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Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.

  1. 1d ago

    NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures ‘major system upgrades’ after returning to board governance

    NSFAS opens 2027 applications, assures 'major system upgrades' after returning to board governance Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announced on Friday that the 2027 National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) application cycle is officially open until November 18. Speaking at the launch event in Johannesburg, Manamela promised that funding outcomes will be communicated in December to give successful applicants certainty ahead of the 2027 academic registration period. "To all prospective applicants: do not wait until the closing date. Apply as early as possible. Applying early gives you time to verify your information, submit outstanding documentation, and seek assistance if you encounter challenges," Manamela urged. During the 2026 application cycle, NSFAS received a record-breaking number of applications from young South Africans. To cope with this pressure and address historical service delivery issues, Manamela revealed that NSFAS has spent the past year implementing crucial upgrades designed to improve data integrity, accuracy, and processing speeds for the 2027 funding cycle. He explained that student information will now be pulled directly from institutional systems to minimise errors and expedite funding decisions, and the scheme is introducing automated document verification and electronic document signing to shorten response times. Manamela said NSFAS is collaborating with the Department of Home Affairs to strengthen the verification of student registration and banking details. He announced that the development has officially commenced on a dedicated Loan Management System to administer student loans for middle-income households, and the administration of appeals has been restructured with clearer rules and strict timelines to rectify past administrative weaknesses. The launch follows a turbulent four-month institutional transition for the financial aid scheme. After navigating a period under strict State administration, NSFAS has officially returned to a board-led governance arrangement. Manamela noted that the public, parents, and tertiary institutions have closely watched these structural shifts, reassuring stakeholders that the interventions were entirely focused on stability and effectiveness. "The stability of NSFAS is not an end in itself. Behind every application is a young person whose future depends on this institution functioning effectively. Behind every funding decision is a student who wants to become a professional, an artisan, an entrepreneur, a teacher, a scientist, or a contributor to the economy and society. That is why the integrity, stability, and effectiveness of NSFAS matter," he said. Prospective students are encouraged to gather their identification documents, academic records, and parental proof of income immediately to submit their applications via the official NSFAS portal before the November 18 deadline.

  2. 1d ago

    Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders

    Policing is political, DA says as it offers collaboration in East Rand murders The DA said on Friday that it is willing to work with anybody who "genuinely" wants to take action in delivering justice to the families of the women whose bodies were recently found across the East Rand, in Gauteng, as it stressed that policing is political. After the discovery of the body of a ninth victim in Ekurhuleni, DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said women in the province needed more than just advice on how to avoid becoming victims. "We should be asking: what more can we do? The DA is ready to work with government, SAPS, communities and civil society to find these killers and prevent further deaths. But collaboration requires government to engage with criticism in good faith and not dismiss it as political opportunism because it doesn't like a mirror being held up to itself," he said. The DA has pledged a R500 000 reward for information that leads to the identification, apprehension and conviction of the person/s responsible for the murders and has also launched a petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves" and to rather demand systemic accountability. However, the DA is urging the Gauteng provincial government to collaborate with willing participants to find the perpetrator/s of the murders. "Government says that it wants cooperation. Then it should welcome every credible effort to find these killers, protect women and address the failures that allowed this crisis to develop in the first place," said Msimanga. "The responsibility now lies with all of us, but particularly with those entrusted with the power and resources of the State, to make South Africa safer. "And yes, this is political. It is political because policing is political."

  3. 1d ago

    Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose ‘hidden’ crisis

    Amnesty International demands SA criminalise femicide to expose 'hidden' crisis Amnesty International South Africa is urgently calling on the State to recognise femicide as a distinct crime, warning that failure to do so leaves the targeted killing of women largely unaddressed. Femicide, defined as the gender-motivated killing of a woman because she is a woman, is currently not classified as a separate offence under South African law. Instead, these deaths are categorised under general murder statistics, a practice that advocates argue masks the systemic nature of the crisis. South Africa continues to grapple with some of the highest femicide rates globally. According to the latest annual crime statistics, 5 578 women were murdered between 2023 and 2024 – an average of roughly 15 women killed every day. Despite these stark numbers, the true scale of the violence remains obscured. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has not published disaggregated crime data regarding the murder and assault of women and children since August 2025, citing internal accuracy concerns that require investigation. Amnesty International South Africa executive director Shenilla Mohamed emphasised that treating femicide as standard murder ignores the patterns of gender-based violence that typically precede it, such as stalking, rape, and intimate partner violence. Without a distinct legal category, these warning signs are tracked as isolated incidents. "You cannot fix what you are not tracking," Mohamed stated, noting that reliable data is a vital prerequisite for State accountability. While criminalisation alone will not instantly halt the violence, Amnesty International argued it provides a critical mechanism to hold the government accountable. Legally defining the crime would compel the State to allocate dedicated resources specifically tailored to combating and preventing femicide, track accurate, gender-disaggregated data to identify high-risk patterns and confront systemic failures in current institutional protection measures for women and girls. Mohamed said 33 countries have criminalised femicide. In Africa, only Gabon and Morocco have codified it into law. Amnesty International South Africa maintained that by failing to join these nations and properly record these targeted killings, the South African State is actively failing to protect its citizens from the most extreme manifestation of gender discrimination and inequality.

