OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
SA again among worst performing countries in maths and science
South Africa was again among the worst performing countries in maths and science, according to the 2015 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study. TIMSS is a cross-national assessment of the maths and science levels of about 630 000 learners from 57 participating countries. Tests are conducted every four years…
ANC post-NEC briefing “sanitised official statements”
A political analyst has described the ANC’s press briefing yesterday following a marathon NEC meeting as “sanitised official statements”. Aubrey Matshiqi says the feedback that was given by the party’s secretary general, Gwede Mantashe at Luthuli House didn’t tell much of what happened at the three day National Executive Committee…
Feature: Salga Provincial Conference
The South African Local Government Association (Salga) in the Free State say they are well prepared for the upcoming national conference which takes place in Johannesburg from 28 November until 1 December 2016. OFM News’ Seithati Semenokane spoke to the Provincial Executive Officer of Salga in the Free State, Zamoxolo…
Feature: South Africans buying into Black Friday Fever
South Africans are buying into the Black Friday tradition more and more every year. According to the National Retail Federation, Americans have spent more than $50 billion each year since 2011 over this weekend. OFM News’ Moeketsi Mogotsi found out how local retailers and consumers have adopted this American custom.
Tax return deadline
People who have not yet submitted their tax returns have until 16:00 today to do so. This year's tax season for non-provisional taxpayers comes to a close this afternoon. The SA Revenue Service (Sars) says by yesterday afternoon it had already received 5.3 million tax returns with more than half…
'Ramaphosa's Marikana ghosts could come back to haunt him'
A labour analyst says Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa's Marikana ghosts could come back to haunt him. Terry Bell's comment comes after Cosatu yesterday openly backed Ramaphosa to become the ANC's next president. The trade union federation also said the next president should be someone who is not corruptible and is…
Free State govt wooing Chinese industrialists
The Free State government is wooing Chinese industrialists to invest in the Free State, especially in formerly established factory areas. Free State MEC for Economic and Small Business Development, Benny Malakoane says the province has 900 000m2 of industrial space in Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu, Phuthaditjhaba and Tshiame at Harrismith. The…
Unchange repo rate good news ahead of festive season
An economist says the SA Reserve Bank's decision to leave the repo rate unchanged at seven percent is welcome news especially ahead of the festive season. The Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee made the announcement on Thursday, meaning the prime lending rate remains at 10.5 percent. Economist Ralph Mathekga says…
Cosatu support for Ramaphosa 'first significant endorsement'
Political analyst Somadoda Fikeni believes the support shown by Cosatu for Cyril Ramaphosa to succeed President Jacob Zuma is the first significant endorsement for the Deputy President. The trade union federation made the announcement during a media briefing on Thursday. This as calls for Zuma to step down have been…
Interest rate likely to remain unchanged
An economist says the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is likely to keep the interest rate unchanged when it makes its last announcement for the year later today. The bank has kept the repo rate steady at seven percent since March. The prime lending rate is currently 10.5 percent…
DA dien mosie van wantroue in teen Tlokwe-speaker
Die DA in Tlokwe beplan om ‘n mosie van wantroue in te dien teen die Speaker van die raad, Kgosiang Mogeemang tydens die raadsvergadering wat vanoggend gehou word. DA-sweep, Neels Coetzer sê die party gaan vra vir die onmiddellike verwydering van die Speaker en die tydelike aanstelling van ‘n ander…
Save SA launches people’s motion of no confidence against Zuma
Civil rights group Save South Africa has launched a people's motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. Save SA convener Sipho Pityana, along with civil society organisations, individuals and struggle stalwarts launched the campaign, saying Zuma is a threat to the country’s economic stability. As Slindelo Masikane reports, the…
Efforts are being made to avoid ratings downgrade: Zuma
President Jacob Zuma says efforts are being made to avoid a ratings downgrade to junk status. Moody's ratings agency will reveal its outlook for South Africa's economic situation tomorrow, while Standard and Poor's will do the same next Friday. Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Zuma said…
Madonsela has no right to order me: Zuma
President Jacob Zuma says former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has no right to order the President to institute a commission of inquiry into state capture. Replying to questions from MPs, Zuma did not have kind words for Madonsela or her “State of Capture” report which directs him to appoint a…
Verklaring: Spesiale fotografie-uitstalling open by Nasionale Museum in Bfn
'n Baie spesiale fotografie-uitstalling, wat die afstammelinge van interessante en belangrike mense uit die geskiedenis van vyf interafhanklike lande en hul mense beklemtoon, open môreaand by Bloemfontein se Nasionale Museum. Die uitstalling, met gepaardgaande boek, getiteld Vêrlander, vertel die storie van vergete stamme in Suid-Afrika, Namibië, Indonesië, en Australië se…
Maternal deaths among HIV positive mothers increase in North West
Maternal deaths have increased among HIV positive mothers in the North West province, despite an overall decrease. North West MEC for Health, Magome Masike, on Tuesday briefed the media about investigations into maternal, child and infant mortality in the Province. This comes after a study by Saving Mothers North West…
Zuma to field questions in National Assembly
DA leader Mmusi Maimane says his party has requested that Parliamentary Speaker Baleka Mbete not chair today's question and answer session by President Jacob Zuma. Zuma will answer questions in the National Assembly for the last time this year. His previous sessions have descended into chaos with the EFF routinely…
Hawks confirm they will investigate Zuma's role in 'state capture'
The Hawks have agreed to investigate charges laid against President Jacob Zuma by the Democratic Alliance (DA). DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the specialised policing unit contacted him at the weekend and confirmed that the criminal charges will be investigated. Maimane was speaking to the media after a rousing "Back…
Brand op boot op Hartbeespoortdam ontstaan in kombuis
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Owerheid vir Maritieme-veilighdeid (Samsa) het bevestig dat 'n brand op 'n plesierboot op die Hartbeespoortdam, in die kombuis uitgebreek het. Die brand op die boot, die Prime Time, het die lewens van vier vroue geëis. Drie vroue het verdrink toe hulle van die vlamme probeer wegkom het en…
Minimum loon van R3 500 per maand voorgestel
'n Nasionale minimumloon van minstens R3 500 per maand of R20 per uur is voorgestel deur die paneel wat 'n nasionale minimumloon gister by Nedlac in Midrand bespreek het. Adjukpresident Cyril Ramaphosa het aangekondig daar was ook eenstemmingheid tussen die regering, die sakesektor en die arbeidsektor dat uitgerekte stakings vermy…