Top Stories
Top Stories
FINANCE: Prime interest rate may soon be phased out, says SA Reserve Bank governor
The 350 basis point gap between the repo or monetary policy rate and the prime rate has been fixed since 2001. Lenders use it as a baseline depending on the risks and the credit record of borrowers.
Top Stories
COUNTERING EXTREMISM OP-ED: Why Africa’s terrorism crisis is a governance crisis first
Countering violent extremism must be reframed as a governance renewal project — investing in accountable institutions, empowering civil society as an early warning system, institutionalising interfaith and intercultural dialogue, protecting media freedom and addressing structural exclusion.
Top Stories
TROUBLED WATERS: Inside SA’s fishing industry: Travis Daniels — at one with the sea
A conversation with a man proud to be a fisherman, but who is watching the profession slip away from his community, posing problems of survival.

South Africa
Tackling organised crime needs new strategies: Cachalia
Cachalia was speaking in Gqeberha during an stakeholder engagement focused on tackling crime.

South Africa
Sassa to continue with assistance for destitute Limpopo flood victims
Sassa will also work with Home Affairs to assist with lost IDs.

South Africa
Lawyer alleges witness contradicted himself in Lusikisiki mass murder
Six men are facing multiple murder charges for the brutal killing of 18 people.

South Africa
Limpopo flood-related deaths now at 19
Operations for remaining missing people continue in different parts of the province.
World
News24 | Erdogan and Trump chat after Syria announces ceasefire with US-allied Kurdish forces
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed developments in Syria and Gaza with US counterpart Donald Trump in a telephone call on Tuesday as Syria’s Turkey-backed government announced a ceasefire with US-allied Kurdish forces after days of clashes.

World
Taylor Swift makes history as she joins Songwriters Hall of Fame
The US pop superstar is among nine songwriters who have been inducted into the 2026 class.

World
Israeli strike in Gaza kills three journalists, first responders say
Another eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli artillery and gunfire across Gaza on Wednesday, according to medics.

World
Oldest cave painting of red claw hand could rewrite human creativity timeline
A stencilled outline of a hand found on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi is the world’s oldest known cave painting, researchers say.

Africa
Detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure critically ill in hospital, his party says
Kizza Besigye’s party says his condition is critical, but authorities say he was taken to hospital for a routine check-up.

Africa
Jubilant Senegal fans join the Afcon champions parade
Thousands of Senegal fans join the parade to celebrate Afcon champions on their return home.

Africa
Malawi raises fuel prices by more than 40%
The new government is addressing fuel shortages and strengthening the budget but many are not happy.

Africa
Ex-president accused of murder plot expelled from Togo to Burkina Faso
Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba is accused by Burkina Faso of trying to kill current President Ibrahim Traoré.

Business
Supreme Court sceptical of Trump firing of Lisa Cook
One conservative justice warned that the White House interpretation of the law could “shatter” Federal Reserve independence.
Business
Business

Business
South African banking giant buying international company for R13.9 billion
South African banking group Nedbank has announced an offer to acquire a majority stake in Kenya’s NCBA Group for R13.9 billion.

Politics
McBride accused of misleading Ad Hoc Committee about his association with O’Sullivan
McBride was probed over evidence suggesting he was in constant communication with Trent.

Politics
Ramaphosa calls for review of SANDF joint military exercises
Ramaphosa responded to Iran’s participation in the Will for Peace naval drills near Simon’s Town.

Politics
Ad Hoc Committee revisits IPID investigator Mandla Mahlangu’s murder
Former IPID head Robert McBride is appearing for a second day before the Ad Hoc Committee

Politics
LIVE | McBride continues testifying at the Ad Hoc Committee
Former IPID head Robert McBride is continuing his testimony at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee.

Sport
Villa’s injury woes worsen as McGinn set for spell out
Injury-hit Aston Villa suffer another blow, with captain John McGinn facing a number of weeks on the sidelines.

Sport
What we learned from Afcon 2025
After chaotic scenes in the Africa Cup of Nations final, BBC Sport Africa explores what else we learned from just under a month of competition in Morocco.

Sport
‘No desire’ for World Cup boycott over Greenland
The French government is not currently in favour of boycotting this summer’s World Cup over US President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Greenland, according to the country’s sports minister.

