The Witness

The Witness, formerly known as The Natal Witness, is a daily newspaper based in Pietermaritzburg. It primarily caters to readers in Pietermaritzburg, Durban, and the surrounding inland regions of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This publication holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously published newspaper in the country, with its first edition released on February 27, 1846. Up until the year 2000, it was the last mainstream daily newspaper in South Africa that was independently owned, before Media24, a subsidiary of Naspers, acquired a 50 percent stake. In July 2010, Media24 finalized the purchase of the remaining 50 percent shares in the Natal Witness Printing and Publishing company.

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#124092

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#941

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Boys’ camp aims to instil discipline, combat GBV

2 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

KwaMpumuza chief Khethokuhle Zondi recently hosted a young boys’ camp aimed at teaching discipline, education, social responsibility and economic awareness. The camp was held under the theme “Ukufundiswa ukuziphatha“, which means “teaching discipline and values”. ALSO READ | San youth bring culture and stories to the MidlandsThe goal is to help shape young boys into responsible and principled men.
Providing a warm gift to elders in the community

4 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

Fifty Imbali senior citizens were treated to an afternoon of joy and generosity on Friday, thanks to a local service provider, who handed over blankets to elders in the community ahead of Mother’s Day. The blanket handover was held at the Imbali Unit 1 community hall. Bayeni Civil’s and Development director, Mimi Ndlela, said they saw the need to lend a helping hand after being approached by the office of Msunduzi Municipality’s ward 19 councillor, Vusi Ngwenya.
Fear spreads as thieves target school in Azalea

5 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

Two armed robbers, who kept their faces covered, stole computer equipment from a school in Azalea after tying up a security guard in a walk-in safe during a midnight break-in on Tuesday. The thieves made away with eight laptops that were in a safe, broke a security gate, entered the computer room and took 11 computer towers, a WiFi sim card and an extension cord. “This is terrifying. We fear that these criminals might come back again,” a source at Nzuzwenhle Full-Service School said.
Opinion | An India-Pakistan nuclear war

5 days ago | witness.co.za | Gwynne Dyer

India and Pakistan have had several shooting matches since they carried out a total of nine underground nuclear weapons tests in 1998. However, they don’t make Putin-style veiled threats to use their nukes (about 170 nuclear warheads each at the moment), and they do understand that escalation from smaller, “conventional” wars is the real danger.
Mbalula commends ANC KZN interim leadership

5 days ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

ANC secretary-general (SG) Fikile Mbalula has commended the party’s KwaZulu-Natal provincial task team (PTT), saying it has made strides in restoring the party’s image in the eyes of both ANC members and the general public.
Second phase of Operation Vulindlela launched

6 days ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday officially launched the second phase of Operation Vulindlela — a programme aimed at speeding up service delivery and removing barriers to economic growth. Established in 2020 as a joint initiative of the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms, the first phase of Operation Vulindlela focused on the country’s energy, logistics, telecommunications, water, and the visa system.
Opinion | Should the ANC walk out?

6 days ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

As the debate within the ANC around the DA’s continued participation in the government of national unity (GNU) rages on, there is a need for ANC leaders to think outside the box. While it is true that the ANC remains the largest party in the GNU and Parliament, the clear message which voters sent out during last year’s general elections cannot be ignored.
WATCH | Premier tackles service delivery and financial crises plaguing KZN

6 days ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou |Chris Ndaliso

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has moved to address a series of service delivery and financial challenges facing the province, including ballooning debt in the provincial Health Department, non-payment of contractors, and poor performance in several municipalities under administration.
Judgment reserved in DA’s challenge

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Khethukuthula Xulu |Vhahangwele Nemakonde

The High Court in Pretoria has reserved judgment in the DA legal challenge to the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which the party says imposes unconstitutional racial quotas that harm minorities and threaten economic growth. On Tuesday, the DA squared off against 13 respondents — including the minister of Employment and Labour, the Commission for Employment Equity, the speaker of the National Assembly, the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, and all nine provincial premiers.
The ANC should listen to women, says ANC Women’s League

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

The ANC Women’s League (ANCWL) has called on the party to take the views of women seriously if it wants its renewal programme to succeed. KZN ANCWL provincial task team (PTT) convener Bongi Sithole-Moloi, who attended Tuesday’s ANC breakfast engagement with the province’s women in Durban, said the ANC belonged to the people, including women. The decision to consult women from all walks of life is a step in the right direction.