BV Oos-Rand

🇿🇦❌🇺🇸 In an interview with the New York Times, South African President Ramaphosa says that Trump's policies, including offering refuge to Afrikaners, is racist. “I do think the Afrikaner policy is racist,” Mr. Ramaphosa said. “It is that racist sort of demeanor that we want to be able to whittle down so that he can see the truth of the situation.” 📝 The NYT claims that the videos shown in the White House to Ramaphosa were "misleading". This includes videos of thousands of white crosses representing murdered white farmers and a popular politician leading a stadium full of people with the genocidal chant "Kill the Boer, Kill the farmer!" Last month, another US outlet attempted to debunk the violence against white farmers. https://archive.is/ZJRFk

SANDF Deployed to Combat Crime in South Africa South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the SANDF to deploy troops in the Western Cape, Gauteng, and Eastern Cape to support police in tackling organised crime, gang violence, and illegal mining. The military will operate under police command as a temporary measure, focusing on Cape Town’s gang‑ridden neighbourhoods and crime hotspots around Johannesburg. Recently, strings of army vehicles have been spotted on a train, fueling public speculation about whether they will be used locally or in broader military operations, though officials have offered no clarification.

Die Groblersdal-saak word WEER uitgestel na 12-14 Mei, die staatsaanklaer is siek. Ons advokate en prokureurs het wel begin beswaar maak oor die feit dat die saak nou al vir meer as twee jaar duur en dat die uitstelle ‘n groot finansiele las is. Ons hou moed en ons glo dat ons onskuld uiteindelik bewys sal word. Ons sal nie buig onder hierdie burokratiese aanval wat beoog om ons te verlam en te vernietig nie. Meer informasie later.

On February 7, members of the Congolese opposition sought to hold a conference at the French Senate, an event that quickly became mired in controversy. Tensions rose after an alleged attempted attack on the Senate building by Congolese nationals opposed to the gathering. While French authorities have released few details, security concerns cast a shadow over the proceedings. The event also drew protests from French citizens wary of potential political or financial entanglement in another foreign conflict, with demonstrators voicing concerns over the use of public funds. Attendance ultimately fell short of expectations. Engagement from lawmakers was limited, and several scheduled participants stayed away, citing threats in the days leading up to the event. The episode underscores the fraught nature of Congolese political disputes playing out on international stages.

South Africa is turning to its neighbors to address growing water shortages. Under the Lesotho Highlands Water Project, the country imports water from Lesotho’s dams to supply the Vaal River system, supporting Gauteng and surrounding provinces. In a new move, South Africa and Zimbabwe have agreed to transfer treated water from Beitbridge to Musina, expected to start in 2026.

Zimbabwe’s Mixed Signals: Pride, Policy, and Practical Failure At the recent World Governments Summit in Dubai, President Emmerson Mnangagwa defended Zimbabwe’s land seizures, framing the expropriations as a sovereign triumph. But on the ground, citizens risk life and limb crossing crocodile-infested rivers to escape policy-induced poverty. The government calls for the lifting of suffocating sanctions while continuing to hand key industries to the highest foreign bidder. The land reforms, which began around 2000, aimed to redistribute land from white commercial farmers to Black Zimbabweans. While intended to correct historical injustices, the program was poorly planned and often violent. Many experienced farmers were forced off their land, and thousands left the country entirely, taking with them vital agricultural knowledge and expertise.

An explosion at the Zuikerbosch Water Treatment Plant south of Johannesburg temporarily disrupted water supply to south and central Gauteng. The blast, caused by a motor failure, forced part of the plant offline, leading to low water pressure and outages in many areas. Emergency repairs have restored most of the plant’s capacity, but it will take time for water pressure and reservoir levels to normalize. The facility supplies water to over 11 million people in the region.

🇺🇸❌🇿🇦 The US Embassy in South Africa writes on X: "The United States notes with concern and alarm reports that the Minister of Defense and SANDF defied a government order regarding Iran’s participation in the ongoing naval exercises. Iran is a destabilizing actor and state sponsor of terror, and its inclusion in joint exercises – in any capacity – undermines maritime security and regional stability. It is particularly unconscionable that South Africa welcomed Iranian security forces as they were shooting, jailing, and torturing Iranian citizens engaging in peaceful political activity South Africans fought so hard to gain for themselves. South Africa can’t lecture the world on ‘justice’ while cozying up to Iran. And permitting Iranian military forces to operate in South African waters — or going to Tehran and expressing solidarity — isn’t ‘non-alignment’: it’s choosing to stand with a regime that brutally represses its people and engages in terrorism." 📎 USEmbassySA

