NSPCA welcomes long-awaited reform for lion captivity breeding ban

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CAPE TOWN - The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) has  welcomed the announcement by Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, on the imminent publication of the Lion Prohibition Notice banning new captive lion breeding facilities.   This long-awaited reform marks a pivotal milestone in dismantling an industry built on systemic cruelty, reflecting years of legal action, public advocacy, and inspections by the NSPCA. The prohibition confirms what the NSPCA has long exposed: the captive lion industry has operated largely unabated for decades, inflicting severe animal welfare violations, damaging South Africa’s conservation reputation, and flouting constitutional obligations to protect sentient beings. While limited to new facilities, this ban sends a clear signal that the commodification of lions for tourism, hunting, and the bone trade is no longer defensible. The NSPCA’s decade-long investigations have laid bare the industry’s brutality. O...
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#BudgetSpeech: SASSA Social Grants set to increase next month, billions allocated

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CAPE TOWN - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his much-anticipated 2025 Budget Speech in Parliament on today, Wednesday, 12 March.

Godongwana said for 2025/26, social grants will be allocated some R284.7 billion.

One of the highlights was that a number of social grant beneficiaries – excluding those receiving the SRD grant – is expected to rise to some 19 million in 2025/26 and 19.3 million in 2027/28 due to a growing population of older persons.


The grant increases this year include:

Old age grant will increase from R2185 to R2315
War veterans grant will increase from R2205 to R2335
Disability grant will go up from R2185 to R2315
Foster care grant rises from R1180 to R1250
Care dependency grant will increase from R2185 to R2315
Child support grant will go up from R530 to R560
The grant-in-aid will increase from R530 to R560

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