Top Stories

Top Stories
The beginning of the end of BEE in South Africa
Efficient Group Chief Economist Dawie Roodt said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address signalled the beginning of the end for BEE.
Top Stories
SELLO HATANG | Rev Jesse Jackson leaves a legacy of solidarity beyond borders
Some lives are so purposeful that even in their departure they leave instructions behind, writes Sello Hatang.

Top Stories
OPINION | SA’s economic design fails to boost job market
The country is facing an inclusion crisis produced by institutional design.

South Africa
Fatalities still unclear after horrific bus crash in Limpopo
Limpopo Traffic authorities to confirm number of people killed when bus overturned on N1 north

South Africa
SA men in Russia were promised bodyguard training, not war: Families
Families of four South African men who were rescued from Ukraine express gratitude to Ramaphosa

South Africa
Mkhwebane refutes Sibiya’s ‘cleared of wrongdoing’ claim
Mkhwebane says her office’s 2022 report lists irregularities and calls for further action.

South Africa
Dirco details complexities in bringing SA men home from Russia
The men arrived at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday.

World
José María Balcázar becomes Peru’s eighth president in a decade
José María Balcázar has become Peru’s new interim president, replacing another interim leader who was removed over corruption allegations just four months into his term.

World
Trump gathers members of Board of Peace for first meeting, with some U.S. allies wary
President Donald Trump will gather Thursday with representatives from more than two dozen countries that have joined his Board of Peace, for a meeting that will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza.
World
News24 | New Mexico to investigate claims of buried bodies at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch
New Mexico’s Department of Justice said the state was investigating an allegation, which emerged from documents released by the US Department of Justice, that the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein ordered the bodies of two foreign girls buried outside his remote New Mexico ranch.

World
Float featuring Brazil’s Lula comes last at Rio Carnival
See the floats from the famous festival as the city’s top samba schools compete for first prize.

Africa
Turkey’s president rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
He made the comment on an official visit to Ethiopia, saying it could prove dangerous for a volatile region.

Africa
Social media suspended in Gabon ‘until further notice’
The media regulator cites the spread of false information and cyber-bullying as among the reasons.

Africa
Gold fever hits South Africa after lucky find in cattle pen
“This is the only hustle we know,” miners tell the BBC as they try their luck at the site in Springs.

Africa
Family of Zambia’s ex-President Lungu dismiss poisoning allegation – lawyers
It is the latest twist over the fate of Lungu’s body, which remains in a South African morgue since his death.

Business
South African billionaire paying R15,000 to people who live on this tiny island
Mark Shuttleworth is paying inhabitants of Principe quarterly dividends to preserve the island’s biodiversity.

Business
Major South African gold miner gives R4 billion ‘gift’ to shareholders
Gold Fields is returning R27 billion to shareholders—including a R4 billion special dividend—as gold reaches record high prices.
Business

Business
Biggest car dealership in South Africa responds to Chinese siege
Motus Retail is expanding its brand lineup to boost revenue, as the country’s motor industry is reshaped by rising competition from Asia.

Politics
Hosi Phylia N’wamitwa II receives official provincial funeral
President has accorded Hosi Phylia N’wamitwa II a category two official provincial funeral

Politics
Malusi Gigaba and former Transnet bosses due in Joburg court
Gigaba’s lawyer Nicholas Kourie says today’s appearance forms part of the pre-trial hearings.

Politics
Lt-Gen Sibiya to resume testimony at Madlanga Commission
Molefe and Matlala allegedly gave Sibiya money in exchange for protection.

Politics
ANC’s Fasiha Hassan calls on President to act on youth unemployment
ANC MP Fasiha Hassan calls on President to pay attention to the seriousness of youth unemployment

Sport
What cost Orlando Pirates 3 points against Mamelodi Sundowns
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his side created enough chances to win in the 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium.

Sport
Orlando Pirates boss reveals big Mofokeng mistake
What do you think?

Sport
Team SA’s Lara Markthaler signs off debut Winter Olympics in style
Lara Markthaler put the finishing touches to a memorable first Winter Olympics in the women’s slalom at the Milano Cortina Games.

