, combat corruption, and grow the economy. 'We have mortgaged ourselves to the false narrative that dialogue in itself will lead to tangible outcomes. 'For example, do we expect the forthcoming National Dialogue to deliver tangible outcomes where our politicians have failed to deliver basic services and implement the findings of several commissions of inquiries and a justice system, which is failing at every stage of the judicial process?' he asked. Matebesi continued: 'If we now have to institute a commission of inquiry to investigate the delays in the prosecution of Truth and Reconciliation Commission cases, where millions were spent, what will make the National Dialogue different?' Professor Kedibone Phago, director of the North West University's School of Governance, said among the challenges the dialogue will face is finding a way of protecting the discussions and outcomes from being disrupted or hijacked by nefarious elements within society. 'This is a necessary part since we have become a country of coalition government, and one disadvantage is that no one may take full ownership to protect this project and see it through,' he added. Phago believes that the government will be required to implement the outcomes with clear targets. 'But we know that we have a huge challenge with dysfunctional institutions, which are often lacking in accountability, skills, and capacity. This is even prevalent at local government, where mostly unqualified people are occupying critical positions,' he said.
