Comment & Opinion 🇿🇦
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News and views from South Africa.
Ungaze ulahle ithemba!
www.commentandopinion.co.za
News and views from South Africa.
Ungaze ulahle ithemba!
www.commentandopinion.co.za
Pinned
Fairy Tales are the very fabric of South African politics. The fantastical mixes with reality, and at the end no one can distinguish the one from the other. Professionals call this Realpolitik and spin happily away.
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...
"When we keep talking about “human-wildlife conflict” and “problem animals”, we smuggle in the idea that nature is misbehaving and humans are merely reacting. In reality, we engineered the conditions and then labelled the fallout a conflict with elephants."
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Southern Africa’s elephant ‘problem’ is a human crisis in disguise
This crisis is not an excess of elephants, but an excess of human walls, human weapons and human denial.
www.dailymaverick.co.za
November 14, 2025 at 11:10 PM
"When we keep talking about “human-wildlife conflict” and “problem animals”, we smuggle in the idea that nature is misbehaving and humans are merely reacting. In reality, we engineered the conditions and then labelled the fallout a conflict with elephants."
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
The #NSPCA notes, "with profound disappointment and concern", how organisations promoting captive wildlife breeding and trophy hunting have openly celebrated the appointment of Willie Aucamp, after Minister George was sacked on demand from John Steenhuisen.
nspca.co.za/as-trophy-hu...
nspca.co.za/as-trophy-hu...
As Trophy Hunters Cheer, Wildlife Stares Down the Barrel
With the appointment of Mr Willie Aucamp as Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) confirmed, the NSPCA keeps our focus, in the public interest, on ensuring that crucial wildlife m...
nspca.co.za
November 14, 2025 at 11:02 PM
The #NSPCA notes, "with profound disappointment and concern", how organisations promoting captive wildlife breeding and trophy hunting have openly celebrated the appointment of Willie Aucamp, after Minister George was sacked on demand from John Steenhuisen.
nspca.co.za/as-trophy-hu...
nspca.co.za/as-trophy-hu...
As predicted yesterday by C&O, the #DA's motion of no confidence against Gauteng Premier #Lesufi crashed. The ANC, MK Party, ActionSA, EFF, PA, Rise Mzansi, IFP, ACDP, and BOSA all voted against it.
The DA says that Gauteng residents have been betrayed.
www.news24.com/politics/pus...
The DA says that Gauteng residents have been betrayed.
www.news24.com/politics/pus...
Lesufi survives: DA’s motion of no confidence crashes in Gauteng legislature | News24
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has survived a motion of no confidence after the majority of parties in the Gauteng legislature voted against the motion.
www.news24.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:40 PM
As predicted yesterday by C&O, the #DA's motion of no confidence against Gauteng Premier #Lesufi crashed. The ANC, MK Party, ActionSA, EFF, PA, Rise Mzansi, IFP, ACDP, and BOSA all voted against it.
The DA says that Gauteng residents have been betrayed.
www.news24.com/politics/pus...
The DA says that Gauteng residents have been betrayed.
www.news24.com/politics/pus...
"I think the most important thing for people is not to vote based on past allegiances, not to vote based on colour, not to vote on family associations... but to try their best to look at who's competent."
What RISE Mzansi has been saying for years.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/13/l...
What RISE Mzansi has been saying for years.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/13/l...
Local Government Elections: 'We desperately need better quality people'
Prof. William Gumede urges South African voters to move past historical allegiances and vote for competence to drive change.
www.ewn.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 PM
"I think the most important thing for people is not to vote based on past allegiances, not to vote based on colour, not to vote on family associations... but to try their best to look at who's competent."
What RISE Mzansi has been saying for years.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/13/l...
What RISE Mzansi has been saying for years.
www.ewn.co.za/2025/11/13/l...
Let's hope they book one-way.
A group of white Afrikaner South Africans will depart for the US next week as part of the ‘refugee’ resettlement programme…
'Refugee' latest: 50 White South Africans given green light
A group of white Afrikaner South Africans will depart for the US next week as part of the 'refugee' resettlement programme...
www.thesouthafrican.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Let's hope they book one-way.
Spot on. It does not get more disgusting in politics than this. A shameful sell-out of South Africa and its wonderful wildlife.
November 13, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Spot on. It does not get more disgusting in politics than this. A shameful sell-out of South Africa and its wonderful wildlife.
The National Chairperson of #RISEMzansi and MEC for Agriculture in Gauteng, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, has called the #DA motion of no confidence against Premier #Lesufi tomorrow a motion ”for media headlines, premised on superiority mentality”.
And it will fail.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/11/13/t...
And it will fail.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/11/13/t...
November 13, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The National Chairperson of #RISEMzansi and MEC for Agriculture in Gauteng, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, has called the #DA motion of no confidence against Premier #Lesufi tomorrow a motion ”for media headlines, premised on superiority mentality”.
