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🇿🇦The Citizen·2 hours ago
Malema blames ANC for youth unemployment in South Africa
EFF leader Julius Malema stated that the ANC-led government has failed young South Africans, leading to high youth unemployment and difficult living conditions. Speaking at the Onkgopotse Tiro Memorial Lecture at the University of Limpopo, Malema highlighted that young people witness opportunities going to those with political connections and tenders awarded to the connected, while their own businesses struggle and billions disappear through corruption. He noted that many young people stop applying for jobs due to constant rejection and lose faith in their qualifications. Malema described these challenges as a political crisis, leading to alienation from society, withdrawal from politics, and increased rates of drug use, alcohol abuse, crime, and depression among the youth. He urged young people to be courageous and actively fight against systemic injustice and oppression, drawing lessons from historical movements like 1976 and Fees Must Fall. Malema encouraged youth to attend the EFF's 13th anniversary celebrations and register to vote in upcoming local government elections, asserting that the EFF represents their struggles.
6 min read
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🇿🇦The Citizen·5 hours ago
Wealthy families accused of fraudulently claiming student financial aid in South Africa
Tens of thousands of middle and upper-class families are reportedly misusing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Nsfas in South Africa, diverting funds intended for impoverished students. Witness Maluleka, head of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Limpopo, described this as "black-on-black criminality." Benjamin Rapanyane, a political lecturer at North-West University, warned that this issue could lead to nationwide student protests if not addressed, as deserving students are being denied funding. A final-year public management student at Mthashana TVET college, who wished to remain anonymous, shared her experience of having her Nsfas application rejected within hours, despite her family's financial struggles. She has returned to class without funding for her final year and faces a R5,000 balance to write her exams. Nthatile Selebi, a civil engineering student at Tshwane South college, highlighted the suffering of genuinely needy students due to delays and missing allowances, while others exploit the system. She also noted that accommodation payment delays lead to eviction threats for students. Selebi expressed concern over the inconsistency in Nsfas funding, particularly the defunding of engineering students in occupational programs while other fields receive full support. Many students are stressed by late payments, sudden defunding, and a lack of communication from Nsfas, impacting their academic performance. A Facebook support group for Nsfas is
4 min read
🇿🇦The Citizen·6 hours ago
Month-old rhino calf rescued after poachers kill mother near Middelburg
A month-old rhino calf was rescued after its mother was killed by suspected poachers on a private game reserve near Middelburg. The rhino, named Behati, was found shot and dehorned between July 22 and July 23 at UBhetyan-O-Africa. The calf, whose birth was celebrated less than a month ago, was located around 14:30 on July 23 after a farm-wide search. Farm owner Deon Cornelius confirmed the calf's discovery and arranged for its airlift to a rehabilitation facility, believed to be in Bela-Bela. Middelburg SAPS members are investigating the scene. Separately, two men were arrested on the N12 near the Phola/Ogies off-ramp on July 23. Police stopped their vehicle and found two rhino horns, a hunting rifle, and live ammunition. The suspects, who could not produce permits for the horns or firearm, face charges related to illegal possession of protected species products and an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. They are expected to appear in the Ogies Magistrate’s Court on July 24. Susan Cornelius, co-owner of the reserve, believes one of the recovered horns belongs to their poached rhino, though this has not been officially confirmed.
2 min read