Sport
Ospreys told of Cardiff interest as players walk out of meeting
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones says the squad have been told their owners Y11 Sport & Media are in talks to buy rivals Cardiff.
Education
Namibia: Support for Marginalised Students Strengthened
[Namibian] The government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving access to tertiary education for students from the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities.
Education
Namibia: Namibian Teacher Robert Andreas Named IFIP Educator of the Year for Boy Child Inclusion
[Namibian] A Teacher and boy child inclusion activist from the ||Kharas region has been named educator of the year for inclusion by the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP).
Education
Namibia: Nust to Refund Registration Fees As Government-Subsidised Tertiary Education Begins
[Namibian] The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) announced yesterday that it will refund eligible students who had already paid their registration fees, after some students made payments themselves.
Education
Tunisia: Prime Ministry Announces Suspension of Classes Across 15 Governorates
[Tunis Afrique Presse] Tunis, Jan. 20 — The Prime Ministry announced in a statement Tuesday the suspension of classes for the entire day on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at all public and private educational, training and university institutions, as well as public and private childcare centres, in 15 governorates, due to continued weather instability, poor conditions and heavy rainfall.
Lifestyle

Lifestyle
What it costs to apply for a Smart ID at banks in South Africa in 2026
Applying for a Smart ID through a South African bank in 2026? Here’s what it costs and what to expect before you book your appointment.

Lifestyle
Explainer: ConCourt’s landmark customary marriage ruling
The Constitutional Court has ruled that antenuptial contracts signed after customary marriages, which are classified as civil, are invalid.
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Amor Vittone and her new beau: Is songstress teasing possibility of wedding bells?
Amor Vittone seemingly hinted that marriage might be on the near horizon as her relationship with businessman Marius van Biljon deepens.

Entertainment
Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Wednesday, 21 January 2026
A total of R21 million in jackpots is up for grabs tonight. Here are your Lotto and Lotto Plus results for 21 January 2026.

Entertainment
Snaith Racing is mob-handed in the Met
Favourite draws well at No 2.

Entertainment
In case you missed it: ConCourt’s marriage contract ruling | Fatal Tshwane tuck shop shooting | Scholar transport crash footage
Catch up on the biggest stories of Wednesday, 21 January 2026 that you may have missed, in our simple daily news update.

Science/Tech
TCL Knocks $1,000 off One of Our Favorite Mid-Range TVs
The 65-inch QM8K sees a massive discount, with equally generous markdowns on larger models.
Science/Tech
Ubisoft Cancels Six Games, Slashes Guidance in Restructuring
Ubisoft is canceling game projects, shutting down studios and cutting its guidance as the Assassin’s Creed maker restructures its business into five units. From a report: The French gaming firm expects earnings before interest and tax to be a loss of $1.2 billion the fiscal year 2025-2026 as a result of the restructuring, driven by a one-off writedown of about $761 million, the company said in...

Science/Tech
Surveillance and ICE Are Driving Patients Away From Medical Care, Report Warns
A new EPIC report says data brokers, ad-tech surveillance, and ICE enforcement are among the factors leading to a “health privacy crisis” that is eroding trust and deterring people from seeking care.

Science/Tech
Ben Jennings on the tool-using cow – cartoon
Continue reading…

Motoring
6 new Chinese car brands coming to South Africa in 2026
Six more Chinese brands are coming to South Africa this year, bringing everything from a Toyota Prado rival to electric bakkies and family SUVs.
Motoring

Motoring
South Africa’s motorists drastically outnumber traffic cops
South Africa is facing a severe shortage of traffic officers.
Motoring

Health
How some countries are rethinking exercise
Dr Jo Blodgett from UCL explains an approach that considers how much you move – and don’t move – across the day.

Health
Could your frying pan be toxic?
Scientist Mark Miodownik explores the potential impact of ‘forever chemicals’ present in some cookware. Made in partnership with the Royal Society.

Health
Botched ‘Turkey teeth’ op victim warns of dangers
Leanne Abeyance, from Telford, is waiting for reconstructive surgery and remains in constant pain.

Health
NHS nurse reinstated after trans patient dispute
A nurse was reinstated after a probe found no evidence she had identified a transgender patient.