🇿🇦South Africa

South Africa still mulling over permutations for second test against Australia - Reuters

South Africa still mulling over permutations for second test against Australia Reuters

South Africa still mulling over permutations for second test against Australia

Decades after apartheid, South Africans seek justice for crimes of the past

More than three decades after the end of apartheid, families of victims of some of the worst crimes of South Africa's past are still fighting for justice. As survivors and perpetrators grow older, a new wave of legal efforts is seeking truth, accountability and reparations before it's too late.

South Africa: Land Reform Committee Calls for Decisive Action to Advance Women’s Access to Land and Economic Empowerment - Zawya

South Africa: Land Reform Committee Calls for Decisive Action to Advance Women’s Access to Land and Economic Empowerment Zawya

South Africa: Multi-Party Women’s Caucus Chairperson Calls for Urgent Intersectoral Action on Women’s Mental Health - Zawya

South Africa: Multi-Party Women’s Caucus Chairperson Calls for Urgent Intersectoral Action on Women’s Mental Health Zawya

South Africa: Fulbright at 80: Eight decades of exchange, innovation and people-to-people connection - Zawya

South Africa: Fulbright at 80: Eight decades of exchange, innovation and people-to-people connection Zawya

How setbacks and South Africa reshaped Wallace Sititi's All Black comeback - NZ Herald

How setbacks and South Africa reshaped Wallace Sititi's All Black comeback NZ Herald

IN THE DOCK: Carrim says doctors backed Dubai trip despite commission no-show

Too ill to return to the Madlanga Commission but well enough for an overseas pilgrimage, Suliman Carrim faced tough questions in court about whether he could be trusted to stand trial if released on bail. For now, he will spend the weekend behind bars alongside Shadrack Sibiya and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose names have also featured at the commission.

BACK TO WORK: Vindicated Masemola to return as SAPS boss as Idac clean-up continues

President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted the precautionary suspension of police commissioner General Fannie Masemola, clearing the way for him to return to the helm of the South African Police Service on Monday, following the withdrawal of criminal charges against him. His suspension stemmed from charges levelled by Idac.

TEAM TRAGEDY: Lions lock Hyron Andrews has died from suspected cardiac arrest — condolences pour in

Lions lock Hyron Andrews, 31, has died in a hotel room in France, where the South African team has been preparing for the Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle.

THE BULLET AND THE BIKERS: How a bullet has exposed battles between two of SA’s biggest biker groups

A MAC’s Motorcycle Club member was killed in a shooting in Pretoria recently, and a Crusaders biker was arrested. What followed was a stream of videos posted to social media showing individuals in MAC’s apparel clashing with Crusaders. While MAC’S says this is misleading propaganda, it all underscores the tensions between the two groups.

OUR CITY NEWS: Herman Mashaba targets illegal immigration in bid for Joburg mayoralty

ActionSA leader and Joburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba’s ambitions for the city are inseparable from his resentment towards the political parties he once worked with and his increasingly confrontational approach to immigration.

ECO WARRIORS: SA’s next generation of conservationists need laptops to turn qualifications into careers

Twenty young environmentalists are nearing the finish line to becoming the next generation in charge of protecting and restoring South Africa’s rich natural heritage. The only thing standing in their way is access to 20 laptops.

South Africa to open payments system to retailers, telecoms, fintechs in 2027 - Reuters

South Africa to open payments system to retailers, telecoms, fintechs in 2027 Reuters

POLITICALLY AWEH: Drill, Baby, Drill — Who’s reading the fine print at African Energy Week?

Petrol has crossed R30 a litre, and the oil and gas crowd has rolled into Cape Town to tell us the answer is… more oil and gas. This week, KG, Zoë and Stephen read the terms and conditions on African Energy Week’s promise to end energy poverty, and find plenty of drilling, very little wind and a wine label you need to see to believe.

I have a picture for you! 10 October-16 October

The First Thing newsletter's Ever-lasting Subscriber Photo Gallery.

CRÉATION AFRICA: Neimil blends fashion, interior design and art to tell authentic African stories

Keneilwe Mothoa rejects fast fashion and operates instead on a slow-design philosophy to create exclusive and handcrafted clothes and homeware under a homegrown label.

NEWSFLASH: Lions player dies from suspected cardiac arrest in French hotel

A Lions player has apparently died in a hotel room in France, where the South African team has been preparing for the Champions Cup debut against La Rochelle.

Ethiopia’s Abiy names new Tigray government, wants polls in six months

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has named a caretaker government to stabilise the northern Tigray region and prepare for an election within six months, after fighting erupted between a rebel alliance and federal troops.

