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Established by the Department of Environmental Affairs in 2003, Working on Fire (WoF) has grown into one of the flagship job creation programmes in South Africa. 

South African government-funded programme Working on Fire (WoF) continues to grow from strength to strength, empowering local firefighters and even giving them a chance to work overseas. 

A teenager tells how her family’s  attempt to force her to marry an older man has left her scared and traumatised.

Ukuthwala, the practice of abducting young girls and forcing them into marriage, with or without the consent of their parents, is still a sad reality in parts of South Africa.

A teenager from a rural Eastern Cape village was recently abducted twice by a man 10 years her senior, who tried to force her to marry him.

Union Buildings

There is a proverb common to many African cultures which says that it takes a village to raise a child. This idea – that the broader community has a responsibility for the development, well-being and safety of each child – comes to mind when I think about the tragic and deeply upsetting death of 13-year-old Enock Mpianzi on a school camp recently.

When teacher Mapula Rampedi realised 20 years ago that she was not making ends meet on her salary, she looked to her childhood for a solution.

The daughter of a small-scale farmer who raised pigs and grew crops, and vegetables recalled how agriculture gave her parents the means to raise five children and fund their tertiary studies.

Although rain is a blessing for farmers, it can bring with it an increased risk of animal diseases.

Following the good rains that have recently fallen over parts of the country, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has warned that an increase in the number of mosquitoes that transmit Rift Valley Fever (RVF) can be expected.

RVF is a serious viral disease. Although it primarily affects animals, humans can also be infected. Signs to look for in animals include unexplained abortion and death,  especially in young cattle, sheep and goats.

A Mpumalanga emerging farmer is ploughing ahead, having already won a prestigious award and secured a substantial contract for her maize.

A young female maize farmer is taking giant leaps towards becoming a successful commercial farmer.

Njabulo Mbokane (24), the owner of a 200-hectare non-genetically modified organism yellow maize farm, was recently named the South African Breweries (SAB) and FarmSol Young Emerging Farmer of the Year.

A Johannesburg man’s innovative furniture is gaining international success, thanks to government-supported initiatives aimed at young artisans.

Sipho Twala is a young furniture-maker who has gone from being unemployed to showcasing his beautiful creations at national and international exhibitions.

There are various things that South Africans can do to save electricity and avoid load-shedding.

The Acting Station Manager of Eskom’s Matimba Power Station Obakeng Mabotja says the lack of sufficient power in South Africa impacts people’s lives because normal activities cannot happen during load-shedding.

Matimba Power Station is situated in Lephalale, Limpopo.

Khangelani Sibiya’s unique approach to teaching mathematics and physical science earned him the 2019 Best Global Teacher Award in Dubai recently.

Sibiya (33) is the head of department for mathematics and physical science at Siphumelele Secondary School in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).