South Africa Mail & Guardian

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...

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 04:14:50 GMT
Ipid accuses KZN task team of extrajudicial killings
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) deputy director Len John testified before the Madlanga commission, alleging that cash-in-transit task team commander Deena Govender sanctioned the extrajudicial killing of taxi owner Bevan Loftu...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:31:36 GMT
SA economy: Motlanthe on what needs to be done
Former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe addressed the Black Business Council (BBC) annual summit, conceding that despite political transformation, ownership and control of productive capital remain profoundly asymmetrical. He stressed the ne...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:49:48 GMT
Competing Truths and the Elusive Author: Rereading the Madlanga Commission through Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author
This article draws parallels between Luigi Pirandello's play, 'Six Characters in Search of an Author,' and the ongoing Madlanga Judicial Commission of Inquiry in South Africa. It explores how the commission's testimonies, particularly those concernin...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:21:04 GMT
Elvira Dyangani Ose is Zeitz Mocaa’s new director
The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Mocaa) in Cape Town has announced Elvira Dyangani Ose as its new artistic director. Her appointment follows an extensive search after the passing of the brilliant former director, Koyo Kouoh, and marks a p...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:15:44 GMT
AWCA looks to keep more women in the profession and move them into leadership
The African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) marks 24 years of advancing Black women in the profession, focusing on retaining talent, supporting career growth, and empowering women to reach leadership roles through mentorship, sponsorship, and cruc...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 13:04:43 GMT
Soil biodiversity: The hidden life beneath our feet
While South Africa's attention is on water shortages and climate change, scientists warn of a critical soil degradation crisis. Over 70% of the country's land is affected, threatening food production, carbon storage, and biodiversity. Protecting and ...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 10:15:36 GMT
South Africa approves 10-year driving licences but motorists must still renew, for now
South African motorists could soon spend less time at driving licence testing centres after Cabinet approved extending the validity period for certain driving licences from five to 10 years. The decision applies to Code A, A1, B and EB licences, whic...

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 08:03:40 GMT
Aston Villa vs Arsenal Prediction: The Tactical Risks Behind the 31 August Forecast
Expert tactical analysis for the Aston Villa vs Arsenal match on 31 August 2026. Review key transition risks, team strategies, and probability data before betting.

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:11:25 GMT
ANC mayoral hopefuls sent back to school before 2026 elections
ANC mayoral candidates are set to hold one week study at the party's school of governance led by its principal, former Gauteng premier David Makhura. The study leave is aimed at equipping the potential mayors on how to conduct themselves in media in...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 15:34:56 GMT
Idac investigated Masemola without a complaint referral
The Madlanga commission has heard that the Independent Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) investigated national police commissioner Fannie Masemola in the Medicare24 matter without the required Section 27 complaint referral. Former Idac head Andre...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:33:45 GMT
The making of Mazhar Akhter
At just 24, Mazhar Akhter has transformed his childhood dream of fashion design into a reality, launching his first commercial collection with Pick n Pay Clothing's Futurewear programme. Discover the journey of this talented South African designer, f...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:30:56 GMT
Our greatest brand threat wears our colours
The latest Brand South Africa Global Reputation and Domestic Perception Study leaves me with mixed emotions. It is encouraging because it reminds us that the world still sees extraordinary promise in our country. It is sobering because it reminds us ...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:29:51 GMT
The tender that gobbled up Rand West City
A R76.18 million tender awarded to a state official in the ANC-led Rand West District Municipality has been exposed in the Auditor-General's report. This concerning pattern of officials doing business with the state points to a severe breakdown in mu...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:37:47 GMT
Cold front and cut-off low plunge SA into snow, rain and bitter cold
A powerful cold front and cut-off low have plunged South Africa into a deep freeze, bringing snow to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, heavy rain, and strong winds. Johannesburg woke to freezing temperatures, and hazardous travel conditions are wid...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:53:03 GMT
Justice Madlanga dismisses Adams’s excuses, accuses him of not taking commission seriously
National Coloured Congress MP Fadiel Adams's testimony before the Madlanga commission has been postponed until 19 August. This follows his late submission of a witness statement, which Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga found difficult to believe, accusing Ada...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:46:36 GMT
Correction and apology
Apology In the June 5 to 11 2026 edition, the Mail & Guardian published an article with the headline Rafik Mohamed out on bail (https://mg.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-06-04-rafik-mohamed-out-on-bail/) and a sub-headline Ongoing investigations linked...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:15:03 GMT
Aids is no longer exceptional. What happens now?
The International Aids Conference in Rio de Janeiro highlighted a stark reality: the era of Aids exceptionalism is ending amid unprecedented funding cuts. As science delivers breakthroughs like lenacapavir, the movement faces a critical question: doe...

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:44:53 GMT
YuLife announced as a sponsor of the South African AI Awards
YuLife South Africa, an Insurtech company focused on employee benefits and wellbeing, has announced its bronze sponsorship of the inaugural South African AI Awards, a platform dedicated to recognising excellence and innovation in artificial intellige...

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