At a memorial service in Pietermaritzburg for the late Yusuf Bhamjee, ANC member Zweli Mkhize emphasized the need for South African leaders to adopt Bhamjee's leadership style. Bhamjee, who passed away on January 3, 2025, served in various capacities within the ANC, including as a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature and as Mayor of the uMgungundlovu District Municipality.



Mkhize highlighted Bhamjee's ability to connect with comrades across the political spectrum and his role in fostering peace during a tumultuous period in the Natal Midlands. He noted that Bhamjee was an activist at heart, dedicated to addressing community challenges rather than seeking personal comfort in office.



According to Mkhize, Bhamjee's commitment to serving the people exemplified the empathy that originally drove the ANC. He lamented the shift in the party, where some members have become careerists focused on personal gain rather than community service. Mkhize pointed out that this change has hindered effective governance and service delivery.



He praised Bhamjee's leadership in the uMgungundlovu District, stating that he understood community needs and managed people effectively. Mkhize called for a return to the type of activism that Bhamjee embodied, urging ANC members to foster cooperation among South Africans of all backgrounds.

He concluded that Bhamjee's legacy should inspire a renewed commitment to serving communities and addressing their challenges.

The Department of Transport successfully launched the 8th United Nations Global Road Safety Week on Sunday, 11 May 2025, at Soldiers Way CBD Taxi Rank in Durban, KwaZuluNatal. The event, held under the theme “Make Walking and Cycling Safe,” focused on raising awareness about the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, is actively participating in the UN’s Global Road Safety Campaign, which runs from Sunday, 11 May to Friday, 16 May 2025 in Durban.

As part of the campaign, this event at the taxi rank was aimed to educate taxi drivers and commuters on the importance of road safety when using public transport. The Deputy Minister was joined by officials from the Provincial Department of Transport, eThekwini MMC for Transport, Human Settlements and Engineering, Councillor Themba Mvubu, law enforcement officials, and representatives from various civil society organizations, including SANTACO and various stakeholders.

The launch marked the start of a week-long series of activities held in line with the global UN Road Safety Week, observed from 12 to 18 May 2025

KwaZulu-Natal MEC Martin Meyer has opened a police case after a bullet was discovered at his office. The incident has raised concerns about safety and security in the region.



According to Meyer, the bullet was found in his office, prompting immediate action to ensure the safety of his staff and the public. He expressed his shock at the discovery, emphasizing that such incidents are unacceptable and must be addressed seriously. Meyer stated that he is committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement to investigate the matter thoroughly.



The MEC highlighted the importance of creating a safe working environment for all public servants. According to him, the incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures within government offices to protect employees from potential threats.



Meyer also called for a collective effort to combat violence and intimidation in the political landscape. He noted that public officials should not have to fear for their safety while performing their duties. The MEC expressed hope that the investigation would lead to the identification of those responsible for this alarming act.



In conclusion, the discovery of a bullet in Martin Meyer’s office has prompted a police investigation, highlighting the ongoing concerns regarding safety for public officials in KwaZulu-Natal. According to Meyer, it is crucial to ensure a secure environment for all employees and to address the broader issues of violence and intimidation in politics.

The bank has been under strain for the past few months after a repayment administrator was appointed by the Prudential Authority to oversee the issue of customer deposits in the bank.

The matter came to a head on Thursday when it was announced that the Prudential Authority had decided to bring a court application to liquidate the bank. As a result the bank was ordered to cease its deposit and withdrawal functions. This occurred without any public warning, meaning the bank’s customers found out about the decision when they tried to use their bank cards and the transactions were declined.

Money for stokvels, funeral clubs, and co-operatives is now trapped in the bank, with depositors of those funds unable to access them.

Sandile Nkosi, a councillor in the Ingwavuma area, described the situation as “tense”.

“There is a lot of anger and frustration; the community feels like they have been robbed of their money.

“This situation went off like a bomb. The customers were not informed about it; their funds are trapped there and they cannot withdraw their money. The customers should at least have been informed that they must move their money to other banks.”


Nkosi said Ithala was the only bank in the community and, without it, the town could die.

“The shops and everything in this town rely on this bank to function. With this decision, it means that people will now have to travel to Jozini to access other banks to withdraw their money once they have access to it. Jozini is about 50km away, and the transport fare is almost R50 by bus and close to R100 by taxi.”

