Top Stories

Witnesses in KZN’s alleged number one extortionist fear for their lives
Key witnesses in the court case of Linda Hlengwa, dubbed KwaZulu-Natal’s number one extortionist, say they fear for their lives.

Rain forecast for Mozambique likely to move to Limpopo, KZN and Mpumalanga
System is forecast to bring showers and thunderstorms to north-eastern parts of SA
News24 | Trump says US oversight of Venezuela could last years
The United States could oversee Venezuela and control its oil revenue for years, President Donald Trump said in an interview published on Thursday.
News24 | ANC seeks urgent talks with NFP over shock KZN coalition withdrawal decision
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal says it plans to have a bilateral meeting with the National Freedom Party to discuss the implications of the NFP’s decision to withdraw from the government of provincial unity.

South Africans set to pay billions for Eskom mistake
South Africans are set to pay dearly for a proposed settlement between NERSA and Eskom, which could see consumers pay over 10% more for electricity this year.

World’s biggest bank backs these South African companies
South African food producers climbed to an almost eight-year high after JPMorgan Chase recommended buying the stock, citing robust prospects.
KERNEL CRUNCH: SA maize futures at four-year lows, good news for inflation, mixed outcomes for farmers
South Africa’s white and yellow maize futures have slid to four-year lows as a stronger rand, global oversupply and La Niña rains collide. Cheaper maize should cool food inflation and feed costs, easing pressure on consumers and cattle farmers. But for grain producers, lower prices squeeze already thin, capital-intensive margins.
WHAT’S COOKING: Sweet and sour pork with lychees
The Foodie’s Wife, who is not easily impressed, pronounced this ‘brilliant’. If that isn’t a recommendation, I don’t know what is.

SIYABULELA MAKUNGA | High cost of uniforms demands national action
Parents have become more vocal about how exclusive contracts increase costs, writes Siya Makunga.

‘Giving instead of receiving’: Floyd Shivambu donates school shoes on 43rd birthday
Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu celebrated his 43rd birthday by donating 105 pairs of school shoes to disadvantaged pupils at Winnie Mandela Primary School in Thembisa, Ekurhuleni.
POWER IMBALANCE OP-ED: Municipal electricity failure is not simply a local municipal problem, but a structural economic risk
South Africa’s municipal electricity debt crisis is often reduced to a familiar story: failing councils, weak billing systems, political interference and a culture of non-payment. There is truth in that, but it is incomplete.

OPINION | Why funeral insurers don’t cover criminals’ ‘professional hazards’
Public policy represents the norms of society through whose expression we collectively say that certain contracts or clauses are undesirable and therefore invalid.
CLASS OF 2025: Matric 2025 results: All you need to know about release dates, access and next steps
Nearly 900,000 Grade 12s who wrote the 2025 NSC exams are on the edge of their seats. Minister Siviwe Gwarube will announce the results on 12 January 2026, with individual access from 13 January. Whether you pass, need a re-mark or hope to explore alternatives, here’s everything you need to know.

One thing South Africa gets right
While South Africa has a highly unsustainable debt pile, the country has managed to avoid one common pitfall among emerging market economies.

ANC given the cold shoulder from one of its closest allies
The SACP has rejected the ANC’s appeals not to contest the upcoming local government elections, signaling a dramatic break with its Tripartite Alliance partner and setting up a battle for the same voter base.
News24 | Knysna Day Zero: 13 days of water left, ‘every litre matters’
With Knysna’s main dam hovering at critically low levels, residents of the popular tourist town in the Western Cape have been warned that water rationing could soon become unavoidable, as authorities scramble to avert a full-blown water crisis.

Nigeria looks to Ibeh as Joshua ‘has retired’ from boxing
While it’s unclear if the man claiming to be Anthony Joshua’s uncle told the truth that his nephew is done with boxing, there is another Nigerian-born fighter to look out for.

Bafana need your support for World Cup – Goss
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Ricardo Goss believes that the reason for their disappointing Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) run in Morocco is that their opponents did their homework on them.
News24 | Stanford residents warned to ‘prepare for any eventuality’ as wildfire rages
Landowners around Stanford in the Western Cape have been warned to “prepare for any eventuality” and be ready for active firefighting, as a wildfire blazes across the area.