News South Africa

In the 2026 Budget Speech, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has unveiled key reforms and strategies to bolster South Africa’s economic resilience, emphasising infrastructure investment and more efficient public services.

Social grants to increase

All social grants, barring the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, will increase in the next financial year.

This is according to the 2026 Budget Review released by National Treasury on Wednesday.

The grant increases are as follows:

Old age grant will increase from R2 315 to R2 400.War veterans grant will increase from R2 335 to R2...

R12 billion in savings identified through TARS programme

National Treasury’s Targeted and Responsible Savings (TARS) programme has identified some R12 billion in wasteful and ineffective programs within government.This according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana who delivered the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday.“[In] the Budget last May, we promised that...

Infrastructure remains the ‘bedrock’ of SA economic growth

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reiterated government’s commitment to making infrastructure investment the bedrock of the country’s growing economy.

The Minister tabled the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

“Infrastructure investment remains the foundation upon which long-term economic growth, improved...

Optimism remains as economy starts showing steady growth

South Africa’s economic growth outlook is “steadily improving”, with growth projected to reach some 1.6% in 2026, following growth of 1.4% in 2025.

This is according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, who delivered the 2026 Budget Speech in Parliament on Wednesday.

“We project real economic growth of 1.6% in 2026, an...

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Ukrainians for withstanding four years of Russian attacks with “immense courage”, saying Moscow has failed to break their spirit or win the war it started.

Seventeen international aid groups said they have petitioned Israel’s Supreme Court to allow them to keep working in the Gaza Strip and other areas in the occupied Palestinian territory, where the Israeli government is set to halt their life-saving work.

Iran is close to a deal with China to purchase anti‑ship cruise missiles, according to six people with knowledge of the negotiations, just as the US deploys a vast naval force near the Iranian coast ahead of possible strikes on the Islamic Republic.

[Parliament of South Africa] The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has noted with serious concern a social media post attributed to University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Professor Srila Roy, in which it is alleged that “South Africans have little ambition, are complacent and have poor work ethic.”

[African Union] The African Union Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation hosted a side event, the High-Level Partners’ Consultation on Accelerating the AU Decade of Education and Skills Development (2025-2034) at the Margins of the AU Summit 2026 on 13 February 2026 at the AU Headquarters.

[This Day] Abuja — The National Examinations Council (NECO) says it will deepen collaboration with the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and the partnership would enhance result verification and promote computer-based examinations nationwide.

[This Day] Sokoto — The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in partnership with the governments of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, is taking steps to strengthen Early Childhood Education (ECCE) in the region.

HP has revealed that memory now accounts for 35% of the cost of materials it needs to build a PC, up from between 15 and 18% last quarter. And the company expects RAM’s contribution will rise through the year. From a report: Speaking on the company’s Q1 2026 earnings call, interim CEO Bruce Broussard said the company has secured long-term supply agreements for the year and also “qualified new...

In an era of overt sexism in the sciences, she made two major discoveries, including identifying a neuropeptide later linked to chronic pain syndromes and migraines.

Federal health officials have pared back the number of shots recommended for children. The states, led by Democrats, say the changes were not based on science.

Ms. Stavenhagen started a group intended to counter the notion that A.L.S. was an “older white man’s disease.”