Sona 2026 LIVE UPDATES | Will water, electricity and joblessness feature in Ramaphosa’s speech?
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South Africa snubbed again
Seven African countries attended the first Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting hosted by the United States as part of Project Vault. Notably, South Africa was absent.
‘His loss is massive’: Inquests show spread of deadly synthetic drugs
A BBC investigation shows how nitazene deaths have risen and the illegal drug market is changing.
Why are criminals stealing used cooking oil from Scotland’s chip shops?
Across Scotland, 178 incidents of cooking oil thefts were reported to police between April to October last year.
Two mothers, two tragedies: Baby deaths highlight failings at one NHS trust
Beth and Sophie had to cope with the loss of their babies, while under the care of UH Sussex NHS Trust
SONA 2026: Closing the confidence deficit
As preparations for the 2026 State of the Nation Address continue, the central challenge may be less about policy design and more about confidence.
Rising star Mthuthu destined to be one of Mzansi’s authentic spiritual voices
The 38-year-old singer and storyteller from Ulundi in northern KwaZulu-Natal weaves transcendent Nguni folk expression with the rich rhythms and poetic depth of the Amahubo tradition.
Opposition parties demand delivery, not rhetoric, ahead of Sona
From industrial policy to the rule of law, non-GNU parties spell out what must change
Arrests linked to illegal circumcision practices welcomed
Forty-six people arrested in Eastern Cape for contravening Male Customary Initiation Act
Large South African shopping mall completely empty after its only shop closed down
The multi-million-rand Lancaster Shopping Centre in Johannesburg is entirely empty after the only store in the mall, Top Deck, closed at the end of 2025.
BMW recalls hundreds of thousands of cars globally over fire risk
BMW is recalling hundreds of thousands of cars due to a potential fire hazard, the German premium carmaker said on Wednesday.
Sona road closures snarl Cape Town CBD traffic
Commuters are encouraged to consider alternative routes or public transport where possible.
Hamilton says another engineer change would be ‘detrimental’
Lewis Hamilton will have a second change of race engineer early in the Formula One season and said on Wednesday it will be detrimental to his second year at Ferrari.
News24 | Plate of the Nation: 5 delicious South African dishes to cook for tonight’s SONA
You hear those opening words, “My fellow South Africans,” and you know you’re settling in for the long haul. While the president maps out 2026, we’ve mapped out some kitchen strategy with five dishes that’ll keep you fed, focused, and slightly less likely to throw things at the TV.
Real state of nation Mr President: hope is fading
Across SA, communities are grappling with a collapse in basic services. In parts of Johannesburg, taps have run dry for more than 20 days, while the CBD has been without electricity for a week, with promises of reconnection tomorrow.
Recovering Mthethwa faces tough return to Chiefs XI
Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Sibongiseni “Ox” Mthethwa acknowledges that it won’t be easy to return to the starting XI when he recovers from the injury he sustained late last year.