EU leaders rally around Zelenskiy as Trump calls Ukrainian strikes on Russia a ‘disgrace’

European Union leaders rallied around President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at a summit on Friday as US President Donald Trump fired another salvo at Ukraine, calling its strikes on Russian refineries a "disgrace".

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, says defence minister

Bulgaria has formally asked NATO to deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to bolster its defences after a series of drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Friday.

Philippines hits back at Chinese envoy over ‘thinly veiled threat’ of force

The Philippines has chided China's ambassador for what it interpreted as a "thinly veiled threat" of force, after Beijing's envoy said his country would prevail in a confrontation between them.

Hazlewood says reverse swing may be a factor in South Africa test series

South Africa look to re-establish test credentials after Australia mauling

About 200 people rescued from unregistered South African rehab centre, police say

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 16 - About 200 people were rescued from an unregistered rehabilitation centre in South Africa on Friday, police said, with local media reporting that some had been chained and denied food.

About 200 people rescued from unregistered South African rehab centre, police say - Reuters

About 200 people rescued from unregistered South African rehab centre, police say Reuters

Fruit juice is not ‘more equal’ when it comes to sugar and public health

Fruit juice may seem healthy, but its concentrated sugar and lack of fibre warrant the same front-of-package warning as other sugary beverages.

RABADA RETURNS: Proteas make key tweaks for crucial second Test against Australia

The Proteas have made a couple tactical tweaks for the second Test match against Australia, dropping Tristan Stubbs for Matthew Breetzke and giving Ryan Rickelton the gloves in place of Kyle Verreynne. The match begins on Sunday, 18 October.

CHAR GPT: Hurtling into the unknown as science fiction becomes fact

Warnings about AI evolving to compete with humans for resources may be prescient, but they are already too late.

Watch — Ngobese-Zuma’s March and March: Tenders, funding and MKP

LEGAL EXCELLENCE: Katherine O’Regan receives George Bizos Human Rights Award, warns of shift to authoritarianism

On 15 October, former Constitutional Court Justice Katherine O’Regan received the George Bizos Human Rights Award, reflecting on the project of democracy and urging resistance to rising authoritarianism.

KATLEHONG MASS SHOOTING: Girl, 11, who survived ANCYL mass shooting still has bullet lodged near her spine

When a gunman opened fire on ANC Youth League members in Katlehong, killing four people, an 11-year-old girl buying sweets was among the surviving victims.

FIT FOODIE: A boma under an old oak in the Karoo — for another old oke

A long life can still teach you things, even if it might seem a little late to learn something new. Like being the oldest guy in training at your gym. And planning other activities too – of the culinary kind.

TASTE OF HOME: Identity, equity, clarity — and a cup of tea

As the COP17 Convention on Biological Diversity begins in Yerevan, Armenia, let’s look at South Africa’s rooibos, buchu and honeybush benefit sharing agreements.

WORLD FOOD DAY EDITORIAL: Hungry by design: hunger must be on the ballot on 4 November

The national food plan has lapsed, the coordinating council never met, and children are dying in our hospitals of preventable malnutrition. On World Food Day, hunger belongs on the ballot.

MADLANGA COMMISSION: No-show witness Suliman Carrim nabbed at OR Tambo Airport

North West ANC member and businessman Suliman Carrim has been arrested for failing to appear as a witness at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He was detained just before boarding a flight out of South Africa and is now headed to a dock in a Pretoria court.

South Africa dismisses appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies Block 3B/4B - Reuters

South Africa dismisses appeals against exploration in TotalEnergies Block 3B/4B Reuters

South African rand edges up as focus turns to next week's medium-term budget - Reuters

South African rand edges up as focus turns to next week's medium-term budget Reuters

South Africa: $30.4mln grant deal to boost Land Bank support for farmers - Zawya

South Africa: $30.4mln grant deal to boost Land Bank support for farmers Zawya

South African president reinstates suspended police chief - Reuters

South African president reinstates suspended police chief Reuters

Eroding purchasing power deepens pressures on ordinary South Africans

South African households are being crippled by a cost of living crisis that does not show up in headline economic indicators. To restore their purchasing power and human dignity, there needs to be an increased focus on logistics, municipal tariffs and structural reforms.

PAPER TRAIL: Panel recommends ‘removal’ of Athletics SA president over credit card abuse

Athletics South Africa president James Moloi has been found to have used his ASA credit facility as a ‘personal slush card’.

Ukraine hits Russian refinery as Zelensky says ‘we’re done’ with Trump’s energy truce

KYIV, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Kyiv was abandoning a ceasefire covering energy sites announced by US President Donald Trump, and criticised Trump's willingness to strike deals with Moscow.