  4. 2d ago

    ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe

    ActionSA suspends Tshwane ward candidate amid disciplinary probe ActionSA has placed its Tshwane ward candidate and disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo on precautionary suspension with immediate effect, following his arrest in a contempt of court matter. The decision was announced on Thursday by ActionSA Gauteng provincial chairperson Funzi Ngobeni, who clarified that the suspension regulates Teffo's participation and status within the party while an internal disciplinary process is underway. Notably, the party's internal investigation into Teffo was already in progress prior to his arrest on Tuesday. ActionSA emphasised that the precautionary suspension does not constitute a finding of guilt. "Teffo will have an opportunity to respond to the matters before the Provincial Ethics and Disciplinary Officer (PEDO), and the process must be allowed to run fairly," Ngobeni stated. While the suspension remains in effect, Teffo is barred from participating in any ActionSA campaigns or party activities, representing or speaking on behalf of ActionSA and presenting himself as an active representative of the party. According to Ngobeni, concerns regarding Teffo's conduct were initially referred to the party's PEDO earlier this month. The referral followed an incident where Teffo appeared at the Johannesburg High Court wearing ActionSA regalia. When the party's Tshwane structures requested an explanation regarding the courtroom appearance, Teffo's subsequent response prompted further scrutiny. Following an initial review, PEDO determined that a prima facie basis existed to move forward with a formal disciplinary process. Teffo's arrest earlier this week introduced new variables that ActionSA's Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had to evaluate. After reviewing advice from PEDO alongside these latest developments, the PEC concluded that a precautionary suspension was the most appropriate course of action while the internal process concludes. PEDO has been instructed to expedite the matter and report its findings back to the PEC urgently. ActionSA reiterated its stance on public accountability, asserting that its candidates and public representatives must answer for their actions when serious questions are raised. However, the party maintained that it would respect due process. "We will not replace a proper disciplinary process with a trial through the media. We will communicate further once the disciplinary process has reached the appropriate stage."

  5. 2d ago

    DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found

    DA launches petition to reject SAPS safety warnings as body of ninth woman found DA mayoral candidate for Ekurhuleni Khathu Rasilingwane has launched a full-scale petition rallying residents and women across the municipality to reject government instructions urging women to "protect themselves". The launch on Thursday follows the grim discovery of a ninth body in the region, signalling what Rasilingwane describes as a rapidly escalating crisis. She condemned recent sentiments from the South African Police Service (SAPS) that place the burden of safety on women, arguing that advising women to take better precautions reflects a fundamental failure by leadership to comprehend the daily fear and suffering experienced by residents. "All that the government offers is an undefined 'lockdown' and a police 'task team.' This is inexcusable," Rasilingwane said. "It is a failure to understand pain and suffering, living in fear every day – not just this week." In response to the killings, Rasilingwane announced on Wednesday that the DA is offering an additional R500 000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and successful criminal prosecution of the murderer. Titled "Action, Not Advice", the DA's petition demands that law enforcement shift its focus from policing women's behaviour to actively combating violent crime. Rasilingwane stated that the SAPS receives billions of rands in taxpayer funding specifically to protect citizens, and it must deliver on that mandate. The DA has directed an urgent demand to Acting Minister of Police Firoz Cachalia, calling for a substantial increase in police resources, an immediate clearance of the DNA evidence backlog to expedite criminal identification, and the release of reliable gender-based violence and femicide statistics. The party has urged all South Africans to sign the petition to demand systemic accountability. President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared the murders a national crisis, ordering that the investigations receive the highest level of priority from government and law enforcement. A multidisciplinary specialised team has been deployed to work around the clock to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. Deputy President Paul Mashatile also broke his silence on the matter, urging law enforcement agencies to collaborate closely with communities and stakeholders. Mashatile stated that gender-based violence has no place in South African society, adding that men must be at the forefront of condemning these crimes and protecting women and children.

