Top stories this week: Concern mounts over Ukraine visa deal, Dingo Dinkelman dies and SA debt expected to hit R6.05 trillion in 2025
NEWS
Hold your horses: President Ramaphosa’s spokesperson hits back at Minister Leon Schreiber signing ‘Ukraine visa deal’
– Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that South Africa would grant visa-free access to Ukrainian diplomatic, official, and service passport holders, with reciprocity from Ukraine.
– Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya raised concerns, stating that President Ramaphosa had not signed the authorisation for Schreiber to conclude the agreement.
– The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the move, emphasising Ukraine's historical support during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and framing the decision as aligned with diplomatic values and human rights.
– Schreiber’s announcement comes amid political controversy following Ramaphosa’s recent visit to Russia and his remarks praising Russia as an ally, which the DA criticised as contrary to South Africa’s diplomatic stance.
– The DA emphasised the importance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and distancing South Africa from the ANC’s perceived support for Russia.
Read more
Wildlife crusader Dingo Dinkelman dies one month after he was bitten by a green mamba
– South African YouTuber and wildlife enthusiast Graham 'Dingo' Dinkelman passed away a month after being placed in a coma due to a green mamba bite.
– Dinkelman experienced anaphylactic shock following the bite, which was attributed to an allergy to snake venom.
– Known for his passion for reptiles and African mammals, Dinkelman shared his love for wildlife with over 400,000 YouTube subscribers, garnering millions of views monthly.
– His love for nature was inspired by his late father, who worked for the Natal Parks Board. Dinkelman leaves behind his wife Kirsty and three children, Taylor, Maddy, and Rex.
– Fans and followers were drawn to his fearless conservation efforts, infectious enthusiasm, and sense of humour, which made him a memorable figure in wildlife conservation.
Read more here.
Two missing Gauteng women found murdered in a mine
– Hester Flemming (52) and Cecilia Johanna Flemming (82) were found dead in an opencast mine in Eikenhof after going missing following a farm attack.
– Suspects reportedly entered the property by cutting through a fence and breaking a security gate, ransacking the home and stealing two vehicles.
– Gauteng police arrested one suspect found with stolen items and are continuing the search for additional suspects.
– Mike Bolhuis of Specialised Security Services expressed condolences, noting extensive efforts to locate the missing women.
– SAPS search and rescue teams are currently on scene to recover the bodies, with investigations into house robbery, kidnapping, and motor vehicle theft ongoing.
Read more here.
DA calls for suspensions after Justice Edwin Cameron claims Stellenbosch seniors ‘altered’ Wilgenhof report
– The Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging the suspension of SU Rector and Vice Chancellor, Professor Wim de Villiers, and Council Chair Dr. Nicky Newton-King over alleged report tampering related to Wilgenhof Residence controversies.
– SU Chancellor Justice Edwin Cameron claims De Villiers and Newton-King altered an independent investigation report on Wilgenhof, omitting recommendations for "campus dialogue" and instead steering toward the residence's closure without council’s full knowledge.
– DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp argues that the alleged tampering led the council to make decisions under false pretences, which has compromised transparency and trust in the university's leadership.
– Earlier in 2024, SU investigated alleged misconduct at Wilgenhof, finding “disturbing items” in two rooms. An independent panel initially recommended the residence remain open, promoting dialogue to address issues; however, the revised report advocated for closure.
– The university settled legal disputes with Wilgenhof representatives this October, agreeing on a plan to reopen Wilgenhof in 2026 and to implement reforms ensuring transparency and student accountability in residence management.
Read more here.
Wife who got infected with HIV during marriage is entitled to half of the joint estate, court rules
– Mpumalanga High Court ruled that a wife, who contracted HIV while her husband remained negative, is entitled to an equal share of the joint estate in their divorce settlement.
– The couple, married under customary law in 2009, stopped cohabiting in 2017. During divorce proceedings, the husband sought to forfeit the wife’s benefits due to her HIV status, alleging infidelity as the reason for her infection.
– The husband claimed the wife’s HIV positive status indicated she was unfaithful. The wife countered that the marriage breakdown stemmed from her husband's alleged abuse and absence.
-- Judge Brian Mashile found no evidence linking the wife’s HIV status to marital infidelity and rejected the husband’s forfeiture claim. He emphasised that: the wife’s HIV status alone was not proof of infidelity or cause for forfeiture, both parties contributed to the joint estate during their 15-year marriage, and forfeiture would unfairly disadvantage the wife.
– The judge ordered an equal division of the joint estate, including the government pension fund, and held the husband liable for legal costs.
Read more here.
SPORT
Springboks’ Handre Pollard lifts the lid on Rassie Erasmus’ famed man-management style
– Rassie Erasmus avoids harsh discipline, focusing instead on keeping players grounded without breaking them down.
– From the start, he stressed that entitlement—especially among senior players—can destabilise a team, maintaining this culture today.
– Erasmus has a keen intuition for recognising issues early and addresses them before they impact team morale.
– He uses "shock tactics" to counter complacency, especially after team successes, keeping players humble and focused.
– Senior players, including Kolisi and Etzebeth, are held to the same standards, ensuring they consistently prove their commitment and value to the team.
Read more here.
ENTERTAINMENT
Trevor Noah opens up about his mental health and leaving ‘The Daily Show’
– Trevor Noah described his time on the show as challenging and, at times, "absolutely terrible" due to the unexpected demands and pressures of the role.
– He received death threats and racist comments, often being told to "go back where he came from." Noah noted that some people resented the idea of him, rather than him personally, due to his race and differences from former host Jon Stewart.
– Despite the hardships, Noah expressed gratitude for the experience, acknowledging that his time on the show taught him a lot, but he eventually felt it was time to move on.
– Noah spoke about the narrow definition of masculinity that often prevents men from being emotionally expressive, leading many to struggle silently with mental health issues.
– He observed that men frequently discourage each other from showing vulnerability, creating a culture where men find it hard to express themselves emotionally.
Read more here.
LIFESTYLE
Kolisi divorce aftermath: Siya turns IG comments off as Rachel’s earlier podcast on relationship challenges goes viral
– Siya and Rachel Kolisi announced their split after over a decade together, releasing a statement on October 22 saying the decision came “from a place of love, respect and understanding.”
– Married in 2016, the couple has two children and also adopted Siya’s younger siblings, Liyema and Liphelo, following their mother’s passing.
– On a recent podcast, Rachel spoke about the challenges of Siya’s demanding rugby schedule, including extended periods of time apart, which left her managing household and child care responsibilities.
– Rachel expressed her frustration with a lack of presence, mentioning that attention on phones or social media during family time was a “pet peeve” and stressed the importance of being fully present with loved ones.
– The news shocked South African fans, sparking public discussion and emotional responses. Siya has since limited comments on his social media posts.
Read more here.
BUSINESS
MTBPS: SA debt will hit R6.05 trillion in 2025 - Godongwana
– South Africa’s debt is projected to increase to R6.05 trillion (75.5% of GDP) by 2025/26, with debt-service costs becoming the largest expenditure, surpassing economic growth.
– Debt-service costs are expected to reach R388.9 billion this year, consuming 22 cents of every rand in government revenue.
– To address the deficit, the government has reduced spending, achieved stable tax collection, and reported a primary budget surplus in 2023/24—the first in 15 years.
– South Africa’s GDP growth forecast for 2024 is revised down to 1.1%, from a previous estimate of 1.3%.
– The main budget deficit is expected to decrease from 4.7% of GDP in 2024/25 to 3.4% in 2027/28, with the primary surplus rising to 1.8% of GDP, aiming for sustainable growth and financial stability.
Read more here.
IOL