And it will fail.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/11/13/t...
And it will fail.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/11/13/t...
"If the minister defending a zero quota is simultaneously being politically kneecapped, and replaced by a politician who has just been embraced by the pro-quota lobby’s coalition, how can anyone believe the state is truly committed to holding the line?"
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Steenhuisen’s lion bone gambit: Firing the one minister who finally took on the wildlife trade
Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen’s move suggests that, when forced to choose, the DA leadership is more worried about hunters and wildlife ranchers than about lions in cages and a country’s integ...
www.dailymaverick.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"If the minister defending a zero quota is simultaneously being politically kneecapped, and replaced by a politician who has just been embraced by the pro-quota lobby’s coalition, how can anyone believe the state is truly committed to holding the line?"
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Inexcusable that the #DA demanded the sacking of George just when he is in Brazil, where he heads the country’s team at #COP30. Even more shameful, that President #CyrilRamaphosa jumped and exposed the country on the international stage as rotten.
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Dion George axed, despite ‘doing my job without fear, favour or prejudice’
In a brief note, President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted DA leader John Steenhuisen’s request to remove the key wildlife portfolio from Dion George.
www.dailymaverick.co.za
November 13, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Inexcusable that the #DA demanded the sacking of George just when he is in Brazil, where he heads the country’s team at #COP30. Even more shameful, that President #CyrilRamaphosa jumped and exposed the country on the international stage as rotten.
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025...
Turns out, the spokesperson of the #DA is even worse than Mahlengi Bhengu from the ANC. Three to four times Karabo Khakhau is asked what makes Aucamp better than George for the latter to be sacked. She flatly refuses to answer, spins endless pro-DA crap and smirks.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBh8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBh8...
Cabinet Changes | Did Dion George and John Steenhuisen have a fallout? Karabo Khakhau
YouTube video by SABC News
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Turns out, the spokesperson of the #DA is even worse than Mahlengi Bhengu from the ANC. Three to four times Karabo Khakhau is asked what makes Aucamp better than George for the latter to be sacked. She flatly refuses to answer, spins endless pro-DA crap and smirks.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBh8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBh8...
When the greed to exploit South Africa's wildlife for maximum profit is bigger than responsibility towards the environment and future generations. #EpicFail #DA! And President #Ramaphosa, you sold out RSA just to please the greed of the DA, the hunting industry and canned lion hunters! Disgusting!
In a brief note, President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted DA leader John Steenhuisen’s request to remove the key wildlife portfolio from Dion George.
Dion George axed, despite ‘doing my job without fear, favour or prejudice’
www.dailymaverick.co.za
November 12, 2025 at 11:47 PM
When the greed to exploit South Africa's wildlife for maximum profit is bigger than responsibility towards the environment and future generations. #EpicFail #DA! And President #Ramaphosa, you sold out RSA just to please the greed of the DA, the hunting industry and canned lion hunters! Disgusting!
A scandal, that the Nelson Mandela University allowed the alleged rapist student back on campus despite being out only on bail – and the victim had to see him freely walking around. She took her life.
Now the NMU pretends to be shocked. But how did they protect her?
novanews.co.za/fifth-nmu-st...
Now the NMU pretends to be shocked. But how did they protect her?
novanews.co.za/fifth-nmu-st...
Fifth NMU student's death in three weeks sends shockwaves through campus
The fifth student death at NMU tragically highlights ongoing problems with student safety and mental health. Read the full story.
novanews.co.za
November 5, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A scandal, that the Nelson Mandela University allowed the alleged rapist student back on campus despite being out only on bail – and the victim had to see him freely walking around. She took her life.
Now the NMU pretends to be shocked. But how did they protect her?
novanews.co.za/fifth-nmu-st...
Now the NMU pretends to be shocked. But how did they protect her?
novanews.co.za/fifth-nmu-st...
"The leadership that Tambo painstakingly built — grounded in political education, ideological clarity, and humility — has been replaced by a class of opportunists who see politics as a ladder to personal enrichment. The ANC has lost its soul."
iol.co.za/news/opinion...
iol.co.za/news/opinion...
OR Tambo Betrayed: How the ANC Killed the Legacy of a Giant
October is OR Tambo Month, a time to reflect on the moral compass of the ANC' s past. Yet, as we honour Tambo, we must confront the painful truth: the current ANC leadership has strayed far from his v...
iol.co.za
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
"The leadership that Tambo painstakingly built — grounded in political education, ideological clarity, and humility — has been replaced by a class of opportunists who see politics as a ladder to personal enrichment. The ANC has lost its soul."
iol.co.za/news/opinion...
iol.co.za/news/opinion...
Deeply troubling results in polls:
Support for military rule in South Africa has surged dramatically, rising from 28% in 2022 to 49% in 2025.