Sport
Two Springboks facing uncertain future
There are a couple of Springbok players, at different stages of their careers, who still have a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them.
Education
Education
Rwanda: Kagame Meets Global Education Leaders Ahead of Learning Conference in Kigali
[New Times] President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, February 18, received a delegation of global education and development leaders at Village Urugwiro, ahead of the Global Learning Conference 2026, which opens tomorrow in Kigali.
Education
Malawi: School Children in Machinga Abandon Classes to Work On Dangerous Highway
[Nyasa Times] Reports reaching Nyasatimes have revealed a disturbing trend in Machinga District where some school children are skipping classes to repair potholes on a major highway in order to beg for money from passing motorists.

Education
Councils in England call for ‘radical’ means testing of Send school transport
Demand is rising at unsustainable rate and could cost £3.4bn by 2030-31, local authorities warn
Families who have children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) should be means tested for school transport, according to councils in England, who say demand is rising “at an unsustainable rate”.
Local authorities are urging the government to be “radical” in its Send reforms,...

Lifestyle
Cape Town International Airport getting R21-billion facelift
A R21-billion facelift to Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) follows a bumper year of tourism in 2025 the topped 11 million visitors …

Lifestyle
Pretoria landmark Erasmus Castle hits restoration snag
The journey to refurbishing Pretoria’s Erasmus Castle, popularly known as ‘Die Spookhuis’, has proven to be a rocky one. Here’s why…
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
Afrikaner family denied asylum in Ireland, fighting deportation
An Afrikaner family – the Breetzkes – have been denied asylum by Irish authorities, and have been issued deportation orders.

Entertainment
Department, police investigating alleged sexual assault of 9-year-old by teen
Eastern Cape Education department spokesperson Mali Mtima confirmed that officials responded after learning about the allegations.

Entertainment
Lions v Sharks: Haashim Pead fired up to make a big impact
Exciting rising star Haashim Pead will hope to make a big impact against the Sharks on Saturday, after his match winning heroics against them last month.
Entertainment

Entertainment
Subaru’s Forester offers a premium experience that comes with a premium price tag
While the compact Crosstrek is the brand’s global best seller, the larger Forester is South Africa’s favourite pick by far.
Science/Tech
Trump Has Prepared Speech On Extraterrestrial Life
According to Lara Trump, Donald Trump has prepared but not yet delivered a speech about extraterrestrial life, though the White House says such a speech would be “news to me.” White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt continued: “I’ll have to check in with our speech writing team. Uh, and that would be of great interest to me personally, and I’m sure all of you in this room and apparently...

Science/Tech
OMODA & JAECOO South Africa Surpasses 20,000 Sales Milestone With Record-Breaking January 2026
OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has reached 20,857 total sales since launching locally in 2023. January 2026 delivered 1,418 sales, marking the strongest month on record for the brand. Plug-in hybrid momentum is accelerating, with 590 SHS units sold to date, including strong performance from the J7 SHS and C9 SHS. OMODA & JAECOO […]

Science/Tech
Crackdown on students gambling away Nsfas money online
Government is planning responsible gambling awareness across universities and TVET colleges to fight the scourge.

Science/Tech
Meta may launch AI-powered smartwatch in 2026
Meta Platforms reportedly plans to release its first smartwatch this year, and it will have a built-in AI assistant.

Motoring
Lifeline for important car factory supplier in South Africa
Plans are underway to rescue a South African supplier crucial to the automotive and mining industries.

Motoring
Pressure mounts on South Africa’s 8-year driver’s licence plan
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy facing pressure to announce the 8-year licence extension.
Motoring

Motoring
3 major car brands that have closed dealerships in South Africa – And what’s taking their place
Three legacy car brands have scaled back their local dealer networks, while new companies are rapidly expanding their presence in South Africa.
Health
N.I.H. Director Will Temporarily Run C.D.C. in Leadership Shake-Up
Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will serve as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until President Trump appoints a permanent director.
Health
How Microbes Got Their Crawl
In the oceans and on land, scientists are discovering rare, transitional organisms that bridge the gap between Earth’s simplest cells and today’s complex ones.

Health
NHS joint ops disrupted amid bone cement supply problems
Around 1,000 operations a week rely on the product as patients are warned delays are inevitable.

Health
NHS must pay injured children higher compensation, court rules
The decision, on the case of a child who sustained a brain injury at birth in 2015, could have significant cost implications for the NHS.