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Cryptic Crossword JDE 522
Welcome to the only South Africanised weekly cryptic crossword.Clue of the week:12 Supports announcement of “Drinks!” (4)

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20 March 2026
The Mail & Guardian Digital Edition – 13 March 2026
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South Africa
Suspension of transport leaves scores of UMP students stranded
UMP has moved to online lectures after the private accommodation providers halted student transport

South Africa
Investigation traces Mathibeli’s company weapons to volatile Inanda
The compliance investigation follows a ruling by the Durban High Court on Tuesday

South Africa
Unisa welcomes court interdict against former Registrar Mothata
Former Registrar, Professor Steward Mothata has been ordered to apologise to Unisa.
South Africa
Government reassures South Africans of reliable water access
Government reassures South Africans of reliable water access
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring access to sufficient, safe and reliable water, as parts of the country continue to grapple with supply challenges.“We have come up with several resolutions that will assist provinces and municipalities and all water authorities to be...
World
News24 | Nigerian president warns of terrorism threat during historic UK state visit
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu talked of how his country is “challenged by terrorism” as he met Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday as part of his state visit to the UK.
World
News24 | Six major powers unite against Iran’s Strait of Hormuz blockade as 20 000 seafarers stranded
Six major international powers, including Britain, France, Germany and Japan, said on Thursday they were ready “to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz”.

World
Fear, defiance, and anger: Iranians describe life under bombardment
In messages to NPR, Tehran residents describe largely deserted streets roamed by paramilitary officials and vigilantes. They say security forces are banning gatherings for Nowruz, the Persian new year, this week.

World
As Pakistan and Afghanistan declare truce, civilians in Kabul count the cost of war
At the Emergency Hospital, dozens crowded around a thick book to check the names of the victims killed in an airstrike on a rehabilitation center. The UN says over a hundred people were killed.

Africa
UK reveals aid priorities after major cuts to budget
Aid groups and MPs have raised concerns over the move to prioritise defence spending over aid.

Africa
Starmer meets Nigerian president as record steel deal agreed
The deal came as part of the president’s state visit to the UK – the first by a west African leader in 37 years.

Africa
Chad shuts Sudan border after 17 killed in drone strike on mourners
President Idris Mahamat Déby orders the military to be on high alert and retaliate against further attacks.

Africa
DR Congo and Rwanda agree to ease tensions after talks in US
The conflict has persisted despite a peace deal signed by DR Congo and Rwanda in December.

Business
Faisal Islam: Iran war is having an astonishing effect on the UK economy
The knock-on effects of the war in the Gulf go beyond a hold on interest rates and are set to reverberate for months.
Business

Business
Andre de Ruyter says Eskom knows South Africa is heading for a cliff
Former Andre de Ruyter has warned that Eskom is fully aware that South Africa is heading toward a crisis unless urgent action is taken—and the time to act is now.
Business

Politics
Knysna’s deepening water crisis needs to be managed properly: DA
The municipality is currently headed by an ANC led coalition.

Politics
Tshwane Mayor places MMC Kholofelo Morodi on special leave
The City says it treats matters of this nature with the utmost seriousness

Politics
Mashatile says plans afoot to end ‘water tanker mafia’
Mashatile added that municipalities will be required to ringfence water revenue.

Politics
Ackermann rejects “apartheid prosecutor” label at TRC inquiry
Ackerman was cross-examined at the TRC Cases Inquiry in Newtown, Johannesburg.

Sport
‘They don’t know football’: Broos defends Sibisi’s inclusion
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos says Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi deserves to be in the latest squad despite criticism.

Sport
Host of Orlando Pirates stars called up for international duty
Orlando Pirates will be represented across four football nations during the upcoming FIFA international break.

Sport
Fernandez fully committed to Chelsea – Rosenior
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior says midfielder Enzo Fernandez is “fully committed” to the club after the midfielder appeared to cast doubt on his future.

