These are the key developments in South Africa today, 14 January 2026.

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.

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.

Wealthy South Africans are increasingly moving funds into discretionary trusts offshore to protect assets, hedge local risks, and benefit from stable, low-tax jurisdictions.

United States analyst Joshua Meservey said there is increased suspicion that senior South African government officials benefited from the Venezuelan drug operations.

South Africa is on the right track to escape the period of stagnation it has endured for the past decade, with the country’s economic recovery set to take shape in the coming years.

South Africa’s manufacturing sector has been in steady decline for years, with output below pre-pandemic levels and worsening due to weak demand, infrastructure failures, and policy shortcomings.

The DA has submitted a complaint to the Public Protector after Minister Gayton McKenzie blocked South Africa’s Gaza-related submission for the Venice Biennale.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi left Orlando Pirates for Chicago Fire just before AFCON, and the club has now found his replacement.

South Africa’s share of global gross domestic product (GDP) declined from 0.54% in 1994 to 0.37% thirty years later.

Contrary to initial media speculation suggesting Iran’s withdrawal or downgrade to observer status, the SANDF has confirmed that Iran’s Corvette Naghdi is actively participating in the sea phase of Exercise Will for Peace 2026.

A 9 500-year-old cremation in northern Malawi shows hunter-gatherers engaged in complex ritual practices far earlier than previously thought

Linden has emerged as one of Johannesburg’s strongest-performing suburbs, delivering steady capital growth and strong rental demand for local and international investors.

Abongile Tom and Zakhele Siwela have been outstanding at this AFCON, and they now been picked for the Nigeria vs Morocco game.

The rand has returned to its level of a decade ago as tentative local fiscal improvements, strong commodity prices and, above all, sustained dollar weakness have reversed what once looked like an inevitable long-term decline.

The “funeral” in the Rabat dressing room after the team’s Africa Cup of Nations defeat must serve as the birth of a stronger Bafana

Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, has confirmed that he has been approached by party members to run for the presidency of the African National Congress (ANC).

However, the province is not without its stars. Five schools have maintained a 100% pass rate for five consecutive years.

South African motorists are likely to see further petrol and diesel price cuts in February amid expectations of a global oil surplus, despite ongoing geopolitical tension.

For the third successive edition, the AFCON trophy will be lifted by an African coach as teams coached by non-African mentors are out.