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SMALL TOWN OF THE YEAR: We asked. You voted. And South Africa’s Best Small Town 2025 has emerged
Daily Maverick readers nominated their favourite small towns across South Africa — and the results are in.
TUESDAY, 30 DECEMBER 2025, 15:33
Top Stories
Daily Maverick readers nominated their favourite small towns across South Africa — and the results are in.
Top Stories
Allegations of civilian assaults, extortion rackets and abuse of power had communities crying foul about Panyaza Lesufi’s crime wardens.

Top Stories
Le Shuttle has also had to suspend services between Folkestone and Calais over a “power supply issue”.

Top Stories
Blue Origin’s all-female crew, which included scientist Amanda Nguyen, was launched into space in April.

South Africa
The phone snatcher who was captured on camera snatching the phone has been arrested.

South Africa
Twelve people were killed and 13 others were wounded in the shooting incident in Saulsville.

South Africa
Nine people were killed in the incident, which happened at the KwaNoxolo tavern earlier this month
South Africa
Bafana Bafana qualifies for AFCON knockout stages
Government has congratulated Bafana Bafana on qualifying for the knockout stages at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). “Congratulations to Bafana Bafana on qualifying for the AFCON knockout stages after a hard-fought victory,” government said in a post on social media platform, X.This as the South African senior men’s team...

World
Conditions are dire for people in Gaza as President Trump and Israel’s prime minister discuss the next phase of the ceasefire deal. And, Russia accuses Ukraine of an attempted drone strike.

World
China’s People’s Liberation Army is staging a second day of large-scale military drills around Taiwan. It’s unleashing live-fire exercises as part of what it calls “Justice Mission 2025.”

World
Israel’s prime minister met President Trump at the White House Monday to discuss next steps in the peace plan with Gaza and across the region.

World
NPR’s Michel Martin talks about the prospects for Phase Two of the Gaza peace plan with former Israeli negotiator Daniel Levy, president of the U.S./Middle East Project.

Africa
Forward John Mano, who lost his best friend to the civil war in Sudan, says the squad will “fight” for their country on the pitch at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Africa
Mulatu Astatke has been blending jazz influences from home and abroad for the past six decades.

Africa
As two-time runner-up Mohamed Salah begins another tilt at the Africa Cup of Nations, BBC Sport Africa profiles top stars who never lifted the trophy.

Africa
The leaders of Guinea and the Central African Republic aim to consolidate power after Sunday’s polls.

Business
Typical household bills will rise slightly under the new energy cap which takes effect on 1 January.

Business
Wealthy South Africans are increasingly turning their backs on big city living and moving to smaller coastal towns along the Garden Route.

Business
The energy firm sells a $1bn stake in its technology arm Kraken, paving the way for its demerger.
Business

Politics
Tributes continue to pour in following the death of former ANC NEC member and MP Dikeledi Magadzi.

Politics
Magadzi was 75 and served as deputy minister in two portfolios: transport and water and sanitation.

Politics
The African National Congress’ Cde Dikeledi Magadzi has passed on

Politics
The EFF says the move threatens Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Sport
Chris Kavanagh has been promoted to the elite list of Uefa referees alongside Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.

Sport
Liverpool set-piece coach Aaron Briggs leaves the club amid the problems in dead-ball situations this season.

Sport
BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team explains why world number one Luke Littler has been booed at the PDC World Darts Championship.

Sport
Rhian Wilkinson hopes Jess Fishlock will join Wales’ staff for the start of World Cup qualifying in March.
Education
[This Day] Some of the beneficiaries of the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Foundation have narrated their progress after being spotted by the organisers of the project.
Education
[Daily News] Zanzibar — President Hussein Ali Mwinyi has vowed that his government will focus on the construction of multi-storey schools as a long-term solution to classroom shortages and the double-shift system that has for years characterised education in many parts of Zanzibar.

Education
Elite junior tennis players are flocking to online schools. The model offers flexibility and focus – but raises deeper questions about growth, pressure and childhood
In a major study released recently in Epidemiology, conclusions were drawn – yet again – regarding how shutdowns and online learning were ultimately very damaging to kids’ emotional and mental health (obviously some cohorts...
Education
[Premium Times] The strike was announced on Monday by the Joint Unions of Nasarawa State Tertiary Institutions (JUNSTI).

Lifestyle
‘The Wire’ actor Idris Elba is now Sir Idris Elba, in recognition of his service to the youth through his foundation.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Rachel Kolisi, estranged wife of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, shared some of the hard and lighter moments of 2025 as the year draws to an end.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
“It’s going to be physical, a ‘who’s the bigger man type thing’. A full crowd,” said Stormers scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.

Entertainment
The decision comes just 13 days before the 2025 cohorts get their results on the 12th of January 2026.

Entertainment
Videos, sirens and social media fury force Gagasi FM to pull star host Felix Hlophe off air.

Entertainment
“Our board is confident that we have secured the right head coach,” said Benadie.
Science/Tech
An anonymous reader quotes a report from SecurityWeek: Insurance giant Aflac is notifying roughly 22.65 million people that their personal information was stolen from its systems in June 2025. The company disclosed the intrusion on June 20, saying it had identified suspicious activity on its network in the US on June 12 and blaming it on a sophisticated cybercrime group. The company said it...

Science/Tech
The reborn Commodore 64 is an astonishing remake—but daunting if you weren’t there the first time around.

Science/Tech
If you’ve wondered what a preamplifier is, what it exactly does, and whether your audio setup is missing one, we’ve got the answers—as well as some of our top recommendations.
Science/Tech
If you’ve ever wondered what chatbots are good for and how best to use them, this episode is for you.

Motoring
Chinese brands are competing amongst themselves to dominate South Africa’s fastest-growing car segment.

Motoring
VW’s most expensive SUV has all the luxuries you’d expect with performance to rival a hot hatchback.

Motoring
The deal could be valued at about R20 billion and would involve HOF Capital and BlueFive Capital.
Motoring

Health
The Food Chain’s Ruth Alexander on what helps – and what doesn’t – if you’ve overindulged.

Health
The weather alert service warns the public when high or low temperatures could damage their health.
Health
Now that the condition is known to spread sexually, there are steps you and your partner can take to prevent it.
Health
Gynecologists long viewed bacterial vaginosis as solely a women’s issue — until a study that treated their male partners, too, proved otherwise.