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The Citizen
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Afrikaners must be part of the national dialogue
Leaving conservative Afrikaners out of South Africa's National Dialogue could reignite old tensions and deepen instability at a critical political moment. A group of Afrikaners gathered outside the American Embassy in Pretoria to deliver a memorandum to US President Donald Trump. Picture: Nigel Sibanda /The Citizen It is obvious that, in many ways, South Africa is a vastly different place from when politicians and civic organisations sat down to negotiate a peaceful end to apartheid and a transition to a majority-rule democracy in the early '90s. However, in some worrying respects, there are aspects of our current situation which mirror those of that era. As the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) gathered in Kempton Park in 1991, it was clear the end was in sight for the National Party government. International pressure was mounting and the country was teetering on the edge of the abyss of a civil war. In a sense, the ANC is facing a similar 'end of days' scenario to the Nats, having lost electoral support and facing challenges from both sides of the political spectrum. It is also facing, rightly or wrongly, international censure because some foreign governments – led by the Americans – believe whites are being persecuted. ALSO READ: Amerikaners founder denies claims of 'struggling' South African 'refugees' in US Another parallel is that, so far, those representing conservative Afrikaners don't appear to have been brought under the umbrella of the National Dialogue announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. These right-wing groups have led the charge against the ANC and have gained a receptive audience overseas. Afrikaners like Ernst Roets, who has strong relationships with international conservatism, are proposing a form of federal government arrangement which, they claim, does not amount to a revival of the 'Volkstaat' concept… although it seems to be so in all but name. Whether Ramaphosa and the other participants in the National Dialogue like it or not, that issue cannot be ignored. If it is, the way is open for further racial polarisation and instability – and even worse down the line. What the dialogue must not become is an expensive talk shop. Our country is falling apart and it needs to be fixed. NOW READ: Trump-Musk breakup: Will 49 'refugees' return to South Africa?
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Adha in SA and around the world
Eid-ul-Adha coincides with the final rites of the annual Hajj, the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Eid-ul-Adha is traditionally marked by the slaughter of an animal, typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel. Picture: Nigel Sibanda Thousands of Muslims in South Africa and across the globe are celebrating Eid-ul-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), one of the auspicious days in the Islamic calendar that commemorates sacrifice and submission to Allah (God). The day begins very early with the Eid prayer. Sacrifice Eid-ul-Adha honours the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to obey Allah's command that he sacrifice his only son Ismail, ignoring the devil's attempts to dissuade him from the act. At the very point of sacrifice, Allah replaced Ismail with a ram, to be slaughtered in place of his son. This command from Allah was a test of Prophet Ibrahim's willingness and commitment to obey his Lord's command without question. WATCH: Zakiyah Muhammad speaks to The Citizen at Bosmont Masjid, west of Johannesburg, ALSO READ: SA Muslims to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr on Monday, marking end of Ramadan [VIDEO] 'Special day' Speaking to The Citizen at Bosmont Masjid, Zakiyah Muhammad said Eid-ul-Adha is a very 'special day for Muslims in South Africa and around the world'. 'There are those in Saudi Arabia completing their pilgrimage and this is part of the sacrifice. We are not in Saudi, but we still celebrate by sacrificing our sheep.' Eid-ul-Adha is traditionally marked by the slaughter of an animal, typically a goat, sheep, cow, bull or camel, with the meat shared among neighbours, family members and the poor. Thousands of Muslims in #Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, 7 June 2025, celebrates the second significant Islamic holiday, #EidAlAdha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijjah. Video: @nigelsibanda @TheCitizen_News — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) June 7, 2025 ALSO READ: More than a million pilgrims prepare for start of Hajj on 4 June Picture: Nigel Sibanda Hajj The Eid period this year runs from 6-9 June and coincides with the final rites of the annual Hajj, the once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. On Friday, pilgrims cast stones they picked up in Muzdalifah after spending the night under the stars at the Jamarat or stoning of the devil, sacrificed animals and had their heads shaved for the 10th day of Dul Hijjah, which marks Eid-ul-Adha. An estimated 1.6 million-plus pilgrims stoned the devil, throwing their pebbles at the concrete walls in Mina. The ritual of casting a pebble and shaving the head marks a solemn moment – a rebirth, a complete submission to God and a victory over evil. ALSO READ: WATCH: Pilgrims commence final rites of Hajj as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
24 hours in pictures, 4 June 2025
