Top Stories

Top Stories
South Africa’s crown jewel in existential crisis
South Africa’s automotive sector is under siege from a surge in low-cost Chinese vehicle imports, with government action to protect the sector lacking.

Top Stories
Helen Zille will bow out of politics if Joburg voters reject her
Although she is in it to win it, DA Johannesburg Mayoral Candidate Helen Zille says she would retire from politics if voters overwhelmingly reject her in the upcoming polls.

Top Stories
Wing Penaud left out of France’s Six Nations squad
France’s all-time top try-scorer Damian Penaud is a shock omission from the defending champions’ Six Nations squad.

South Africa
KZN pastor gets 18 year sentence for murdering his ex
Thembelihle Nxumalo was found with multiple stab wounds in 2020 after being reported missing.

South Africa
ConCourt invalidates prenups signed after civil or customary marriage
The court today decided to not uphold a decision by the High Court in Pretoria.

South Africa
Five fatally shot outside a tuck shop in Atteridgeville
Details surrounding the shooting are still sketchy and the motive is unknown at this stage.
South Africa
KZN Treasury commits to support eMadlangeni bid for municipal reclassification
KZN Treasury commits to support eMadlangeni bid for municipal reclassification
KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has committed to working with the eMadlangeni Local Municipality (ELM) to review its proposal for reclassification from an urban municipality to a rural one.
The move is aimed at strengthening its case for increased equitable share funding from National...

World
Greetings from Kalk Bay, a South African fishing village where wild seals await scraps
Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR’s international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world.

World
Loved ones of victims reeling after high-speed rail crash in southern Spain
Two deadly crashes in almost as many days have inflicted grief, anger and disruption. Two deadly crashes in almost as many days inflict grief, anger and disruption in Spain.

World
Blinken and British counterpart signal trans-Atlantic unity with visit to Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart, David Lammy, are raising alarms about Iranian ballistic missiles in Russia that threaten Ukraine.

World
Veteran diplomat on Trump’s objectives with his World Economic Forum speech
NPR’s Leila Fadel asks veteran diplomat Richard Haass about President Trump’s objectives with his address to the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.

Africa
Detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure critically ill in hospital, his party says
Kizza Besigye’s party says his condition is critical, but authorities say he was taken to hospital for a routine check-up.

Africa
Jubilant Senegal fans join the Afcon champions parade
Thousands of Senegal fans join the parade to celebrate Afcon champions on their return home.

Africa
Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%
The new government is addressing fuel shortages and strengthening the budget but many are not happy.

Africa
Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is accused by Burkina Faso of trying to kill current President Ibrahim Traoré.
Business

Business
One of South Africa’s world-class state companies went from hero to zero
Fifteen years ago, Transnet was widely regarded as one of South Africa’s strongest state-owned enterprises.

Business
Another blow for domestic workers in South Africa
Domestic workers have seen a reduction in their pay increases in December 2025, adding to the pain for the sector.
Business

Politics
Ramaphosa calls for review of SANDF joint military exercises
Ramaphosa responded to Iran’s participation in the Will for Peace naval drills near Simon’s Town.

Politics
Ad Hoc Committee revisits IPID investigator Mandla Mahlangu’s murder
Former IPID head Robert McBride is appearing for a second day before the Ad Hoc Committee

Politics
LIVE | McBride continues testifying at the Ad Hoc Committee
Former IPID head Robert McBride is continuing his testimony at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.

Politics
WC Cabinet to decide on disaster status for Knysna water crisis
W. Cape cabinet set to decide whether or not to declare Knysna a disaster area due to the drought

Sport
Henderson out of Ireland squad as Doak included
Ulster captain Iain Henderson has been left out of Ireland’s 37-strong squad for the Six Nations but Nathan Doak and Edwin Edogbo are included.

Sport
Man City squad to refund ticket costs for fans
The Manchester City squad will refund the ticket costs for 374 supporters who travelled to Norway to witness their side’s shock 3-1 Champions League defeat at Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday.

Sport
Rangers’ opponents Stranraer face cup expulsion
Stranraer face the prospect of Scottish Cup expulsion and losing out on a money-spinning trip to face Rangers at Ibrox after fielding an ineligible player in Monday’s win over Queen’s Park.

