Latest news with #Ngcobo
IOL News
16 hours ago
- Business
- IOL News
Cosatu vows to protect KZN e-hailing drivers from exploitation and safety threats
Cosatu in KwaZulu-Natal is taking a stand for e-hailing drivers, advocating for legislative reforms and improved safety measures to combat exploitation and enhance workers' rights. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) in KwaZulu-Natal has committed to developing a Joint Programme of Action with e-hailing drivers to push for legislative reform, improved safety protections, and international recognition of platform workers' rights. This follows a meeting held in Durban on Sunday, where Cosatu engaged with e-hailing drivers to discuss their grievances and outline a coordinated response. Cosatu aims to work with drivers to lobby for regulatory changes, participate in global labour processes through the International Labour Organization (ILO), and organise platform workers within the broader trade union movement. 'E-hailing workers are among the most vulnerable in our economy,' said Edwin Mkhize, Cosatu KZN provincial secretary. 'They face rising costs, declining incomes, and violent working conditions without protections. We are committed to fighting alongside them.' Drivers raised concerns about burdensome vehicle permit regulations, including a 'double disc' system that complicates compliance and raises operating costs. They also accused Uber of increasing its commission to between 45% and 50%, while simultaneously cutting ride prices in response to market competition, leaving drivers with shrinking earnings. Many drivers reportedly struggle to meet monthly vehicle payments, with repossessions and financial stress becoming increasingly common. Cosatu also highlighted the safety risks faced by e-hailing drivers, who operate without formal workplace protections and are frequently targeted in hijackings, robberies, and violent attacks. In response, the union has undertaken to: Partner with drivers to launch a coordinated Programme of Action; Push for urgent reform of outdated and duplicative regulations; Demand the implementation of enforceable safety standards; Ensure South African workers' voices are included in ILO efforts to draft a global convention on platform labour rights. 'We call on the South African government to act decisively against these systemic injustices,' said Mkhize. 'Workers cannot continue to carry the burden while platform companies profit.' Adding to the response, Mzo Ngcobo, spokesperson for the KZN E-Hailing Council, expressed support for Cosatu's initiative, confirming a meeting had taken place between the council and COSATU to formulate a partnership and programme of action. Ngcobo said, 'This gesture has been endorsed by the National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA), which are currently organising a national shutdown. The proposal comes at the right time, where the e-hailing sector needs everybody to join hands and address the exploitation of e-hailing drivers in the country.' Ngcobo also pointed to international legal precedents supporting workers' rights, noting that 'in Europe, a high court ruled in favour of labour unions to correctly classify e-hailing drivers as employees,' and expressed hope that similar rulings could be pursued in Sub-Saharan Africa. He concluded, 'With the help of labour unions, we have complete trust that these matters will be addressed, and if necessary, we will take the matter to court.' THE MERCURY
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs update: Nkosingiphile Ngcobo's future secured, more exits to come
Extended Midfielder Nkosingiphile Ngcobo has seen his contract with Kaizer Chiefs extended by one more year. Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Image: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly extended Nkosingiphile Ngcobo's contract until 2027. Ngcobo's contract was due to run out next year, but with the club now triggering their one-year option, the player – who impressed scouts on their recent pre-season tour to the Netherlands – will remain with Chiefs until June 2027. The 25-year-old is expected to be heavily involved this season, with head coach Nasreddine Nabi said to be impressed with his performances last season, when his future was said to be uncertain. According to Soccer Laduma, Nabi was not so keen on Ngcobo last season, but the Pietermaritzburg-born midfielder has won the coach over. The interest from European clubs is thought to have convinced the club to keep him around much longer. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. 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 ✕ However, the publication has also quoted a source who said there may have been another reason to extend Ngcobo's contract. 'The club is aware that if they don't exercise his option as soon as possible, then they could lose him for free or at least close to nothing because his contract was coming to an end in June 2026. So, with the exercising of the one-year option, it gives the club the chance to negotiate a better price if the move was to happen,' the source was quoted as saying. On Tuesday, Chiefs announced that winger Tebogo Potsane has left the club. Recent speculation has also linked goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari with a move away, while Happy Mashiane could also depart in search of minutes. Those who have already left the club include Mduduzi Mdantsane, Ranga Chivaviro, Edson Castillo, Sabelo Radebe, and captain Yusuf Maart. In the off-season, Chiefs signed Thabiso Monyane and Paseka Mako from Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates, along with Flavio Silva, Ethan Chislett, Nkanyiso Shinga, and Siphesihle Ndlovu. IOL Sport Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Feeding scheme or feeding scam: KZN education department responds to food tender ‘corruption'