Nkosi said even the payment of social grants relied on the bank and he was worried about what would happen with the February grants.


“I have had calls from business people complaining that they have R50 000 stuck inside the Ithala Bank accounts and cannot access it. The bank is closed, and the customers do not have anyone they can go to for help.”

A customer of the bank, who works at a local crèche, said they were told by bank officials that many customers might have access to their money by the end of the month.

Another customer said: “This has traumatised us. There was no thought given to us as a community in this issue because this is the only bank that we have here.


“We received a message at midnight on Thursday that Ithala was closing its doors. We rushed there on Friday morning only to find that the place was now closed,” she said.

Thembeni Msweli, a businesswoman, said the Ithala saga had caused friction between her and her workers.

“I was supposed to pay my employees on Friday. When I inserted the card to withdraw money, it was declined. I later got a message saying everything has been frozen.”

Mfananaye Mathe, mayor of the Jozini Local Municipality, said thousands of people were dependent on Ithala.

“This decision is going to push people and businesses out of that area. If people have to travel to Jozini to access a bank, they will buy whatever they need there, which means the shops in Ingwavuma will go out of business.”

The building was built during the time of the now defunct KwaZulu-Natal government under the late Inkosi Mangosuthu Buthelezi, then the Chief Minister, and has been lying idle for decades since the ANC-led government immediately abandoned the structure after taking power from the IFP in 2004.


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However, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said it cannot be business as usual when such unused buildings drain the limited resources of the provincial government through rates and other related costs.

In a media briefing on Tuesday, the MEC said his department was busy finalising proposals which would be presented to the Cabinet on what to do with the building in order for it to be useful again.

“I think the media understands that this is a politically sensitive matter but I can confirm that in our proposal there are a couple of options that we will soon present to the cabinet for approval,” said the MEC.

Location: Umlazi T-Section, Ward 89, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Type: Community rental housing for low-income households (R800–R3,500/month)

Client: eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality
Funding: KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements
Contractors: Varies by phase; Phase 1 handled by Mandlethu Projects (2009 pilot)
Project Value: Approx. R31 million – R60 million per phase
Total CRU investment in Umlazi area: Over R111 million

Phases and Dates:

2009 – Pilot phase began under Mandlethu Projects

2022 to 2024 – Phase 2: Construction of 54 units began, extended to April 2025

June 2024 – Tender issued for Phase 3A: 96 new units

November 2024 – Oversight visit confirmed 2 of 9 blocks were under construction

Challenges:

Delays from structural issues in old hostels

Tensions over procurement; DA and IFP questioned R19.1 million extension

Residents in nearby units faced poor services, non-payment issues

CRU design criticized for not matching cultural/household needs

Kanku Road Housing Project: A Step Toward Dignified Living for Isipingo Residents

*Location:** Kanku Road, Ward 90, Isipingo, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
*Budget:** R70 million – R170 million
*Date of Start:** June 1, 2020
*Date of Handover:** June 28, 2023
*Units Completed:** 360 semi-detached homes
*Beneficiaries:** Families from Isipingo Transit Camp (displaced during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and subsequent natural disasters)

Key Events & Dates:

*March 2020:** The eThekwini Municipality officially launched the Kanku Road Housing Project, aiming to build 360 semi-detached, double-storey homes with full services for residents of the Isipingo Transit Camp. This project was part of an effort to provide better housing for those living in temporary camps since the 2010 World Cup and later displaced by floods.
*June 1, 2020:** Construction commenced, starting with infrastructure works such as water systems, roads, and sewage.
*February 2021:** Progress was slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protests from residents frustrated by delays.
*March 9, 2023:** Of the 360 planned homes, 147 were completed. Full completion was expected by June 2023.
*June 28, 2023:** Official handover of the homes to families, with 360 units completed. The handover ceremony was attended by national, provincial, and municipal officials, including Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.
*August 2023:** Some families entered homes before official municipal approval, claiming rightful status as beneficiaries, sparking tensions and protests.
*April 2025:** Issues with sewage overflow and sinkholes in the area were reported, causing dissatisfaction among residents and ratepayers.

