
Top Stories
Mahlatse’s daily Afcon talking point: Bafana find out last 16 opponents on Old Year’s Eve
Heavyweights Cameroon and Ivory Coast are most likely to meet SA, but Mozambique can spring a shock.
WEDNESDAY, 31 DECEMBER 2025, 14:39

Top Stories
Heavyweights Cameroon and Ivory Coast are most likely to meet SA, but Mozambique can spring a shock.

Top Stories
English debutant Justin Hood closes in on his lifelong dream – opening up a Chinese takeaway – by producing a stunning performance to reach the PDC World Championship quarter-finals.
Top Stories
A brutal mass shooting at a Saulsville hostel, which left 12 dead and 13 injured, has exposed the deadly underworld of extortion gang rivalries gripping parts of Pretoria. One suspect has confessed, according to police.

Top Stories
A witness called it “a miracle” no-one was hurt when part of the cliff fell on to the beach.
South Africa
Mashatile hails Brian Hlongwa as political educator and lifelong activist
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has described the late former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa as a lifelong activist, political educator and intellectual contributor to the African National Congress (ANC) and the transformation of government.
Mashatile was delivering the eulogy at Hlongwa’s funeral service...

South Africa
KwaNoxolo tavern owner was arrested earlier last week for operating with a fraudulent liquor licence
South Africa
The South African Weather Service has issued another warning for severe thunderstorms, more than two weeks after a devastating hailstorm left several households homeless in the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape.

South Africa
A suspect appeared in an Atteridgeville court on 12 counts of murder, 13 of attempted murder.

World
For many people from former Soviet countries, New Year’s is a big holiday feast time. A Ukrainian restaurant in Washington gives NPR a taste of what’s on the menu.
World
A majority of Russians expect the war in Ukraine to end in 2026, a state-owned research centre said, as Russian forces make advances on the battlefield and efforts intensify to reach a ceasefire deal between Kyiv and Moscow.
World
Eurostar said it plans to run a full service, but warned of possible knock-on disruptions after a power supply issue halted Channel Tunnel train trips connecting London to the European mainland.

World
Bangladesh is mourning the death of its first female Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia, who died Tuesday.

Africa
The two states say they are taking reciprocal measures after the US announced full-entry restrictions on their citizens.

Africa
TikTok, YouTube and Facebook are down, as the nation awaits the final result from the presidential poll.

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
“We cannot live freely. You cannot even play music” – residents tell the BBC of militants’ rule.

Business
It’s been a roller coaster year for the stock market, but the S&P 500 is set to end 2025 up about 17%, the third straight year of double-digit gains.

Business
South Africa is moving toward a fully digital identity system, signalling the end of an era for the iconic green ID book.

Business
The rand has marked one of its best years in recent memory in 2025, with economists expecting the good time to keep rolling in the new year.
Business

Politics
Brian Hlongwa’s funeral is underway at Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg.

Politics
Hlongwa’s funeral service is being held at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg in Johannesburg.

Politics
Dikeledi Magadzi will be laid to rest on Saturday in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Politics
At the time of his death Hlongwa, was facing corruption and money laundering charges.

Sport
West Ham’s interest in Norway forward Jorgen Strand Larsen has cooled after discovering Wolves want £40m for the 25-year-old.

Sport
SA Rugby have made an interesting announcement related to their national coaching group on the eve of the new year.

Sport
Livingston sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership after 17 games without a win at the halfway stage, so what chance do David Martindale’s side have of escaping relegation?

Sport
What is going wrong at Kilmarnock amid 13-game winless run?
Education
[Premium Times] The governor stated that they are now receiving basic numeracy, literacy, and entrepreneurial training comparable to students in the conventional education sector.
Education
[The Point] Tostan International the Gambia, a grassroots NGO dedicated to empowering communities through education and human rights, recently convened an inter-village meeting at Sare Samba Simally in the Lower Fulladou West District of the Central River Region.
Education
[The Point] Sare Gubu Basiru village, a community celebrated for its strong commitment to Fulani culture, Western education, and Quranic learning, on Saturday 27 December hosted its 12th annual sensitisation forum under the theme “Building a Community Free from Gender-Based Violence.”
Education
[The Point] A total of 112 recruits have graduated from the Gambia Prison Service (GPS) Training Academy at a passing out parade ceremony held at the McCarthy Square in Banjul.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
SA and Singapore authorities seized 55kg of rhino horns and big cat parts in a joint operation, arresting two suspects in the process.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Ring in 2026 in Cape Town with parades, concerts and sport while staying ahead of key road closures with these New Year’s Eve travel tips…

Entertainment
A victim of crime is angry at her bank for not flagging transfers worth tens of thousands of rands all made in quick succession.

Entertainment
Two bakkies and a taxi collided on the R61 near Beyele outside of Mthatha at around 10am on Wednesday.

Entertainment
Corné Rahl and Siya Masuku also return to the Sharks 23, named on a bench filled with exciting youngsters and experienced heads.

Entertainment
Vincent Tshituka says the Sharks are feeling confident they can turn their season around after their last two wins.

Science/Tech
I tested an array of alternative sleep aids, from gummies to wearable patches, to see if they would help my chronic insomnia.
Science/Tech
Research shows that people who sleep poorly tend to have brain age that is older than their actual age. Chronic inflammation in the body caused by poor sleep likely plays a part.

Science/Tech
Next head of Cern backs massive replacement for world’s largest machine to investigate mysteries of the universe
Mark Thomson, a professor of experimental particle physics at the University of Cambridge, has landed one of the most coveted jobs in global science. But it is hard not to wonder, when looked at from a certain angle, whether he has taken one for the team.
On 1 January, Thomson takes...

Science/Tech
The rand ended 2025 nearly 13% stronger against the US dollar, marking its biggest annual gain in 16 years.

Motoring
South Africa has a secret test track that has been kept under wraps for nearly two decades, located near a nearby highway where cars can travel at speeds of up to 250km/h.

Motoring
The carmaker is on course for its second consecutive decline in annual vehicle sales.

Motoring
Volvo has identified a potential issue with the high-voltage battery cells manufactured by one of its suppliers on certain vehicles.

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

Health
Emma Giannuzzi used sunbeds throughout her late teens and was twice diagnosed with melanoma.

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.