“The area is under strict environmental regulations, and activities of any nature are prohibited due to the presence of hazardous substances.” The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Kokstad has accused local authorities of mishandling a community prayer gathering for missing seven-year-old Lathitha Mtolo, after the event descended into chaos over the weekend. The gathering, organised…
Small businesses and cooperatives in Kokstad received a boost this week following a business development workshop aimed at improving compliance and access to funding. The “Access to Finance and Business Compliance Workshop” was hosted through a partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) and the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality…
The Umuziwabantu Local Municipality has intensified efforts to enforce by-laws and regulatory compliance following a joint inspection operation in the central business district (CBD). The multi-departmental raid, conducted along Musgrave and Hawkins streets, brought together several municipal units, including Protection Services, Fire Services, Local Economic Development (LED), Waste and Environmental Services, and Electricity. External stakeholders…
The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape says it is fully prepared to proceed with its 10th Provincial Conference, dismissing the need for any postponement. This follows a special meeting of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held on March 16, where members assessed the state of readiness ahead of the conference, set to…
Land Reform Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso has stressed the importance of properly managing land ownership documents to ensure that agricultural land reform benefits communities and contributes to economic growth. Nyhontso was speaking at the Agricultural Land Reform Symposium hosted by the Harry Gwala District Municipality on 9 March 2026 at Sani Pass Resort, under the Dr…
A group of determined farmers behind the Goxe Agri-Tourism Project are working hard to turn land reform into real economic opportunity by producing crops, raising livestock and supplying food to their community. The farm, which spans approximately 640 hectares, was acquired through the government’s land reform programme. According to members of the cooperative, the initiative…
Today, Alfred Nzo District Municipality, in partnership with the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), is hosting a dialogue with entrepreneurs from various parts of the District. The District Entrepreneurial Dialogue is convened as a pre-investment and enterprise development intervention, aimed at strengthening coordination, unlocking support, and building a pipeline of locally grounded businesses. The…
Political parties across South Africa have expressed deep sadness following the passing of Congress of the People (COPE) founding leader Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota, remembering him as a committed freedom fighter and a principled leader who dedicated his life to serving the country. Lekota, a veteran of the anti-apartheid struggle and former defence minister, passed away…
“The ANC cannot support any acts of violence or the destruction of property.” The African National Congress (ANC) in Kokstad has distanced itself from on-going community unrest linked to the search for a missing 7 years old child Lathitha Mtolo after several houses were burned in acts of vigilante violence. Earlier this week, ANC members…
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has set its sights firmly on the 2026 local government elections, pledging to prioritise service delivery, economic growth and safer communities across municipalities. Speaking at the party’s provincial congress in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape Provincial Leader Andrew Whitfield said the upcoming local polls will be the most important…
