Author: crediblesource

By Nomzamo Mnguni To highlight the crucial role played by women in construction and the built environment, those in the sector met to as part of Women’s Month celebrations Durban’s Olive Convention Centre recently. “This industry is still dominated by men, but as women we don’t receive enough support in the field. It is very important to value women and give them the opportunity to lead,” said Thembeka Mnisi – the president of the South African Women in Construction and Built Environment (SAWIC & BE). Deputy Minister of Public Works, Sihle Zikalala, told those in attendance that he’s realised that…

By Prudence Mathenjwa In honour of Women’s Month, members of the South African Student’s Congress (SASCO) organisation distributed sanitary pads to female students at the Durban University of Technology’s (DUT) City campus. The political movement says this is because of their understanding that students have shortages despite many being on government funding through the National Student Fund Aid Scheme (NSFAS). They also say there is a bigger need for those who were defunded by the programme. “We first initiated a donations programme. That is why today we are able to have a “Pad Day Girl” here in City campus,” says…

By Bonginkosi Msezane “I am in Dubai and there are eight other African countries that have shown interest in Iris,” Thando Gumede says in excitement. It’s been a week since she revealed Iris, the humanoid robot that she has developed. “Iris is a teacher,” she explains. The 31-year-old from Hluhluwe says that the Iris has the ability to help with tutoring of school learners with a number of their subjects. She is the founder of BGT Technologies, an organisation that has been involved in a number of tech education in Northern KwaZulu-Natal for a number of years. Some of her…

By Gugulethu Jali Tensions were high in the area of Amatikwe in iNanda as residents clashed over access to limited water supplies. The area has been experiencing water cuts and severe water shortages. Water trucks started to deliver the water on Friday which leads to conflict as community members try to get to the scarce resource. “I was shocked to see my neighbours , people I’ve lived with for years fighting over water,” said resident Busisiwe Nzama. Because of scarcity, residents end up pushing, shoving and fighting. Another local, Lungelo Mathaba, says those who aren’t fast to get to the…

By Makhosazana Radebe Parliamentary communication adviser, Reggie Ngcobo, bluntly warned Durban University of Technology (DUT) journalism students that the profession they want to get into has a credibility problems due to a few bad apples. Ngcobo is an alumnus of DUT Journalism and is now Executive Director in the Office of the Speaker of Parliament. returned to his former campus to deliver a blunt assessment of modern journalism. His core message to students is that they must be journalists with integrity. He also stressed the importance of a strong contact list. “If you don’t have contacts, don’t call yourself a…

By Swelihle Mkhize Late one weekday morning, a man wheels a rusty barrow filled with black bags to a familiar open field in KwaMakhutha Township. Without thinking twice, he tips the rubbish onto a growing pile of waste and walks away. “The truck didn’t come,” he mutters over his shoulder. It’s been a year since South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed, a historic coalition between political parties that promised to turn things around and improve basic services. But for residents of KwaMakhutha, not much seems to have changed. The municipality does collect waste more regularly now compared…

By Amahle Radebe The community of the Durban University of Technology’s Steve Biko Campus is in shock after a student jumped to his death earlier today. The suicide was filmed by those nearby and the videos are being widely shared. One of the people filming from a distance can be heard as they say, “He surely must be doing a prank.” There is another video showing the student’s lifeless body on the ground with blood splashed around it. The area of the incident has been evacuated even though students kept on returning in an effort to see the body for…

By Nkanyiso Mchunu Poultry and pork farmers are on panic mode after the announcement that the United States of America has already sent a shipment to South Africa as part of a sweetener deal to ease relations between the two countries. American president, Donald Trump, shared his dissatisfaction about South Africa even before he took office earlier this year and then later hit South Africa with the highest tariffs of all African countries. Over the past decade, the relationship between South Africa and the United States has been anything but simple, marked by warm trade ties on one hand, and…

By Nomzamo Mnguni & Sompisi Ntuli The sugar industry says it is worried about insects that often attack sugarcane in certain parts of KwaZulu-Natal. This came out of the 97th Congress of the South African Sugar Technologists Association (SASTA) which was held in the International Convention Centre in Durban this week. They say the North Coast is particularly battling the Yellow Sugarcane Aphid (YSA), Longhorn beetle and White grub – even though those gathered in the meeting say the situation isn’t as bad as it’s been in previous years. “It’s less potent and manageable infestations that those that include those…

By Anele Kunene There were protests outside Durban Magistrates’ Court with the courtroom packed to capacity during the bail hearing of a police officer who is accused of brutally murdering his wife. Lawyer, Musawenkosi Mkhize, asked for the hearing to be postponed to next week as he said he was unable to meet with his client, Qiniso Sishi, as he was told he’d been receiving medical attention when he arrived for the meeting last week. The postponement was granted. 41-year-old Sishi who was smiling during his brief appearance allegedly brutally murdered his wife, Thando Mkhize (48), on 28 July. The…