24 hours in pictures, 4 June 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. This aerial photograph shows a stork with two chicks on a nest installed on a high voltage line mast in Bouee, western France, on June 3, 2025. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton of South Africa pictured during a warm up match between South Africa and Zimbabwe ahead of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 on June 04, 2025 in Arundel, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images) A train arrives at a station in Colombo on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Ishara S. KODIKARA / AFP) A person places electric candles at a vigil commemorating the Tiananmen Square protest, in Taipei, Taiwan, 04 June 2025. Many people were injured or killed during the protests in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in 1989. Picture: EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO The 'Simpecado' float of the Brotherhood of El Rocio of Seville-El Salvador departs Seville on its pilgrimage to the El Rocio hermitage, located in the village of Almonte, Spain, 04 June 2025. Approximately one million people from across Spain make the journey to pay homage to Our Lady of Rocio each year. Picture: EPA-EFE/RAUL CARO A woman wearing big sunglasses with inscriptions reading '1 Lee Jae-myung' watches the inauguration ceremony of South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung outside the National Assembly in Seoul on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Pedro Pardo / AFP) Police and community members look on at a body in the Zamimpilo informal settlemen, 4 June 2025. It is suspected that the victim was killed in crossfire, during a shootout between the police and suspects the day before. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Soldiers of the guard battalion are reflected in a bass horn during a welcome ceremony for Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (not pictured) with military honors at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Germany, 04 June 2025. Picture: EPA-EFE/FILIP SINGER Community members march from Main Reef to the home of a 14-year-old Lukhona Fose in Durban Deep, Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, 4 June 2025, after her mutilated body was found near her home. City of Johannesburg Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu visited Fose's family. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile as he arrives for his weekly General Audience in St. Peters Square, Vatican City, 04 June 2025. Picture: EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI People ferry cattle on a vehicle ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha in Karachi on June 3, 2025. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP) A man swims to cool off at Marina Beach on a hot summer day in Chennai on June 4, 2025. (Photo by R. Satish BABU / AFP) A follower in a prayer posture is photographed during a 'Long Life Offering Ceremony' for the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama (unseen), at the Tsuglagkhang temple at McLeod Ganj, in Dharamshala, India on June 04, 2025. Long Life Offering Ceremonies are conducted as a gesture of deep gratitude and heartfelt wishes for the continued health and longevity of the Dalai Lama. Typically held at the Main Tibetan Temple, these ceremonies include prayers, ritual offerings, and communal celebrations, reflecting devotion and reverence. Picture: Matrix Images / Sanjay Baid Aerial view of 'Interceptor 006' a giant fence to catch thousands of tons of plastic at Las Vacas River in Chinautla, Guatemala on June 3, 2025. The Dutch NGO The Ocean Cleanup, seeks to trap thousands of tons of plastic that each year flow into the Caribbean Sea at Las Vacas River, a tributary of Motagua River. (Photo by JOHAN ORDONEZ / AFP) French soldiers carry coffins during a burial ceremony of six French soldiers who died fighting for France in the World War I, in the National Necropolis of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette in Ablain-Saint-Nazaire, northern France on June 3, 2025. Six young French soldiers from the World War I, who died in 1914 and 1915 but whose bodies have been discovered in recent years, were buried on June 3, 2025, in the National Necropolis of Notre-Dame-de-Lorette (Pas-de-Calais), as witnessed by an AFP photographer. (Photo by Sameer Al-DOUMY / AFP) MORE: 24 hours in pictures, 3 June 2025
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Alex residents ‘tried to hold city power officials hostage'
City Power said payments should only be made through authorised electricity vendors, not to individuals, and should go toward purchasing electricity units. River Park community members forcefully ask City Power employee to reconnect them after he disconnected them during the cut-off operation in Alexandra in Johannesburg, 29 May 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda / The Citizen Electricity supply has been restored to the River Park community in Alexandra following a five-day disconnection that began after residents allegedly attempted to hold City Power officials hostage during a routine meter inspection operation. The utility company announced on Tuesday that power would be switched back on, but residents must now pay R2 000 per household toward electricity purchases as part of the reconnection process — a significantly reduced amount compared to standard reconnection fees. Attack on city power officials leads to area-wide disconnection The crisis began on Thursday, 29 May 2025, when City Power teams conducting scheduled meter audits and disconnection operations in the River Park area encountered violent resistance from residents. 'The safety of our staff was severely compromised, with incidents of intimidation, road blockades, and attempts to hold our personnel hostage, forcing City Power to act decisively by cutting off supply to prevent further risk,' said City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava. The utility responded by disconnecting electricity to the entire area as a safety measure, leaving the community without power for five days while negotiations took place with community leaders and the local ward councillor. ALSO READ: WATCH: What happened when City Power cut illegal connections in Alex City Power gives Alexandra residents conditional power restoration Following meetings with community representatives, City Power agreed to restore the electricity supply effective Tuesday, 3 June 2025. However, the restoration comes with strict conditions and ongoing enforcement measures. 