South Africa Mail & Guardian

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:11:49 GMT
Portraits of Power celebrates women who changed the course of history
The 'Portraits of Power' exhibition has officially opened at the historic Union Buildings in Pretoria, honouring women who have made significant contributions globally. Hosted by the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute and the Presidency, the exhibitio...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 06:04:02 GMT
Tunisia Bids Farewell to Diplomatic Leader Hasna Tizaoui Dkhillali
The Embassy of Tunisia in South Africa hosted a farewell reception for Deputy Head of Mission Ms Hasna Tizaoui Dkhillali, marking the end of her distinguished diplomatic service in the country. Ambassador Karima Bardaoui praised Dkhillali's commitmen...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 05:57:13 GMT
Singapore Celebrates 61 Years of Independence and Growing Partnership with South Africa
The High Commission of Singapore in Pretoria marked Singapore’s 61st National Day, celebrating the nation's journey since independence and its strengthening partnership with South Africa, with discussions on trade, investment, and future cooperatio...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
Trust: The Most Valuable Thing We Give Away for Free
Explore the profound role of trust in our daily lives, from personal interactions to societal institutions. This article delves into the 'Trust Deficit', the distinction between trust and certainty, and how trust is cultivated and eroded, particularl...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
Critical minerals new game-changer for DRC economic growth
The Democratic Republic of Congo's vast mineral wealth, including cobalt and copper, is transforming its economy and making it a pivotal player in the global energy transition. Despite security challenges, the nation is prioritising domestic processi...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
No girl should face this alone: Why China and the UN are standing together for Lesotho's girls
In the remote highlands of Mokhotlong, Lesotho, adolescent girls and young women face a 'Triple Threat' of high HIV burden, pervasive gender-based violence, and early pregnancy. This article highlights a new initiative by China and UNAids to address ...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
The unfinished march: Why women's empowerment remains South Africa's greatest infrastructure challenge
The 1956 Women's March against apartheid pass laws was a pivotal moment for South African women. Decades later, the fight for true gender equality and economic inclusion remains an urgent, structural challenge, essential for national prosperity.

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
From the Vaal to Victoria Falls: Africa must design resilience, not merely discuss it
Africa's climate crisis is a lived reality, affecting millions and demanding a shift from mere discussion to designing resilient systems. This article highlights the urgent need for interconnected solutions, regional collaboration, and the pivotal ro...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
Cape Town should not sacrifice its water for data centres
As the Western Cape champions data centres as the 'engine of the future economy,' this article critically examines the hidden cost: water. Drawing parallels with water-scarce Querétaro, Mexico, it questions whether economic growth should come at the...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT
Reclaiming reason for transformation: Academic populism and the university
Universities are ethical institutions. They shape how society thinks, argues, judges and imagines its future. At their best, they cultivate critical reason, democratic judgment and public responsibility. Their task is not only to produce knowledge bu...

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 03:00:00 GMT
Tougher illegal mining laws raise questions over who will be targeted
A recent mine collapse in Nkaneng, Rustenburg, highlights South Africa's illegal mining crisis as the government introduces the General Mining Laws Amendment Bill. The bill proposes significantly tougher penalties for illicit mining, but critics ques...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:29:10 GMT
‘People over profits’: Constitutional Court deals blow to Shell’s Wild Coast plans
The Constitutional Court has delivered a significant blow to Shell and Impact Africa's Wild Coast exploration plans, setting aside their exploration right. The court found that thousands of affected community members were unlawfully excluded from dec...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:20:24 GMT
Eastern Cape ANC court battles threaten 2027 national conference
Senior ANC leaders are concerned that ongoing litigation in the Eastern Cape, which has disrupted the provincial conference and seen the Provincial Task Team declared unconstitutional, could set a precedent for further legal challenges across provinc...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:12:38 GMT
DA to lay criminal charges against 10 municipal managers over failures of financial management
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is taking decisive action, announcing criminal charges against 10 municipal managers from nine municipalities across South Africa. The charges stem from persistent failures in financial management, accountability, and a h...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 13:00:32 GMT
Gauteng steps up road safety efforts as 5 592km road network gets attention
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is intensifying its efforts to enhance road safety across the province. Initiatives include extensive road repairs, crucial bridge upgrades, heightened law enforcement, and public awareness campaigns to p...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 12:37:14 GMT
What South Africa’s latest unemployment figures mean for a generation still waiting
Millions of young South Africans will vote in November without ever having held stable employment. Persistent unemployment is delaying economic independence for an entire generation, carrying lifelong consequences for savings, pensions, credit, and a...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:03:13 GMT
Kaizer Chiefs Vs Mamelodi Sundowns - A classic rivalry of old peers
The highly anticipated Kaizer Chiefs vs Mamelodi Sundowns fixture is set for Saturday, 15 August 2026, at FNB Stadium. While both clubs boast rich histories and massive support, the league head-to-head record in the modern PSL era heavily favours Sun...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 09:26:26 GMT
Changemakers driving innovation to feature at Singularity Summit South Africa 2026
Singularity South Africa announces a new lineup of world-class speakers for its 2026 Summit in Johannesburg, featuring experts in AI, digital transformation, urban development, and robotics. The event highlights women's influential role in innovation...

