Top Stories

Top Stories
Live cable kills thief, leaving parts of Roodepoort in darkness
Parts of Roodepoort have been left without power after a suspected cable thief attempted to cut a medium-voltage cable, which ended up electrocuting him.
Top Stories
LITERACY CRISIS: Why 15% of South African Grade 3s can’t read a single word — and what’s being done about it
With national reading goals slipping out of reach, a new report reveals the stark reality of South Africa’s literacy crisis and how proactive provinces and private donors are teaming up to save a generation of pupils.

Top Stories
Global retail giant plans to roll out new stores in South Africa’s largest cities
Walmart aims to leverage its Every Day Low Prices model to capitalise on a promotion-saturated retail market and build customer loyalty, but it may struggle to gain sufficient scale and challenge dominant players.
South Africa
News24 | Macpherson suspends senior official over R114m Mpumalanga schools tender fraud scandal
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has ordered the precautionary suspension and disciplinary action against a senior Construction Project Management director.

South Africa
Madlanga Commission orders ill officer to testify on March 11
Proceedings paused after the Commission required a detailed medical note from the officer.

South Africa
Pig farmer’s right to consult legal representative violated: Defence
Olivier and his co-accused are being tried for the murders of two women.
South Africa
Business welcomes 2026 Budget
Business welcomes 2026 Budget
Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has welcomed the 2026 National Budget, noting its clear acknowledgement of South Africa’s central economic challenge, including insufficient growth, which continues to entrench unemployment and inequality.
Reacting to the 2026 Budget Speech tabled by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in Parliament on Wednesday, BUSA...

World
Cuban government says 4 killed on boat were trying to infiltrate the country
Cuba’s government says the 10 people on a Florida-registered boat that opened fire on its soldiers were terrorists trying to infiltrate the island. The country says its forces killed four people.

World
Father of U.S.-based activist sentenced in Hong Kong under national security law
A court on Thursday used Hong Kong’s national security law to jail Kwok Yin-sang for eight months, in the first case against a family member of an activist living abroad, and wanted by authorities.
World
News24 | SEE | Harry and Meghan join Jordan’s efforts to aid Syrian and Palestinian children
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle arrived on Wednesday in Jordan, where they met with Syrian refugees at the Zaatari camp and Palestinian children evacuated from the Gaza Strip.
World
News24 | Iran and the US nuclear talks begin as Trump ‘bad things’ deadline approaches
Iran and the US hold the latest round of talks in Geneva on Thursday aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute and averting new US strikes on Iran following a large-scale military buildup.

Africa
Is Ethiopia heading back to war in Tigray?
Many people are again leaving the region of Tigray just over three years after the civil war there ended.

Africa
Pope Leo to visit four African countries in April
This is the first time that a pope will visit Algeria, whose population is mostly Muslim.

Africa
UN sanctions paramilitary leaders over Sudan atrocities
The RSF’s capture of the city in October was one of the most brutal chapters of Sudan’s nearly three-year civil war.

Africa
Man Utd ruled out signing Osimhen ‘because of Afcon’
The Africa Cup of Nations proved to be “a big stumbling block” when Manchester United discussed signing Victor Osimhen, according to former coach Benni McCarthy.

Business
Iconic 57-year-old bridge in South Africa being completely rebuilt
The iconic Storms River Mouth suspension bridge will be fully reconstructed in 2026, with a project cost of R17.9 million.

Business
South Africa’s most popular restaurants opening locations across the country
The Spur Group is expanding its footprint across South Africa and its international markets, with the group’s current footprint at over 750 locations.
Business

Business
Royal Mail bosses to be called to Parliament over letter delivery failures
It comes after hundreds of people contacted BBC Your Voice to express frustration over late deliveries.

Politics
No-confidence vote: Action SA abstains fearing local govt collapse
Action SA says this is to block instability within the metro.

Politics
LIVE: Madlanga Commission of Inquiry | 26 February 2026
The Madlanga Commission continues hearing witness testimony.

Politics
Dada Morero set to face yet another motion of no confidence
The motion has been tabled by political party Al Jama-ah and other parties in the Joburg council.

Politics
Chaskalson concerned about Madlanga Inquiry witnesses ill health, postponements
A crime intelligence officer sought a postponement from the Madlanga Inquiry due to ill health.