Mexico shrinks protected area as world’s rarest porpoise battles extinction

MEXICO CITY, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Mexico's president said on Thursday a drastic reduction in the protected area for the near-extinct vaquita marina, the world's smallest porpoise, will help fishing communities, although critics fear the move threatens the species' survival.

Shooter kills four at Oregon elementary school before being shot dead by community member

Oct 15 (Reuters) - A 16-year-old shooter opened fire on Thursday at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon, killing four people including three children, before being killed by an armed member of the community who had pursued the assailant into the school, police said.

FBI, US Postal Service investigate suspicious mailings to election officials, legislators

WASHINGTON, Oct 15 (Reuters) - The FBI and US Postal Service's law enforcement arm said on Thursday they were investigating suspicious mailings, including some sent to state election officials and legislators' offices ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.

South Africa Court Rulings May Lift Confidence, PSG Chief Says

Court rulings on some of South Africa’s most contested laws could improve business sentiment after years of policy uncertainty, according to the head of one of the nation’s biggest wealth and money-management firms.

JOB LOSS FEARS: Cosatu calls for government ban of Shein and Temu to protect local jobs

While labour unions call for drastic government intervention to halt job losses, economic experts caution that an outright ban could fuel black-market trading rather than fix South Africa’s underlying manufacturing challenges.

EXTREME WEATHER : Agriculture Minister sounds ‘super El Niño’ warning bell and calls for water restrictions

Minister Willie Aucamp wants to see proactive measures in place to deal with the unfolding El Niño

LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: Loyiso Masuku promises culture shift in Joburg, says ANC could have done better

Johannesburg deputy mayor Loyiso Masuku, one of the party’s potential mayoral candidates, says the ANC must rebuild public trust through accountable councillors, better revenue collection and urgent action on failing services. But will voters buy it?

The intoxicating lie of white genocide — how US refugee policy weaponises SA’s pain

A lie about white genocide, served with the full intoxicating power of the United States, is quietly poisoning the room. South Africa’s job is to open the door before morning.

Uganda, South Africa review trade, security and migration ties - NTV Uganda

Uganda, South Africa review trade, security and migration ties NTV Uganda

Delayed captive lion exit plan leaves jobs and livelihoods in limbo

A comprehensive, Cabinet-approved plan exists to transition workers in the captive lion industry. What is missing isn’t detail or legal grounding, but the political will to implement it.

BUSINESS IN AFRICA: Zoning in – African countries pair factories, logistics and ports to boost investment

Industrial zones are becoming the focus as Africa seeks to enhance domestic value chains and be more competitive at a global level.

DAMNING EVIDENCE: Leave forms and bags of cash link Hawks member to alleged ‘kidnapping syndicate’

Leave forms, phone records and bags of cash. This is just some of the evidence the Hawks believe links one of their own members to an alleged criminal syndicate behind the murder of a Gqeberha prosecutor and at least two kidnapping and extortion rackets – all occurring within a space of three months in 2025.

BEATING THE BLACKOUTS: Power outages force Gqeberha manufacturers to spend big on fuel to keep lights on

Isuzu’s R380,000 diesel bill for a single day after a Gqeberha power outage highlights how failing electricity infrastructure threatens Nelson Mandela Bay’s manufacturers, jobs and investment.

WORLD FOOD DAY OP-ED: El Niño, oil shocks and hunger mean SA needs a synchronised food strategy

Geopolitical conflict, oil shocks and a looming El Niño threaten South Africa’s fragile food system, demanding synchronised planning across food, water, energy and trade.

BRICK BEASTS: Special needs learners win national prize for turning plastic waste into sports gear

With a clever machine, discarded plastic bottles and a determination to make a difference, five learners from Gqeberha special-needs school Cape Recife High School are turning waste into shin pads, rugby kicking tees and specially designed foot cups to support children with cerebral palsy in their wheelchairs — an innovation that has won them a national prize.

AFTER THE BELL: The battle for your pharmacy basket is waged by the loyalty cards

Clicks and Dis-Chem look evenly matched as they compete for pharmacy customers, impulse purchases and loyalty, while technology and share price moves reveal the stakes.

CONSTITUTION @ 30: ‘The judges in green’ — The story behind the Constitutional Court’s iconic robes

At one of the first meetings of the Constitutional Court, its president, Arthur Chaskalson, tasked Justices Albie Sachs and Yvonne Mokgoro with ‘décor’ and gave them R10,000. That’s where the story of the court’s iconic green robes begins.