Project Stakeholders:

*eThekwini Municipality**: Lead organization responsible for the project’s planning and execution.
*Project Preparation Trust (PPT)**: Assisted with planning and infrastructure setup.
*National and Provincial Government**: Supported through funding and policy direction.
*Beneficiaries**: Displaced families from Isipingo Transit Camp, many of whom had been living in temporary conditions since 2010.

Issues & Challenges:

*Delays**: Initial delays due to COVID-19 and a slow start with infrastructure construction.
*Verification and Occupancy**: Tensions arose in 2023 when some families occupied homes without final municipal verification, leading to protests.*Service Delivery**: Complaints of sewage system failure and sinkholes arose in 2025, further frustrating residents and ratepayers.

Conclusion:

The Kanku Road Housing Project represents a significant effort to provide permanent housing to displaced residents of Isipingo. While the project has faced delays and service delivery issues, the completed homes offer a step toward addressing long-standing housing needs in the area. Moving forward, addressing service issues and ensuring proper allocation processes will be crucial to the project’s ongoing success.

MAHIKENG – North West Premier Lazarus Kagiso Mokgosi has applauded Harmony Gold for
an investment of one-point five billion rand at its Stilfontein operations in the City of Matlosana
Local Municipality.
The investment is a culmination of ongoing efforts by Premier Mokgosi to lure investments and
address the scourge of unemployment afflicting the province.
Earlier this year Premier Mokgosi met with the company’s Executive Management on the sidelines of the Africa Mining Indaba to discuss a number of issues relating to diversification,
localization and SMME Development.
The initiative which will create several jobs opportunities for the people of the province adds to
seven-billion-rand worth of investment by the mine in 2022, which includes an extension of
Moab-Khotsong operations at Stilfontein.
Premier Mokgosi says the investment gives credence to government’s efforts of fostering
partnerships with the various stakeholders to create an enabling environment for investment
and job creation.
“This forms part of a broader strategy by government to encourage investments in the
province. I have no doubt that as more investments trickle in, several more job and business
opportunities will be created and this will help reduce the high unemployment figures afflicting
the province” Premier Mokgosi said.
Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Mr Beyers Nel maintains, the renewable energy
investment forms part of its long-term investment and diversification strategy.
“Through our seven-billion-rand investment in 2022, we managed to preserve six thousand
jobs for locals, extending the mines lifespan by twenty years. In 2020, we acquired Mine
Waste Solutions leading to an investment of over two billion rand and we have created close
to two thousand five hundred jobs, seventy percent of which are locals”.
Premier Mokgosi who was accompanied by the MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi and
Acting Director General, Ndlela Kunene lauded the mine for their investment initiatives and
have urged them to support the Province’s Development Fund, which is primarily aimed at
addressing infrastructure backlogs in the province.

ENDS

Issued by the North West Office of the Premier.
For enquiries, contact
Sello Tatai
Spokesperson to the Premier
North West Provincial Government
Cell: 064 756 2510 / 082 450 7842
E-mail: SITatai@nwpg.gov.za

Or

Brian Setswambung
Provincial Head of Communication
Office of the Premier
North West Provincial Government
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: BSetswambung@nwpg.gov.za

The closure of the Newcastle furnace will result in the loss of over 1 300 direct jobs, with an estimated 2 200 indirect jobs at risk in the surrounding communities. This will exacerbate the already dire unemployment situation in South Africa, particularly in the rural areas where job opportunities are scarce. The economic spin-offs of the closure will be felt far and wide, with local businesses, suppliers, and service providers also facing financial ruin.


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The steel industry is a critical component of South Africa's economy, and the closure of the Newcastle furnace will have a ripple effect throughout the sector. The motor manufacturing industry, which relies heavily on locally produced steel, will be severely impacted, threatening the very existence of this critical sector. The consequences of this closure will be felt for generations to come, as the skills and expertise developed over decades are lost forever.

The threatened closure of Amsa’s Newcastle Furnace repeats a similar crisis when Amsa did likewise with its Saldanha Bay operations five years ago. Amsa’s possible exit would have similar catastrophic effects for its plants in Richard’s Bay and Vereeniging.

With a 41.09% unemployment rate, GDP growth barely breaking 1% and years of devastating de-industrialisation; this would be a blow we simply cannot afford.