Five signs the ANC has given up on Joburg

The data reveal 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.

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.

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.

Plane Crazy

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 community projects in election campaign as 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.

DHET admits it cannot track which degrees lead to graduate unemployment

The Department of Higher Education is spending billions in public funds without tracking which university degrees lead straight to the unemployment line. While this happens, the unemployment rate among graduates has grown from 10.3% to 12.4% in seven months.

Kevin Warsh’s quiet Fed in a face-off with Bessent’s Treasury

Kevin Warsh’s Jackson Hole speech signals a reluctance to promise policy, supports higher rates to tame inflation-raising dollar strength and pressure on emerging markets such as South Africa.

Ex-presidents fail in bid to remove Sisi Khampepe as head of judicial inquiry

The Constitutional Court on Monday dismissed former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma’s application for the recusal of retired judge Sisi Khampepe, chair of a highly significant judicial inquiry into possible political interference in post-TRC apartheid prosecutions.

Protecting Botswana’s wildlife: A national responsibility and lessons for SA

Botswana’s approach to wildlife conservation, integrating the defence force in anti-poaching operations and prioritising community inclusion, provides essential lessons for regional cooperation and protecting natural heritage, offering a strategic framework for South Africa’s conservation efforts.

Unfed Potential

SA motorists can’t escape the petrol price pain in September

Petrol is up by R1.34 and diesel gets a R2.94 increase, and there’s nothing we can do about it for now.

How civil society safeguards South Africa’s energy future

The country’s energy future needs to be affirmed through lawful acts that are evidence based, includes all its citizens and grounds the rights of future generations.