This week in 1994: Democracy 25

South Africa has reported 1 691 new COVID-19 cases, which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed infections to 3 560 921.

Several areas in the Vaal are still drowning in raw sewage, putting people and animals at risk.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there's no need as yet to reconstruct field hospitals to deal with the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has announced that the country will be receiving the first batch of vaccine this month and another next month.

Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Health, Law and Bioethics research group, Dr Marietjie Botes, speaks about key regulatory frameworks to ensure vaccine is safe before roll out.

The Progressive Health Forum of South Africa has on the other hand slammed the government's plan to procure vaccines in about a month's time, saying it is both inexcusable and unforgivable and will have far-reaching repercussions.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says they are expediting the delivery of a coronavirus vaccine in South Africa and are pushing for a rollout in February. He was addressing an online media conference amid calls for government to rapidly make a vaccine available in South Africa.

Dr Aubrey Mokaope will always be remembered as a powerful fighter against apartheid who dedicated his life to serving the ordinary people of our land, says the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.

South Africa’s COVID-19 cases have breached the one million mark, after recording 9 502 new cases. A total of 214 new deaths have also been recorded, bring total COVID-19 related deaths to 26 735.

The COVID-19 pandemic caught many industries off guard, and forced those in the creative sector to do things differently. For months live events and social gatherings were halted, which meant no income for artists who rely on live performances as their main stream of income. Most of them slowly moved their craft to digital platforms.

The Department of Home Affairs says that traffic congestion at the Beitbridge border post between South Africa and Zimbabwe has been cleared.

Provincial Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, revealed this during an interview with SABC News on Saturday.

The Health Department has stopped requesting 72-hour COVID-19 test results from travellers leaving the country through the Beitbridge border post in Musina, Limpopo.

Eight people have been confirmed to have died at the Beitbridge Border post in Musina Limpopo in the period starting December 14th. Hundreds of truck drivers spent their Christmas on the densely congested N1 road outside the port of entry.

Retired High Court Judge Siraj Desai has scoffed off the DA's insinuation that he will serve the ANC in his new position as the Legal Services Ombud. DA Member of Parliament's Justice and Correctional Services Committee, Glynnis Breytenbach, earlier said Desai was a political appointment who was open about his support for the governing ANC.

The Eastern Cape government has strongly condemned a fight between two groups of men from Mpheni and Nokhatshile villages in Mount Ayliff.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has described the travel ban that the United Kingdom has imposed on South Africa as unfortunate. The UK's move follows the detection of a new variant of the coronavirus in South Africa.

Anglican Archbishop of Southern Africa Thabo Makgoba says COVID-19 regulations and protocols must be followed by churches to save lives. The church moved its annual midnight mass held every Christmas Eve at the St George's Cathedral to 5pm today, which Makgoba says, is in line with lockdown restrictions.

Rugby Union CEO, Jurie Roux, has been ordered to repay R37 million to Stellenbosch University. Roux has been found to have breached the terms of his contract while still at the university by allocating millions from the institution's coffers in unbudgeted expenditure to the Maties rugby club.

An increasing number of South Africans, including young people, are going out to test for coronavirus as new cases escalate. 

Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe has started canvassing for support to ensure he takes over as president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) next year.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala says 13 people are dying everyday from the coronavirus in the province. He was briefing the media on how the virus is progressing during the festive season.  

The City of Cape Town is calling on National Government to reconsider the new curfew introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. The City says the curfew has led to the cancellation of scores of flights as many airlines had late night operations.

As this year wraps up  - the South African Football Association (SAFA) has paid homage to members of the football fraternity who lost their lives in 2020.

Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has also called on South Africans to donate to the people of Masiphumelele after a devastating fire. At least 1 000 structures were destroyed, while 4 000 people have been left without a roof over their heads.

The public broadcaster's top radio station - Ukhozi FM - has encouraged its listeners to vote for their favourite song of the year.

The City of Cape Town has deployed various ground teams to monitor COVID-19 compliance within communities and at its beaches. Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says adhering to safety regulations is important amid the second surge of infections.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) community in the Northern Cape says 2020 been a tumultuous year.

COVID-19 infections continue to climb in South Africa, with the Health Department reporting 9 126 cases overnight.

Traditional leaders' organisation, Contralesa, is appealing to all South Africans to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.