Top Stories – News South Africa

Dan du Plessis praises ‘tremendous’ captain Nel as Stormers hit stride in URC playoff push

26 March at 15:40 PM, via The Star

Watch: Francois Pienaar goes full circle to earn a UJ doctorate

26 March at 15:34 PM, via SA People

Francois Pienaar receives an honorary doctorate from UJ, honouring his Springbok leadership, unity legacy, and lasting impact on youth sport.

News24 | FRIDAY BRIEFING | Navigating the Chinese car boom

26 March at 15:13 PM, via News24

As Chinese car brands surge from 3% to a targeted 15% of South Africa’s automotive market, Friday Briefing examines whether this boom represents an economic opportunity or a threat to local manufacturing and the country’s already strained $11.3-billion trade deficit with China.

News24 | Australia bans Iran visitors, worried that they won’t return home when their visas expire

26 March at 15:11 PM, via News24

Australia has temporarily banned visitors from Iran, claiming that the United States-Israeli war on the country has increased the risk that Iranian passport holders could refuse or be unable to fly home once their short-term visitor visas expire.

Hugo Broos’ five key Bafana Bafana objectives for Panama double-header

26 March at 15:11 PM, via The Star

Reserve Bank hits pause on South Africa’s interest rate cuts

26 March at 15:05 PM, via Daily Investor

Faced with heightened uncertainty, soaring oil prices, and a weaker rand, South Africa’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep interest rates unchanged for the time being.

News24 | ANC and DA won’t shield coalition partner IFP following Newcastle municipality raid

26 March at 14:55 PM, via News24

The KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unity will not shield its IFP-led partner, which has come under scrutiny over questionable contracts and spending in two municipalities.

Film under the stars for WWF Earth Hour 2026 and other top Joburg events

26 March at 14:40 PM, via The Star

News24 | No hike in interest rate — but Reserve Bank raises inflation alarm

26 March at 14:22 PM, via News24

As expected, the SA Reserve Bank kept the interest rate unchanged for the second time, but with a much more hawkish stance than before.

News24 | France withdraws Ramaphosa’s invitation to G7 summit due to US pressure

26 March at 14:22 PM, via News24

France has, under pressure from Washington, revoked an invitation to President Cyril Ramaphosa to attend the G7 summit in Evian in June, the Presidency confirmed to News24 on Thursday.

News24 | Gabrielle Goliath to independently exhibit artwork in Venice, after cancellation by minister

26 March at 14:17 PM, via News24

Gabrielle Goliath will independently exhibit her performance artwork in Venice, after Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie’s cancellation of her Biennale submission.

South Africa’s biggest shopping mall launches a R100 million development with a Pantry and a Tashas

26 March at 13:53 PM, via Daily Investor

Fourways Mall has launched a R100 million upmarket development, The View, in Johannesburg, featuring premium dining and retail offerings, including Tashas and The Pantry.

News24 | Hezbollah rejects ‘surrender’ negotiations with Israel, as UN calls for Lebanon ceasefire

26 March at 13:40 PM, via News24

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said negotiations with Israel under fire would amount to “surrender”, as the Iran-backed group launched attacks and Israel said it was expanding a “buffer zone” inside Lebanon.

News24 | SA fuel crisis: Work from home not official policy, says govt

26 March at 13:36 PM, via News24

While other countries that depend on fuel imports have embraced work-from-home policies in an effort to deal with rocketing prices and supply shortages, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed this is not South Africa’s position.