Sport
‘I don’t want to see Ashley Du Preez in my team’: Chiefs fans turn on striker
Ashley Du Preez found himself at the centre of fan fury after a costly miss in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-1 loss to Stellenbosch FC midweek,

Sport
SA Rugby hails ‘biggest step forward’ since professionalism
SA Rugby has suggested that a new tournament is a complete game-changer as momentum builds towards a global calendar.

Sport
NZ great Woodman-Wickliffe retires for second time
New Zealand’s leading try-scorer Portia Woodman-Wickliffe announces her retirement from international rugby for a second time.

Sport
Pick Ekitike, Sesko and Van Dijk – FPL team of the week
It is a good week for Fantasy Premier League managers to load up on Liverpool and Manchester United players, write Thomas Woods.
Education
What It’s Like to Grow Up With A.I.: The Winners of Our Multimedia Challenge
Via essays, poems, videos, artwork and graphics, 35 students across the globe reflect on how this technology is affecting teenagers.
Education
Teachers on How A.I. Is Reshaping the Classroom
We asked high school educators what it’s like to teach at a time when A.I. is transforming education. They answered in images, essays and videos.
Education
Ghana: Tighten Security At Inter-Schools Festival – NPC Urges
[Ghanaian Times] THE National Peace Council (NPC) has called for tighter security at inter-school sports festivals and student gatherings following a series of violent incidents involving Senior High School (SHS) students across the country.
Education
The Thrill Seekers Who Take Subway Trains for Joy Rides
In two recent incidents, teenagers drove trains briefly, and in one case drove a G train into another train. A 14-year-old was arrested in that episode.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Lisa Rinna reveals her ‘Days of Our Lives’ bully in new book
“He made my life a living hell on the set of Days. He was horrible to me.”

Lifestyle
Mayor’s Craft Market to kick off at Cape Town Civic Centre
The ever-popular Mayor’s Craft Market is set to open in the Mother City this Friday. Here’s everything you need to know…
Lifestyle
Entertainment

Entertainment
Basic education gets R22.7bn boost, but R120bn infrastructure backlog looms
Gwarube also warned that broader national spending choices continue to affect education funding.

Entertainment
Abel Knobel joins ‘Diepe Waters’ as triathlete Liam, shaking Boskruin.
Six-pack star storms Boskruin with his most intense role yet.

Entertainment
SABC 1 calls for entries as ‘Wedding Chefs’ returns for second season
Entries will close on 30 April 2026.

Science/Tech
AI is rewriting the rules of SaaS
The leadership behind enterprise software start-up Ageiro argues that AI is now firmly entrenched within the software development and application space.
Science/Tech
A.I. Complicates Old Internet Privacy Risks
Artificial intelligence is convenient and easy to use, but you should think about what you say to the chatbots.
Science/Tech
When Chatbots Are Used to Plan Violence, Is There a Duty to Warn?
People are revealing sensitive personal information to A.I. chatbots — including plans to commit violent acts.

Science/Tech
The A.I. Videos on Kids’ Youtube Feeds
The YouTube algorithm is pushing bizarre, often nonsensical A.I.-generated videos targeting children. Our video journalist Arijeta Lajka explains why experts say that these videos could affect their cognitive development, and how parents can identify this type of content.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s richest province goes quiet on new number plates
Gauteng has gone silent on the public rollout of its new number plates, which were supposed to launch in late 2025.

Motoring
The trusted favourite or the new kid on the block: how do South African buyers decide?
Purchasing from national dealer groups like Bidvest McCarthy, with 70+ dealerships nationwide, provides buyers with greater access to vehicle sales, servicing, and parts.

Motoring
Cheaper Volvo XC40 SUV launched in South Africa – Pricing and features
Volvo has slashed the starting price of its cheapest SUV by R92,000.
Health
New A.C.A. Plans Could Increase Family Deductibles to $31,000
The Trump administration is proposing Obamacare plans that it says will lower health insurance premiums. But critics warn they would make care unaffordable.

Health
Ready to quit smoking? Follow these six important steps
Kicking your smoking habit to the curb is easier said than done. By following these six steps, you can unlock a smoke-free future.
Health
Bird Flu Strikes California Elephant Seals for the First Time
Thirty seals, primarily weaned pups, have died since late last week, scientists said.

Health
Sperm swim more quickly in summer, study finds
Understanding the seasonal patterns of sperm could improve fertility treatments, by optimising the timing of treatment, the reasearchers say.