Five signs the ANC has given up on Joburg

The data reveals that most ANC voters have already chosen to stay home on 4 November.

Biko’s injuries point to repeated, brutal assaults over days, inquest hears

Forensic evidence presented at the reopened inquest suggests Steve Biko suffered multiple injuries over several days, contradicting the apartheid police’s account of a single ‘scuffle’. The hearing also heard fresh evidence about what happened to Biko in custody before his death.

Agencies seek answers after promised Cape Town Test tickets fail to arrive

Travel agencies and hospitality companies are counting their losses and seeking answers after hundreds of promised tickets for the Springboks-All Blacks second Test went undelivered.

Sardine deaths threaten Algoa Bay’s endangered African Penguins

While government departments are still investigating the cause of the mass sardine die-off along the South African coastline, conservationists fear that the main food supply of the critically endangered African Penguin is disappearing.

Khan’s medical excuses face independent scrutiny at Madlanga Commission

The Madlanga Commission has run out of patience with suspended Crime Intelligence officer Major General Feroz Khan’s repeated failure to appear before the inquiry, making any further postponement of his testimony conditional on an independent medical assessment to establish whether he is genuinely unable to testify.

Plane Crazy

More than metal: How a marathon medal can carry memory, identity and unexpected connections

Now that marathon runners increasingly have the option to opt out of receiving a finisher’s medal, it raises the question of what makes a medal worth keeping.

Let’s talk about that nail-biting Airlink flyover

Airlink had hearts in throats during a stadium flyover at the Springboks vs. All Blacks game on Saturday. Was the stunt a demonstration of South African skill, or an unnecessary risk?

Parliament’s Impeachment Committee drops evidence leader; Ramaphosa’s Section 89 panel report court review starts

On the eve of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s court review of the Section 89 panel report that found he had a case to answer in the Phala Phala saga, Parliament’s impeachment committee appears to be back to square one – without an evidence leader or finalised terms of reference.

Is Johannesburg too big to fail — or are we just pretending it is?

When suburbs are forced to build ‘shadow municipalities’ to sustain security, water and power service delivery, City leadership has failed – The Gathering: Cities Edition probes whether metros can be saved.

‘Extraction without compensation’ — the AI dilemma facing SA’s digital media

A new study of 263 South African news websites has found that fewer than a third explicitly block access to AI crawlers collecting content with which to train and power AI systems – even if they might want to.

Fourie might be the right man at the right time against NZ

The 39-year-old utility forward Deon Fourie’s 35 minutes against the All Blacks at DHL Stadium last Saturday made him the oldest Springbok in history.

Lovers of the bean, rejoice — a coffee price battle is brewing

South Africa’s coffee market is getting crowded, prices are rising, and Shoprite’s acquisition of Vida e Caffè could trigger an even more intense battle for our daily caffeine fix. For coffee lovers, that may mean more choice, more competition – and perhaps better prices – but the urban coffee map could be about to change again.

Put your knowledge to the test with the Maverick Mind quiz

Take a breather from your busy day and answer ten questions to see whether your well-read instincts are as sharp as you think.

Sasol claims innocence as NPA gathers fresh evidence in toxic dumping probe

Sasol is mounting a technical defence against allegations of illegal chemical dumping into the Klipspruit River, even as fresh NPA raids signal expanding criminal investigations into Sasol’s Secunda operations.

Joburg’s public pool crisis: Safety excuse masks years of neglect

City blames safety compliance for postponing Johannesburg’s public swimming season to 1 October, while communities criticise staffing, maintenance failures and neglected pools across the city.

Ordinary South Africans not present in safer cars AA forum — it’s a problem

For a discussion about the democratisation of vehicle safety in Africa, there was a distinct lack of community voices present at the AA and Global Ncap Forum for Safer Mobility that took place in Cape Town on 1 September.

Swimming icon Tatjana Smith issues demand to Swimming SA over prize money dispute

Olympic champion Tatjana Smith has issued Swimming South Africa with a letter of demand seeking payment of interest allegedly retained after competition prize money was held for more than a year.

Marimuthu, money laundering and Mchunu — Hawks officer grilled over cop controversies, cash

A KwaZulu-Natal policeman has told the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that he took colleagues to visit Timothy Marimuthu, a controversial politically connected figure once convicted of Mandrax dealing and implicated in various high-level scandals, ranging from Crime Intelligence to a SARS commissioner’s resignation.

Lessons from Odysseus as we confront the monsters of complacency and despair

In a world where we often have to face our monsters, we need to tap into our incredible inner power so that we can make a difference – not only in our own lives but in the lives of others, too.

DA sets sights on governance in 60 councils after November polls

The DA wants to become the largest party in Gauteng’s three metros and believes it has a chance of becoming part of government in 60 councils following the 4 November local elections.

Nelson Mandela Bay needs nearly R1bn to tackle water losses and ageing pipes

The metro is battling thousands of water-leak complaints while some communities go without water for weeks, and failing wastewater infrastructure is sending raw sewage into rivers, estuaries and the sea.

Kruger Park archaeological dig reveals local trade with Southeast Asia long before Van Riebeeck

In the Pafuri region of the Limpopo Valley, archeologists have painstakingly uncovered pottery sherds, glass beads and other artefacts in what turns out was a major centre of trade.

Pitso Mosimane finally unveiled as the new Bafana coach after extensive negotiations

Trendsetting South African soccer coach Pitso Mosimane has finally been unveiled as the replacement of long-serving Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. The latter departed in July, after a memorable five-year tenure during which he restored the dignity of the team following years of being a joke. Mosimane now has a solid foundation to build on.

Connecting the crises and putting health at the heart of Africa’s energy future

As the 18th World Congress on Public Health convenes in Cape Town, the public health community has an opportunity to confront the escalating health impacts of the climate crisis and lead Africa’s pursuit of energy justice and a just transition away from fossil fuels.

SACP showcases eggs and spinach community campaign as ANC alliance frays

Launching its first independent election campaign, the SACP has fielded over 4,000 candidates and rolled out a hands-on ‘People’s Red Caravan’ initiative to establish farms, sink boreholes and deliver rural infrastructure.

Mapisa-Nqakula trial: State ‘proves millions changed hands, but not the quid pro quo’

In about a week, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will likely know her fate in her R4.55m corruption and money laundering trial, after her lawyers argued that the State’s evidence was too weak to sustain the case against her.

Ramokgopa sets record straight on Eskom turnaround, buying board time for reforms

Eskom may be celebrating a solid set of financial results, but mounting arrear debt and structural liabilities reveal why full market reform remains a slow, delicate process.

Community members clean up sewage spill at old age home after City inaction

Longstanding maintenance failures left an old age home in Westdene awash with raw sewage as Johannesburg’s water and housing departments delayed responding, prompting a community‑led cleanup to protect residents.

Can ‘knees over toes’ exercises help bullet proof your knees? Two experts explain

Knees over toes exercises can strengthen and “bullet‑proof” knees when progressed gradually — they load muscle, bone and cartilage, without damage if increased sensibly.