First Take SA

Labour Federation, COSATU, says it will continue to put pressure on both the National Treasury and Parliament to speed up the processing of amendments to the Pension Act to allow workers in financial distress limited access to their pensions. COSATU says it made this call last year after witnessing the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy, especially on workers

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Some political parties say there is nothing to celebrate this Youth Day if more than 60 percent of young people are unemployed and trapped in poverty. South Africa commemorated the day when thousands of young people rose up against the apartheid government, 45 years ago. Until 1994, many of them were killed in the struggle while hundreds of others left the country to join liberation armies of the ANC, PAC and AZAPO. But decades later, some political parties say life is still tough for young people even in democracy.

Some political parties say there is nothing to celebrate this Youth Day if more than 60 percent of young people are unemployed and trapped in poverty. South Africa commemorated the day when thousands of young people rose up against the apartheid government, 45 years ago. Until 1994, many of them were killed in the struggle while hundreds of others left the country to join liberation armies of the ANC, PAC and AZAPO. But decades later, some political parties say life is still tough for young people even in democracy.

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The situation remains tense in Harrismith in the Free State following a violent protest YESTERDAY. A truck was set alight on the N3 during the protest leading to a temporary closure of the busy highway. Residents are calling for president Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene as they want to be removed from Maluti-A-Phofung municipality due to lack of service delivery.

The situation remains tense in Harrismith in the Free State following a violent protest YESTERDAY. A truck was set alight on the N3 during the protest leading to a temporary closure of the busy highway. Residents are calling for president Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene as they want to be removed from Maluti-A-Phofung municipality due to lack of service delivery.

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Concerns over keeping to COVID-19 regulations under level 3 continue to rise as thousands of people flock to the KwaHlathi area in LadySmith, KwaZulu-Natal. This follows a visit by the province's Economic Development MEC, Ravi Pillay who called on people to stop the digging of what they believe to be diamonds. Pillay was leading a fact finding visit with a team of national government officials, the local traditional leader and geological and mineral experts in the area. One of the aims is to find out if the stones being dug up are indeed diamonds as claimed by locals.

Concerns over keeping to COVID-19 regulations under level 3 continue to rise as thousands of people flock to the KwaHlathi area in LadySmith, KwaZulu-Natal. This follows a visit by the province's Economic Development MEC, Ravi Pillay who called on people to stop the digging of what they believe to be diamonds. Pillay was leading a fact finding visit with a team of national government officials, the local traditional leader and geological and mineral experts in the area. One of the aims is to find out if the stones being dug up are indeed diamonds as claimed by locals.

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Political parties have given mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that government will be amending Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act for the energy sector. This means that private companies have permission to generate up to one hundred megawatts of electricity and sell it, without a license. The announcement comes as the country is currently experiencing rolling blackouts.

Political parties have given mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that government will be amending Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act for the energy sector. This means that private companies have permission to generate up to one hundred megawatts of electricity and sell it, without a license. The announcement comes as the country is currently experiencing rolling blackouts.

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EFF leader Julius Malema has given the Basic Education Department seven days to close down all schools or face a forceful total shutdown. He was briefing the media in Johannesburg earlier YESTERDAY (thursday 10 June). Malema also condemned the fact that the IEC has decided to go ahead with the 2021 local elections while former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke is still evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on conditions conducive for free and fair elections.