Newspapers from South Africa

Debate coach arrested after pupils abandoned at airport

The debate coach who abandoned five pupils at OR Tambo International Airport without flight tickets for their planned trip to Turkey has been arrested. Lindokuhle Ngobese (27) was arrested last week by Phoenix SAPS after one of the parents opened a...

On top of the world

Blitzbok Ryan Oosthuizen celebrates with team-mates after being announced as player of the final after winning the Perth leg of the World Sevens Series at HBF Park in Perth, Australia, yesterday. South Africa beat Fiji 21-19 in the final.

Liyaqonga ikhwelo lokulawulwa kwamaloli eKZN

IZIKHULUMI emngcwabeni wabantu abayisithupha ababhubhe engozini yemoto encane neloli kuN2, ngaseMtubatuba, zikhale ngokungalawuleki kwamaloli emigwaqweni yaKwaZuluNatal. Zithi amaloli awagcini ngokubulala ingqalasizinda nemigwaqo, kodwa ayimbangela...

Kumapeketwane I-ANC imisa amakhansela agolozayo

KUXABENE ubendle kumasipala wasempendle, okumiswe kuwo amakhansela amane okukhona kuwo imeya nosomlomo abasanda kukhethwa. Kubukeka zisekude ukuphela izinkinga ezikhungethe lo mkhandlu ohlulwa ukuholela abasebenzi njengoba I-ANC inqume ukumisa...

Social license to operate.

While miners must secure the legal license to extract precious metals, they also require a social license. Communities are integral to value creation, as their involvement and wellbeing directly influence the sustainability of mining operations. This...

INFORMANT QUESTIONED OVER KEY WITNESS’S MURDER

POLICE informant Wiandre Pretorius, who died by suicide at an Astron Energy filling station in Brakpan on Gauteng's East Rand, was the first person of interest questioned by the police following the brutal murder of Marius van der Merwe. Van der...

SCHAAPKRAAL FACES GROWING VAGRANT CRISIS

RESIDENTS and property owners of Schaapkraal have urgently petitioned for immediate action regarding a growing informal vagrant encampment at the main community entrance. Community leaders have reported that residents have become victims of crime,...

Panday claims vindication as EXDPP backs racketeering charges

PROMINENT Kwazulu-natal businessman Thoshan Panday has expressed feelings of vindication following the testimony of retired Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Advocate Moipone Noko. During her appearance before the Nkabinde inquiry, Noko affirmed...

SAPS PROBES POSSIBLE SYNDICATE LINKS AFTER PRETORIUS DEATH

FOLLOWING the death of Wiandre Pretorius on Saturday night, National SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe asked, “Are we dealing with a syndicate that is eliminating each other in relation to the Emmanel Mbense murder? That is what our detectives are...

SAPS PROBES POSSIBLE SYNDICATE LINKS AFTER PRETORIUS DEATH

FOLLOWING the death of Wiandre Pretorius on Saturday night, National SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe asked, “Are we dealing with a syndicate that is eliminating each other in relation to the Emmanel Mbense murder? That is what our detectives are...

Suicide victim was person of interest

THE South African Police Service (SAPS) has revealed that Wiandre Pretorius, who died by suicide at a Brakpan filling station, was a person of interest in the murder of Marius “Vlam” van der Merwe, known as Witness D at the Madlanga Commission of...

Inside revealing weekend for ANC’s provincial leadership battle

The fight to control the ANC in the Eastern Cape played out over the weekend as factions emerged during visits to the home of late Bantu Church of Christ Bishop John Bolana in Gqeberha, further setting the stage for a highstakes battle at the upcoming...

On top of the world

Philip Snyman praised the Springbok Sevens squad for their effort and belief as they claimed the World Sevens Series Perth title yesterday, with a close, but well-deserved victory over Fiji at HBF Park. The 21-19 win in the final was a convincing...

Underfire BCM bosses sue to halt discipline

Three Buffalo City Metro administration bosses are taking the council to court to prevent it from taking disciplinary action against them over allegations of irregular procurement of temporary housing units during the Covid-19 pandemic. Six officials...

Heatwave punishes farmers

AMID relentless February temperatures and no rain relief, Zululand farmers say the heatwave is just one of several contributing factors placing the planting season at risk. “We have just planted sugar cane, and we desperately need rain to help it...

Could Sona 2026 be SA’S breaking point?

