Top Stories

Top Stories
Christmas anxiety for thousands of Gauteng parents as school placement delays leave children in limbo
A total of 40,586 pupils in Gauteng were unplaced on December 3.

Top Stories
David Walliams dropped from Waterstones Children’s Book Festival
Author has strongly denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour which emerged last week.
Top Stories
BEST SMALL TOWNS: Barrydale has earned this award for so many reasons
It only has about 4,000 residents, many who have come from afar to settle here, and despite a quiet lifestyle, there’s not a dull moment.
South Africa
Manhunt for Bekkersdal mass shooting suspects underway
Manhunt for Bekkersdal mass shooting suspects underway
Police have launched a manhunt to find suspects linked to the mass shooting perpetrated at a tavern in Bekkersdal in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident claimed 11 lives, with 10 others taken to medical facilities for injuries.
“It is reported that about 12 unknown suspects in a white kombi and a silver sedan...
South Africa
Condolences for veteran NPA prosecutor
Condolences for veteran NPA prosecutor
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, has extended condolences on the passing of the National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Riegel Du Toit.
“The Minister extends her heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and relatives of Advocate Du Toit during this difficult...
South Africa
Weather Service issues disruptive rain, fire danger warning across South Africa
Weather Service issues disruptive rain, fire danger warning across South Africa
The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a weather warning for disruptive rains and severe thunderstorms across the country for today.
The warnings for rain are as follows:
Orange level 5 warning: Disruptive rain resulting in flooding of settlements (both formal and informal) and roads,...
South Africa
Power system ‘stable’ as festive season demand approaches
Power system ‘stable’ as festive season demand approaches
Eskom has assured that it will keep the lights on this festive season and meet demand.
In a statement, the power utility said the national power system remains stable and consistently meets “demand as Eskom’s generation performance continues to improve”.
“The success of the Generation Recovery Plan, combined with the...

World
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine continue in Florida
The latest on the negotiations to end Russia’s war on Ukraine, as talks with representatives from Moscow, Kyiv and the Trump administration continue in Miami this week.
World
News24 | 130 children kidnapped from Catholic school in Nigeria freed
Nigerian authorities have secured the release of 130 kidnapped schoolchildren taken by gunmen from a Catholic school, according to a presidential spokesperson, after 100 were freed earlier this month.
World
News24 | Albanese calls for tougher laws, as Bondi ‘ISIS-inspired terrorist’ transferred to jail
Australian police transferred the only surviving suspect in last week’s deadly Bondi shooting from hospital to jail, the force said in a statement.
World
News24 | US hunts third oil tanker in Venezuela naval campaign against ‘narcoterrorism’
The US Coast Guard was pursuing another allegedly sanctioned tanker, a US official told AFP, as Washington ramps up its pressure campaign targeting Venezuela’s vital oil sector.

Africa
Will Afcon 2025 be a defining moment for Morocco?
Morocco has spent more than a decade reshaping its football, but will hosting Afcon 2025 allow the country to end a 50-year wait for the trophy?

Africa
Uganda prison officer sacked for ‘politicking’ on TikTok
Ugandan law requires public servants to remain politically neutral and bars them from active politics.

Africa
More British boxers will fight in Nigeria – Okolie
Former world champion and Olympian Lawrence Okolie believes his decision to fight in Lagos will inspire other big British names including Anthony Joshua.

Africa
Malawian state’s rhetoric belies reality
Communities grapple daily with failing health services, entrenched corruption and gender inequality, leaving women and girls literally walking for survival

Business
How AI Is Reshaping Online Trading in South Africa: 2025 Insights and What to Expect in 2026
In South Africa, traders are increasingly seeking FSCA-regulated trading platforms that combine security, transparency, and AI-powered tools to access both local and global markets with confidence.

Business
Iconic 7-star American hotel brand coming to South Africa
An iconic ultra-luxury American hotel brand is officially coming to South Africa.

Business
Browsers to Believers: The ‘Trust Engine’ Behind Leroy Merlin’s SA Surge
French DIY retailer Leroy Merlin’s rise in South Africa is often attributed to its expansive stores, wide product ranges, and competitive pricing.

Business
Christmas busier than Mother’s Day, florist says
Bea Prosser says the community gave support at a time when small businesses struggled.

Politics
Joburg still a battleground for hijackers, crime syndicates: Mashaba
The City of Johannesburg is currently facing significant challenges with hijacked buildings.

Politics
Commission recommends 4.1% salary increase for Public Office Bearers
The proposed salary increases, if approved, could see the President earning R3.4 million annually.

Politics
No response yet on Batohi application to amend Nkabinde Enquiry terms
The enquiry is investigating suspended advocate Andrew Chauke’s fitness to hold office.
Politics
News24 | ANC calls on South Africans to defend democracy against AfriForum’s ‘racist disinformation’
The ANC called on South Africans to defend their democracy and to reject “AfriForum’s racist disinformation campaign”.