The number of those who support democracy now sits at 49%.
That is a 49:49 situation, and dangerously equal.
www.news24.com/politics/pro...
Support for military rule in South Africa has surged dramatically, rising from 28% in 2022 to 49% in 2025.
The number of those who support democracy now sits at 49%.
That is a 49:49 situation, and dangerously equal.
www.news24.com/politics/pro...
Pro-junta sentiment grows in SA as frustration with democracy deepens – survey | News24
More South Africans favour military rule than oppose it, reflecting deep frustration with the country’s democratic system.
www.news24.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Deeply troubling results in polls:
Support for military rule in South Africa has surged dramatically, rising from 28% in 2022 to 49% in 2025.
The number of those who support democracy now sits at 49%.
That is a 49:49 situation, and dangerously equal.
www.news24.com/politics/pro...
Support for military rule in South Africa has surged dramatically, rising from 28% in 2022 to 49% in 2025.
The number of those who support democracy now sits at 49%.
That is a 49:49 situation, and dangerously equal.
www.news24.com/politics/pro...
South Africans entering or exiting the Schengen Area for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) will be electronically registered, including:
A live facial image
Fingerprints
Biometric data
Entry and exit dates and locations
www.thesouthafrican.com/travel/europ...
A live facial image
Fingerprints
Biometric data
Entry and exit dates and locations
www.thesouthafrican.com/travel/europ...
New entry system kicks in for South Africans travelling to Europe
South Africans heading to countries in Europe will need to be aware of a new digital border system, which took effect on 12 October.
www.thesouthafrican.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM
South Africans entering or exiting the Schengen Area for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) will be electronically registered, including:
A live facial image
Fingerprints
Biometric data
Entry and exit dates and locations
www.thesouthafrican.com/travel/europ...
A live facial image
Fingerprints
Biometric data
Entry and exit dates and locations
www.thesouthafrican.com/travel/europ...
Justice served. – In the event that Zuma fails to pay the debt within 60 days of the date of the court’s order, the State Attorney is directed to have a writ of execution issued for the attachment and sale of his immovable and/or movable properties to satisfy the judgment.
iol.co.za/the-star/new...
iol.co.za/the-star/new...
Zuma is ordered by the Gauteng High Court to reimburse R28. 9 million for legal fees
Former President Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the Gauteng High Court to pay back more than R28. 9 million in legal fees, including interest.
iol.co.za
October 22, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Justice served. – In the event that Zuma fails to pay the debt within 60 days of the date of the court’s order, the State Attorney is directed to have a writ of execution issued for the attachment and sale of his immovable and/or movable properties to satisfy the judgment.
iol.co.za/the-star/new...
iol.co.za/the-star/new...
Sunshine Hospital Director Ford’s affidavit detailed a 20-year relationship with the Road Accident Fund that was fraught with erratic payments, litigation and “total disregard for the rule of law”. The hospital had to close due to sustained nonpayment.
www.businessday.co.za/news/2025-10...
www.businessday.co.za/news/2025-10...
RAF faces Scopa heat over R300m in unpaid claims to hospital
Sunshine Hospital’s closure reveals financial strain over unpaid claims
www.businessday.co.za
October 22, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Sunshine Hospital Director Ford’s affidavit detailed a 20-year relationship with the Road Accident Fund that was fraught with erratic payments, litigation and “total disregard for the rule of law”. The hospital had to close due to sustained nonpayment.
www.businessday.co.za/news/2025-10...
www.businessday.co.za/news/2025-10...
Mchunu in March 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do not know that man."
Mchunu in October 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do know Brown Mogotsi and have met him on several occasions."
Nothing to see here, just the (suspended) Minister of Police of South Africa.
Mchunu in October 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do know Brown Mogotsi and have met him on several occasions."
Nothing to see here, just the (suspended) Minister of Police of South Africa.
October 22, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Mchunu in March 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do not know that man."
Mchunu in October 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do know Brown Mogotsi and have met him on several occasions."
Nothing to see here, just the (suspended) Minister of Police of South Africa.
Mchunu in October 2025 in parliament regarding Mogotsi: "I do know Brown Mogotsi and have met him on several occasions."
Nothing to see here, just the (suspended) Minister of Police of South Africa.
The friendly #Pangolins, that look back on more than 80 million years of existence on this planet, are the world’s most trafficked mammals. Their death goes in the hundred of thousands. A research team now found that trafficked, they too pose a health problem: ticks.
mg.co.za/the-green-gu...
mg.co.za/the-green-gu...
Hidden hitchhikers: Ticks on trafficked pangolins pose health threats
Scientists warn that ticks carried by trafficked pangolins may spread pathogens across continents, affecting people and animals
mg.co.za
October 22, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The friendly #Pangolins, that look back on more than 80 million years of existence on this planet, are the world’s most trafficked mammals. Their death goes in the hundred of thousands. A research team now found that trafficked, they too pose a health problem: ticks.
mg.co.za/the-green-gu...
mg.co.za/the-green-gu...