POLITICAL parties, unions, and civil society are laying down the gauntlet as South Africa prepares for President Ramaphosa’s 2026 State of the Nation Address (Sona). Set for Thursday at Cape Town City Hall, the speech is expected to review past...

STEENHUISEN EXIT: QUESTIONS LINGER

DA leader John Steenhuisen was cleared of misusing party funds but now faces a fresh internal reckoning as questions over his conduct remain, and accusations he may have brought the DA into disrepute still hang over his head. Senior party sources told...

Feast for brass, famine for troops

● While even prisoners get three nourishing meals a day, soldiers patrolling South Africa’s borders complain of being hungry and sick, with severe food shortages and no medicine. Several have told the Sunday Times that their tents are torn and...

LOVE, LIES, AND CORRUPTION

THE Madlanga Commission heard this week shocking details of how two senior police officers were wrapped around the hand of suspected crime mastermind Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, who pampered them with alleged ill-gotten money and gifts. Those senior...

Are you for real?

“Finally, something that’s real.” I am reminded of these words uttered by a young boy in an antique store, almost daily, when I scroll through social media saturated with AI-generated images and videos, or worse, disinformation. What is real and what...

HEAT, HUNGER AND HOPE

NEARLY 4.4 million South Africans over 16 have never received a green barcoded or smart ID card, a crisis reflected in the long queues snaking outside Home Affairs offices across the country this week. From Durban to Cape Town, applicants wait hours...

Farewell to ghosts of the past and the forbidden C-word

FOR years, the build-up to any major ICC event featuring the Proteas followed a predictable, painful script. Headlines would inevitably mention the “forbidden C-word,” dragging the team's history of high-pressure collapses back into the spotlight and...

‘Continuity and stability’ key as DA seeks new leaders

NOMINATIONS for the leadership of the DA are set to open on February 28, stirring anticipation within the party as its current leader, John Steenhuisen, has announced his intention not to run for a third term. Speaking during his “moonlight speech” in...

READING IS RESISTANCE

Forward this paper to someone who needs to think differently. Get the latest edition of The Continent, plus every back issue (all 226 of them) by visiting https://www.thecontinent.org/ thecontinent.org. To subscribe (for free!), save The Continent’s...

Angry residents call for shutdown of Komani

Komani residents, including from Mlungisi and Ezibeleni, are planning to hold a protest on Friday to bring all economic activity to a standstill, including schools and taxi operations. The decision was made at a meeting held at the Mlungisi Stadium on...

JOJO TANK FALLS ON MAN

A RITCHIE family is considering legal action against Sol Plaatje Municipality after a resident sustained life-threatening injuries when a 2,500-litre Jojo tank collapsed on top of him in Motswedimosa, Ritchie, this week. Sabata Winston Katsio, 42,...

Steenhuisen ignites DA succession race Zungula: Phala Phala scandal can’t be wished away Sjava finds Food his place insecurity among stalks the stars SA Thumbs up for Motsepe

Swift punishment Four people who were involved in scams and gambling operations in Myanmar were executed in China on Monday, Sky News reports. Members of the notorious Bai family ran a large network of industrial parks where they carried out gambling...

FACTIONAL WARS BEHIND ‘PROTECTED’ STEENHUISEN’S EXIT

AN IOL investigation has revealed that outgoing Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen repeatedly failed to pay his compulsory financial contributions to the party in 2015 – a violation of DA policy that ordinarily results in termination of...

Lighting the path to unity

Consulate General of India (Durban) Niteen Subash Yeola, left; Judge President of the KZN High Court, Justice Thoba Portia Poyo-dlwat; Ela Gandhi; Speaker of the KZN Legislature, Nontembeko Boyce; Deputy Speaker of the KZN Legislature; Mmabatho Tembe,...

School run or death ride?

Local parents have raised their concerns over learner transport safety in Mossel Bay following recent incidents of a grossly overloaded minibus taxi transporting children to Mossel Bay schools and video footage showing a school bus travelling with its...

Grace College’s New Aquatic centre

Grace College in Hilton has announced that its forthcoming aquatic centre will be open to the public, removing the need for local swimming enthusiasts to travel to Howick or Pietermaritzburg to access a public pool. The Midlands school made the...

Dear John...

When John Steenhuisen stood before the party faithful on Wednesday, 4 February, to announce he would not make himself available for re-election as DA leader, there was a certain Shakespearean element to the moment. The rules of engagement for internal...