Sport
Wales captain Morgan poised for Ospreys comeback
Wales captain Jac Morgan is set to return from a shoulder injury for Ospreys at Benetton in the URC on Saturday.
Education
Namibia: Zambezi Plans to Relocate 9 Flood-Affected Schools
[Namibian] The Zambezi regional education directorate is considering the relocation of about nine flood-affected schools in the eastern part of the Zambezi region.
Education
Namibia: Rundu Pupils Blame Cockroaches and Dirty Kitchen for Suspected Food Poisoning At School Hostel
[Namibian] Pupils at Rundu Secondary School in the Kavango East region are blaming the hostel’s alleged dirty kitchen and unhygienic conditions after 15 of them were treatment for suspected food poisoning yesterday.
Education
Uganda: Lukwago Warns On School Land As He Bids Farewell to Learners
[Nile Post] The Lord Mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, has warned that ongoing land wrangles affecting schools under the city authority pose a serious threat to education, urging urgent protection of school land as he prepares to leave office.
Education
Uganda: Universities Warned – Align Programmes or Risk Being Phased Out
[Nile Post] Universities across Uganda have been put on notice to urgently align their academic programmes with the new competency-based education framework or risk having those programmes discontinued.

Lifestyle
Jojo Robinson surprises husband with Lamborghini gift
Jojo Robinson surprises her husband with a rented Lamborghini, impressing fans with her creative and stylish gesture.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
One million homes in three SA townships to benefit from high-speed fibre
High-speed fibre is rolling out in three South African townships, with plans to expand access to one million homes.

Lifestyle
Yvonne Chaka Chaka rings in 61 with prestigious Forbes Award
South African musician and philanthropist Yvonne Chaka Chaka celebrated her 61st birthday and received an awesome Forbes award in one day.
Entertainment

Entertainment
Lira returns to Lyric Theatre with solo show after six years
The concert will take place at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg in April.

Entertainment
24 hours in pictures, 19 March 2026
Through the lens: The Citizen’s Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.

Entertainment
‘This act is not just vandalism’: Sobukwe’s grave desecration sparks outrage
PAC reports criminal case after Sobukwe’s gravesite desecration, urging law enforcement to protect his legacy and arrest the perpetrators.
Science/Tech
OpenAI Acquires Developer Tooling Startup Astral
OpenAI announced it’s acquiring developer tooling startup Astral to strengthen its Codex AI coding assistant, which has over 2 million weekly users and has seen a three-fold increase in user growth since the start of the year. CNBC reports: “Through it all, though, our goal remains the same: to make programming more productive. To build tools that radically change what it feels like to build...

Science/Tech
A New Game Turns the H-1B Visa System Into a Surreal Simulation
Inspired by real immigrant stories, H1B.Life captures the uncertainty, trade-offs, and pure luck that shape the lives of people trying to build a future in the US.

Science/Tech
Eskom must build renewables or face extinction: Mteto Nyati
Eskom board chairman Mteto Nyati says the utility’s new renewables entity is about long-term survival.

Science/Tech
ChatGPT’s ‘Adult Mode’ Could Spark a New Era of Intimate Surveillance
OpenAI plans to allow sexting with ChatGPT. A human-AI interaction expert warns of a privacy nightmare.

Motoring
Don’t try to sell petrol in South Africa
South Africans can face strict penalties for selling petrol and diesel without formal approval.
Motoring

Motoring
Toyota recalls over 1,800 cars in South Africa
More than 1,800 Toyota SUVs have been recalled in South Africa.

Motoring
How much petrol you waste sitting in your car with the engine running
Motorists in South Africa can waste hundreds of rand in petrol letting the engine run for extended periods.

Health
Hospital waiting lists in Wales see record drop
Wait times for planned care are falling but diagnostic and cancers waits are up, latest figures indicate.

Health
‘People with ADHD are great in a crisis’
‘People with ADHD are great in a crisis’
Health
Trauma Bonding: What It Means and How to Spot the Signs
The phrase has been used online to describe connections built through shared suffering, but experts say that’s all wrong.

Health
Patients harmed as Covid pandemic brought NHS close to collapse, inquiry finds
Third report into the pandemic says patients and staff were failed as health service only just coped.