South Africa Mail & Guardian

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT
Antarctic ice microbes might help cool the planet, study finds
A groundbreaking study led by South African scientists has uncovered thriving microbial communities within Antarctica's vast winter sea ice. These microorganisms produce compounds linked to climate-cooling gases, challenging previous assumptions and ...

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 05:00:00 GMT
Citroen Basalt sells you comfort at R350k, and it's worth it
Citroën's new Basalt enters South Africa's crowded compact SUV market with distinctive styling, generous space, and one of the most comfortable rides in its class. We find out whether this French contender has what it takes to stand out.

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:00:00 GMT
Why the HLM Matters: I was born with HIV – do not make decisions about me without me
A 22-year-old South African HIV activist, born with the virus, shares her powerful perspective on living with HIV and calls on world leaders at the High-Level Meeting on HIV/Aids to include young people's lived experiences in their decisions and comm...

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 03:00:00 GMT
Showing solidarity with refugees in South Africa
As South Africa commemorates World Refugee Day, this article examines the nation's commitment to protecting asylum seekers and refugees. It addresses the challenges of xenophobia, healthcare access, and the need for social inclusion, urging reflectio...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:58:37 GMT
The risk problem with investors treating African energy as one market
The 2024 El Niño drought severely impacted Southern Africa's energy infrastructure, notably Lake Kariba, exposing the diverse and complex risks investors face across the continent's energy markets. Learn why a jurisdiction-specific approach is cruci...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:37:11 GMT
World's largest rhino horn trafficking case ends with conviction of Dawie Groenewald
After more than 15 years, hunting safari operator Dawie Groenewald, described as the mastermind behind the world's largest rhino horn trafficking investigation, has been convicted and sentenced in South Africa, bringing a landmark wildlife crime pros...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 13:33:43 GMT
Billions promised, millions expected: Malawi's mining boom fiscal gap
As foreign companies advance projects worth tens of billions of dollars in critical minerals, Malawi's fiscal watchdog projects the government will collect roughly $19 million (R313m) from the entire mining sector this year. Official documents, compa...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:10:58 GMT
Bafana’s gritty draw reignites World Cup hopes
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Czechia in their second 2026 Fifa World Cup match. The result, marked by a late equaliser from star-player Teboho Mokoena’s penalty in the 83rd minute after Czechia had taken the...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 12:06:38 GMT
JMC Vigus review: Ford DNA and a price tag that humbles the establishment
South Africans are fiercely protective of their bakkies, a market long dominated by Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. But newcomers like GWM's P-Series have shown buyers are open to feature-packed, budget-friendly alternatives. Now, JMC is entering the f...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:58:27 GMT
Why the High-Level Meeting on HIV matters
Diagnosed with HIV in 2000 when it was a death sentence for many Africans, the author reflects on 25 years of the fight against the epidemic. Ahead of the UN High-Level Meeting on HIV/Aids, she stresses the urgent need for ambitious, funded, and enfo...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 11:54:10 GMT
‘The Polygamist’ is top-tier trash TV that burns itself out
Dive into a no-holds-barred review of 'The Polygamist', the 22-episode telenovela that promises shock and awe but ultimately leaves viewers emotionally drained. Discover why this series, featuring characters like Joyce and Jonasi, starts strong as tr...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:51:17 GMT
The youth of 1976 fought apartheid. Today's youth are fighting something harder to name
A child of Tembisa reflects on Youth Day, contrasting the 1976 fight against apartheid with the contemporary struggles of young people for economic and social freedom amidst unemployment and lack of opportunity, as seen through a poignant encounter i...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 09:46:16 GMT
How Lanseria became the fault line in the PIC power struggle
The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) is embroiled in a significant governance crisis, stemming not from a recent whistleblower complaint, but from a long-standing dispute over Lanseria Airport. This saga has evolved into a broader contest over aut...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 06:39:56 GMT
Singularity Summit South Africa 2026 deepens the conversation on quantum computing, AI and human potential
As quantum computing edges closer to practical reality and artificial intelligence continues to accelerate, Singularity South Africa has announced another wave of influential speakers for the 2026 Summit, taking place in collaboration with Old Mutual...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:59:47 GMT
Abdullah Ibrahim didn't want you to request ‘Mannenberg’
A poignant reflection on the life and legacy of jazz maestro Abdullah Ibrahim, delving into his complex personality, his resistance to being defined by 'Mannenberg', and his profound journey of identity through music. This article offers an intimate ...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:53:40 GMT
‘You strike a queer, you strike a rock’: How ‘Nkoli’ revives the legacy of Simon Nkoli
A vibrant vogue-opera celebrates anti-apartheid and LGBTQ+ activist Simon Nkoli, blending history, spectacle and political resistance with dazzling theatrical flair. The production, 'Nkoli: a fierce and fabulous life', honours a lesser-known but cruc...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:49:34 GMT
They Didn't Wait for an Invitation. They Built the Table Themselves.
Sophie Joans and Mxolisi Masilela, both recipients of the Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans recognition, are theatre-makers who built their own spaces in the industry. Now, they bring their founding energy to the National Arts Festival i...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:45:44 GMT
Santu Mofokeng and the dignity of everyday life
Santu Mofokeng's photographs invite viewers to slow down and recognise the humanity of people beyond their circumstances. His work, which challenged conventional struggle photography, is celebrated in the 'Rumours/2026' exhibition, reminding us how h...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:37:24 GMT
How Soweto and Lesotho inspired Thandi Moagi’s breakout debut
Thandi Moagi's debut novel, Wisani and the Bafokeng Brothers, draws inspiration from the vibrant streets of Soweto and the mountainous landscapes of Lesotho. This compelling story explores themes of love, loyalty, family, and survival within a danger...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:34:05 GMT
Gig Guide: Drum’s Dear Sis Dolly to open at Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas, Somi releases What Does It Take to Bloom and Rorisang Sechele drops Mama
Get ready for a dose of local entertainment! 'Dear Sis Dolly' brings heart and humour to South African cinemas, while jazz vocalists Rorisang Sechele and Somi release their latest captivating music. Discover the stories behind these exciting new rele...

