Good News: Cruise Cape Town celebrates record-breaking 2024/25 Cruise Season

Posted on July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 by

Cruise Cape Town, a catalytic project powered by Wesgro, continues to showcase the powerful impact of strategic collaboration – marking its longest and most successful cruise season to date.

The 2024/25 season, which concluded with the departure of the Crown Princess, has been nothing short of impressive, with 83 ship calls, 11 inaugural visits, and a record-breaking 22 ship visits in March alone.

The 2023/24 season generated R1.32 billion for the regional economy and supported 2,000 jobs, underscoring the major economic impact of cruise tourism and its growing importance to the Western Cape.

An economic impact assessment of the 2024/25 season will now be undertaken, and we look forward to sharing insights when completed.

Ramaphosa commits to address KZN police corruption allegations

Posted on July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 by

By Gabi Khumalo

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the serious allegations of corruption within the South African Police Service (SAPS).

This comes after a media briefing by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, on Sunday, where he made various allegations implicating some senior SAPS officials.

Speaking at a media briefing on Monday after the conclusion of the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil, President Ramaphosa described the allegations as a "serious matter that should not be ignored”.
He said he will look at the matter more closely and have a thorough discussion with a number of relevant people, and “thereafter, there will be a clear way forward”.

“This is not a matter that should be ignored. It is a serious matter that has to do with the security of our people and also with our adherence to the rule of law. The police play a critical role in enhancing the rule of law and the safety of South Africans.

“Those who have done wrong should be dealt with thoroughly, in terms of our Constitution and our laws. This matter is going to be addressed,” the President said.

President notes US tariff announcement

Posted on July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 by

President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted the correspondence from the United States (US) President Donald Trump on the unilateral imposition of a 30% trade tariff against South Africa.

In a letter addressed to the President on Monday, President Trump announced that he would subject imports from South Africa to new 30% tariffs that would take effect from 1 August 2025.

“This 30% tariff is based on a particular interpretation of the balance of trade between South Africa and the United States. This contested interpretation forms part of the issues under consideration by the negotiating teams from South Africa and the United States.

“Accordingly, South Africa maintains that the 30% reciprocal tariff is not an accurate representation of available trade data,” the Presidency said in a statement.

South Africa’s interpretation of the available trade data shows that the average tariff imported goods entering South Africa stands at 7.6%.

The Presidency emphasised that 56% of goods enter South Africa at 0% most favoured nation tariff, with 77% of US goods entering the South African market under the 0% duty.

“South Africa will continue with its diplomatic efforts towards a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States. We welcome the commitment by the US government, that the 30% tariff is subject to modification at the back of the conclusion of our negotiations with the United States,” the Presidency said.

South Africa has continued to engage the United States, most recently at a meeting held on the side-lines of the US-Africa Summit on 23 June 2025 in Luanda.

“It was at this meeting where South Africa learned of a template with which the US wishes to engage sub-Saharan Africa on matters of trade. The South African negotiating team still awaits this template; however, President Ramaphosa has instructed the team [to] urgently engage with the US on the basis of the Framework Deal that South Africa submitted to the US on 20 May 2025.

“This framework deal addresses the issues initially raised by the US, including South Africa’s supposed trade surplus, unfair trade practices and lack of reciprocity from the US.

“The President urges government trade negotiations teams and South African companies to accelerate their diversification efforts in order to promote better resilience in both global supply chains and the South African economy,” the Presidency said.

The President has further noted that South Africa is one of a number of countries to have received this communication on 7 July 2025.

Home Affairs extends its operating period by two hours daily from 07 to 21 July 2025

Posted on July 8, 2025July 8, 2025 by

The Department of Home Affairs is extending its operating hours from 07 to 21 July 2025, by two hours daily. On weekdays during this period, offices will close at 18:00 instead of 16:00.

The Department is extending operating hours to assist learners who wish to apply for and collect their IDs during the school holidays.

To ease pressure on its clients, Home Affairs has also introduced dedicated counters for collections in large offices that process Smart ID Cards and passports, where space allows.

Clients have an option to book application or collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), which is available on the DHA Website through the link below:
https://services.dha.gov.za/#/authenticate/identity.

The Department also allows clients who may not have an opportunity to book appointments to visit as walk-ins.

Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber, said: “I would like to encourage all clients who have applied for their identification documents and have been waiting for three weeks or more, to seize this opportunity by visiting their Home Affairs office to collect these critical documents at their convenience.”