Sport
Teenager Todaro makes Italy’s Six Nations squad
Northampton’s teenage wing Edoardo Todaro is rewarded for his prolific breakthrough campaign with a place in Italy’s Six Nations squad.
Education
Nigeria: Schools, Offices Shut As Fcta Workers Begin Strike
[Daily Trust] Workers on Monday shut the gates of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), and several other agencies as they began an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues.
Education
Nigeria: NDU Dept Inducts Pioneer Set Into Building Institute
[This Day] Yenagoa — The Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Niger Delta University (NDU), in Bayelsa, at weekend inducted its pioneer set into the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).
Education
Tanzania: Minister Hands Over School Supplies to 1,000 Special Needs Children
[Daily News] Dar es Salaam — THE Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations), Rahma Riyadh Kisuo, has donated school supplies to 1,000 children with special needs at Uhuru Mchanganyiko Primary School and Mnyamani Primary School in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam.
Education
Inside Trump’s Campaign to Tame Higher Education
Donald J. Trump has unleashed the power of the presidency against American colleges, with mixed results.

Lifestyle
What it costs to apply for a Smart ID at banks in South Africa in 2026
Applying for a Smart ID through a South African bank in 2026? Here’s what it costs and what to expect before you book your appointment.

Lifestyle
Explainer: ConCourt’s landmark customary marriage ruling
The Constitutional Court has ruled that antenuptial contracts signed after customary marriages, which are classified as civil, are invalid.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
BAD news for your first (next) braai in 2026
Meat inflation climbed to 12.6% in December 2025, highlighting how rapidly prices have accelerated in recent months.

Entertainment
24 hours in pictures, 21 January 2026
Through the lens: The Citizen’s Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world.

Entertainment
Prices cut as Mercedes-Benz realigns now diesel-only GLC range
Four model ‘standard GLC’ range, for now, only offers a choice of two turbodiesel variants.

Entertainment
Careers don’t always start at university
While thousands of post-matrics head to university, many also don’t get a seat at the table. But varsity is not the only career starter.

Entertainment
Weather alert: Disruptive rain, extreme fire danger and uncomfortable heat for Thursday
Find out what the latest weather forecast from the SA Weather Service means for your region for 22 January 2026.

Science/Tech
Suni Williams, Starliner astronaut, retires after 27 years at Nasa
She set the record for most spacewalk time by a woman and spent nine months at the International Space Station
Suni Williams, one of two Nasa astronauts whose 10-day test flight mission turned into a nine-month odyssey on the International Space Station (ISS), has retired from the US space agency.
The 60-year-old former navy captain left in December after 27 years with Nasa, according to a...

Science/Tech
Free Wi-Fi in South Africa: Promise versus reality
The SA Connect programme aims to provide reliable broadband connectivity to government facilities and underserved communities.
Science/Tech
YouTube CEO Acknowledges ‘AI Slop’ Problem, Says Platform Will Curb Low-Quality AI Content
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan used his annual letter to creators, published Wednesday, to outline an ambitious 2026 vision that embraces AI-powered creative tools while simultaneously pledging to crack down on the low-quality AI content that has come to be known as “slop.” Mohan identified four AI-related areas that YouTube “must get right in 2026.” The platform is working on tools that will let...
Science/Tech
CEOs Say AI is Making Work More Efficient. Employees Tell a Different Story.
Companies are spending vast sums on AI expecting the technology to boost efficiency, but a new survey from AI consulting firm Section found that two-thirds of non-management workers among 5,000 white-collar respondents say they save less than two hours a week or no time at all, while more than 40% of executives report the technology saves them upward of eight hours weekly. Workers were far more...
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s motorists drastically outnumber traffic cops
South Africa is facing a severe shortage of traffic officers.

Motoring
New limited-edition Mercedes-AMG CLA for South Africa – Pricing and features
Mercedes-AMG has reserved a small amount of its CLA 45 S Final Edition for South African customers.

Motoring
The salary you need to afford a VW Polo in South Africa in 2026
The VW Polo is a staple of the South African auto scene, but its price tag has grown considerably over the last few years.

Health
Could your frying pan be toxic?
Scientist Mark Miodownik explores the potential impact of ‘forever chemicals’ present in some cookware. Made in partnership with the Royal Society.

Health
Botched ‘Turkey teeth’ op victim warns of dangers
Leanne Abeyance, from Telford, is waiting for reconstructive surgery and remains in constant pain.

Health
NHS nurse reinstated after trans patient dispute
A nurse was reinstated after a probe found no evidence she had identified a transgender patient.

Health
Gastric sleeve surgery was ‘life-changing’
Steph Hoy dropped from 25 stone to eight stone after surgery.