"Witness A also told the Madlanga commission that Molefe received information leaks from police officers while in custody and later travelled to the UK using a fake passport while on bail ... [which] indicated Molefe’s influence within law enforcement."
mg.co.za/politics/202...
mg.co.za/politics/202...
Hawks helicopter attempted to stop Molefe arrest, Witness A tells Madlanga commission
The anonymous witness said frequent interference in the investigation of murder suspect Katiso Molefe showed how far his influence reached in the police service
mg.co.za
October 22, 2025 at 11:25 AM
"Witness A also told the Madlanga commission that Molefe received information leaks from police officers while in custody and later travelled to the UK using a fake passport while on bail ... [which] indicated Molefe’s influence within law enforcement."
mg.co.za/politics/202...
mg.co.za/politics/202...
Mchunu’s testimony on Tuesday directly contradicted evidence previously given by deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya, who told the committee he removed the dockets because he “could not disobey an order from the minister”.
mg.co.za/politics/202...
mg.co.za/politics/202...
Senzo Mchunu throws Shadrack Sibiya under the bus, denies directive to remove 121 dockets
He contradicted the deputy national commissioner, who said he took the dockets from the task team because he ‘could not disobey an order from the minister
mg.co.za
October 22, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Mchunu’s testimony on Tuesday directly contradicted evidence previously given by deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya, who told the committee he removed the dockets because he “could not disobey an order from the minister”.
mg.co.za/politics/202...
mg.co.za/politics/202...
"Nearly 1,000 children have died from severe malnutrition in SA over just 18 months, a stark and heartbreaking reality. Even one child lost to hunger is too many. But nearly a thousand lives cut short in just a year and a half is unconscionable."
www.sowetan.co.za/opinion/2025...
www.sowetan.co.za/opinion/2025...
OPINION | Fight against hunger urgent and complex, but can be done
The logistics and packaging industries have a vital role to play in addressing food insecurity
www.sowetan.co.za
October 21, 2025 at 9:23 PM
"Nearly 1,000 children have died from severe malnutrition in SA over just 18 months, a stark and heartbreaking reality. Even one child lost to hunger is too many. But nearly a thousand lives cut short in just a year and a half is unconscionable."
www.sowetan.co.za/opinion/2025...
www.sowetan.co.za/opinion/2025...
The youngest gang member is 13 years old. Two teenagers dead, a 16 year old fighting in hospital. Calmly, the gang youngsters went into the yard and shot 20 bullets into them.
The police were only three streets away, conducting anti-gang raids.
South Africa 2025.
www.news24.com/southafrica/...
The police were only three streets away, conducting anti-gang raids.
South Africa 2025.
www.news24.com/southafrica/...
‘They were so calm’: Cops search for teen suspects after Westbury shooting leaves two dead | News24
While seven teenagers were being pumped full of bullets in Croesus Street, Westbury police were just three streets away conducting raids in the gang-riddled area west of the Johannesburg city centre.
www.news24.com
October 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
The youngest gang member is 13 years old. Two teenagers dead, a 16 year old fighting in hospital. Calmly, the gang youngsters went into the yard and shot 20 bullets into them.
The police were only three streets away, conducting anti-gang raids.
South Africa 2025.
www.news24.com/southafrica/...
The police were only three streets away, conducting anti-gang raids.
South Africa 2025.
www.news24.com/southafrica/...
“He said Ze is a close friend of Julius Malema, who is a politician, who then tends to be close to General Sibiya. So, he was connecting the person that we arrested to Ze, and then Ze to Julius Malema.”
currentaffairsza.com/2025/10/21/m...
currentaffairsza.com/2025/10/21/m...
Madlanga commission witness claims Julius Malema is close to Shadrack Sibiya
A witness at the Madlanga commission has claimed EFF leader Julius Malema is close to suspended SAPS boss Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya.
currentaffairsza.com
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 PM
“He said Ze is a close friend of Julius Malema, who is a politician, who then tends to be close to General Sibiya. So, he was connecting the person that we arrested to Ze, and then Ze to Julius Malema.”
currentaffairsza.com/2025/10/21/m...
currentaffairsza.com/2025/10/21/m...
Reposted by Comment & Opinion 🇿🇦
Fairy Tales are the very fabric of South African politics. The fantastical mixes with reality, and at the end no one can distinguish the one from the other. Professionals call this Realpolitik and spin happily away.
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...
October 21, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fairy Tales are the very fabric of South African politics. The fantastical mixes with reality, and at the end no one can distinguish the one from the other. Professionals call this Realpolitik and spin happily away.
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...
Read.
commentandopinion.co.za/2025/10/21/t...