Sport
Three Bafana Bafana players to watch at AFCON
Bafana Bafana kick off their AFCON campaign against Angola on Monday evening. Can Hugo Broos’ men go all the way?

Sport
Who’s leading the race for the Golden Shoe?
As the halfway mark of the 2025/26 campaign approaches, BBC Sport takes a look at the frontrunners for this season’s European Golden Shoe award.

Sport
‘Bobby doesn’t play football’: Motaung on Chiefs criticism
Bobby Motaung has shared a humorous story while addressing the blame he often receives whenever Kaizer Chiefs fail to deliver results.

Sport
Belcher back for Cardiff after ‘scary’ nerve issue
Captain Liam Belcher has revealed how numbness in his finger spread up is arm after nerve damage during Wales’ autumn campaign.
Education
Nigeria: More Details Emerge As Niger School Abductees Regain Freedom
[Premium Times] The kidnapping and release of the students and staff members comes amid a resurgence of mass kidnappings across Nigeria.
Education
Africa: All of Africa Today – December 22, 2025
[allAfrica]
Education
Nigeria: Remaining Abducted Niger Catholic School Students, Teachers Regain Freedom
[Premium Times] Sources said the freed students and teachers are currently being transported to Minna, the Niger State capital,
Education
Nigeria: Remaining 130 Abducted Niger Pupils Released
[Vanguard] All the schoolchildren abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri community, Niger State, have now been released, following the freedom of the final group of 130 victims, bringing the total number of rescued pupils to 230.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Siya Kolisi’s Christmas with kids: Here’s where they are on vacation
Siya Kolisi and his kids, who he shares with estranged wife Rachel Kolisi, are on vacation in an island paradise. Can you guess where?
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
WATCH: ANC calls for probe after Bitou deputy mayor allegedly fires gun in public
Nokuzola Kolwapi was caught on camera firing several shots into the air.

Entertainment
15 years of leading smartphone camera technology: A history of Galaxy camera innovation
For the past 15 years, Samsung has been one step ahead, pushing mobile photography to new heights and ushering in a new era of Galaxy camera technology.

Entertainment
Lions skipper Francke Horn: ‘Rest and recover, then we go again’
The Lions have lost three straight matches, and six out of nine this season, and have to try and turn things around in January.

Entertainment
How some of South Africa’s celebs are celebrating Christmas in 2025 – pictures
From cherished family traditions to moments of rest and reflection, here is how some of Mzansi media personalities plan to spend the festive season.

Science/Tech
Two banks are rolling out new branches across South Africa
All but two of South Africa’s biggest banks have shrunk their branch footprints since 2020.

Science/Tech
Testing the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro in our studio where obstacles abound – this was my experience
I recently got the chance to put the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 Pro through its paces, and this was my experience.

Science/Tech
Can you solve it? Are you ready for twenty twenty-six…seven?
The year ahead in numbers
As we say goodbye to 2025, let’s delight in its numerical charms one final time. The year was unique this century as being a square number.
442 = 1936
452 = 2025
462 = 2116
Five 9s
Six 8s.
Six 7s.
Six 6s.
Four 5s.
Six 4s.
Four 3s.
Four 2s.
a partridge in a pear tree. (Only joking)
Continue reading…
Science/Tech
In 2025 Scammers Have Stolen $835M from Americans Using Fake Customer Service Numbers
They call it “the business-impersonator scam”. And it’s fooled 396,227 Americans in just the first nine months of 2025 — 18% more than the 335,785 in the same nine months of 2024. That’s according to a Bloomberg reporter (who also fell for it in late November), citing the official statistics from America’s Federal Trade Commission:Some pose as airline staff on social media and respond to...

Motoring
How to survive South Africa’s roads this festive season
South Africans must take their own steps to prepare and avoid becoming a statistic.

Motoring
The dangerous driving habit South Africans fall into every December
South Africans have a dangerous habit of drunk driving over the holiday period.

Motoring
Advertise to 1.5 million South African car buyers on TopAuto
TopAuto offers unmatched reach for brands looking to influence South Africa’s most active motoring consumers.

Motoring
Motorists are selling their cars to avoid this one feature
Motorists and rental companies are avoiding cars with this feature over safety concerns.

Health
Living and Light
Illuminating new science on artificial light and our health.
Health
Older Americans Quit Weight-Loss Drugs in Droves
In some studies, half of patients stopped taking GLP-1s within a year despite the benefits, citing the expense and side effects.
Health
What Is ‘Functional Freeze’?
The term has been popularized on social media to describe numbness and low motivation. Experts offer ways to break out of these feelings.
Health
R.F.K. Jr. Likely to Swap U.S. Childhood Vaccine Schedule for Denmark’s
The shift would mean fewer shots recommended for children. But a Danish health official found the idea baffling, saying the United States was getting “crazier and crazier in public health.”