Category: Africa

In the vast, arid land of the Namaqua in the Northern Cape – curtained only by rugged hills and rocky mountains – the ancestral remains of 63 Khoi and San peoples have finally come home to rest.

During a timespan lasting nearly 60 years between 1868 and 1924, the remains were removed from their homeland without consent for race-based scientific research by colonial Europeans – stripping them of the right to rest with dignity. 

The remains were finally repatriated last year from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, where they had been housed at the Hunterian Museum.

Delivering remarks at the solemn reburial ceremony held just outside Steinkopf in the Northern Cape, President Cyril Ramaphosa assured that the “greatest tragedy of the erasure of the indigenous peoples of southern Africa is that much of it went unacknowledged”.

He assured that the South African government, however, will not shy away from restoring the dignity of those who were discriminated against and marginalised.

“Even amidst the emergence of serious critiques on the part of these European powers in the late 1970’s, many have avoided a deeper reckoning. Some of these countries have apologised for specific atrocities, but in the main, they have fallen short of full, unqualified apologies for colonialism as a whole.

“As democratic South Africa, we do not linger in the shadow of unspoken apologies or deferred reckonings. We will restore dignity – on our own terms.

“The return of our ancestors to their descendant communities is a vital act of restoration and restitution that goes beyond acknowledging the colonial legacy; it is also a manifestation of ubuntu – a recognition of our common humanity,” the President said on Monday.

WATCH | Reburial ceremony 
 

Healing wounds
Following their repatriation from Scotland, the remains were received in a welcoming ceremony and subsequently placed under the care of the Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town.

The remains then made their way home, up, over and through the twists and turns of N7 the national road, to be received by the Northern Cape government in an official handover ceremony from the Western Cape.

In true South African style, traditional spiritual rites were performed and a night vigil was held the day before the formal reburial ceremony at the Kinderlê-monument just outside Steinkopf in the province.

At the ceremony – where the past, present and future of the Khoi and San peoples gathered – Chairman of the National Griqua Council Barend van Wyk described to SAnews.gov.za the pain associated with the “exploitative and humiliating” illegal removals all those years ago.

“Emotionally, it’s hard. The fact that they dug up our ancestors’ remains…why did they do that to human beings? Were our people not worthy of being human that they had to be dug up?

“But we are glad today, although there is pain and hardship, that we can finally reinter them in the land of their birth,” van Wyk said.

Dionne Barley, a direct descendant of the people whose remains were taken, said the day was a moment for reflection.

“I feel very happy as somebody that is closely related to some of these people that are buried here. I feel good that they are now being buried in dignity [and] that they are not sitting in museums and that the President actually ensured that they could come back to South Africa and back to their rightful place,” Barley told SAnews.

The modern story of the indigenous people of South Africa cannot be told without the mention of Ouma Katrina Esau.

The nonagenarian is a legend not only among her people but also in South Africa – taking her place as the last remaining fluent speaker of the critically endangered N|uu language.

“I did not think I would make it here as I have been so sick. But it was my dream to be here and to be with these people, so that I can also say that I was there, even if it’s to bury their bones. I am so very thankful because God protected us. I am very glad to be here,” she said.

An act of justice
The process of repatriation and reburial was jointly facilitated by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) and its entities in the South African Heritage Resources Agency and Iziko Museums.

Chairperson of SA Heritage Resources Agency, Elodie Seotseng, Tlhoaele told SAnews that the process was about the restoration of respect and human dignity.

“Today, we are seeing the culmination of a process that sought to restore the human dignity of ancestors that were taken away from this land…exhumed from their graves and taken to foreign lands for scientific…academic research and for display to be consumed as objects. So, we are here to re-instil and restore that respect and human dignity to those ancestral remains in their homeland.

“This is a land and a space that is already hallowed ground. This space is a burial ground for children who were victims of clan wars, and it is already a heritage site. Just over the hill is also a burial site of casualties of war. So, it’s significant, this is hallowed ground,” she explained.

The remains are buried in individual graves – a grace not previously afforded to the peoples of this land by colonial masters.

“Each grave has been demarcated. So, it’s not a mass grave; it’s individual graves in one area. That goes back to our insistence on instilling human dignity and respect in whichever state the human being is in,” she added.

As the sun set on the Kinderlê monument where the remains now rest, President Ramaphosa emphasised that government’s work to implement the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects and to restore dignity for all continues.

“Through the National Policy…we will continue to forge partnerships with institutions and individuals across the world to recover ancestral human remains that were illegally taken from South Africa,” President Ramaphosa said.

READ | President Ramaphosa to officiate reburial ceremony of Khoi-San ancestral human remains
 – SAnews.gov.za

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli has reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders to safeguard and strengthen the role of the Ingonyama Trust.