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:04:24 GMT
Ranked third in Africa, yet justice fails many
Malawi ranks third in Africa for public confidence in its courts, according to the Afrobarometer Round 10 survey. However, this high trust masks a severe structural crisis where poverty, understaffing, and incomplete reforms deny most Malawians real ...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 23:37:11 GMT
‘The Trials of Winnie Mandela’: beyond the single story
Explore 'The Trials of Winnie Mandela', a Netflix documentary that offers an authentic, nuanced portrayal of one of South Africa's most fascinating and contested figures. Co-produced by her granddaughters, Swati Dlamini-Mandela and Zaziwe Dlamini-Man...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:33:32 GMT
The African duo entrepreneurs who saved Tongaat Hulett
South African billionaire Robert Gumede and Zimbabwean deal-maker Rute Moyo have joined forces through their Vision Sugar Group to rescue the beleaguered sugar giant Tongaat Hulett Limited (THL). The withdrawal of a liquidation application signals a ...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:23:32 GMT
Angst and anger as DA reshuffles
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis’s decision to seek sweeping changes to the party’s representation in the government of national unity (GNU) has ruffled feathers and triggered anger and confusion among senior party leaders. Insi...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:01:00 GMT
South Africa cannot deport its way out of regional crisis
South Africa is hurtling towards a precipice pushed by a toxic mix of economic despair, populist political posturing and systemic state failure that threatens to ignite widespread social instability, while a government caught unaware implements a “...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Impeachment inquiry will go on
Parliament’s impeachment committee has decided to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa’s bid to halt the impeachment proceedings over Phala Phala. Ramaphosa asked the Western Cape High Court for an urgent interdict after he challenged the validity of...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Tension at home; citizens quizzed
Growing criticism across Africa questions South Africa's handling of migration, with countries like the Republic of Congo and Malawi initiating repatriation. The backlash is impacting South African businesses and artists, raising concerns about the n...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Merafong sinks but funds go elsewhere
Cash-strapped Merafong City Local Municipality has spent almost half its R2.6 billion annual budget on professional services while failing to service its water and electricity bills. Senior sources allege conditional grants meant for service delivery...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The BYD storm is upon SA but a local factory depends on ‘market readiness’
BYD's entry into South Africa has dramatically reshaped the new-energy vehicle (NEV) landscape. After initially withholding sales figures, BYD's recent disclosure to Naamsa revealed its significant market impact, including record-breaking EV sales le...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Black capital saves sugar giant
A crucial agreement between the Robert Gumede-led Vision Group and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has successfully halted the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett Limited (THL), rescuing the SADC region's sugar industry from collapse and prote...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The case of a toxic workplace
The violent death of Gcina Dhladhla at her Rosebank workplace is not an isolated incident but a stark revelation of systemic violence and exploitation woven into the fabric of South African institutions, reminiscent of the apartheid workplace regime....