🇿🇦 Klysi Kluisenaar on X: "Today 150 years ago, Die Afrikaanse Patriot was published. The Society of Real Afrikaners hoisted the written banner and lit the flame of Afrikaner national consciousness. Afrikaans is die bloed en siel van die regte Afrikaner-volk. Dit leef voort en sal weer magtig opstaan! 🧡" 📝 Die Afrikaanse Patriot was the first Afrikaans-language newspaper. The first issue was published in Paarl on 15 January 1876. 📎 KlysiKluisenaar

South Africa is facing its worst foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in history, with livestock across seven provinces affected, including pigs and cattle on commercial farms. The government is rushing vaccines into the country and launching a decade-long vaccination campaign, but outbreaks continue to spread. Quarantines and strict biosecurity measures are in place, yet the crisis shows no immediate sign of slowing. The economic impact is severe: meat prices are expected to surge, exports are disrupted, and the livestock industry faces tens of millions of rands in losses. Farmers and authorities are racing to contain this historic agricultural disaster, which threatens food security and livelihoods nationwide.

British digital bank Revolut has officially launched in South Africa, offering its full range of banking services entirely through its app. Customers can access international payments, currency exchange, cryptocurrency trading, and budgeting tools, all from their smartphones. But there are risks. Revolut still awaits full regulatory approval, has no physical branches, and international users have reported frozen accounts and slow support. Cybersecurity threats and hidden fees are also concerns, and local integration with payroll or bills may be tricky too.

A senior DIRCO official, Clayson Monyela, sparked controversy by seemingly endorsing a social media call to revive South Africa’s nuclear weapons programme. The comment was quickly deleted, and Monyela apologized, saying it did not reflect government policy. This is the latest in a string of missteps by key officials and leaders, adding to a pattern of moves that make South Africa appear like a “loose cannon” on the international stage.

South Africa Signs Military Deal with China South Africa has signed a multi‑million‑rand military deal with China, drawing scrutiny in Parliament. The Defence Minister confirmed the agreement, while opposition parties raised concerns about oversight and sovereignty. As part of the deal, Chinese technicians are assisting with a classified upgrade at a SANDF base, prompting calls for greater transparency. The partnership also includes joint training and upcoming BRICS naval exercises, reflecting growing military ties amid rising tensions with the United States. “Beijing is ready to work with Pretoria to safeguard its interests against external pressure.” — Dong Jun, China’s Defense Minister

The U.S. has tightened visa screening for South African travelers as part of broader immigration controls. One reason is to curb birth tourism, where visitors travel to the U.S. to give birth so a child gains citizenship. Applicants may now face more questions and stricter checks, though legitimate travel remains allowed.

#Breaking DONALD J. TRUMP SAYS THAT US ARMY COMMANDOS CAPTURED NICOLAS MADURO AND HIS WIFE! The United States of America has successfully carried out a large scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. Law Enforcement. Details to follow. There will be a News Conference today at 11 A.M., at Mar-a-Lago. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP the

40 years ago today, the ANC's armed wing, uMkhonto weSizwe, killed 5 white civilians and injured 61 more after a bomb was detonated on a busy high street in Amanzimtoti, south of Durban, as they were doing their last minute Christmas shopping: • Willem Arie van Wyk (2) • Isabella Margretha van Wyk (5) • Johan Smit (8) • Irma Bencini (48) • Anna Shearer (43) The ANC considers the perpetrator, Andrew Zondo, a national hero and several roads, as well as a primary school, have been named in his "honour" @SouthAfricaReports

Iranian Warships Deployed Toward South Africa > “The presence of Iranian naval flotillas in distant waters demonstrates our commitment to maritime security and international cooperation,” an Iranian Navy commander said. South Africa’s growing military and diplomatic relationship with Iran is one of the factors contributing to ongoing tensions between South Africa and the United States, as Washington views Tehran as a strategic adversary and has expressed concern over defense cooperation and BRICS-aligned military activities involving Iran.

Thousands of farmers from across the European Union gathered in Brussels on Wednesday, bringing with them about 500 tractors to Luxembourg Square, just outside the European Parliament. The large-scale protest was aimed at opposing the EU’s proposed free-trade agreement with Mercosur. The demonstration coincided with high-level talks among EU leaders, adding more pressure to the ongoing discussions. Around 10,000 farmers voiced concerns that the deal with Mercosur—a South American trade alliance including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay—could flood the market with cheaper agricultural imports. They argue this would jeopardize European farmers who are already struggling with rising expenses and stringent regulations. Many also expressed frustration over the possibility of reduced EU farm subsidies. While EU officials maintain that the agreement could boost export opportunities for European industries, farming organizations believe that the safeguards for agriculture are still lacking.