THE FIRST AI MUSIC ALBUM IS HERE

Dossier of disgrace

PRESIDENTS, ROYALS, TYCOONS: THE LONG LIST OF PEOPLE CAUGHT IN EPSTEIN’S WEB

KOKKEDOOR VAN MARLOTH VERDWYN

Tydlyn 08:00 Vertrek uit Marlothpark om inkopies te doen 09:31 Stop by Malalane SUPERSPAR en ry weer 11:17 Boland ontvang die stemnota 11:40 Boland bel iSecure-bestuurder oor Kotze se verdwyning 12:50 Kotze stop by Sonpark Boulevard...

diepe waters-ster stephanie baartman: ‘SÓherbouEkmylewe ná ek wegstap van mishandeling . . .’

HG IN ADDO SAAM MET CHRISTIAAN BAKKES

Ek’t my ma se as hier kom strooi, toe vind ek mý plek tussen die groot gryses

Calder rides again as Go! community delivers

There were few dry eyes when Raymond Calder finally climbed onto his new motorcycle, a moment many readers had been waiting for since Go! first shared his story. Calder, 72, one of East London’s favourite pool cleaners, was officially handed a...

ALSO INTERVIEWS WITH…

Chabalala: He treated me like a son Campbell: I put my pride aside Zitha: Women’s football is very sad

Visitors flock to Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Tourism says higher visitor volumes and stronger revenues in the 2025/26 summer season confirm that the local visitor economy continues to grow. Chair Wouter Hensens presented the results of the Port Alfred Business and Tourism Forum’s...

DROWNING: City pool closed

Questions are mounting over transparency after a young man drowned at the municipal swimming pool in Burger Street on January 7, with the municipality RQly FRQfirPiQJ WhH iQFiGHQW DfWHr enquiries were raised weeks later. The pool has been closed to...

Unsafe rides to school

Overloaded minibus taxis, unroadworthy vehicles and drivers operating without permits were among the serious safety violations uncovered during the learner transport inspections conducted in and around George this week. George Herald observed the...

Munisipaliteit krimineel aangekla

Die Oudtshoorn-munisipaliteit staar ’n moontlike boete van R10 miljoen en/ of 10 jaar tronkstraf in die gesig nadat ’n kriminele klag oor die Grobbelaarsrivierskoonmaakprojek aanhangig gemaak is. Tydens ’n spesiale raadsvergadering op Donderdag 29...

High school learner in ICU ward after school brawl

THE mother of a Grade 8 pupil at Richards Bay High School has laid a charge of assault and attempted murder after her son was left seriously injured after a fight at the school on Friday evening. A number of boys were reportedly involved in the...

Yinyanga yesithathu engabazi ubuthongo umama womntwana odukileyo

UXOLISWA George (41) wasePolar Park, eMasimini, uthi akukho namnye umzali onokuze alale obentlombe ubuthongo elahlekelwe ngumntwana wakhe nanjengoko esithi ubuthongo obumnandi wabugqibela ngenyanga yeNkanga ka2025. Iintetha zalo mzali ziza emva kokuba...

Doing the Dinosaur STOMP

KNYSNA - If you got into your time machine and raced back millions of years to the Cretaceous Age, you might see dinosaurs doing the Dinosaur Stomp on the beach in what today is called the Knysna area. In fact, you might stumble onto a dinosaur...

‘Ellie Herd’ takes to the water for KPCA Family appeals for help for their ‘Warrior baby’

Pietermaritzburg-based swimming coach, Odette Randelhoff, is flying the Keep Pietermaritzburg Action Group's (KPCA) flag as she and her 'Ellie Herd' take part in the Midmar Mile this weekend. Randelhoff, who has been a swimming coach for over 35...

CAN HILL-LEWIS RIDE A BLUE WAVE?

“The tough thing about politics is the insecurity. No position is ever secure. You can be in one day and out the next — not because you did a bad job, but because the terrain shifted.” Helen Zille should know. The comment comes from her 2016...

From fearing death to speaking for the dead: Dr Bismilla’s journey in forensic pathology

SPECIALIST forensic pathologist Dr Yaseen Bismilla quickly became a TikTok sensation, as he shared his daily life through his quirky, yet informative videos. Bismilla, 34, who lives in Johannesburg, is currently employed by Forensic Pathology...

