
Top Stories
South Africa dodging tax hikes
Lower government bond yields in South Africa have cut borrowing costs, likely avoiding tax hikes in the 2026 Budget while also improving investment conditions.
FRIDAY, 13 FEBRUARY 2026, 08:32

Top Stories
Lower government bond yields in South Africa have cut borrowing costs, likely avoiding tax hikes in the 2026 Budget while also improving investment conditions.

Top Stories
These are the key developments happening in South Africa today, 13 February 2026.

Top Stories
Side effects of a common Parkinson’s medications had devastating consequences on one family, BBC hears.

Top Stories
Farage said it was “no surprise” Conservative MPs were choosing to jump ship to Reform, which has more energy.
South Africa
Cattle at a dairy farm near Hartenbos on the Garden Route have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease.
South Africa
Government united behind 2026 SONA priorities
Members of Parliament have welcomed the 2026 State of the Nation Address (SONA), expressing unified support for government’s commitment to tackling critical challenges affecting the country, including crime, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), transport bottlenecks and water infrastructure constraints.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday...
South Africa
Measures to protect SA’s borders
Government has announced additional measures to strengthen South Africa’s borders to curb illegal immigration and to protect the country’s security, stability and economic progress. “Funding to strengthen border security will be prioritised, covering infrastructure, technology and people. Key border posts will be redeveloped through...
South Africa
President Ramaphosa to Chair National Water Crisis Committee
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the establishment of a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will personally chair.
This as government intensifies efforts to confront South Africa’s deepening water challenges.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, the President elevated water to one of...
World
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed a thumping win in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, with leader Tarique Rahman poised to become prime minister.

World
The Tel Aviv indictment is the first publicly known instance of people being accused of leveraging military secrets to place bets on the popular prediction market.

World
Sussan Ley, plagued by poor polls, was deposed by Angus Taylor after just nine months in the job.

World
The US president has shaken up international relations and the continent is working out where it stands.

Africa
Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab has staged several attacks in Kenya, prompting the border to be closed.

Africa
Search efforts are continuing for the missing passengers, who included children.

Africa
Madagascar’s disaster management says roads are inaccessible with trees uprooted, power poles down and ninety percent of roofs ripped off.

Africa
The political rift that could spiral into conflict again after the vice-president was accused of treason.

Business
South Africa is on track to set up an independent power-transmission company, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, countering assertions that the state is revising the plan.

Business
Here are five important things happening in South Africa on Friday, 13 February 2026.
Business
Business

Politics
South Africa faces a deepening water crisis from ageing systems, neglect and drought.

Politics
Fort Calata, Matthew Goniwe, Sparrow Mkhonto, Sicelo Mhauli, anti-apartheid activists, were murdered

Politics
Political parties have expressed mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 SONA.

Politics
Political parties have expressed mixed reactions to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 SONA.

Sport
Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore both helped Ipswich Town in their rise up the football pyramid but are now bidding to knock their former club out of the FA Cup with Wrexham.

Sport
Crunch time for the Buccaneers.

Sport
The latest from the title-chasing Glamour Boys.

Sport
Former Kaizer Chiefs skipper Neil Tovey has preview Amakhosi’s trip to Egypt to battle Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup.
Education
[GroundUp] Many students drop out or find alternative funding
Education
Education
[Premium Times] The institute noted that Mr Jeyifo’s intellectual clarity and moral courage left an enduring imprint on colleagues and students alike.
Education
[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis, Feb 12 — President Kaïs Saïed emphasised on Wednesday the urgent need to protect pupils from the drug scourge, which has spread within and around educational institutions.

Lifestyle
Distraught woman finds out on live radio that her boyfriend has another girlfriend, after going into debt to help bury his mother.

Lifestyle
The SANDF band’s choice of song at SONA – ‘Water’ – and a near-disastrous 21-gun salute left many South Africans amused…

Lifestyle
Minister of Small Business Development Stella Ndabeni bragged about wearing local – including thrift store items – on the SONA red carpet.

Lifestyle
The principal of Roedean has resigned amid a public apology to fellow school, King David Linksfield, and the Jewish community…

Entertainment
Experts argue Gauteng’s water shortages stem from structural decay rather than excessive household consumption.

Entertainment
White South Africans risked comfort and security in 1992, voting yes to reform and choosing hope over entrenched fear.

Entertainment
‘Illegal mining undermines the rule of law, endangers communities, destroys critical infrastructure, and damages Gauteng’s economy.’

Entertainment
SANDF to enter Cape Flats and Gauteng within days as Ramaphosa labels organised crime a threat to democracy nationwide stability.

Science/Tech
South Africans are not permitted to gamble on online casinos and sports betting platforms that are not licensed locally, unregulated sites likely have the odds heavily stacked against the player, and banks are legally obligated to confiscate any winnings detected. “Given that there are regulated and licensed local online gambling options, anyone using an illegal, […]
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader shares a report: U.S. messenger app WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, has been completely blocked in Russia for failing to comply with local law, the Kremlin said on Thursday, suggesting Russians turn to a state-backed “national messenger” instead. “Due to Meta’s unwillingness to comply with Russian law, such a decision was indeed taken and implemented,” Kremlin spokesman...

Science/Tech
From digital IDs to AI-powered crime fighting, here are the key tech takeaways from Sona 2026.

Science/Tech
New York, USA – While mainstream media remains fixated on the volatility of equity indices, a far more significant structural shift is occurring in the global commodities markets. Driven by a perfect storm of geopolitical friction and “AI-industrial” demand, strategic metals have staged a historic breakout. Claude Riveloux, Chief Strategist at Ai Synthara, identifies this […]

Motoring
Suzuki Auto South Africa has partnered with the NSRI for Cars4Good 2026, a nationwide fundraising campaign that raises lifesaving awareness and support, with four Suzuki Jimny 5-door GLX manuals up for grabs.

Motoring
Monthly insurance premiums can vary, which is especially true of South Africa’s favourite bakkie.

Motoring
Hybrid and electric cars are starting to take off in South Africa thanks to an influx of new, affordable models.
Motoring
Health
Health workers in developing countries know that isolating tuberculosis patients is an outdated and potentially harmful practice, but lack the resources to move away from it.
Health
The program was meant to help hospitals provide for poor patients by offering drug savings. But critics say a Texas company has turned it into a big business, driving up costs for patients and insurers.

Health
Backlog drops below 7.3m for first time since 2023 in England, but concern over long A&E waits.

Health
What are the main symptoms and causes of bowel cancer, and how can you reduce your risk of getting it?