The school nutrition Programme in KZN benefits around 2 million learners. As KZN education MEC Sipho Hlomuka waits to hear whether he will be sanctioned by Premier Thami Ntuli, his department has denied allegations of tender corruption. It is alleged that politically connected companies were awarded National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contracts in an alleged attempt to garner support for his bid to become ANC provincial chairperson. Political parties in the KZN legislature are demanding an investigation into the tender process, and the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, has also requested answers from the province. On Wednesday, the provincial Head of Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, said all correct procedures were followed in the awarding of the contracts. 'From the outset, it is important that we place on record the fact that the process has been done in line with all the procurement processes and relevant prescripts. 'The process undertaken had various stages, which included the advertising of the tender, after which every eligible South African was at liberty to apply. 'It is also very important to indicate that after the advertisement of the bid, all bidders were invited to the compulsory briefing sessions in all 12 Districts, where all the bidders were taken through the requirements of the bid,' Ngcobo said. Twenty thousand bids received for NSNP tender He claimed 20 000 bids were subjected to the same comprehensive evaluation criteria in line with all the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. 'All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,' he said. ALSO READ: Julius Malema's message to KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi The department will respond to all aggrieved bidders Ngcobo said he is aware that some bidders may not be happy with the outcomes of the bidding process. 'The Department is currently at a stage where it is dealing with the appeals or objections. An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 Districts. 'We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimasing the entire process,' he said. Ngcobo said the department would respond to Gwarube's interrogation of the tender process. NOW READ: Higher education minster accused of covering up tender irregularities — report
The South African
2 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs lock down midfield star amid Euro transfer threat
Kaizer Chiefs have taken decisive action to ward off mounting European interest in Nkosingiphile Ngcobo by activating a crucial clause in his contract. With a Dutch club reportedly circling, the Glamour Boys have extended the 25-year-old midfielder's stay at Naturena until June 2027. This strategic move not only protects the club's on-field plans but also safeguards their financial interests in one of their home-grown assets. The source confirmed that the club recently triggered a one-year option in Ngcobo's contract, an option that pushes his current deal from 2026 to 2027. The decision follows renewed belief in the midfielder's value under the current technical team. 'Last year it was not clear whether he was going to stay or not,' a source revealed. 'But this season it's believed that things have changed and the club is willing to keep him because the technical team wants him to be part of the squad which will play an important part this season.' This shift in approach comes after a less certain spell for Ngcobo in the previous campaign. Where his future seemed to hang in the balance. The move to secure Ngcobo's future wasn't just about footballing plans, it was also a calculated financial play. Chiefs are fully aware that letting a valuable asset edge closer to free agency could cost them dearly. 'The club is aware that if they don't exercise his option as soon as possible then they could lose him for free or at least close to nothing because his contract was coming to an end in June 2026,' the source added. 'So with the exercising of the one-year option it gives the club the chance to negotiate a better price if the move was to happen.' Should Kaizer Chiefs extend Ngcobo's contract? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
18-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ngcobo promises an 'improved' Chiefs after completion of preseason in the Netherlands
Nkosingiphile Ngcobo is looking forward to a better season with Kaizer Chiefs after undergoing a preseason with the club in the Netherlands where he learnt a few things in the five training matches they played. The midfielder featured in some of the matches Chiefs played against Utrecht, Vitesse, Twente FC, PEC Zwolle and NEC Breda. 'Personally, I feel good, I improved in some respects,' said Ngcobo. 'I learnt a lot in this camp and also as a team we have learnt and improved. For me, I have improved and I think the supporters will get the Mshini [his nickname] they know but with improvements.' Amakhosi return to South Africa to start preparing for their final preseason official friendly — a Toyota Cup clash against Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on July 26. Chiefs, who finished ninth on the Betway Premiership log last season under Tunisian mentor Nasreddine Nabi, open their league campaign on August 10 away to Stellenbosch FC at the Athlone Stadium according to provisional fixtures.
