Breakfast Spots in KwaZulu-Natal

On 1 May, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), the largest public funder of biomedical research worldwide, announced a new policy that prohibits all foreign sub-awards. This decision is expected to impact South African clinical studies significantly, as billions of rands in research grants are unlikely to be renewed over the coming year. Reports from GroundUp and Spotlight highlight the potential consequences of this policy change for ongoing and future biomedical research in South...

In Matatiele, South Africa, protesters are demanding justice after Thandekile Mtshizana revealed that her 7-year-old daughter, known as Cwecwe, was allegedly raped at Bergview College. The case has sparked widespread outrage, highlighting the culture of sexual violence in the country, where an average of 118 rapes are reported daily and many cases remain unsolved. Mtshizana's call for systemic change includes a petition to President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare sexual violence a national disaster, aiming for...

The ANC's newly-formed provincial task team (PTT) has achieved two by-election victories out of five possible contests. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula asserts that these wins, along with previous results, indicate there is no sign of a "one-way erosion" of support for the party in KwaZulu-Natal. This statement reflects confidence in the party's standing in the region despite ongoing political challenges. Full Article

Summary Three years ago, Bradley van Eysland played a crucial role in thwarting Zurenah Smit's civil claim to her murdered husband Stefan Smit's wealth. In the ongoing criminal trial regarding Stefan's killing, if van Eysland's account is validated, he could significantly contribute to Zurenah facing a potential life sentence. This situation intertwines her financial motives and legal repercussions stemming from the murder case. Full Article

The Biennial 2025 Gauteng State of Ethics Report The recently released Biennial 2025 Gauteng State of Ethics Report highlights that numerous senior government managers in the province have not been vetted by their respective departments, with many failing to submit required vetting forms. Additionally, the report reveals that hundreds of officials are engaged in business transactions with the state, which is against established regulations. This situation raises concerns about adherence to ethical standards within the...

A major conservation charity linked to Prince Harry, African Parks, has acknowledged human rights abuses by its rangers in Congo-Brazzaville after an independent review of allegations from the Baka community. Despite confirming the abuses, the charity has not disclosed the review's findings, which were conducted by Omnia Strategy LLP, and it faced criticism from Survival International for failing to publicly address the issue. African Parks has stated it has improved safeguarding measures and will conduct...