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 06:57:16 GMT
FALF DAY 2026: Commercialisation of South African Intellectual Property from Universities
The Female Academic Leaders Fellowship (FALF), sponsored by Standard Bank Private Banking, hosted its annual gathering in South Africa. The event focused on advancing dialogue, collaboration, and action on research commercialisation, innovation, and ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:39:01 GMT
Power of Women 2026 nominations are now open
The Mail & Guardian is calling for nominations for the Power of Women 2026, an initiative celebrating extraordinary women whose work, leadership, and ideas are shaping a stronger South Africa. This year's theme, "Building Resilient Economies for All,...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:24:52 GMT
Hloni Modise Matau is giving women their flowers, now
Hloni Modise Matau, founder of the Basadi in Music Awards, has dedicated years to building a platform that celebrates women in an industry that often overlooks them. Her story is one of resilience, community, and an unwavering belief in what is possi...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 23:19:43 GMT
Inside the complicated bond at the heart of ‘Umthetho’
Go behind the scenes of Netflix's new South African crime series, 'Umthetho', as lead actors Nqobile 'Nunu' Khumalo and Tony Kgoroge discuss their roles as Mbali and Moses, the intricate sibling dynamic, and the show's powerful reflection of real-wor...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:10:00 GMT
Marikana’s long wait for justice
Fourteen years after 34 mineworkers were killed by police at Marikana, families are still waiting for accountability, while the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says the deaths and violence that preceded the massacre have also been overlooked. The...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:10:00 GMT
Xenophobia is becoming Africa's new nationalism: South Africa is not alone
While South Africa often faces condemnation for xenophobic attacks, this article argues that anti-migrant sentiment is a continent-wide issue with deep historical roots, challenging the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of a unified Africa.

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:05:00 GMT
KZN gangs infiltrated SAPS task teams
Retired warrant officer Gregory Loftus told the Madlanga Commission that his son, KZN tow truck owner Bevan Loftus, was murdered by police during a bogus Cash-in-Transit operation, allegedly at the behest of a business rival and drug dealer, Clive Na...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:03:00 GMT
SOE giants set to create black industrialists
National power utility Eskom is expanding procurement opportunities for South African businesses, anticipating increased electricity demand. CEO Dan Marokane announced this at the Black Business Council annual summit, highlighting economic gains from...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
One elephant, 400km and 20 years of reconnecting a broken landscape
Deep in the Knysna forest, a lone elephant named Strangefoot, thought to be the last of her kind in the area, highlights the critical need for connected landscapes. This article explores the 20-year journey of the Eden to Addo Corridor Initiative, a ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Omoda C7 SHS: Big power, tiny thirst
The Omoda C7 SHS, featuring Chery Group's Super Hybrid System, proves that electrified vehicles excel in urban environments. This review explores its driving modes, efficiency, and overall performance, highlighting its potential to bridge the gap bet...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Land Rover Defender 110 D350 – an icon
The Land Rover Defender 110 D350 is more than just a car; it's an adventure vehicle with a personality. This review explores its powerful 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-diesel engine, luxurious yet robust interior, and extraordinary off-road capabilities...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Bree Street's R1bn buying frenzy
Tricolt Group's new 23-storey development, The Madison, on Bree Street, Cape Town, achieved a staggering R1.255 billion in off-plan sales on its launch day, marking the biggest single-day residential property launch in South African history. This art...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The father wound SA won’t name
While South Africa dedicates August to confronting gender-based violence, this article challenges us to address an uncomfortable dimension: the violence inflicted by fathers. It argues that true progress requires breaking the silence around paternal ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Editorial: Marikana wounds linger
As the 14th anniversary of the Marikana massacre approaches, the article reflects on the tragic day in 2012 when police killed 34 striking miners. It highlights the ongoing lack of accountability for those involved, the failure of the justice system,...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The ‘Othered’ red herring of false narrative
A debate on xenophobia in South Africa highlights the debunking of a bogus statistic claiming international migrants commit 60% of crimes. Experts reveal that migrant crime rates are in line with their population share, challenging xenophobic narrati...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Women need access to power, not a seat
South Africa has become good at counting women in leadership. We count how many women sit on boards, how many occupy executive positions and how many have entered senior management. These numbers matter. Representation is one of the clearest ways of ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Doing right shouldn’t be a death warrant
South Africa celebrates whistleblowers after their deaths but fails to protect the living. This article explores the national tragedy where those who uphold integrity become vulnerable, highlighting cases like Babita Deokaran and Frans Mathipa, and c...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
When freedom failed the mineworkers
Fourteen years after the tragedy at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana, the 16 August 2012 massacre remains a significant event in South Africa’s democratic history. The state’s killing of 34 striking miners was more than just a failure in poli...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Why Netanyahu spiked Trump’s Gaza deal
Donald Trump announced a historic agreement to disarm Hamas and wind down the Gaza war, but Benjamin Netanyahu publicly rejected the 15-point document, stating no pullback until Hamas surrenders and no Palestinian state while he's in office.