This is particularly in land management, infrastructure development, and unlocking economic opportunities in rural areas.

Ntuli was responding to the recent announcement by the Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, on the dissolution of the Ingonyama Trust Board.

The Minister said the decision followed consultations with His Majesty the King, as the sole trustee of the Trust, as well as with Premier Ntuli.

Ntuli confirmed that he had been consulted and used the engagements to underscore the strategic importance of the Trust as a cornerstone of the province’s rural economy and a critical instrument in advancing inclusive development.

“The Ingonyama Trust remains central to the socio-economic development of our rural communities. It is intrinsically linked to the 7th Administration’s commitment to inclusive economic growth, poverty reduction, and the building of sustainable livelihoods,” Ntuli said.

He reiterated the provincial government’s readiness to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the Trust’s objectives are preserved and strengthened, particularly in relation to effective land management, infrastructure development, and the unlocking of economic opportunities within Trust-held land.

“We remain committed, as a government, to supporting initiatives that empower rural communities, improve land administration systems, and accelerate development in areas under the jurisdiction of the Trust,” the Premier said.

Ntuli also called for calm and constructive engagement during the transition period, stressing the importance of cooperative governance in addressing land, development, and traditional leadership matters with the sensitivity and respect they deserve.

“KwaZulu-Natal remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the interests of its people, particularly those in rural areas, while working in partnership with national government and traditional institutions,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

A formal investigation into the circumstances around the Ekapa Minerals Joint Shaft Mine in Kimberley, which resulted in the loss of the lives of five miners, is to get underway.

“The department will initiate a formal investigation in line with the Mine Health and Safety Act into the circumstances surrounding the accident,” the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said on Monday.

This, as Minister Gwede Mantashe paid a visit to the mine in the Northern Cape following the retrieval of the last of the bodies that were trapped in a mud rush incident.

The mud rush accident occurred on 17 February.

“The first body was recovered on 9 March 2026, while the remaining bodies were recovered on 22 and 23 March 2026. During the visit, Minister Mantashe, accompanied by the Chief Inspector of Mines, David Msiza, and other senior officials from the department, received a comprehensive briefing from mine management and rescue personnel on the efforts that led to the successful retrieval of the bodies,” the department said.

Mantashe extended his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. 

“Minister Mantashe commended the rescue operation, including support received from the mining sector and Minerals Council South Africa for their due diligence during the rescue operation, as well as for deploying its senior team to support the rescue mission,” said the department.
 

READ | N Cape government aids mine families as body of trapped Ekapa miner recovered
–SAnews.gov.za

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Southern African nations to remain united and vigilant in safeguarding their hard-won freedom, as the region commemorates Southern Africa Liberation Day.

In a statement on Monday, President Ramaphosa – in his capacity as Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) – paid tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

“Through their unwavering commitment and resilience, many freedom fighters and ordinary citizens made immense sacrifices in the fight against colonial rule and apartheid, laying the foundation for the peace, dignity, and sovereignty we uphold today,” the President said.

President Ramaphosa also reflected on the historic Battle of Cuito Cuanavale in Angola, describing it as a turning point in the liberation of Southern Africa. He acknowledged the role played by Cuba in supporting regional liberation movements against apartheid forces.
The President said the battle contributed significantly to Namibia’s independence in 1990 and paved the way for South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.

While describing Liberation Day as a key milestone, President Ramaphosa stressed that it should not be treated as a symbolic ritual, but rather as an opportunity for reflection on the region’s progress in achieving self-determination, economic control and dignity.

He reiterated the importance of preserving liberation history, highlighting a 2018 SADC resolution to integrate the history of Southern Africa’s liberation into school curricula across member states.

President Ramaphosa further encouraged the naming of heritage sites, monuments and institutions after fallen heroes and heroines, saying this would preserve their legacy and inspire future generations.
Amid an increasingly uncertain global environment, the President urged SADC member states to remain focused and united in advancing regional integration and development.

“The liberation we commemorate will remain incomplete as long as some of our fellow Africans continue to yearn for self-determination,” he said, expressing solidarity with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
President Ramaphosa emphasised that peace and dialogue must remain central to sustaining freedom and building a more just and equitable world.

“As with the SADC Founders and many who fought tirelessly for our liberation, we reaffirm that it is neither the colour of our skin, nor the size of our military arsenals, nor the magnitude of our national budgets that should determine our humanity or the sustainability of the human race as a whole. 

“May dialogue and peace be our most righteous armour to safeguard the freedom we continue to enjoy and work collectively toward a more just and equitable world,” he said.

He concluded by wishing the SADC region a peaceful and reflective Liberation Day. – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has released the official payment schedule for social grants for the 2026/2027 financial year, providing beneficiaries with clarity on when to expect their monthly payments. 

