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Ramaphosa hints at tariff reform as Trump shadow looms over SA trade
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his ninth state of the nation address at the Cape Town City Hall before a joint sitting of parliament on Thursday evening.
THURSDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2026, 22:00
Top Stories
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his ninth state of the nation address at the Cape Town City Hall before a joint sitting of parliament on Thursday evening.

Top Stories
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s renewed pledge to crack down on South Africa’s illicit cigarette trade comes too late to prevent BAT from closing its Heidelberg factory, as illegal cigarettes now dominate 75% of the market.
Top Stories
Nelson Mandela Bay faces a R440m grant withdrawal from the national Department of Human Settlements, triggered by significant underspending and resulting in potentially severe implications for informal settlements.

Top Stories
President Cyril Ramaphosa pledged to accelerate measures to fire up the economy, draw investment and make the government more efficient, an undertaking that will provide further impetus to a blistering markets rally.
South Africa
Overhauling local government for better services
Government is proposing fundamental reforms to address the root causes of dysfunction in many municipalities and to improve the efficiency of service delivery.
These changes are expected to be implemented in the coming months through the finalisation of the White Paper on Local Government.
“This will provide solutions for the...

South Africa
Westbury residents have welcomed announcement on deployment of SANDF.

South Africa
Scores of students from the Cape Town University of Technology are staging a protest outside Parly.

South Africa
Mabona says all affected operations are expected to resume next Monday.

World
After the retired Navy captain told servicemembers they don’t have to obey illegal orders, Defence Secretary Hegseth moved to cut his rank.

World
Jessica and Jacques Moretti are under criminal investigation for involuntary manslaughter, as well as bodily harm and arson through negligence.
World
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has entrenched his daughter as heir apparent ahead of a landmark party conference, a South Korean lawmaker said after a briefing from Seoul’s main intelligence agency.

World
Considered the father of Afrobeat, Kuti used his music in the 1970s to combat colonial values and brutal dictatorship. Podcaster Jad Abumrad tells his story in the series, Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.

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

Business
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the developments with plans to introduce high-speed rail in South Africa.

Business
Consumer outlet Which? has been campaigning on access to loyalty schemes, calling it a “huge win for shoppers”.

Business
President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a major warning to mafia-style organised crime groups in South Africa.

Politics
This was Ramaphosa’s ninth address since being elected in 2019

Politics
The president says the Whistleblowers Bill will also be introduced in Parliament.

Politics
President Cyril Ramaphosa is delivering the State of the Nation Address.

Politics
A technical plan to address gang violance and illegal mining in the two provinces will be developed.

Sport
Wales head coach Steve Tandy poised to select Olly Cracknell and Joe Hawkins to face France in the Six Nations.

Sport
Jude Bellingham is a doubt for England’s March friendlies amid fears from Real Madrid his hamstring injury is worse than first thought.

Sport
Ukrainian skeleton athletes take a knee to show solidarity to their fellow teammate Vladyslav Heraskevych. Heraskevych was banned from competing in the men’s skeleton event earlier in the day, after the IOC ruled the athlete’s helmet broke Olympic regulations.

Sport
Michail Antonio holds initial talks with Charlton Athletic about a possible return to domestic football after his near fatal car crash.
Education
After a 16-month search, the free speech group has chosen two longtime employees, Summer Lopez and Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, as co-chief executives.
Education
[SAnews.gov.za] Correctional Services Deputy Minister Lindiwe Ntshalintshali says the opening of the Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy at Drakenstein Correctional Facility is both a historic milestone and a powerful reminder of the country’s journey since 11 February 1990.
Education
[Premium Times] Since the disbursement of NELFUND loan to the University, management has ensured that all eligible beneficiaries were reimbursed, provided they duly applied while no funds have been diverted, hoarded, misused or used to generate interest
Education
[Nile Post] As the first school term of 2026 begins, the Bishop of North Kigezi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Onesimus Asiimwe, has urged teachers to remain dedicated to their duties, warning that rising absenteeism–particularly in government schools–is negatively affecting learners.

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

Lifestyle
Two South African pizzerias have earned global recognition after their creations were named among the 18 Best Pizzas in the World.

Entertainment
Crime and water were among the major issues touched upon by Ramaphosa

Entertainment
President Cyril Ramaphosa touched on several key issues facing the country in his State of the Nation Address on Thursday evening.

Entertainment
Catch up on the biggest stories of Thursday, 12 February 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Entertainment
A total of R550 000 in jackpots is up for grabs tonight! Here are your winning Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results for 12 February 2026.

Science/Tech
Smart Energy Pays has expanded its platform with the launch of dedicated business accounts aimed at companies, project entities and institutional clients operating across borders. Available since late January 2026, the new accounts are designed to support organizations with complex payment requirements, higher transaction volumes and international regulatory considerations. As global supply...

Science/Tech
Ashland, Massachusetts – HERS Rating Company, a Massachusetts-based HERS rating company, assists homeowners, builders, and developers in designing high-performance homes that reduce costs, meet the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, and lower carbon emissions. As energy codes tighten across the state, builders face rising construction costs and complex compliance requirements. The company...
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader shares a report: Palo Alto Networks opted not to tie China to a global cyberespionage campaign the firm exposed last week over concerns that the cybersecurity company or its clients could face retaliation from Beijing, according to two people familiar with the matter. The sources said that Palo Alto’s findings that China was tied to the sprawling hacking spree were dialed...

Science/Tech
Doubling of fish biomass and rebounding of endangered species shows government measures starting to work, biologists say
The Yangtze River in China, which has been in ecological decline for 70 years, is showing signs of recovery thanks to a sweeping fishing ban.
The ban was made more effective by the implementation of “evolutionary game theory”, which included finding alternative employment...

Motoring
Hybrid and electric cars are starting to take off in South Africa thanks to an influx of new, affordable models.
Motoring

Motoring
How much motorists spend on petrol each month depends on a range of factors.

Motoring
The company said it also plans to launch two new models in South Africa this year – the Nexon and Sierra.
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?