Here’s your daily news update for Friday, 30 August 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
News today includes the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa may take a giant leap forward next week as activists and their opponents face off in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town.
Meanwhile, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has come under fire after conceding it made major mistakes in setting Eskom’s electricity tariff increases.
Furthermore, the South African Afro-house music duo Black Motion received the most nominations for the 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMA), followed by Thandiswa Mazwai.
Weather tomorrow: 30 August 2025
Fine and warm conditions are expected across most provinces this Saturday, with extreme fire danger in northern KZN, eastern Mpumalanga, and central-northern Limpopo. Full weather forecast here.
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Sex work set to have its day in court in South Africa
The decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa may take a giant leap forward next week as activists and their opponents face off in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town.
And, pending the outcome of the case, the National Prosecuting Authority issued a moratorium this week on the prosecution of sex workers.
The initial case was brought by the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (Sweat) last year to declare criminalisation of sex work unconstitutional.
CONTINUE READING: Sex work set to have its day in court in South Africa
‘Time for meaningful change is now,’ says labour minister after partial win over race quotas
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has welcomed a court ruling against two organisations that challenged the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA).
Sakeliga and the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa) approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria last month, with an urgent application against race and gender targets set out under the EEAA.
Meth had issued employment equity regulations in April, following the Act’s enactment in January.
CONTINUE READING: ‘Time for meaningful change is now,’ says labour minister after partial win over race quotas
Nersa blunder on Eskom’s electricity tariffs triggers public backlash
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has come under fire after conceding it made major mistakes in setting Eskom’s electricity tariff increases.
Earlier this year, Nersa approved electricity price hikes of 12.74% for the 2025/2026 financial year, 5.36% for 2026/2027 and 6.19% for 2027/2028.
These figures have now been revised.
CONTINUE READING: Nersa blunder on Eskom’s electricity tariffs triggers public backlash
Last chance: Grade 1 and 8 applications in Gauteng close tonight
Parents and guardians in Gauteng have until midnight on Friday to submit applications for the 2026 academic year, as the Department of Education closes its online admissions portal for Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements.
According to the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), more than 800 000 applications had been logged on the system by Thursday evening.
Of these, 345 493 were for Grade 1 and 455 037 for Grade 8.
CONTINUE READING: Last chance: Grade 1 and 8 applications in Gauteng close tonight
Black Motion and Thandiswa Mazwai among the most nominated artists for the SAMA31
The South African Afro-house music duo Black Motion received the most nominations for the 2025 South African Music Awards (SAMA), followed by Thandiswa Mazwai.
The Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA) announced the nominees on Thursday in Gauteng. Twenty-five categories were revealed, with a further five to be announced in September.
Black Motion received four nominations, while Thandiswa Mazwai received three.
CONTINUE READING: Black Motion and Thandiswa Mazwai among the most nominated artists for the SAMA31
Here are five more stories of the day:
- ‘They are hungry for positions’: ANC internal battles spill out in Joburg council meeting
- Changes coming to Shein in South Africa
- 15 taxi drivers, owners interrogated after KZN taxi violence
- A VIEW OF THE WEEK: No new dawn, only a Mashatile midnight ahead?
- Ekurhuleni taxi commuters stranded as Santaco suspends operations
Yesterday’s News recap
READ HERE: Amber-Lee Hughes found guilty | KZN dockets returned | Young deaths surpass elderly