In a statement on Monday, the agency said the release of the payment schedule comes after the approval by the National Treasury on Friday, 20 March. 

For April, older persons will be paid on 2 April, followed by disability grant beneficiaries on 7 April, and children’s grant recipients on 8 April.

In May, older persons will receive their grants on 5 May, disability grants will be paid on 6 May, and children’s grants on 7 May 2026. 

“The general principle for determining the grant payment dates for social grants is to ensure they are paid as early in the month as possible, staggered over three days. in most months the old age grant will be paid on the 2nd of each month, disability grant on the 3rd of the month and children grants on the 4th of the month,” the agency said. 

However, the agency said that to ensure the optimal functioning, the National Payment System and access to funds by grant beneficiaries, the following are also considered:
•    Payments should not be made a day after a holiday.
•    Payments should not be made on the 1st of the month or a Monday; and
•    Payment dates should not fall over a weekend.

In addition, should any of the payment dates fall on a weekend or public holiday, the payment will take effect the following working day. 

Meanwhile, as announced by the Minister of Finance during his Budget Speech last month, social grants from April will increase as follows:
•    Older Persons Grant, Disability Grant and Care Dependency Grant will increase by R80 to R2 400. 
•    War Veterans Grant will increase by R80 to R2 420.
•    Foster Child Grant will increase by R40 to R1 290.
•    Child Support Grant and Grant-In-Aid will increase by R20 to R580

“SASSA reiterates its commitment to paying social grants to eligible beneficiaries at the right time and appeals to all beneficiaries who may have not received their grants on these specified dates to visit their nearest SASSA local office for assistance,” the agency said. 

Beneficiaries can follow this link for the full social grant payment dates: https://www.sassa.gov.za/payment-dates-for-2025-2026-financial-year.   – SAnews.gov.za

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) says typical autumn weather systems will dominate over the country this week.

“This consists of a surface trough over the western and central interior, with the Atlantic High extending its ridge over the southern and eastern parts of the country, resulting in isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers in places,” SAWS said on Monday.

Monday’s forecast shows partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread in KwaZulu-Natal.

Low chances of severe thunderstorms in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

There is a low to medium chance of flooding due to heavy downpours in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

On Tuesday, the weather will be partly cloudy and cool to warm with isolated to scattered showers and thundershowers, but widespread in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. 

There will be a low chance of severe thunderstorms in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

A low to medium chance of possible flooding due to heavy downpours in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.

Possible flooding due to heavy downpours:

• Wednesday – Low to medium chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape.
• Thursday – Low to medium chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Friday – Low to medium chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Saturday – Low to medium chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Sunday – Low to medium chance in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.

Possible severe thunderstorms:

• Wednesday – Low chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State and Eastern Cape.
• Thursday – Low chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Friday – Low chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Saturday – Low chance in the Eastern Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
• Sunday – Low chance in the Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga. –SAnews.gov.za

The Gauteng provincial government is addressing operational inefficiencies identified at the psychiatric unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, following the death of a patient in a fire.

The inefficiencies at the hospital are being addressed through increasing capacity, strengthening security, enhancing staff training, installing additional CCTV cameras, and implementing fire remedial projects.

“When the draft report on the matter was presented to us, we immediately undertook an overhaul to rectify the situation and to ensure that this kind of incident does not occur within our institution again,” Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said on Monday, during a media briefing in Pretoria.

He was responding to a report by Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, on the findings from two investigations into patient safety incidents in Gauteng.

The briefing addressed the death of a mental health care user at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and the neonatal death at Netcare Femina Hospital (NFH).   

Ms L Mohlamme, a 35-year-old mental health care user, died following a fire incident while admitted at the public hospital. She had been brought to the hospital on 19 June 2024 by her brother-in-law.

The Health Ombud’s investigation sought to determine whether the care provided complied with the Mental Health Care Act, which requires that all mental health care users receive humane, dignified, and least restrictive care.

Following the conclusion of the investigation into the death of Mohlamme, professional bodies, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and the South African Nursing Council (SANC), will be requested to consider the findings and to initiate appropriate professional conduct enquiries on the implicated health professionals.

“More broadly, the investigation uncovered systemic violations of the rights of mental health care users, including the use of punitive practices, inadequate infrastructure, inadequate staffing, and insufficient staff knowledge of the Mental Health Care Act. The findings also point to systemic weaknesses and failures in governance and oversight overall,” Mokoena said.

Since receiving the preliminary report, the Gauteng government has added 12 nurses, bringing the total to 105 nurses.

The Health Ombud recommended the redesign and refurbishment of the psychiatric unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital to comply with all legal requirements of the psychiatric unit, including security and safety requirements.