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
America, remodelled and rebranded
A federal appeals court has ordered a stop to President Donald Trump's controversial White House ballroom renovation, ruling that the president lacked the authority to proceed without Congress's approval. This decision is seen as a significant check ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
No procurement watchdog body yet, four years past State Capture report
Four years after the Zondo Commission's State Capture report, South Africa still awaits a crucial institution: an independent Public Procurement Anti-Corruption Agency (PPACA). Former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo highlights its absence as a barrier to...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Rural communities are seen but never heard
This thought-provoking article explores the often-unseen complexities of rural communities in South Africa, drawing parallels from film portrayals to institutional engagements. It questions whether institutions truly listen to Indigenous voices or me...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Gig Guide: Rorisang Sechele’s In Full Bloom at Untitled Basement, Gert-Johan Coetzee launches fragrance line and Zakes Bantwini takes Afro House to Anjunadeep
Get your essential dose of South African arts and culture news, featuring jazz vocalist Rorisang Sechele's upcoming 'In Full Bloom' performance, Grammy-winner Zakes Bantwini's new Afro House release on Anjunadeep, and fashion designer Gert-Johan Coet...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
The KZN Art Fair wants your money. Just don't ask them for a seat at the table
The inaugural KZN Art Fair aimed to be a vehicle for exploring the South African art market, but its approach to student access and its choice of location raise questions about its true mission: is it about cultural development or simply commerce?

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Kagiso Lesego Molope wants us to remember what we inherit
South African-Canadian novelist Kagiso Lesego Molope's latest work, 'We Inherit the Fire', delves into the devastating impact of apartheid on families and black women, exploring themes of memory, hope, and the journey to rebuild after adversity.

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 22:00:00 GMT
Mballet, a garden that grew from concrete
Mbalenhle Mkhatshwa, founder of Mballet Dance Academy, is transforming lives in Tembisa. From her grandmother's backyard, she's created a ballet studio providing children with opportunities she once lost, challenging perceptions of where ballet belon...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:11:10 GMT
South Africa’s unemployment crisis deepens as jobless rate rises to 33.6%
South Africa's unemployment rate has surged to 33.6%, with 8.5 million people now jobless. Youth unemployment is particularly dire at 47.4%, prompting the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) to call for urgent action against the deepenin...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:33:51 GMT
Legacy Foundations Impact
As South Africa's political landscape faces challenges from declining party leadership and a lack of evidence-based policy, legacy political foundations are emerging as critical providers of intellectual, policy, and moral guidance, offering a path t...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:08:41 GMT
Call for Minister of Transport to act against Transnet executives
Labour organisations are calling for the immediate suspension of Transnet Port Terminals CEO Jabu Mdaki and his executive team, alleging that internal investigations into R824m irregular contracts are merely a 'window dressing exercise' to protect po...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:17:55 GMT
From Training to Transformation: Strengthening Science Clubs Through Teacher Development
Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company (AK NPC), in collaboration with SADTU and the WCED's Cape Winelands and Overberg Education Districts, successfully delivered a science club training programme. This initiative equipped Natural Sciences teachers ...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:34:43 GMT
We need an economy capable of creating jobs
South Africa's official unemployment rate stands at 33.6%, highlighting a critical job creation problem rather than just unemployment. This article delves into the structural weaknesses of the economy, the impact on the working-age population, and th...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 06:29:30 GMT
Absa's campaign to help people feel more confident with their money
Absa is set to launch a new comedy-drama micro-series, 'For Better Or For Whatever', on its social media platforms. The series aims to use relatable stories about love, family, and money to help people build financial confidence, manage their finance...

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