Top Stories

Top Stories
New SOE coming to South Africa – managing R155 billion
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the creation of a new state-owned enterprise to manage the government’s R155 billion property portfolio.
Top Stories
POWER GUZZLERS (PART FIVE): The wheeling and dealing behind South Africa’s AI factories
South Africa is in the grip of an infrastructure supercycle, but it isn’t roads or rails. It is the rise of the AI Factory, windowless fortresses consuming small cities worth of power.

Top Stories
Ramaphosa deploys army against criminal syndicates
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday that he would deploy the army to help the police fight organised crime.

South Africa
Gauteng scholar transport providers have been paid: Mabona
Mabona says all affected operations are expected to resume next Monday.

South Africa
Kubayi condemns threats against SIU spokesperson Kganyago
It’s alleged the dealership’s representative, Yusuf Omar, expressed dissatisfaction on social media.

South Africa
NTA cautions against threatening scholars in taxis
The alliance says the rights to continue economic activity must be respected.

South Africa
Three choppers join Cape Town fire fighting efforts
Three choppers have joined Cape Town firefighters in efforts to contain a veld fire.
World
News24 | Kim Jong Un’s daughter is heir apparent in North Korea, says South Korea lawmaker
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
How Nigerian musician Fela Kuti used music as a weapon against dictatorship
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.

World
Norway’s former PM charged with gross corruption over Epstein links
The charge was brought after the Council of Europe lifted his immunity, which he had as its former secretary general.

World
What do we know about Kim Jong Un’s daughter – and expected successor?
Kim Jong Un has chosen Miss Kim as his heir, South Korea’s spy agency says – but what exactly do we know about her?

Africa
Kenya’s border with Somalia set to re-open after almost 15 years
Somali Islamist militant group al-Shabab has staged several attacks in Kenya, prompting the border to be closed.

Africa
At least 21 dead after boat sinks on Sudan’s River Nile
Search efforts are continuing for the missing passengers, who included children.

Africa
Powerful cyclone kills at least 20 as it tears through Madagascar port
Madagascar’s disaster management says roads are inaccessible with trees uprooted, power poles down and ninety percent of roofs ripped off.

Africa
A simple guide to the crisis in South Sudan
The political rift that could spiral into conflict again after the vice-president was accused of treason.

Business
Tesco plans to give under-18s Clubcard access this year
Consumer outlet Which? has been campaigning on access to loyalty schemes, calling it a “huge win for shoppers”.

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

Business
New state-owned entity coming to South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa says that the National government is close to creating a new state-owned agency focused on water.

Business
Ramaphosa says a new social grant is coming this year
President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeated a promise made at multiple State of the Nation Addresses (SONAs) over the past years, assuring that a new income support grant is on the way.

Politics
There will be nowhere to hide for criminals: President
The president says the Whistleblowers Bill will also be introduced in Parliament.

Politics
Ramaphosa announces water committee to deal with water woes
President Cyril Ramaphosa is delivering the State of the Nation Address.

Politics
SANDF to be deployed in W Cape, Gauteng to fight crime: Ramaphosa
A technical plan to address gang violance and illegal mining in the two provinces will be developed.

Politics
SA stronger as economic growth gains momentum: Ramaphosa
President Ramaphosa is delivering his State of the Nation address to a joint sitting in Cape Town.

Sport
Stylish Rowley keen to give St Helens a licence to thrill
With a reputation for attractive rugby league, new boss Paul Rowley hopes his approach will give St Helens a new attacking style in Super League’s 30th year.

Sport
Bompastor keeps reason for Green’s Chelsea exit ‘private’
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor says she wants Paul Green’s exit as head of women’s football after 13 years kept “private and confidential”.

Sport
Recalled Francis relishing chance to help Wales
After more than two years in the international wilderness, Tomas Francis says it is “awesome” to be back with Wales.

Sport
Dundee Utd face four matches in 14 days on weather-struck pitch
Dundee United face playing four matches in 14 days on their weather-beaten Tannadice Park pitch after a request for postponed games to be rearranged for later dates was turned down.
Education
South Africa: Nelson Mandela Rules Training Academy Offers a Second Chance
[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
Nigeria: University of Abuja Dismisses Claims of Nelfund Loans Mismanagement
[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
Uganda: North Kigezi Bishop Calls for Teacher Dedication and Equal Support for Boys
[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.
Education
Nigeria: Al-Muhibbah Open Varsity Matriculates 365 Students in Bauchi
[Leadership] Al-Muhibbah Open University, Bauchi, has matriculated 365 students into its various academic programmes.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Joburg, Cape Town pizzerias recognised in World’s 18 Best Pizzas ranking
Two South African pizzerias have earned global recognition after their creations were named among the 18 Best Pizzas in the World.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
In case you missed it: Zuma boycotts Sona | Witness D’s warning to Ipid | Looming pork price increase
Catch up on the biggest stories of Thursday, 12 February 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Entertainment
Daily Lotto and Daily Lotto Plus results: Thursday, 12 February 2026
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.

Entertainment
Best and worst of Sona’s red carpet: Nomvula Mokonyane wins it again!
Some parliamentarians understood the Sona fashion runway and some ran away from it.

Entertainment
24 hours in pictures, 12 February 2026
Through the lens: The Citizen’s Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.
Science/Tech
Microsoft Plans Smartphone-Style Permission Prompts for Windows 11 Apps
Microsoft is planning to bring smartphone-style app permission prompts to Windows 11, requiring apps to get explicit user consent before they can access sensitive resources like the file system, camera and microphone. The company’s Windows Platform engineer Logan Iyer said the move was prompted by applications increasingly overriding user settings, installing unwanted software, and modifying...

Science/Tech
Why Tech Giants Are Accused of Causing Social Media Addiction
In a series of landmark trials, plaintiffs are alleging that Meta, TikTok, Snap and YouTube caused personal injury through addictive products. Our technology reporter Cecilia Kang describes what’s at stake for tech giants and social media users.

Science/Tech
Next 100x Coin Alert: One Best Crypto Presale Pump Momentum With 9,736% ROI – BTC and ETH Drift Along
Crypto markets are reeling as Bitcoin dips below $70,000, dragging Ethereum down 10% in 24 hours and shaking confidence across altcoins. Traders are feeling the pain as total market capitalization contracts sharply, and volatility surges to levels not seen in weeks. Every dip is magnified, every swing watched, as investors scramble to find tokens that […]
Science/Tech
Border Officials Are Said To Have Caused El Paso Closure by Firing Anti-Drone Laser
An anonymous reader shares a report: The abrupt closure of El Paso’s airspace late Tuesday was precipitated when Customs and Border Protection officials deployed an anti-drone laser on loan from the Department of Defense without giving aviation officials enough time to assess the risks to commercial aircraft, according to multiple people briefed on the situation. The episode led the Federal...

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

Motoring
This is how much you pay for petrol every month
How much motorists spend on petrol each month depends on a range of factors.

Motoring
The “new” brand expanding rapidly in South Africa as it sells cars for R189,900
The company said it also plans to launch two new models in South Africa this year – the Nexon and Sierra.
Health
4 Months Trapped in a Hospital for an Obsolete Way of Treating Their Disease
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
Senate Questions Health Care Firm for Profiting Off Program Meant for Poor
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
NHS waiting list at lowest level in three years
Backlog drops below 7.3m for first time since 2023 in England, but concern over long A&E waits.

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