Special Official Funeral to honour Ambassador Mthethwa

Posted on October 9, 2025October 9, 2025 by

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late Ambassador Emmanuel Nkosinathi "Nathi” Mthethwa will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2.

The funeral service will take place at KwaMbonambi in KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, 12 October 2025.

Ambassador Mthethwa, who served as South Africa’s Head of Mission in Paris, France, passed away in the French capital on 30 September 2025, at the age of 58.

He was appointed as Ambassador to France in December 2023, following 15 years in Cabinet where he served in the portfolios of Sport, Arts and Culture; Arts and Culture; Police; and Safety and Security. His tenure in the National Executive was preceded by a lifetime of political involvement and leadership.

“On behalf of Government and the nation, President Ramaphosa reiterates his deepest condolences to Ambassador Mthethwa’s wife, Ms Philisiwe Buthelezi, and the extended Mthethwa and Buthelezi families.

“The President assures the families of the nation’s appreciation for the diverse roles in which Ambassador Mthethwa served the country,” the Presidency said in a statement.

The Special Official Funeral Category 2 declared by President Ramaphosa will entail ceremonial elements performed by the South African Police Service.

The President has also directed that the National Flag be flown half-mast from today until the evening of the funeral on Sunday, 12 October.

Mthethwa's body is currently enroute from France to South Africa.

Over 12 Million Jobless: South Africa Faces Unemployment Catastrophe

Posted on October 9, 2025October 9, 2025 by

South Africa remains trapped in the world’s deepest unemployment crisis, with over 12 million people unable to find work - and government’s piecemeal job schemes failing to make a real impact.

That’s according to the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) in its latest report, South Africa’s Unemployment Catastrophe: A Call for Urgent Action, which says economic growth and bold reforms are the only sustainable solutions.

CDE executive director Ann Bernstein said that for the past 17 years, about 1 000 people have joined the unemployment queue every day. While the labour force has grown by 42 percent in two decades, employment has risen by just 15 percent.

Bernstein said the collapse of Eskom and Transnet, a worsening fiscal crisis, corruption, and poor policy decisions have all strangled growth. “When an economy doesn’t grow, nor does the number of jobs,” she warned.

The report argues that programmes like the Expanded Public Works Programme and the Presidential Employment Stimulus provide only temporary relief and cannot replace structural reform.

The CDE says a labour-absorbing economy will require tough choices, including easing rigid labour laws, scrapping dysfunctional skills agencies, and cutting red tape for small and informal businesses.

Bernstein said an average growth rate of 4 percent could create around 400 000 jobs a year - but this would demand political courage. “The country needs leadership willing to confront vested interests and make the changes required,” she said.

“The choice is stark,” Bernstein added. “We can act with urgency and create a pathway to inclusive prosperity, or condemn another generation to joblessness. The time for reform is now.”

Comrades 2026: Winners to take home R925,000

Posted on October 9, 2025October 9, 2025 by

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) this week officially launched the 2026 edition of the iconic ultramarathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

The race will take place on Sunday, 14 June 2026. The launch, held at Comrades House in Pietermaritzburg, was attended by administrators, sponsors, athletes, government officials and media, and featured the unveiling of the 2026 race campaign, Ska Fela Moya – Setswana for Don’t Give Up. The slogan was selected from over 200 submissions from the running community.

A heartfelt tribute was paid to the late Cheryl Winn, the 1982 women’s winner and former CMA Chair who passed away three days earlier. Winn, regarded as the matriarch of the Comrades Marathon, devoted more than 30 years to the race and served on several CMA committees until her passing.

The 2026 Comrades will be an Up Run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, covering roughly 87 kilometres. It will be the 50th Up Run and the 99th overall edition of the race, first held in 1921. Many athletes are expected to use it as preparation for the 100th centenary edition in 2027.

“The 2026 race promises to be another exciting chapter in the world’s greatest ultramarathon,” said CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo. “We are committed to ensuring a safe and memorable experience with enhanced support, medical, and safety measures in place.”

Ngcobo added that the slogan Ska Fela Moya perfectly captures the Comrades spirit: “Every runner faces moments of doubt, but the determination to not give up defines this race and our South African resilience.”

Entries and Fees
Entries open in stages from 27 October to 26 November 2025, capped at 22,000 runners. Green Number Club members and CMA Members may enter first, with general entries opening 3 November. Entry fees remain unchanged from previous years:

South African entrants: R1 200
Rest of Africa: R2 000
International entrants: R4 500

Runners can pay in one or two instalments via the Comrades website or app. The Comrades Runners’ Relief Fund will again assist up to 1,500 disadvantaged athletes with discounted entries.

Qualification runs from 9 June 2025 to 4 May 2026 and requires completion of a standard 42.2km marathon in under five hours. Substitutions will be accepted from 1 to 15 April 2026, following a withdrawal period from 16 to 30 March.

Prize Money and Charity Drive
Prize money has increased by 10% across all categories. Winners in both the men’s and women’s races will each earn R925,000, with additional incentives for breaking Up Run records. The total prize purse now stands at R8.19 million.

Since 1996, the Comrades AmaBeadiBeadi Charity Drive has raised over R84 million for charity. Runners are encouraged to support one of the six official charities in 2026: CHOC, Childline KZN, Community Chest, Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust, Rise Against Hunger, and SANParks Honorary Rangers.

“The Comrades Marathon is more than a race – it’s a symbol of hope and humanity,” said Ngcobo. “We challenge every runner to carry that spirit forward and make 2026 a record year for fundraising.”