As calls mount globally to ban social media for children, comprehensive research reveals that screen time accounts for only a tiny fraction of adolescent distress, urging parents to rethink simple bans in favour of holistic engagement.

Follow the live outcomes and real-time counts of the South African local government elections with our interactive results dashboard.

MedicalAid.ai introduces artificial intelligence to help South Africans compare complex medical aid schemes, matching plans to household budgets and healthcare priorities.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has welcomed Donald Trump's political setbacks in the US midterms, accusing the American president of being 'very nasty' towards South Africa amid rising tensions over Agoa.

Preliminary figures from the Electoral Commission of South Africa show that approximately 12 million voters cast their ballots by 5pm in the 2026 local government elections, with ballot counting set to start immediately after polls close.

Several candidates under the age of 30 are contesting wards across South African municipalities in the 2026 local government elections, aiming to bring fresh leadership and tackle service delivery issues.

Ward 90 councillor candidate Paul Nkhumane has pledged to put service delivery, infrastructure, and youth participation at the forefront of his agenda for Ekurhuleni residents.

As rival political parties trade blame over service delivery failures in Ekurhuleni's Ward 72, the Bakerton Community Police Forum is stepping up to hold whoever wins accountable.

As the US plans to terminate South Africa's Agoa eligibility by 2027, the real threat to businesses is not just losing trade preferences, but the crippling uncertainty while negotiations drag on.

Reflecting on the historic, snaking queues that once defined South African democracy, a return to Tembisa exposes a troubling shift toward voter apathy and quiet polling stations.

Voting was disrupted across several stations due to technical glitches, missing ballots, and voters roll errors, leading to long delays and rising tensions.

Despite a heavy presence of political parties campaigning in Alexandra, residents express growing disillusionment over persistent service delivery failures and empty election promises.

Disillusioned by persistent water shortages and persistent unemployment, young residents in Ivory Park Extension 2 say voting no longer feels meaningful.

The IEC has introduced strict verification protocols after ballot papers and a security stamp were stolen in eThekwini, while severe weather has left voting stations cut off in Umzumbe.

Haunted by gangsterism, chronic water cuts, and unemployment in Westbury, mother Lauren Smith walked kilometres to cast her vote in hope of securing a safer future and better opportunities for her teenage son.

Frustrated by daily water cuts, uncollected rubbish, and urban decay, Sophiatown voter Joanna Moleko has cast her ballot for Pieter Groenewald and the Freedom Front Plus in search of order.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has acknowledged ongoing service delivery failures in Johannesburg and across the country, calling on incoming municipal councillors to prioritise basic services while renewing his call to end gender-based violence.

The Trump administration's plan to terminate South Africa's eligibility for the African Growth and Opportunity Act by 2027 threatens key export sectors, employment, and bilateral trade relations.

DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille believes the party can win an outright majority in Johannesburg, pledging to restore basic services and reduce pressure on Cape Town.

Johannesburg residents casting their ballots at Hyde Park High School express hopes for improved service delivery and accountable leadership in the 2026 Local Government Elections.

13:22| TENSIONS FLARE BETWEEN VOTERS IN ORANGE GROVE Tensions flare between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance as voting continues in Orange Grove, where ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula is expected to cast his vote. 13:00| The importance of v...

Sardine fishing in South Africa remains halted while environmental authorities evaluate new catch limits following widespread fish mortalities caused by pilchard herpesvirus.

Economists suggest the US decision to remove South Africa from the duty-free benefits of Agoa is not catastrophic, urging the country to diversify exports, while labour federations raise urgent concerns over job security.

The IEC in KwaZulu-Natal has stepped up security at its storage facilities following multiple attempts by political party supporters to gain unauthorised access during the special voting process.

The MK Party demands an urgent investigation by the Political Killings Task Team after its Ugu regional leader, Lastborn Shazi, was assassinated at his home in uMzumbe, KwaZulu-Natal.

South African motorists will experience financial relief at the pumps as petrol and diesel prices decrease, supported by government adjustments to the general fuel levy.

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says he is willing to sit on the council benches as an ordinary councillor if the ANC selects a different mayoral candidate.

Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi will appeal against a Gauteng High Court order compelling him to pay R1.66 billion to the state, arguing the amount reflects total company contracts rather than personal gain.

Delays, broken scanners, and missing pens during special voting in Germiston have raised concerns about readiness and logistics ahead of the main election day.

Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest world champion at age 20 in Mexico, as a bitter Ferrari collision paved the way for Max Verstappen's victory.

The North Gauteng High Court has set aside the awarding of the Fourth National Lottery licence to Sizekhaya Holdings, ruling that Minister Parks Tau introduced an illegal parallel evaluation committee.

Rising summer temperatures quietly disrupt blood sugar, hydration and medication storage. As diabetes overtakes other leading health threats in South Africa, experts urge greater vigilance and healthy habits during the warmer months.

Former EMPD deputy chief Julius Mkhwanazi and Ekurhuleni city manager Kagiso Lerutla return to court over an alleged R400,000 scheme to hire an impersonator for a 2019 court hearing.

South Africa has accused Washington of shifting the goalposts in trade negotiations after US President Donald Trump notified Pretoria of his intention to end its preferential access under AGOA from 2027.

The Modimolle Regional Court has convicted two accused individuals of housebreaking and stealing $580,000 from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala wildlife farm in Limpopo.

A landmark SAHRC inquiry reveals that Gauteng's severe water outages stem from collapsing municipal infrastructure, massive leaks, and systemic institutional failures rather than an actual water shortage.

Rain and low turnout contributed to a slow start for special voting in Soweto, while Electoral Commission officials conducted home visits to assist elderly and vulnerable voters.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa invites stakeholders and the public to review and submit comments on the proposed amendments to the Cost Recovery Rules for Independent Transmission Providers.

The Modimolle Regional Court heard how $580,000 stolen from President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm was spent on luxury cars, jewellery, and property as judgment is handed down.

Former Rhodes University SRC president Simphiwe Mnyande faces six disciplinary charges and possible exclusion following student protests over proposed fee-payment protocols.

The defence prepares to challenge vehicle-tracking evidence as the Durban High Court hears testimony detailing the movements of cars linked to the murders of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane.

Orlando Pirates secured a 2-1 Soweto Derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, extending their winning momentum while exposing Amakhosi's familiar tactical flaws.

Corleone announces the launch of its Black November promotion, offering major deals and discounts throughout the month.

Government and industry leaders gather at the New Higher Education Institution Business Dialogue to shape the future of the proposed Ekurhuleni university.

Through art and psychosocial sessions run by Doctors Without Borders, children in Gaza share moving drawings depicting their lives before and after prolonged conflict and displacement.

World leaders acknowledge the United Nations must adapt to 21st-century realities, but the permanent members of the Security Council remain deeply divided on accountability, funding, and who surrenders power.

Informal traders and spaza shop owners supply most of the food eaten by poor urban households across Africa, yet they remain excluded from crucial food security policymaking.

South African businesses have adapted to state failure and corruption for years, but continuous resilience cannot replace real institutional accountability and economic reform.

Inspired by Mary Schmich's famous sunscreen essay, Shaun Read offers an honest, grounded commencement speech for the Class of 2026 on success, failure and staying human.

Fossil Free South Africa and the StopEACOP Coalition have filed a greenwashing complaint against Standard Bank with the Advertising Regulatory Board, challenging its sustainability claims amid funding for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline.