South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Wednesday 1 January
Stay up to date and informed with the latest news in South Africa – review all New Year headlines on Wednesday 1 January 2020.
In this special New Year edition of our daily news wrap, we take a look at what January holds for South Africa – from politics to sport and everything in between. It’s fixing up to be a particularly busy to start to a new year and decade, with celebrations giving way to the business of the month.
Today’s latest news in South Africa, Wednesday 1 January
New Year celebrations marred by chaos and criminality
The New Year has received a particularly chaotic welcome in cities across South Africa, as customary revelry descended into criminality. The South African Police Service (SAPS) was kept busy through all hours of the night, attending to emergency callouts and attempting to diffuse violent eruptions.
The scene was particularly dire in certain areas of Johannesburg, with Hillbrow exploding into a noxious mixture of drunken debauchery and criminal commotion. Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, reported that a host of arrests – ranging from drunk driving to serious assault – proved a worrying start to the New Year.
In Melville, a shooting incident left two people dead and six more injured.
Mawela is expected to address the media on the New Year chaos, as well as police plans to mitigate reckless behaviour as celebrations trail-off.
Cape Town gears up for ‘Tweede Nuwe Jaar’
The annual Cape Town Street Parade – better known as Tweede Nuwe Jaar by locals – is raring to go. In a departure from custom, however, this year’s parade has been moved to Saturday 4 January, resulting from a clash with the Jum’ah of the Muslim community.
The parade, which will kick-off from around 12pm is expected to attract more than 60 000 spectators. Tweede Nuwe Jaar, which sees colourfully dressed minstrel troupes parade through the streets of Cape Town – from Hanover Street in District Six to Rose Street in the Bo-Kaap – is regarded as one of the City’s most culturally rich events.
Class of 2019 waits with bated breath for matric exam results
The matric class of 2019 will have to wait a little while longer before finding out if their final school year was a bang or a bust.
Umalusi – the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training – confirmed that final results will only be made public on Tuesday 7 January. To find out how to access your matric results, click here.
Sporting action ahead
January hosts a plethora of sporting events, particularly of interest to South African sports fans.
The Proteas kick things off in Cape Town, facing England in the second test match, after defeating the hosts in the first encounter.
South Africa also plays host to the U/19 Cricket World Cup, which begins on 17 January.
Later in the month, rugby fans get a taste of the action, when the Blitzboks look to end up on top at the end of the Rugby Sevens Tournament in Hamilton, which kicks off on 25 January.
The Super Rugby tournament, which will see a host of Springbok heroes return to action, begins on 31 January with a South African derby, when the Sharks take on the Bulls.
Latest weather forecast, Wednesday 1 January
Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.
Live traffic updates for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban
Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.
Horoscope today
Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Wednesday 1 January.
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