 “As reflected in the reports, the reporting processes and security structures were non-existent.  We have now strengthened these by assigning nine permanent security personnel who are stationed on-site so that in incidents of this nature, they are the first to respond.

“We are strengthening supervision to ensure that those tasked with this work are properly trained and capacitated. To date, we have trained 21 nurses and two social workers, enabling them to better understand the responsibilities outlined in the report. We have also installed additional CCTV cameras to allow security personnel to monitor situations in real time,” the Premier said.

The government has also implemented fire remedial projects – some are still in progress, while those completed resulted in the issuing of a certificate of fire compliance on 19 February. 

“This means that the hospital is now fire compliant, although there are still outstanding matters requiring urgent attention. We need to procure items such as certified fireproof mattresses and other issues identified in the report, which we believe are critical to achieving full compliance,” Panyaza added.

The report also recommended upgrades to include the patient recreation and rehabilitation facilities.

“Protecting the dignity, safety, and rights of mental health care users is not optional; it’s a constitutional and legislative imperative. The Health Ombud will continue to monitor the implementation of the recommendations and will work with all stakeholders to ensure that such a tragedy does not occur again.”

Key findings in the Mohlamme case include the following:

• Her admission process did not comply with legal requirements, where two medical practitioners did not independently examine and commit the patient in the prescribed form and manner, thus rendering the application technically invalid.
• Mechanical restraint was applied in excess, inconsistent with national policy guidelines.
• A history of alleged sexual assault that she gave was not appropriately assessed, documented, or reported to the South African Police Services as required, thus representing both clinical and legal procedure failures.
• Prescribed medication was deliberately withheld as punishment. However, medical records were falsified to indicate administration.
• The patient was denied food as punishment during the seclusion.
• The required safety procedures were not followed during the seclusion process.
• The seclusion room was poorly located, being very far from the nurses’ station, and lacked adequate monitoring devices.
• Safety fire concerns raised by another patient were dismissed.
• The patient was not thoroughly searched before being committed to the seclusion room. The patient had a cigarette lighter on her person, which she most probably used to start the fire.
• Emergency exits were locked and keys were misplaced or hidden.
• Disaster-preparedness systems were inadequate.
• Mattresses in the psychiatric unit were not fireproof or fire-retardant and thus readily allowed ignition and spread of fire.
• A postmortem confirmed that Mohlamme was alive during the fire and died from severe burn injuries. –SAnews.gov.za

The countdown to Africa’s most prestigious horse racing and lifestyle event has officially begun, with preparations gaining momentum, following the reveal of the theme for the 2026 edition of the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

The glitzy affair is set to take place on 4 July at the Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse in KwaZulu-Natal.

Unveiled recently at The Parade Ring within racecourse, the 2026 theme, “Country Allure,” calls on designers, fashion enthusiasts and racegoers to draw inspiration from rural landscapes blended with classic racing elegance.

The theme sets the stage for another standout edition of one of Durban’s flagship events, while reinforcing the city’s reputation as a leading destination for premier events. Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli, welcomed the announcement and reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to delivering a world-class experience.

“We look forward to welcoming thousands of punters, fashion enthusiasts and visitors to Durban, boosting tourism and hospitality. The event remains key in driving economic growth, supporting jobs and the fashion industry, and contributing to the City’s GDP [gross domestic product]. Preparations will now begin to ensure a safe, seamless and memorable Durban July experience for all,” Ntuli said.

The Hollywoodbets Durban July continues to be a major economic driver for eThekwini.

The 2025 edition attracted more than 40 000 attendees and contributed approximately R840 million to Durban’s GDP. It supported around 4 500 jobs, generated R50 million in tax revenue and achieved hotel occupancy rates of 80% during race week.

Organisers expect an even greater impact in 2026.

Designer Mzwandile Mathonsi, founder of the ZWANDYY fashion brand, said the theme offers significant creative and commercial potential.

“The ‘Country Allure’ theme is rich with storytelling, allowing us to explore heritage and sophistication in bold ways. The Hollywoodbets Durban July is a platform to grow, reach new audiences and showcase African creativity. As a product of the City’s Fashion Development Programme, I am proud to be part of this journey and ready to deliver standout designs,” he said.

Stephen Marshall of Race Coast said the theme celebrates the heritage and authenticity of horse racing while inspiring creativity in fashion and design.

Meanwhile, Hollywoodbets spokesperson Devin Heffer described the event as a timeless celebration of sport, fashion and entertainment, adding that preparations are well underway to deliver another memorable edition.

Heffer described the event as a timeless celebration of sport, fashion, and entertainment that continues to attract guests from across the country and abroad. – SAnews.gov.za