Hostile Phala Phala witness, and thousand of learners left in limbo
These are the key developments in South Africa today, 14 January 2026.
Top Stories
Great start to 2026 as South Africa exits another finance high-risk list
South Africa now is set to enter a new round of FATF evaluations starting in late 2026, with a final report expected in October 2027.
SANDF deletes post that shows Iran participating in naval drills in South African waters
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has quietly deleted a post showing that, contrary to media reports, Iran’s Corvette Naghdi is actively participating in the sea phase of Exercise Will for Peace 2026.
The tiny islands rich South Africans are moving their money to
Wealthy South Africans are increasingly moving funds into discretionary trusts offshore to protect assets, hedge local risks, and benefit from stable, low-tax jurisdictions.
Mantashe’s insult is a reminder of why he must go
Minister’s assertions that SA’s youth is passive about finding employment not backed by evidence
Nations must condemn Trump’s fascist assault on Venezuela
US President Donald Trump’s regime is a rogue state, and the world must hold it accountable.
Rule at home, conquer the world – Hlatshwayo
Former champ says Boxing SA must prioritise local titles over any others
Pirates thankful their Afcon contingent returned in tip-top shape
Orlando Pirates head of sports science Lee Miles has lauded Bucs players for returning from the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) break in top physical shape.
Meet the teacher who has secured 100% pass in science for nine years in a row
“I think teaching was a calling for me.”
MALAIKA MAHLATSI | Mantashe’s insult is a reminder of why he must go
Minister’s assertions that SA’s youth is passive about finding employment not backed by evidence
OPINION | Nations must condemn Trump’s fascist assault on Venezuela
US President Donald Trump’s regime is a rogue state, and the world must hold it accountable.
Senior South Africans suspected of benefiting from Venezuelan drug operations
United States analyst Joshua Meservey said there is increased suspicion that senior South African government officials benefited from the Venezuelan drug operations.
Daniel Teen beats physical strain
Learner balances early morning duties with academic success
Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting, saying ‘help is on its way’
DUBAI/WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Iranians to keep protesting and remember the names of those abusing them, saying help is on the way, as Iran’s clerical establishment pressed its crackdown against the biggest demonstrations in years.
K-Pop sensation BTS announces return with new world tour
LOS ANGELES, Jan 13 (Reuters) – Chart-topping K-pop boy band BTS announced on Tuesday it will embark on a concert tour starting in April after the release of its first new album in more than three years.
MIDDLE EAST UNREST: Trump urges Iranians to keep protesting, says ‘help is on its way’
An Iranian official said about 2,000 people had been killed in the protests, the first time authorities have given an overall death toll from more than two weeks of nationwide unrest.
WEATHER WOES: Hoedspruit, gateway to Kruger, drenched as rivers swell, airport closes, tourists airlifted
Hoedspruit — known as South Africa’s Safari Capital — is under siege. Across the park, impacts vary — and so does uncertainty over when the storm will finally pass.
CANCELLED: Goodman Gallery drops artist Gabrielle Goliath after her Venice Biennale selection
Shortly before Minister Gayton McKenzie cancelled Gabrielle Goliath’s participation at the 2026 Venice Biennale because part of her selected artwork dealt with Gaza, the Goodman Gallery cancelled its relationship with the acclaimed artist.
LEARNING CURVEBALL: Gauteng schools face crisis with almost 5,000 grade 1 and 8 learners still unplaced
Thousands of grade 1 and 8 pupils in Gauteng remain unplaced amid online system glitches, parental despair and district overloads — echoing national strains.
PASS RATE: Why a small dip in Eastern Cape matric results may signal a bigger problem
A modest dip in the Eastern Cape’s 2025 matric results has prompted education experts to warn that underlying language barriers, declining Bachelor’s passes and weaknesses earlier in the schooling pipeline may be contributing to deeper systemic problems.
US posts record $145 billion December deficit as outlays outpace receipts
WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Reuters) – The U.S. government posted a $145 billion budget deficit for December, up 67% or $58 billion from a year earlier due to record outlays that were inflated by calendar shifts in benefit payments and receipts, the Treasury Department said on Tuesday.