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Odds on, Africa is showing up anyway
Despite significant challenges including visa bans and exorbitant prices for tickets and accommodation, African teams are making a powerful statement at the World Cup. This tournament is proving to be a showcase of maturity and competitive spirit, wi...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Geopolitical realignment and the Global South AI divide
The international community is finalising frameworks for the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, but a stark technological cleavage has emerged. The Global North uses advanced algorithmic systems at more than double the rate of the Global South, hig...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Zimbabwe’s constitutional debates: Lessons from Mugabe, Nkomo and Tsvangirai
Zimbabwe is once again grappling with how leaders gain, maintain, and transfer power. Proposed constitutional amendments by the ruling Zanu-PF party aim to extend presidential terms and remove direct presidential elections, sparking a national debate...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The problem is not China; it’s Africa
A Zimbabwean expert argues that Africa's approach to China regarding critical minerals is outdated, rooted in Cold War politics and anti-colonial solidarity. The article contends that African governments must adopt a strategic, business-focused minds...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Masculinity should not be reduced to money
The cultural expectation of "Indoda must" (a man must provide) in South Africa has become a significant financial burden for many men, deeply influencing how worth, love, and responsibility are judged within relationships and society.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Reclaiming reason for transformation: Academic populism and the university
This article reflects on the growing trend of academic populism in higher education, particularly in South Africa, and its impact on genuine transformation. It argues that separating the language of transformation from ethical practices undermines cr...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Patriotic feminism: Who counts as a woman worth protecting?
In November 2025, South Africans united against gender-based violence. Yet, a troubling shift sees some women leading anti-foreigner campaigns, raising questions about who truly counts as a woman worth protecting and the true meaning of solidarity in...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
How can South African voters avoid electing a Trump-like leader?
Drawing parallels with Donald Trump's presidency, this article explores the potential emergence of a similar leader in South Africa and outlines critical steps citizens can take to protect their democracy. It highlights dangerous leadership traits an...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Apsaco 2026 reflects on Africa’s security
The 10th African Peace and Security Annual Conference (Apsaco) in Rabat, Morocco, reviewed a decade of Africa's evolving security landscape. Experts discussed persistent conflicts, governance challenges, peacekeeping evolution, terrorism, technologic...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Honouring the class of 16 june 1976 through water security: youth empowerment is water security
The future of water security in South Africa will not be secured by infrastructure alone. It will be secured by people. More specifically, it will be secured by a generation of young South Africans equipped with the skills, opportunities, confidence ...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Why do symbols matter so much during Russia’s “Age of the New Empires”?
The attack on Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra highlights a deeper objective in the Russia-Ukraine war: to erase memory and reshape historical narratives. This article explores why cultural heritage is a critical battleground in Russia's imperial project.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 17:16:59 GMT
Godongwana steps in as PIC probe gathers pace
The Public Investment Corporation (PIC) board has formally assumed oversight of a whistleblower complaint against chief executive Patrick Dlamini following a special meeting with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, amid an escalating dispute that has ...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 15:26:42 GMT
Nduduzo Makhathini brings new album to Cape Town this Friday
South African pianist and composer Nduduzo Makhathini will perform music from his new album, The Myth We Choose, in Cape Town this Friday ahead of its release on Blue Note Records. Co-produced with his son Thingo, the album delves into how music shap...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:32:39 GMT
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and Nhlamulo Ndhlela fired from MK party
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party has expelled Duduzile Zuma-Sambhudla (https://mg.co.za/tag/duduzile-zuma-sambudla-incitement-charges/)and former national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela after it found them guilty of violating the party's constitution....

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:50:54 GMT
Connecting young South Africans to opportunity
Connection creates opportunity. Opportunity drives progress. At its heart, connection is about access: access to information, skills, markets and networks that help people move forward. In South Africa, where inequality and exclusion still shape too ...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 10:14:39 GMT
Vuyo Zungula set to be announced as ATM's Johannesburg mayoral candidate
The parliamentary leader of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), Vuyo Zungula, is poised to become the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, a decision reportedly made by senior party leaders.

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:49:11 GMT
Why the HLM matters: The world cannot afford to lose this moment
The UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on HIV/Aids is set to address the alarming decline in political will and funding, which threatens to unravel decades of progress in HIV prevention and treatment, especially in high-burden countries like Sout...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:44:58 GMT
Our women are crying out but government pretends not to hear
South African mothers, like Jacinta Zuma-Ngobese, are pleading for action against undocumented migrants involved in drug dealing and trafficking, speaking for millions whose children are falling victim to addiction. The crisis is devastating township...

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:45:25 GMT
Navigating the Digital Shift: The Rise of Online Betting in South Africa
South Africa’s digital landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological innovation, changing consumer behavior, and a convergence of traditional industries with modern technology. Nowhere is this evolution more evident than in the realm of on...

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