The South African

Pyramids FC coach Rulani Mokwena says he is divided on which team to support ahead of the MTN8 final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates. Mokwena, who has coached both teams, claims he will be a happy man on Saturday after the final whistle. The two giants of South African football, clash at the Moses Mabhida on Saturday evening, “It’s very difficult for me to decide who I think will win, but I’ll be very happy at the end, for sure,” Mokwena told SAFJA members. “At the end

Here is what the weather has in store for KZN, the Free State, and the North West on Saturday 10 October 2026. A Yellow Level 2 warning has been issued for KwaZulu-Natal as severe thunderstorms bring heavy rain, hail and damaging winds. KWAZULU-NATAL Morning fog patches over the interior, otherwise fine and hot to very hot but warm along the south coast. It will become partly cloudy to cloudy in the afternoon with isolated showers and thundershowers but scattered over the north-west

South African judge Navi Pillay has declared that US President Donald Trump will never win the Nobel Peace Prize, describing his failure to secure the award as an indictment against him. Pillay, 85, made the remarks in an interview on Friday, 9 October, after being named the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner for her contribution to international law and human rights. “The fact that Trump never got the Nobel Prize and never will is an indictment against him,” she said. Pillay als

The continental rugby season kicks off in just days. From next week, the Stormers, Bulls, and Lions begin their European Rugby Champions Cup campaigns. The Sharks and the Cheetahs also start their EPCR Challenge Cup seasons next weekend. Here’s the latest on the fixtures of South African teams competing for European silverware. When does the European Rugby Champions Cup start? The competition begins on 16 October with reigning champions Union Bordeaux Begles travelling to Gloucest

The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga, while extremely high fire danger threatens three other provinces. Residents in north-western KwaZulu-Natal and the Highveld of Mpumalanga should prepare for severe thunderstorms accompanied by heavy downpours, damaging winds, hail and lightning. Severe storms expected in two province SAWS warns that the storms could cause localised flooding, par

Four people have been arrested following violent anti-immigration protests in Johannesburg on Friday, 9 October, during which a vehicle was torched near the Constitutional Court and police fired rubber bullets. Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni confirmed the arrests on Friday afternoon, saying officers had identified individuals suspected of inciting violence. The arrests followed a march led by former radio personality Ngizwe Mchunu, who took demonstrators fro

It was an emotional prizegiving ceremony for Hoër Landbouskool Marlow, who honoured matric learner Jonathan Bradfield, who drowned during the school holidays, with several academic awards. The 19-year-old’s body was found earlier this week after he was swept out to sea during a rip tide at Mtunzini Main Beach last Thursday. The teen – whose dream was to become a ool farmer like his father – and his girlfriend had been visiting KwaZulu-Natal when the tragedy struck. MATRIC LE

Anti-illegal immigration group March and March leader Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma says South Africa should not be an option for people who feel unsafe in their home countries. Ngobese-Zuma made the remarks following the withdrawal of a directive on asylum seeker applications by Home Affairs Director-General Tommy Makhode, after violent protests in Durban’s central business district (CBD) on Thursday, 8 October, during which several buildings and vehicles were torched. Operations at several Home A

SASSA pensioners are comparing what lands in their accounts each month, and many say the numbers do not add up. The comments came on The South African’s Facebook page, under a report on the rise in unauthorised deductions from SASSA Older Person grants. Grant recipients described shortfalls ranging from a few rand to hundreds. From R5 to R210 Some of the missing amounts are small but frustrating. “I also received R5.00 less this month,” wrote Lee M. Others say the deductions have

The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa is in the process of moving towards setting the single minimum marriage age to 18. A CHANGE IN MARRIAGE AGE IN SOUTH AFRICA LOOMING Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Minister, Sindiswe Chikunga, revealed the prospective change when answering a question in parliament. Chikunga said she was informed by the Department of Home Affairs that the change of the marital age was underway. This was in response to a question about forced marri

Cape Town has launched its first metro-built hybrid power station, with the new facility in Atlantis expected to save residents at least R400 million over the next 20 years. The R220 million Helderhoop Solar and Storage Power Plant was officially launched by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Thursday, 8 October. The facility combines solar generation with large-scale battery storage and forms part of the City’s push to reduce its reliance on Eskom. 12 850 solar panels and two

Cape Town has once again earned a place among the world’s top cities, with international travellers naming the Mother City one of the best and friendliest cities on the planet. The city ranked 15th among the world’s best cities and 10th among the friendliest, according to the latest Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards. It was also the only African city to appear on either list. The awards were based on almost 800 000 responses from readers in the United Kingdom, who rated their

Navi Pillay started her legal career in apartheid-era Durban, representing people the state wanted silenced. Decades later, she has received the world’s most famous peace award. On Friday, 9 October, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to the South African judge. Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, 85, was honoured “for her efforts to promote peace and international law.” It’s the 125th Nobel Peace Prize,

Monnapule Saleng and Mohau Nkota could make their first appearances of the season when Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns meet in the MTN8 final on Saturday. The two South African football giants will battle for the trophy at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with both sides hoping to get their hands on silverware. Nkota, who joined Pirates on loan from Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, was spotted in training this week after recovering from an injury. The winger could make a surprise ap

Orlando Pirates have received an almighty boost ahead of their glittering MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates meet Sundowns in another MTN8 final 90 minutes, or perhaps more, separates Pirates from an unprecedented fifth consecutive MTN8 crown. Sundowns stand in their way, but Buccaneers supporters sound confident, with Thalente Mbatha reportedly ready for minutes. The 26-year-old midfield dynamo has been in full training and could feature for the defending champions at Moses Mab

Tree pollen levels have dropped in several parts of South Africa, but Cape Town, Pretoria and Potchefstroom continue to record high concentrations. The latest pollen report shows that tree pollen remains the main concern for people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Cape Town also recorded moderate grass pollen levels, while weed pollen and mould concentrations remained generally low across the monitoring sites. Cape Town: Tree pollen remains high Cape Town continues to record high

Your dog may love splashing through puddles after a downpour, but drinking the water could put its health at risk. With rain and thundershowers expected in parts of South Africa, pet owners should pay attention to where their dogs drink water during outdoor walks. A puddle might look harmless, especially after fresh rainfall, but standing water can collect dirt, animal waste and other contaminants. While clean rainwater is not necessarily dangerous, water that collects on roads, pavemen

Pyramids FC head coach Rulani Mokwena has revealed that he wanted Mamelodi Sundowns to sign Relebohile Mofokeng while the winger was still at the School of Excellence. After leaving the School of Excellence at 17, Mofokeng spent four years at Orlando Pirates before making a move to Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in July. Speaking in an interview with the South African Football Journalists Association (SAFJA), Mokwena explained how he identified the talented playmaker during an Engen Knockout c

Cape Town travellers have two new reasons to look toward the Indian Ocean, with Airlink adding direct flights to both Mauritius and Zanzibar. The airline has officially launched its new Cape Town–Mauritius and Cape Town–Zanzibar services this month. Both routes give travellers a direct alternative to connecting through Johannesburg, making it easier to reach two of the region’s most popular island destinations. Cape Town to Mauritius A new route, a new connection ✈️🇲🇺Our direc

South Africa’s motorists could face the biggest petrol price increase on record in November, with early Central Energy Fund (CEF) data signalling a possible hike of up to R3.35 per litre. The warning comes just days after petrol and diesel prices climbed to record highs in October, piling further pressure on households, businesses and the transport industry. International oil prices remain above $100 per barrel, compared with approximately $65 before the Iran war in early 2026. Co