FAMILY TRAGEDY

MOTORISTS, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles, are urged to exercise extra caution and patience on the roads to prevent further tragedy. The call was made by uMfolozi Mayor Xolani Bhengu on Monday during a visit to the bereaved Mnyango...

Rare succulents thriving in the Karoo’s quartz patches

What may look like patches of year-round snow on the simmering Karoo plains are actually ancient quartz islands. However, they have the same effect as snow, with a carpet of bright, white pebbles cooling the surface just enough to allow a range of...

Enhancing Yield

Amid decarbonisation pressures and looming electricity tariff increases, South African property players are increasingly incorporating renewable-energy sources – such as on-site solar PV or offsite generation through hydro or wind power – into their...

TOP TRAVEL OF THE MONTH

Seychelles offers families visa-free paradise with eternal summer, stunning beaches, rich nature, cultural immersion, and endless adventures.

Enjoy the Good Life at The Lawns

Your every day, all-day restaurant in Cape Town. Whether you're soaking up the sun with family or catching up with friends, The Lawns offers the perfect space for everyone. Bring your kids, bring your dogs, and experience a relaxed dining atmosphere...

CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY FRENCH

At Le coin Français – ‘The French Corner’ – Chef Patron Darren Badenhorst creates multi-course tasting menus that blend classical technique with Franschhoek provenance. Fine cuisine | Fine Art | Fine Wines 2024 JHP Gourmet Guide Awards 2-Plates...

ED’S LETTER

THE INDUSTRY’S NEXT GEAR The South African motor industry entered 2026 on a surprisingly confident note. After a bruising few years, 2025 delivered a return to pre-COVID sales levels, restoring a sense of stability many believed might take far longer...

From the editor’s desk

The Toyota stand at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show was fascinating for several reasons, not least because the brand chose not to unveil the otherwise showstopping ninth-generation Hilux and impressivelooking GR GT supercar there. Instead, while the...

TLU SA-jongboer: Gee pad voor, hier kom Handelsmerk Namakwaland

’n Eerstegeslagboer het sy boerderypraktyke en -stelsels só verfyn dat hy ’n relatief klein, maar baie produktiewe, kudde het. Ná 14 jaar as boer is sy einddoel om by die hele waardeketting betrokke te wees en die geld in Namakwaland te hou. Dit ís...

Interior Trends.

What a ‘newspaper’ means in 2026

Jock McConnachie’s recent post on Grahamstown Eye raises essential questions about what we mean when we call Grocott’s Mail “the oldest independent community newspaper in South Africa”. His challenge is that we should focus more on “hard” municipal...

Aimee Barrett-Theron

The trailblazing referee reflects on breaking barriers, earning respect at the elite level, and the performances that took her from player to world-class rugby official.

Best XI

By his own admission, Walter Rautmann has coached well over 600 players in what was a nomadic career in top-flight football. We put him in the unenviable position of choosing his best 11.

Stilbaai laat waai!

COVER

The rifle on the cover is a rare .505 Magnum rifle by George Gibbs of Bristol, manufactured in approximately 1927.

Cover

PHOTO PETER VAN NOORD PHOTO TAKEN AT THE GOUKOU RIVER MOUTH IN STILL BAY

+

6 Great stayovers

Hike, climb, cast a fly…

GEARED FOR SCHOOL

HOT TOPIC

28 PUZZLES

2025 gq grooming awards

ama qamata's

Next Chapter

Don’t wait

There’s something about the first few months of a new year that tricks you into believing you still have time. Time to catch up later, to phone later, to plan later. It feels normal; the calendar still looks wide open, the holiday memories are fresh...

Moenie wag nie

Daar is iets aan hierdie beginmaande van ’n nuwe jaar wat ’n mens laat glo jy het tyd. Tyd waarmee jy later weer kan inhaal, later weer bel en later weer beplan. Dis normaal, want die kalender is eintlik nog relatief oop, die vakansieherinneringe vars...

EXPLOSIVE ELECTRICITY POWERING OUR WORLD

EXPLOSIVE ELECTRICITY POWERING OUR WORLD

Van plaas tot gholflandgoed op Robertson: Só leer mens ‘kleiner dink’

Hanli hou van die tuin se kothuisgevoel en dit pas by die voorkoms van die huis. Vingerhoedjies, bitterbos (Scabiosa columbaria), salie, vergeet-my-nietjies (Cynoglossum amabile) en vlooikruid blom in die bedding wat deur lamsore (Stachys byzantina)...

