
Top Stories
06 March 2026
The Mail & Guardian Digital Edition – 06 March 2026
THURSDAY, 05 MARCH 2026, 19:30

Top Stories
The Mail & Guardian Digital Edition – 06 March 2026

Top Stories
Ukraine’s president says Kyiv will only help if doing so does not deplete its own air defences.
Top Stories
In Cape Town you know there’s a fire before you see or smell it. The thud thud of the big old Huey helicopters trailing buckets is a sure sign that somewhere the mountain’s burning.
Top Stories
Researching and writing the Storied Mountain series has been a lesson in deep time, and made me think about how short our time on this planet has been, both as a species and as individuals.

South Africa
“Smith will thus serve seven-year direct imprisonment for his involvement in criminality.”

South Africa
The NDMP is South Africa’s central policy framework for addressing substance use

South Africa
Winde says more than 41-thousand Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine doses have been administered
South Africa
Government accelerates reforms to revive South Africa’s rail system
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says government has committed significant resources and reforms to restore South Africa’s rail transport system as part of efforts to strengthen economic infrastructure and stimulate growth.
Mashatile made the remarks on Thursday when responding to questions for oral reply in the...

World
The Spanish government reiterated it would not let U.S. forces use two joint military bases in Spain as the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran escalates, widening a rift with the Trump administration.
World
A Pakistani man accused of planning to kill US President Donald Trump told jurors on Wednesday that he did not willingly work with Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to devise the plot, media said.

World
This election will test whether the country is ready for a new, untried generation to shape its future.

World
The House is set to vote today on whether to constrain President Trump’s authority to continue to wage war on Iran. And, Minnesota sues the Trump administration over halted Medicaid funding.

Africa
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is postponed just 12 days before the finals were due to kick off in Morocco.

Africa
Ethiopia unveils its first unmanned, ‘smart’ police station where citizens can report crimes on automated touch screens.

Africa
The M23, which controls the coltan-rich area, has not commented and the death toll is hard to verify.

Africa
The author’s 21-month-old son died in January after complications during medical procedures at a private hospital in Lagos.

Business
Data suggests the number of fixed-term deals has more than halved as prices for wholesale energy surge.
Business

Business
The compact SUV has become South Africa’s default family vehicle: practical, versatile, and often indistinguishable from the rest of the pack.

Business
Eskom has sent notice to 14 municipalities that they need to make representations as to why their power should not be cut.

Politics
Madadzhe was reacting to the address by Ramathuba at the Jack Botes Hall in Polokwane.

Politics
ATM’s John Senona beat EFF’s Nkululeko Dunga for the position.

Politics
He is testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee on allegations of criminal infiltration and corruption.

Politics
Mashatile is answering oral questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

Sport
Ireland captain Caelan Doris says his side are “nowhere near” reaching their full potential as they prepare to face Wales following a record away victory over England.

Sport
It’s a two-team race for the Betway Premiership title between current log leaders Orlando Pirates and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sport
Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg talks to BBC Radio Tees about his previous career and life in Sweden.

Sport
Even Rassie can’t fix SA cricket’s poor record in knockout games.
Education
[Ghanaian Times] The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has admitted 13,525 students for the 2025/2026 academic year at a matriculation ceremony held on Friday at both the Kumasi and Mampong campuses.
Education
A former classmate contends that Ms. Griffin’s story of being sexually abused, described in “The Tell,” was based on assaults the classmate herself suffered.
Education
[Daily Trust] The Kaduna State Government has pledged support for the reintegration of out-of-school adolescent mothers and survivors of child marriage into the formal education system.
Education
[Nile Post] KAMWENGE — Kamwenge District is set to host its annual primary schools athletics championship this March, bringing together pupils from government-aided and private schools across the district.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
SA’s COVID-19 cigarette ban was meant to protect health. Instead it has fuelled a booming black market, massive tax losses and job cuts.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Through the lens: The Citizen’s Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.

Entertainment
The Women’s Legal Centre argued in court that ‘no-name’ law silences sexual violence survivors and should be revoked

Entertainment
Whether served warm or at room temperature, these mini quiches are sure to impress your guests and add a pop of colour to any occasion.

Entertainment
Honor called the new robot phone a ‘new species of smartphones’

Science/Tech
In January, after TikTok announced a deal to transfer its US operations, Apple began blocking people in the US from downloading or updating ByteDance apps designed for the Chinese market.
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: Anthropic co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is not happy — perhaps predictably so — with OpenAI chief Sam Altman. In a memo to staff, reported by The Information, Amodei referred to OpenAI’s dealings with the Department of Defense as “safety theater.” “The main reason [OpenAI] accepted [the DoD’s deal] and we did not is that they cared about...

Science/Tech
Can it really be the case that the company can now make a laptop $200 cheaper than a watch?
Science/Tech
Brian Janous, a former Microsoft executive, and his firm Cloverleaf have become modern-day land men, packaging electricity and land for data centers.

Motoring
Imported cars are rapidly gaining popularity for one simple reason: South Africa’s car factories mainly produce high-end bakkies, SUVs, and sedans that most citizens can’t afford.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s favourite hot hatch has a hefty price tag.

Motoring
A new SUV offering is expected in South Africa any day now.

Health
“People have horrendous periods and think they just have to live with it… [but] you don’t,” she says.

Health
The chair of the independent commission on adult social care also says the care system relies on the exploitation of its workforce.
Health
Agency officials promise fast reviews of new treatments while vowing they will not be a “rubber stamp” for the industry. But patients with rare diseases view recent decisions as signs that the doors are closing on their options.
Health
A dispute between the nonprofit Housing Works and the owner of a cannabis dispensary shows the risks for businesses in an industry that is locked out of traditional financing and resources.