In an unprecedented move since the dawn of democracy in 1994, the South African government has cancelled Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s 2024/2025 budget speech due to policy disputes within President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity (GNU). The governing African National Congress (ANC) and its grand coalition main partner, the Democratic Alliance (DA), could not agree on the proposed 2% increase in the Value-Added Tax (VAT) from the current 15% to 17%.  The postponement, announced during a Parliamentary sitting in…

Egypt allocated approximately US$184 million under the National Veal Project. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. This initiative, spearheaded by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Alaa Farouk, recently approved around US$5.9 million to support 428 small-scale farmers and recent graduates. The total project funding will enable the acquisition of 4,280 head of cattle as part of the presidential “Decent Life” initiative, which aims to improve rural living standards. To date, the project…

With its extraordinary music performance and thrilling competition, the Singer 2024 TV programme won the hearts of audiences in Ghana, shortly after the nine-episode singing competition on Hunan Satellite TV gained widespread attention in China.  Besides Singer 2024, audiences in Ghana now have access to a variety of high-quality Chinese programmes on satellite TV offered by the Golden Mango TV (GMTV) channel.  GMTV was jointly established by Hunan TV International Channel and Ghana’s CGTV. Satellite broadcasting officially started on 10 August 2023, covering…

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to the 38th African Union (AU) Summit, extending warm congratulations to African countries and people. Experts from African countries noted that the message highlights China’s unwavering commitment to China-Africa relations and its steadfast support for Africa’s independence, self-reliance and development. They said that China-Africa relations will continue to serve as a model of South-South cooperation, as the two sides work together on the path to modernization. STRONGER GLOBAL SOUTH COOPERATION In…

This year’s opening of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature has been plunged into doubt after King Misuzulu KaZwelithini raised concerns about the newly chosen venue, saying it poses security challenges to him and other guests. The chosen venue is Woodburn Stadium in Pietermaritzburg after the provincial legislature dumped the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show Grounds which has hosted the official opening by two Zulu Kings for decades.  It is not known why the legislature decided to ditch the showgrounds for the opening billed for…

The 38th African Union (AU) Summit took place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, bringing together heads of state and government from member countries, as well as representatives of international organisations. The meeting addressed a range of regional and international issues, including socio-economic development, institutional reforms within the AU, and Africa’s growing role on the global stage. Additionally, a new Chairperson of the AU Commission was elected. The position was awarded to Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign…

Zulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has called an urgent imbizo of the Zulu nation to discuss issues of Ingonyama Trust and Ithala Bank, which are deemed a threat.  The imbizo would be held at Mashobeni Royal Palace in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, next week Friday (21 February 2025). In a message conveyed by the King’s former traditional prime minister, Reverend Thulasizwwe Buthelezi, he said the imbizo is called when the nation is facing threats and uses it to find solutions.  “His Majesty King…

A news photo exhibition titled “Lens of Xinhua, Images of the Century” kicked off on Wednesday at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. Coinciding with the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, the opening ceremony took place in a warm and festive atmosphere. The event drew officials from the United Nations Office at Nairobi, representatives of the Kenyan government, diplomatic envoys, local academics, media professionals and members of the Chinese community. In his opening remarks, Yuan Bingzhong, vice president of Xinhua…

Egypt is strengthening its global competitiveness by showcasing the country’s unique heritage and expanding promotional efforts to attract new markets. This is reported by Daily News Egypt, a partner of TV BRICS. The country recognises tourism as an important economic activity and is actively implementing a National Tourism Development Strategy to maximise its potential. Investment support, including partnerships with the private sector and the provision of various incentives, has also been prioritised. These measures have led to international recognition and…

Scores of families in Greytown in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands will spend tonight in open fields after they were evicted from a farm in which they lived for decades.  About 20 families claimed that they have resided on the farm known as KwaMajayiva since 1981 after the previous owner allowed them to settle.  The farm was recently bought by Pidelta Properties (PTY) LTD. Immediately after buying the farm, the new owner took to the Greytown magistrate court to obtain an eviction…