Opinion Pieces

By Sandile Nene

By William Baloyi 

By Themba Thobela

 The introduction of the Older Persons Amendment Bill speaks to government’s resolve to ensure the safety of all South Africa’s citizens, including the elderly.

Prior to 1994, South Africa was a country whose brand image was defined through the entrenched apartheid system. Its architecture was that of being racist, oppressive and fascist in character.

September is Tourism Month, and it's a great time to celebrate the joy and power of travelling the length and breadth of our beautiful country. Tourism opens the door to new cultures, people and experiences, allowing us to see the world from a different perspective.

With the end of August marking the start of the matric class of 2025’s preliminary examinations, we all have a responsibility to give them the extra support they need, as they take the next step towards becoming responsible adults of tomorrow.

South Africa is the first African country to lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies, known as the G20. South Africa’s G20 Presidency provides global visibility in all provinces as the country prepares to give world leaders an ubuntu welcome to this premier forum in November.

Malibongwe Igama Lamakhosikazi! – Praise the name of women! This rallying cry, echoing from the historic 1956 Women’s March, remains as relevant today as it was when more than 20,000 women stood in defiance of the oppressive pass laws.

By Morapedi Sibeko

Climate change is no longer a future problem – it’s happening now, and having dramatic impacts, especially on vulnerable countries and including on our own continent Climate action is necessary on all fronts – ambitious mitigation to reduce impacts, ambitious adaptation, to cope with impacts and build long-term resilience, and measures to address loss and damage, where impacts cannot be avoided.

South Africa continues to face a host of interconnected socioeconomic and environmental challenges. These include the triple challenges of inequality, poverty, and unemployment, which are further compounded by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

We have begun with a comprehensive review process of the 1998 White Paper on Local Government. The review of the White paper demonstrates our collective commitment to addressing the challenges facing local governance and shaping a future that aligns with the aspirations of all South Africans.

In June this year, South Africa marked 70 years since the adoption of the Freedom Charter on 26 June 1955 by the Congress of the people. On that day, brave patriots assembled in a multiracial convention in Kliptown and adopted a document that remains the cornerstone to the founding of our Constitution and democracy.

Just as birthdays are traditionally marked with celebration and some reflection, South Africa’s Constitutional Court recently blew out the candles in celebration of its 30th birthday, having continued to make a positive impact on society.

In 1994, South Africa inherited an economy that was structurally designed to exclude the vast majority of South Africans. Apartheid’s distorted policies had created a dual economy: one of wealth and privilege and another of poverty and exclusion.

As Youth Month draws to a close for 2025, let us continue to keep in our minds, hearts and behaviours the courage the young people of the 1976 Soweto uprising, where they protested apartheid’s oppressive education policies, sparking a movement for
equality.

In South Africa, Youth Month is celebrated every June following a declaration by our first democratic President, Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. It is a time when we collectively honour the pivotal role that young people played in the struggle against Apartheid and the historic Soweto Uprising of 1976.

Murder, rape and mysterious disappearances are among the horrifying crimes committed against South Africa’s children.

On 22 May 2025, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the South African National Parks (SANParks) gathered in Midrand at the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Gauteng, to mark not only the National Biodiversity Offset Conference, but also the International Day for Biological Diversity.