'While we condemn the unlawful behaviour witnessed during the operation, we acknowledge the importance of constructive dialogue and have resolved to give law-abiding residents a fair opportunity to engage,' Mashava stated. The utility will immediately resume meter auditing operations once power is restored, with teams conducting comprehensive inspections to identify households that have tampered with or illegally bypassed their electricity meters. These operations will proceed under law enforcement protection to ensure worker safety. ALSO READ: City Power crackdown on illegal connections met with resistance in Alexandra Reduced service fees offered In what appears to be a compromise measure, City Power is requiring previously disconnected customers to pay only R2 000 per household toward electricity purchases rather than full reconnection fees. Isaac Mangena, the utility's General Manager, emphasised that this amount represents a significant concession. According to Mangena, the R2,000 charge 'is not a penalty or reconnection fee, but rather a minimum charge to begin recovering outstanding service costs'. He noted that standard reconnection costs far exceed this amount, with single-phase meters typically costing more than R14 000 per household to reconnect and three-phase meters used by businesses and backroom rental accommodations costing more than R30 000. The utility stressed that payments should only be made through authorised electricity vendors, not to individuals, and should go toward purchasing electricity units. ALSO READ: City Power allays fear that hackers may cut your power Free electricity program available For residents unable to afford electricity payments, City Power is promoting its Expanded Social Package (ESP), which provides free basic electricity to qualifying households. According to the utility, the programme currently serves more than 10 000 customers and aims to assist vulnerable residents through free electricity provision and waiver of the R200 surcharge. Eligibility for the ESP extends to senior citizens, unemployed persons, women and children, child-headed households, and persons with disabilities who earn less than R7,503.01 monthly. However, applicants must have fully functioning meters to qualify for the program. Those seeking to apply for free electricity must bring their South African Identity Document, City of Johannesburg rates and taxes account, three months of bank statements, proof of residence, and their City Power account or meter number to municipal offices. Zero tolerance warning City Power maintains a firm stance against electricity theft and meter tampering, with Mangena warning that the utility will continue working with law enforcement and local leadership to ensure compliance. The company has issued a clear ultimatum regarding future interference with operations. 'Should our teams encounter violence again this week, we will resolve to switching the lights off again and suspend our services in the area,' the utility warned through Mangena's statement. The company emphasised that paying for electricity services remains the only way to ensure a continued and reliable supply, urging residents to allow utility teams to perform their duties without interference. READ NEXT: How Joburg plans to spend R89 billion
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
East Rand Motor Show in Pictures
The 10th edition of the East Rand Motor Show took place at Benoni Northern Sports Grounds. 1971 Volkswagen Beetle with a suspension dropped on show at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. Hot cars including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom-builds, bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen. The 10th edition of the East Rand Motor Show returned to the Benoni Northern Sports Ground in 2025. The Citizen's photo Journalist Nigel Sibanda shows us some of his favourite rides. 1971 Volkswagen Beetle with a suspension dropped on show at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen 1971 Volkswagen Beetle with a suspension dropped on show at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen Benoni resident, Blaine Kotze, inside a Ford GT4 at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. The Ford GT40 is a highly iconic mid-engined racing car developed by Ford to challenge Ferrari in endurance racing. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen. Philip Du Plessis' Alexus V-8 Engine Kit Car, which he modified by changing the body and doors, took him 2 years to build. It is on display at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at the Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, on 1 June 2025. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen. A Rolls-Royce at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I, introduced in 1955, was a luxury car that marked a significant step forward from its predecessor, the Dawn/R-Type. Key features include a lengthened chassis, a powerful inline-six engine, and the introduction of a wider range of luxury options as standard. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen. Inside a Rolls-Royce at the 10th annual East Rand Motor Show at Benoni Northern Sports Ground, Ekhuruleni, 1 June 2025. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I, introduced in 1955, was a luxury car that marked a significant step forward from its predecessor, the Dawn/R-Type. Key features include a lengthened chassis, a powerful inline-six engine, and the introduction of a wider range of luxury options as standard. Hot cars, including classics, supercars, hot rods, muscle cars, custom builds, and bikes on show. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen. ALSO SEE: WATCH: It's confirmed! Red Bull Shay' iMoto 2025 is coming to Durban