CELEBRATING the best IN THE INDUSTRY

Tobias Maier, CEO of DHL Africa, on the role the continent is playing in shaping global logistics

Q & A What are the opportunities in global trade as we go into 2026? Global trade is very volatile, with tariffs in particular driving that instability. During COVID times there was a lot of talk about more regionalised trade patterns emerging, but...

‘We downsized from a farm to a pocket-sized plot’

TESTED

Crossfire LRF-CF1400 Rangefinder Viper HD 10x42 Binocular Crossfire 20-60x80 Spotting Scope Mountain Pass Tripod

GET EVEN MORE FASHION, BEAUTY, WELLNESS AND FOOD CONTENT ONLINE

January has a certain power. It brings a sense of possibility that feels grounding yet energising, as well as hopeful, because it encourages us to reflect and envision what our lives could look like if we allowed ourselves to begin anew. After the rush...

Baywatch se PAMELA ANDERSON

Baywatch se PAMELA ANDERSON Die nuwe sy ná skandes en pyn

EDITORS NOTE

The act of giving – and receiving – at this time of year can be truly special. And no, it doesn’t have to involve crowded shopping malls or maxed-out credit cards. Sometimes the most meaningful gifts are the ones that aren’t wrapped in glittering paper...

Unwanted Guests

I expect Ben and Clare will be on our doorstep again this year,’ I said to my hubby Jake. ‘They’ll be looking forward to tucking into the usual buffet.’ Jake and I laid on an upmarket buffet (for just us four) for Christmas Eve lunch. We had to...

Students turned innovators powering South Africa

Arion Power is rapidly establishing itself as one of South Africa’s most dynamic young manufacturers in the renewable energy and backup power sector. Founded in 2020 by University of Cape Town postgraduate students Brian Gadisi and Alan Gie, and...

Conversations with leaders

The Public Prosecutor is rebuilding trust between citizens and the State

VOORBLADFOTO

CHARL STOLS PANGOLIN PHOTO SAFARIS IG: @charl_stols pangolinphoto.com

Decoding Digital: The New Rules of Business

Dear Reader, As we head into the final stretch of the year, we bring you an edition that could not be more relevant. The digital revolution is not just on the horizon; it is already shaping the way we live, work and grow. In this issue, we explore...

1 MAZHOU

Campsite 10 level sites ranging from small to very spacious, all with ample shade. Each has electricity and a tap. Guests may use the swimming pool next door at Limpopo Forest Tented Camp. Ablutions 1 small, neat bathroom, with a kitchen...

Cook the whole menu ahead!

Ahead of her time The secret? All the heavy lifting is done with dishes that practically cook themselves, leaving you to scatter pink strawberries and rose petals around the table, basking in smug-host glory

PUPILS CREATE SOCCER BALLS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED SCHOOLS

In a creative blend of recycling and community spirit, Etham College grade seven pupils have transformed discarded plastic into soccer balls for underprivileged schools. Shaneen Ulyate, the teacher who led the project, said it aimed to promote both...

TRENDS TO MAKE YOUR OWN

Mocha Mousse Bobbin furniture Green all over! Curated maximalism Colour drenching Gallery walls

ADVENTURE XTREME

adventurextreme.co.za HOOFKANTOOR / HEAD OFFICE Adventure Xtreme Spings 082 775 5346 [email protected] HANDELAARS / DEALERSHIPS East Rand Caravan World Boksburg 011 025 7639 [email protected] Springs Caravan World Springs 082 876 8100...

Lank leef die

Dit is met 'n mengelmoes van emosies dat ek aankondig dat hierdie einste koerant van 27 Februarie 2025 wat jy nou in jou hande vashou, die heel laaste papieruitgawe van Graaff-Reinet Advertiser sal wees. Maar, hier is die goeie nuus: dit is geensins...

IBIZONYUSWA NGO-R150 IMPESHENI YEZALUKAZI, BESE KWELULWA ISIBONELELO SABANGASEBENZI

BHEKI NDLOVANA KUVELA ukuthi impesheni yezalukazi ibizokwenyuswa ngemali ethe xaxa kulesi sabelomali obekufanele sethulwe ePhalamende ngoLwesithathu kodwa sabhuntsha. Enkulumeni yesabelomali eputshukile, okubikwa ukuthi ibizokwethulwa nguNgqongqoshe...