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South Africa on the edge of trouble
South Africa risks losing preferential access to the US market under a key African trade pact that’s before Congress, though the economic impact would likely be limited even if the country is excluded.
THURSDAY, 29 JANUARY 2026, 19:46

Top Stories
South Africa risks losing preferential access to the US market under a key African trade pact that’s before Congress, though the economic impact would likely be limited even if the country is excluded.
Top Stories
The South African Reserve Bank maintains its repo rate at 6.75%, aiming for a stable inflation target amid global uncertainties and economic growth challenges.
Top Stories
The freedom – and lower costs – that gas brings only heightens the importance of keeping an eye on what happens to our neighbouring countries. Because we might hit a supply crisis faster than you can say ‘gas cliff’.

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South Africa
Gauteng Police spokesperson Tintswalo Sibeko says the arrested suspects will appear in court soon.

South Africa
General Lesetja Senona was slammed for sharing sensitive police information with Vusimuzi Matlala.

South Africa
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says the stadium has been subjected to vandalism over the years.

South Africa
The new smart prepaid split meter roll-out started last year.

World
The proposed bill would enshrine in law the end of so-called “conjugal rights” – the notion that marriage means a duty to have sex.
World
A burst of heavy gunfire and explosions erupted near the international airport in Niger’s capital Niamey before halting within hours, residents told AFP.

World
She fills the void for Democrats after current Governor Tim Walz ended his re-election campaign early.

World
Russia received 38 soldiers’ bodies in exchange as part of an agreement between the warring countries.

Africa
No reason has been given but the decision follows a huge fall-out between South Africa and the US.

Africa
Passengers received a text message about the cancellation of flights, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.

Africa
Prosecutors allege Diezani Alison-Madueke was given “a life of luxury” in the UK by people interested in Nigerian government contracts.

Africa
Ghana’s foreign minister says the influencer is a “worthy ambassador”, but some Ghanaians criticised the move.

Business
This is the most expensive major city in South Africa to buy food in as of January 2026.
Business

Business
Plans to potentially double import duties could hurt car prices, consumer affordability, and even local manufacturers in South Africa.

Business
Broll Auctions and Sales’ first auction of 2026 in February features a national line-up of assets for all investor types, illustrating the resilience and diversity of South Africa’s property market.

Politics
The motion was brought by minority party Al Jama-ah, with the support of other minority parties.

Politics
The ANC decried the US arrest of the Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro and his wife.

Politics
Thirty seven abstained, 87 voted no and 107 voted in favour of the recommendation.
Politics
Johannesburg executive mayor, Dada Morero, has survived another day after the motion of no confidence in him was deferred.

Sport
BBC Sport NI looks at some of the issues Northern Ireland’s incoming interim boss Kris Lindsay will look to address before World Cup 2027 qualifying begins in March.

Sport
The Ireland Rugby Social panel dive into the biggest issues facing Andy Farrell’s side before next week’s Six Nations opener against France in Paris.

Sport
Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has tracked back on her comments saying the WSL title is “probably over” by insisting her side will “never give up”.

Sport
Nine teams will start the upcoming Chinese Super League season on minus points after clubs were sanctioned following an investigation.
Education
[Ghanaian Times] Award-winning Ghanaian visual artist, Mr Anthony Jefferson Hanson, has described the arts as a life-changing profession and urged Ghanaians to place greater value on it.
Education
[Ghanaian Times] The Global Media Foundation (GLOMEF) Ghana has distributed learning materials to vulnerable pupils in selected basic schools in the Ahafo Ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region to enhance teaching and learning while easing the financial burden on parents in cocoa-growing communities.
Education
[Ghanaian Times] The GA Traditional Council has called on the Ministry of Education to make the teaching of Ga and Dangme languages compulsory in basic schools across the Greater Accra Region, to reflect the linguistic and cultural identity of the indigenous people of the capital.
Education
[Ghanaian Times] The Nandom Midwifery Training College is set to begin a Registered General Nursing (RGN) programme in the 2026/2027 academic year, a move expected to expand health training opportunities in the Nandom Municipality and the Upper West Region at large.
Lifestyle
Media personality Nandi Madida tries her best to converse with L-Tido in Sesotho with the little vocabulary she has.

Lifestyle
Cape Town motorists already struggling with summer congestion along the Atlantic Seaboard may need extra patience in the weeks ahead…
Lifestyle
Lifestyle

Entertainment
Celebrity icon Amor Vittone announced her engagement to businessman Marius van Biljon, showing how love can bloom after loss.

Entertainment
The Reserve Bank usually follows the US Fed’s decision on the repo rate. The Fed opted to leave interest rates unchanged on Wednesday.

Entertainment
The motion of no-confidence against Dada Morero was postponed due to requests for a secret ballot

Entertainment
Criticism comes after the Auditor-General’s report on the state of the City of Tshwane’s finances.

Science/Tech
AI chat toy company Bondu left its web console almost entirely unprotected. Researchers who accessed it found nearly all the conversations children had had with the company’s stuffed animals.
Science/Tech
Microsoft’s Xbox hardware revenue fell 32% in the final quarter of 2025 and overall gaming revenue declined 9% year-over-year, according to the company’s latest quarterly earnings, released as part of results showing Microsoft’s total revenue exceeded $80 billion. Xbox content and services revenue, which includes Game Pass, dropped 5%.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Science/Tech
Cloud inertia in government could stall digital reform and leave South Africa behind in the AI era, Microsoft has said.
Science/Tech
A.I. companies are buying up memory chips, causing the prices of those components — which are also used in laptops and smartphones — to soar.

Motoring
Police Minister Firoz Cachalia revealed that the government plans to spend over R4 billion on VIP protection services for politicians.

Motoring
More and more South Africans are opting to buy pre-owned vehicles as household budgets are stretched thin.

Motoring
Lepas and iCaur have revealed the list of cars they are bringing to South Africa this year, and when we can expect to see them.
Motoring

Health
Symptoms to look out for include severe pain in the stomach and back which does not go away.

Health
Peter Dervin says he warned Broomfield Hospital staff not to leave his son alone before fatal fall.

Health
Elaine Gracey was in a lot of pain but says she was expected to just put up with her menopausal symptoms.
Health
A Black female doctor when that was rare, she developed a diagnostic test for the disease that is still a standard tool, as well as treatment guidelines.