The Weekend Wrap covers a mix of political manoeuvring, economic strain and shifting urban dynamics. From the ANC Women’s League’s car controversy to the rising threat of populism and the immense energy demands of the tech sector, South Africa faces a series of systemic challenges that test both its infrastructure and democracy.

The First Thing newsletter’s Ever-lasting Subscriber Photo Gallery.

The completion of the Brixton Reservoir and Water Tower marks a notable addition to Johannesburg’s strained water infrastructure, increasing local storage and pressure capacity in key supply zones. However, without addressing systemic leaks, ageing pipelines and broader network instability, the project’s long-term effectiveness remains uncertain and largely untested under real stress conditions.

News of a November municipal election date came in the wake of a recent Ipsos survey which found that nearly half of South Africans feel politically homeless.

Iran’s supreme leader declared on Thursday that the United States had suffered a shameful defeat, defiantly rejecting a warning from President Donald Trump that an economically punishing US naval blockade could be enforced for months to come.