  6. 2d ago

    South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows

    South Africa's consumer confidence rises despite economic uncertainty, survey shows South Africa's consumer confidence improved in the third quarter, a survey showed on Thursday, although consumer spending is expected to remain subdued in the coming months due to uncertainty stemming from the war in the Middle East. The consumer confidence index, sponsored by First National Bank (FNB) and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, improved to minus 13 points from minus 19 in the second quarter. The Middle East conflict, which is now in its seventh month, has put pressure on South African household budgets through higher fuel prices, uncertainty over interest rates and fears of inflation. "Shoppers will likely remain cost-conscious and prioritise necessities over discretionary spending in the run-up to the festive season, suggesting that consumer spending growth will remain muted and that value-for-money retailers may outperform higher-end brands," FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca-Ngwenya said. The rebound in the quarter was largely driven by stronger confidence among lower-income households, which were more insulated from recent interest rate hikes and benefited from lower food inflation, the survey showed. The interest rate hike announced by the central bank in May has disproportionately affected middle- and high-income consumers due to a greater exposure to formal sector bank credit and higher spend on durable goods purchases, Matikinca-Ngwenya added.

  7. 3d ago

    South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter

    South African inflation expectations stabilise in third quarter South African inflation expectations stabilised in the third quarter, a survey showed on Wednesday, after a steep rise in the previous quarter because of the oil price shock triggered by the Iran war. The quarterly survey is commissioned by the central bank and guides its thinking on the appropriate level of interest rates. The average forecast of analysts, business people and trade union officials was for headline consumer inflation of 4.4% this year, unchanged from the second-quarter survey. The average forecasts for 2027 and 2028 declined to 4.0% and 3.8%, respectively, from 4.2% and 3.9%. Those forecasts are important as the central bank says interest rate changes affect the economy with a lag of about 12 to 24 months. Inflation stood at 4.3% year on year in July, the latest month for which price data is available. The central bank targets inflation of 3% with a 1-percentage-point tolerance band either side of that. The bank surprised investors and economists by keeping its main lending rate unchanged in July after its first rate hike in three years in May. Its next rate announcement is scheduled for September 23.

  8. 3d ago

    Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened

    Govt rejects US visa restrictions, while domestic actors are emboldened The South African government has rejected unilateral visa restrictions imposed by the US, framing its domestic legislation as a constitutional imperative to heal past racial injustices rather than target minority groups. Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola hit back at US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's announcement, stating that South Africa retains a sovereign right to enact laws aimed at improving the plight of historically excluded citizens. The US restrictions target individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, policies enabling land expropriation without compensation, race-based discrimination, and the incitement of imminent violence against minority ethnic or racial groups. The policy directly penalises those Washington holds accountable for land confiscation frameworks and the incitement of racial violence. Lamola expressed deep concern over Washington's unilateral actions, arguing that the US visa restrictions align with a "mischaracterisation" of South African policies. He said these measures appear to be driven by fringe groups who wrongly claim to represent Afrikaners and minorities as a whole. Lamola defended South Africa's legal frameworks, specifically highlighting the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act 16 of 2023. He emphasised that this legislation sets a stringent, binding framework to eradicate hate speech and prosecute hate crimes across both State and non-State actors. "It is our sovereign right to put in place laws that address the nation's concern over centuries of racial injustice. We maintain that challenges in our bilateral relations with the USA can only be resolved by constructive engagement through State actors on both sides of the diplomatic channel, not unilateral acts," Lamola explained. The Minister further asserted that the South African government remains "actively seized" with combating crime, emphasising that security challenges affect all citizens universally and do not target anyone based on race, colour, or social origin. ECONOMIC FALLOUT In contrast to government's stance, the Solidarity Movement has urged Pretoria to drop its "political pride" and "engage honestly" with upcoming proposals to defuse the row. Solidarity Movement chairperson Flip Buys said the diplomatic friction is not new, but rather a continuation of a long-running dispute tracing back to 2010 when South Africa joined the BRICS bloc. Buys warned that further escalation would directly hit ordinary workers, farmers, and businesses, rather than the politicians he says are responsible for the impasse. The Solidarity Movement believes South Africa's current domestic policies run counter to various international conventions. Buys said alienating the US poses severe risks to the local economy. The movement maintained that "practical, achievable solutions exist" that would not require South Africa to surrender its independence. "We are not taking sides between Pretoria and Washington; we are taking South Africa's side," averred Buys, adding that the Solidarity Movement will release a comprehensive set of proposals within the coming week aimed at ending the protracted dispute. Joining the critique, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel confirmed that the organisation is actively fighting the new Expropriation Act in the Western Cape High Court, arguing that it "dangerously" enables expropriation without compensation. AfriForum has tied the US diplomatic dispute directly to local controversies, including rural farm safety and political rhetoric. Kriel welcomed the US punitive measures against figures who incite ethnic violence, taking aim at EFF leader Julius Malema. Kriel urged government to seriously evaluate the combined proposals of AfriForum and Solidarity. "It is in the interest of everyone in the country to help prevent South Africa from being punished due to the reckless policies and actions of a...

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Polity.org.za offers a unique take on news, with a focus on political, legal, economic and social issues in South Africa and Africa, as well as international affairs. Now you can listen to the top three articles on Polity at the end of each day.

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